Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Stephenson,

I am writing to appeal the 21-day deadline to request Credit (CR) standing in a course.

During the Winter 2017, Fall 2017, and Winter 2018 semesters, I experienced a severe mental illness, which resulted in me obtaining substantially lower grades in two of my courses (BIO103 and PSYC203) than would have otherwise been possible. As my documentation outlines, major depressive disorder and anxiety impacted my cognitive performance (executive functioning), volition, energy, concentration, and motivation, which resulted in me not performing to my true academic abilities. Specifically, my condition prevented me from attending lectures, completing my readings, and hindered me from effectively studying. During this time, I realized that I was struggling and went to Dr. Borins from Student Wellness Services for treatment (documentation provided); however, I did not improve. Additionally, during this time period, I struggled with accepting my sexuality and disclosing it to others. I worried that my family and friends would not accept me and was especially vulnerable to the shame, anxiety and depression that can result. The intersection of challenges in my personal life and my mental health only exacerbated my symptoms, making it extremely hard for me to keep up with my academics. This has been an ongoing issue; however, this past year I have come out to my friends and family and have started to embrace my sexuality as part of my identity.

Given my unhealthy state of mind, I was unable to consider the detriment that my poor marks would have on my future aspirations. Thus, I was not in a healthy mindset to research my options and learn that requesting Credit (CR) standing was an option. Following the Winter 2018 semester, I received treatment from Dr. Banic (documentation provided) and significantly improved. In the following year ¿¿ once abiding by the correct treatment ¿¿ I flourished academically and achieved straight A¿¿s. To demonstrate, since then, I have substantially raised my GPA and achieved straight A+¿¿s in my fourth year while completing 42.0 units. Also, I have retaken PSYC203 and raised my grade from a C to an A+. These improvements demonstrate that my poor marks in BIO103 and PSYC203, and my inability to request CR within the 21-day deadline, were a direct reflection of my mental illness and not my current abilities.

My poor marks in BIO103 and PSYC203 serve as a detriment to my transcript and a major obstacle for my future ambitions. Medical school has always been an ambition of mine, and my struggles with mental illness have further motivated me to pursue a career in medicine, especially in the field of mental health. However, due to the consequences of my mental illness, I did not believe that I could pursue this goal, and my academic success after receiving treatment has proven to me that I am capable of succeeding in rigorous academic environments ¿¿ like medicine ¿¿ if I am given the opportunity. I am now highly motivated to apply to medical school in upcoming cycles. However, I have recently learned that these aforementioned poor marks are preventing me from meeting the minimum cut-offs (e.g., Schulich School of Medicine) and competitive GPA requirements (e.g. University of Toronto) to apply to medical school programs.

Since beginning to see Dr. Banic, my focus has been on improving my symptoms (e.g., motivation and depressed mood), academics, and coming-out to my family and friends. While coming out and focusing on maintaining my treatment, I was not attentive to researching medical school programs, and I was unaware that these poor marks were holding me back in such a substantial manner. Additionally, severe anxiety has been a chronic issue of mine, which has prevented me from focusing on where I want to apply post-graduation. Now that I am graduating and have come out, my focus has shifted and I have learned that it is necessary for me to write this appeal to offset the long-term consequences of my mental illness.

I kindly ask that you waive the deadline to request Credit (CR) standing in a course. As I have outlined, during the 21-day timeline following the completion of BIO103 and PSYC203, I was experiencing a mental illness and personal extenuating circumstances that prevented me from acting in a time-sensitive manner. Since then, I have been handling the process of coming out while tending to my anxiety, treatment and academics. This has prevented me from learning that these poor marks are preventing me from meeting the minimum cut-offs and competitive GPA requirements for medical school programs, and thus, writing this appeal sooner.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and I appreciate your consideration.

Kindest regards,

Alex Prosserman