Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear officer,

This appeal letter will be divided by three parts. I will first state the reason why I missed the deadline and then the urgency and necessity of adding this course. Finally, I will demonstrate I have the capacity to catch up.

First, I am now currently applying a graduate program in England, and last Tuesday had an skype interview with my potential supervisor. Since my research topic is philosophy of mathematics, he recommended me of selecting a course about history of math. For the time conflict reason, I dropped PHIL405 in order to place me in the waitlist of MATH381. Because I am really eager to enroll math381, I want to wait until last moment to see if I can enroll. Also I did not want to miss the deadline so I set a clock of 11:30 to remind me of adding back PHIL405(if cannot enroll math381) on Friday. But about 11, my boyfriend sent me a message that he wanted to break up. We had been together for over five years since high school. And I have been diagnosed as depression in 2018, which I can provide document if needed. At that time all I want to do was to kill myself. I stood in the balcony, keeping murmuring 'I want to jump down'. The clock did ring but I just canceled it because I had no capacity to think at that time. I did not fall asleep that night and connected with my doctor online. He gave me some advice to calm me down. Now I am much better but still receiving medical help.

Second, I am a fourth year student expecting to graduate this spring. And PHIL 405 is the only course left for me to fulfill the degree requirement. If I cannot add this course this term, I will need to defer one semester. But as an international student, it is very hard to extend my study permit with only one course left (I have to apply as part time student).

Third, I have attended this course since last week and still keep reading all material. So basically there is nothing for me to 'catch up' because we are just in the same stage. My academic capacity can be clearly shown on transcript and I firmly believe and promise by attending every Prof. Paul's well-organized and comprehensive lectures I will try my best to perform well in this course.

In conclusion, I really apologize for not adding this course. I know breaking up and any psychological reason are not an excuse but still want your understanding, which is so important and urgent to me. I will be appreciate your kindness and understanding.

With my deepest gratitude,
Shanqing Zhou