Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean (Studies),

I am writing to appeal to waive the 21-day/one term deadline to request credit standing for courses I took in the fall and winter terms last year.

Last year was one of the most difficult years of my life. A few days into the fall semester, a close friend was involved in a car accident that nearly ended his life, and put him in a coma. I found myself extremely distracted and worried constantly about him, and could not focus on my studies. If this were not enough worry and stress alone, shortly after my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer. Her battle continued over the course of the fall semester and into the winter semester as well. While I was trying to force myself to focus on my studies, I could never fully put out of my mind the events occurring around me. I thought it was better to get my courses over with so I could focus better on my family. When the winter semester came and I thought I would be able to focus better after spending time with my family over the break, my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer. I found myself to be back where I was during the fall semester, now with two grandparents and my friend to worry about. Halfway through the winter semester, my family was struck with another tragedy. My cousin was hospitalized and nearly died, which on top of my year so far, hit me harder than ever. Through this distraction and constant worry, I wasn't able to commit to focusing on my studies to the best of my abilities. I completed my work, however not well, as the only place where my focus lied was with my family. I endured the hardest year of my life both academically and outside of school. Once the school year finished, I didn't concern myself with grades or my academic standing, just my family.

Since then, I have come to realize the impact that the year had on my studies. When discussing graduate school options with an advisor, I realized that the year had negatively impacted my grades so much that I did not have the academic standing to pursue my dreams of grad school. I was lost, and I did not know the options available to me. I thought that there was nothing I could do, and that my traumatic year would impact my academics for good. However, after meeting with the Undergraduate Chair of Psychology, who was impressed I had even passed the courses under the circumstances, she encouraged me to appeal my grades for credit recovery, despite how late I would be applying. I have been working with Dr. Norris, the Undergraduate Chair, as well as my professors to create a plan so I can achieve my goal of raising my academics and my GPA. Part of this plan includes the chance to appeal my courses for credit standing. It is my hope that if I am granted the request to waive the appeal deadline, I will have a better chance at improving my overall academic standing.

Thank you for your time in reading and considering my request to waive the appeal deadline, it is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Emily Deszpoth