Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,

My name is Rian McGrouther and I am writing to you today to appeal the decision for my withdrawal for one year. This year I finished with a cumulative GPA of 1.33 after being on academic probation, requiring me to withdraw for one year before completing my studies. I am asking for an exception from this requirement. I have formulated an academic plan for myself and learned how to better succeed in my studies this past year, which I know will help me to succeed in future years and graduate from Queen¿¿s.

I have my academic plan set out for the following two years at Queen¿¿s and future studies. I plan on completing a Bachelor of Science (General) in Physics. With my current courses completed I have finished first year with all the prerequisites for the degree. This will allow me to complete the degree within two years. I plan on taking an Accounting program at St. Lawrence College after to explore a career in accounting. The reason for not getting a degree in mathematics is because I do not have the MATH 110 (or MATH 111) prerequisite for the mathematics degree, resulting in another year of schooling here at Queen¿¿s. I believe that this is the best plan for me at my current point in my life.

Heading into the last Fall semester I had a GPA of 0.78. This is atrociously bad, and I tried harder in my classes, which got me the best grades I have ever gotten in my post-secondary school education. Unfortunately, my efforts couldn¿¿t get me off academic probation. Over the last two semesters, for the first time, I took a full course load. This proved more difficult than anticipated and I suffered a couple of bumps. This year brought with it new study strategies that have helped me succeed this year. I am confident that I will be above a 2.0 GPA by the end of next year, and by graduation I will have above a 2.5 GPA.

As good as I have felt about the past year I cannot forget my past. In year one I came in thinking I didn¿¿t need to study to pass and could skip any class cause ¿¿I will make it up later¿. I took only three courses each semester and coasted on my previous high school knowledge of physics and mathematics (which was not enough to do well). Understandably I didn¿¿t do well in my first year passing two full year courses during my process. Second year was even worse than first year. I did not get my wake-up call and became even more unmotivated. I stayed inside watching TV all day, never went out to socialize or go to the library to study. I ended up taking two courses in the fall semester and three during the winter. I only passed one half-year course the entire year. This was an all new low for me. During the summer following second year I worked in factory. It was hard work, but I managed to last the whole summer working in the factory. All I could think during my time was ¿¿I wished I tried harder in school¿. Which resulted in my full course load and much more successful third year.

I have my academic life planned out for the next five years, along with academic goals for each of those years. Given the chance to return to Queen¿¿s for the Fall 2018 semester I know I will succeed in my academics.

Sincerely,
Rian McGrouther 10181586