Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: I am making this appeal because I have had a difficult semester due to mental health issues. Although I really wanted to complete these courses and thought I had time to turn my grades around, I have unfortunately realized I am too far behind and don't have the ability to catch up.

While I have suspected I have had depression for a few years now, I was too embarrassed and too stubborn to really admit it to myself. Until this fall, it was not severe and didn't affect my life or my school work too much. However, this semester I found it difficult to get out of bed, let alone go to class and do homework. I missed important lectures because I was at home having panic attacks, or missing lab deadlines because every time I opened a textbook, I felt so behind I wanted to cry. After talking to a counselor, I have come to terms with the fact that I have depression and need help to deal with it.

I would greatly appreciate it if you accepted my request for withdrawal, as I really don't want one terrible semester to have long term affects on my GPA. I am hoping that after this summer, with proper counselling, I will be able to return to school with renewed focus on my schoolwork and the right coping mechanisms to overcome my depression.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Dana Biczok