Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: I am writing to request an appeal of eight grades spanning a two-year period, as my F and D level grades during this time were the result of now-diagnosed mental illness. In winter of 2019, after being prescribed anti depression and anxiety medication for the first time, it became apparent that my mental health had been the reason why I was unable to perform at my true level academically. After going on medication in October 2018 (and particularly once the medication took effect in early 2019) I was able for the first time to take on a full course load, and received an A- in every course taken in the winter of 2019. The semester prior to being on medication I failed two courses.

The extreme contrast of my grades during the 2016-2018 period and the 2019-2020 period tells the story of two different students. One who was near debilitated by mental illness and one who was able to receive the help she desperately needed, and become the student mental illness was hindering her from becoming. The higher grades during the 2016-2018 time period (B level grades) came from multiple extensions, granted to me by the kindness of my professors, or the course work being easier in nature. While I have always been capable of meeting the academic standard required in all courses I enrolled in, nevertheless depression and anxiety inhibited my academic abilities in many courses. I have had to make up a tremendous amount of work in the past year in order to amend the damage caused in that time period. I took on a dissertation in which I received an A in the fall of 2019. This was in addition to a thesis project and additional course work during the 2019/2020 school year.

I have been able to prove that I am a dedicated student, who encountered unfortunate circumstances that I was unprepared to grapple with at the time. It should be noted that I did not appeal my grades sooner because I was not aware that I was sick. I blamed myself for my problems; I genuinely thought I was lazy and unintelligent. It was not until I received much needed help through medication and therapy that it became clear to me that I was facing academic challenges due to my health. Now that I am better, I am happy to say I am able to focus my attention on my courses, and I am in a position to write this appeal letter.

Thank you for allowing students who have struggled with mental illness the chance to show that it does not have to define their academic career. I look forward to your response.