Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 3549
Submitted: June 1, 2017 at 10:58:18 PM
First Name: Michael
Last Name: Borinsky
Student Number: 20019711
Email: 15mb108@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAS
Plan: ECON
Level of Study: 1
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the requirement to withdraw for one year
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dr. Johanne Bénard
Associate Dean (Admission & Recruitment) and Associate Dean (Studies)
Queen's University
Student Services, First Floor Dunning Hall
Telephone: (613) 533-2470 Ext: 79584
Facsimile: (613) 533-2467
Email: f2deans@queensu.ca
Dear Dr. Bénard,
My name is Michael Borinsky, and I respectfully request to appeal your letter requiring me to withdraw for one year from the Faculty of Arts and Science, effective May 23, 2017, because of my low GPA.
Applying to universities and accepting the right university for you is a challenging task. Never having been away from my family and being so far away from my life was too much and isolating for me. I got wrapped up in the idea of going to university in a castle in England. Also, just before I left for the castle my grandmother, Ruth Rosen, whom I am very close with was diagnosed with stage four lung Cancer. During my time at BISC, her Cancer metastasized outside of her lungs. Dr. Yee Ung is my grandmother's radiation oncologist at Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre. Presently, my grandmother health is rapidly deteriorating. I could never have anticipated how overwhelming all of these life changing experiences would be. I have been an Honour Roll student since grade six. I am an Ontario Scholar. I was an active participant in many activities in and out of high school. I played the cello weekly in the Mooredale Orchestra and did competitive horse riding dressage. I never stopped to think of how challenging it would be to leave my family and friends life for a year, especially with my grandmother being so ill and being a continent away from my life. I left everything behind, and I did not know how to navigate this all-encompassing world of the university on my own far away in England. Traveling to England, I was incredibly excited and genuinely sad all at the same time. Queen's University and more relevant The Bader International Study Center is a remarkable University. However, I took on too much too fast. Starting university is a big change for everyone but for someone who has never left home and has a sick family member; living in Europe and mastering university was too overwhelming. I cannot go back and undo what I should have done, but I can share my story with you in the hope you can appreciate my mistake. This experience has taught me a great deal, and I am a better man from this experience.
Associate Dean (Admission & Recruitment) and Associate Dean (Studies)
Queen's University
Student Services, First Floor Dunning Hall
Telephone: (613) 533-2470 Ext: 79584
Facsimile: (613) 533-2467
Email: f2deans@queensu.ca
Dear Dr. Bénard,
My name is Michael Borinsky, and I respectfully request to appeal your letter requiring me to withdraw for one year from the Faculty of Arts and Science, effective May 23, 2017, because of my low GPA.
Applying to universities and accepting the right university for you is a challenging task. Never having been away from my family and being so far away from my life was too much and isolating for me. I got wrapped up in the idea of going to university in a castle in England. Also, just before I left for the castle my grandmother, Ruth Rosen, whom I am very close with was diagnosed with stage four lung Cancer. During my time at BISC, her Cancer metastasized outside of her lungs. Dr. Yee Ung is my grandmother's radiation oncologist at Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre. Presently, my grandmother health is rapidly deteriorating. I could never have anticipated how overwhelming all of these life changing experiences would be. I have been an Honour Roll student since grade six. I am an Ontario Scholar. I was an active participant in many activities in and out of high school. I played the cello weekly in the Mooredale Orchestra and did competitive horse riding dressage. I never stopped to think of how challenging it would be to leave my family and friends life for a year, especially with my grandmother being so ill and being a continent away from my life. I left everything behind, and I did not know how to navigate this all-encompassing world of the university on my own far away in England. Traveling to England, I was incredibly excited and genuinely sad all at the same time. Queen's University and more relevant The Bader International Study Center is a remarkable University. However, I took on too much too fast. Starting university is a big change for everyone but for someone who has never left home and has a sick family member; living in Europe and mastering university was too overwhelming. I cannot go back and undo what I should have done, but I can share my story with you in the hope you can appreciate my mistake. This experience has taught me a great deal, and I am a better man from this experience.
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: Although I am prepared and dedicated to work hard and diligently, I recognize that after my year at the castle I need support. Presently, I am taking two grade twelve Science courses, Physics and Biology in the hope I can take first-year courses that will be helpful for me to do Kinesiology. However, I would like to work with Lori Kilminster on my academic plan. I believe that in September, I should work in close collaboration with Student Support Services. During the summer I am going to find and participate in some university introductory classes. Western University offers a two-day preparatory program. There are also a few online programs I am investigating. I also feel that having a mentor at Queen's would be very helpful to me. I will keep in regular contact with my advisor, Lori Kilminster. Although my grandmother will sadly not be alive in the fall my family, friends, horses, etc. are only a few hours away. Queen's University has small music groups I can play my cello in. I firmly believe that going to Queen's University in the province will ease a lot of my challenges. Also, I have quite a few friends and acquaintances that are students at Queen's University.
Dr. Bénard, Thank you in advance for your time, efforts and consideration of my appeal.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Borinsky
Dr. Bénard, Thank you in advance for your time, efforts and consideration of my appeal.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Borinsky
Documentation
Professional Letter: Letter of confirmation.pdf
Professional Letter Detail: Letter of confirmation regarding Ruth Rosen.