Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 4911
Submitted: August 27, 2018 at 3:31:46 PM
First Name: Carryn
Last Name: Arn
Student Number: 4705587
Email: carrynarn@gmail.com
Degree Program: BSC
Plan: LISC
Level of Study: 2
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean of Studies,
I am appealing to return to studies after the requirement to withdraw from Queens for a minimum of three years has lapsed.
I was admitted to the Queens Life Sciences program as an honour student in 2002 with high hopes and great potential. That was quickly taken from me as my health began to degrade in a downward trajectory upon my first year and completely overturned my academic career. Being young and optimistic I persevered through first and second year on low energy and functionality, completing a few core courses. However my academic performance was a poor reflection of my true capabilities. I returned for a third year without a firm grasp on the severity of my condition and the appropriate medical resources in Kingston. This forced me to spend a large portion of the semester in Toronto, preventing me from being present for much of the academic year and inevitably, I was unable to complete my courses. Knowing now, I would have left at that point to devote myself to treatment and healing, but received conflicting advice and recommendations from doctors. Along with my own naivety and strong desire to achieve my academic goals, I returned for several years after to try and complete my degree. By 2009 it was clear, I had to leave it behind and return to Toronto to give full attention towards restoring my health. I am left with an unfortunate transcript of incomplete and failed courses that directly correlate to the degradation of my health over the years. I have been unable to show any real work or accomplishment that truly honours my intellectual strength, work ethic, and reflects the enthusiastic student I had been. Now as the years have passed, I have never lost sight of my original goals and desire to complete an undergraduate degree. It has been a long journey of recovery, sadness, hope, introspection, and focused perseverance. I sought medical treatment here and abroad and continue to be supported by a professional team for regular check-ups and close monitoring. I really fought to get to a place of stable health and it has taken a long period of time to regain full physical strength, ensure full confidence to reengage, and now dedicate my time to academic goals. Health and the human body has always been my passion since entering the Life Sciences program. Now with my own struggles that were then exacerbated by inefficiencies and challenges within, what I think is a poorly structured healthcare system; health care is my unequivocal endeavour. I am looking to achieve the best educational background and knowledge base to focus my passion into affirmative action and make a positive contribution to the field of health and disease.
I am appealing to return to studies after the requirement to withdraw from Queens for a minimum of three years has lapsed.
I was admitted to the Queens Life Sciences program as an honour student in 2002 with high hopes and great potential. That was quickly taken from me as my health began to degrade in a downward trajectory upon my first year and completely overturned my academic career. Being young and optimistic I persevered through first and second year on low energy and functionality, completing a few core courses. However my academic performance was a poor reflection of my true capabilities. I returned for a third year without a firm grasp on the severity of my condition and the appropriate medical resources in Kingston. This forced me to spend a large portion of the semester in Toronto, preventing me from being present for much of the academic year and inevitably, I was unable to complete my courses. Knowing now, I would have left at that point to devote myself to treatment and healing, but received conflicting advice and recommendations from doctors. Along with my own naivety and strong desire to achieve my academic goals, I returned for several years after to try and complete my degree. By 2009 it was clear, I had to leave it behind and return to Toronto to give full attention towards restoring my health. I am left with an unfortunate transcript of incomplete and failed courses that directly correlate to the degradation of my health over the years. I have been unable to show any real work or accomplishment that truly honours my intellectual strength, work ethic, and reflects the enthusiastic student I had been. Now as the years have passed, I have never lost sight of my original goals and desire to complete an undergraduate degree. It has been a long journey of recovery, sadness, hope, introspection, and focused perseverance. I sought medical treatment here and abroad and continue to be supported by a professional team for regular check-ups and close monitoring. I really fought to get to a place of stable health and it has taken a long period of time to regain full physical strength, ensure full confidence to reengage, and now dedicate my time to academic goals. Health and the human body has always been my passion since entering the Life Sciences program. Now with my own struggles that were then exacerbated by inefficiencies and challenges within, what I think is a poorly structured healthcare system; health care is my unequivocal endeavour. I am looking to achieve the best educational background and knowledge base to focus my passion into affirmative action and make a positive contribution to the field of health and disease.
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: My academic success directly relates to the status of my health, the energy to fully engage, and the appropriate time to commit to my courses. I believe I have taken the necessary time to address these concerns and have the full support and encouragement from my doctor. I have access to ongoing medical support and monitoring throughout the year in Toronto and am very proactive with continued screening and testing. I am ready and confident to reengage in a Bachelor of Science General Degree in Life Sciences online. I have connected with an academic advisor to get reacquainted with my current academic standing and discuss an academic future. I plan to check in throughout the semester to keep communication on progress and accountability. I would like to start with a small number of online courses (two to three) this fall semester 2018. Specifically, either of the following: BCHM 218, PHAR 270, PHGY 170 or MICR 270. I understand I was removed from the Life Sciences specialty due to the insufficient academic progress that resulted from my illness. I would like the opportunity to prove myself to the department with these few courses before asking them to accept me full time. I have completed some first and second year level courses in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy, Physiology, Calculus, and Statistics, and would like to take further courses in the disciplines appropriate to the Life Sciences General Degree plan over future semesters. Specifically: Biology, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pharmacology, and Health Studies. At this time I cannot accurately determine the length of time needed to complete a General Degree, since I would like to begin with a light course load and build to full time studies upon consultation with an advisor towards the end of the fall semester. I have put forth an OSAP application and have recently been able to secure funding for the upcoming 2018/2019 academic year. Beyond my health, which I have addressed, I have not met any further barriers to academic success, but I understand it has been a substantial hiatus and plan to engage with professors should I need clarification or have questions. I plan to manage my time appropriately to stay on top of the material and always reach out to the instructors when necessary to ensure I keep pace.
I strongly believe with my health in stable condition, my strength and energy restored, a reduced course load, open communication with an advisor and instructors throughout the semester, ongoing medical support, and the time necessary to dedicate to my studies; I can achieve academic success. I am eager to return to studies and work towards completing my Bachelor of Science Degree; a lifelong goal I am determined to see to fruition. At this time I am asking if you would please consider accepting my return to studies this fall semester, September 2018.
I strongly believe with my health in stable condition, my strength and energy restored, a reduced course load, open communication with an advisor and instructors throughout the semester, ongoing medical support, and the time necessary to dedicate to my studies; I can achieve academic success. I am eager to return to studies and work towards completing my Bachelor of Science Degree; a lifelong goal I am determined to see to fruition. At this time I am asking if you would please consider accepting my return to studies this fall semester, September 2018.
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: Medical letter
Decision Letters
Amendment to Appeal 4911
Relevant Petition: 4911
Student Number: 4705587
History
Originally submitted August 27, 2018 at 3:31:46 PM.
| Field | Reference | Old Value | New Value | Note | User | Date/Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| status | N/A | Received | Prepared for Review | Carrie Roosenmaalen | 2018-08-29 9:50:09 AM | |
| status | N/A | Prepared for Review | In Review | Spring Forsberg | 2018-08-31 9:45:08 AM | |
| status | N/A | In Review | Granted | Spring Forsberg | 2018-09-21 10:11:40 AM | |
| associate_dean | N/A | Johanne Benard, Ph.D. | Spring Forsberg | 2018-09-21 10:11:40 AM | ||
| decision_letter | N/A | N/A | Decision letter sent | Spring Forsberg | 2018-09-21 10:12:24 AM |