Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To the Associate Dean (Studies):

My name is Michael Grivich and I am requesting a credit standing (CR) in Abnormal Psychology 235 for Fall 2013 and Winter 2014 terms. I believe that my academic underachievement was in part due to my learning disability and lack of exam accommodations from 2011 to 2013, which hindered my ability to achieve my full potential.

In 2011, I decided to attend university as a mature student. While enrolled in one course, I experienced significant difficulties on timed evaluations. To address this issue, I attended workshops at Queen's University that focused on adopting new learning strategies, including: exam timing and preparation, time-management, and essay writing skills. Throughout my undergraduate career, I also continued to take a reduced course load to ensure academic success. Although courses with final term essays enabled me to work consistently throughout the term and implement effective study strategies, my academic underachievement persisted on midterm and final examination evaluations. For instance, during PSYC 235, I met with Dr. Tripp and the teaching assistants to address my concerns as the full year course consisted of four exams. Unfortunately, I ended up receiving a C- despite my significant efforts. I believe that this mark does not reflect my actual ability as the circumstances were beyond my control.

After exhausting various resources and discussing my poor exam performances with academic counselors and instructors, it was recommended that I speak to a health care professional. As a result, I was diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and have received appropriate exam accommodations on all timed evaluations since 2014. Such accommodations have ultimately enabled me to perform to the best of my ability and achieve grades that reflect my true academic potential. To date, I have continued to implement strategic study plans and use exam accommodations in all courses to ensure academic success. Now, as I finish my undergraduate honours degree at the age of twenty-eight, I hope to pursue a law degree. Since I have taken a reduced course load over the past six years, the law admissions counsel will evaluate my cumulative grade point average. Thus, I believe that the grade I received in PSYC 235 negatively impacts my cumulative grade point average, and fails to reflect my full academic potential, as this course was completed prior to my diagnosis.

Thank you in advance for your consideration in regard to this matter.

Sincerely,

Michael Grivich