Petition Letter
Dear Associate Dean,
I hope this email finds you well. My name is Xiangyu(Also preferred as Leo) Jiao, and my student number is 20256626, majoring in Computer Science, minor in Math. I am writing to respectfully submit a petition for an exception to transfer an additional course credit beyond the allowable limit of 6.0 units.
I have already transferred 6.0 units of credits toward my degree. However, due to extenuating circumstances related to my academic progression, I would like to request approval to transfer one additional course—specifically, a mathematics or statistics elective—to alleviate significant academic pressure and ensure timely completion of my program.
The situation is as follows:
1. Unexpected Requirement for a Minor in Mathematics:
Due to recent updates in the Queen’s Modular Plan this summer, I was unexpectedly required to declare a minor in Mathematics. As I had not previously planned for this, I now find myself needing to complete several mathematics and statistics electives within a limited timeframe. Prior to the Modular Plan update, I had intended to take a lighter final-year course load to strengthen my GPA; the sudden change disrupted that plan and left me uncertain about how to proceed. I had not previously contemplated transferring credits. Even with this request, I will still complete more than 120.0 units at Queen’s.
2. Limited Course Availability:
Among the few courses that fulfill the minor requirements, STAT 465 and STAT 466 are not being offered this academic year. I have already enrolled in STAT 362 for the Winter term, which is one of the few eligible courses for which I meet the prerequisites. However, the sudden need to complete four mathematics courses within a condensed period has presented a considerable challenge, particularly as I have not taken mathematics courses consistently over the past four years.
3. Academic Burden and Risk of Delayed Graduation:
Taking multiple mathematics and statistics courses simultaneously, without the opportunity to adequately prepare, has made it difficult to maintain the level of academic performance I strive for. By transferring one additional eligible course from an external institution, I hope to reduce my on-campus course load, focus more effectively on my remaining courses, and avoid a potential delay in graduation.
4. Challenges in MATH 225 and transcript considerations:
This term I attempted MATH 225. My last fully structured mathematics sequence was three years ago (apart from MATH 381, which was comparatively light), and I have struggled to recall the prerequisite material at the expected pace. Before the term began, I assumed sheer effort would let me catch up; after sustained self-study during Reading Week, I realized that without rebuilding the foundations, this is not realistic. As they said. math indeed is a discipline that demands sustained, structured study. Based on my current performance, I estimate a result in the D range. As I am applying to postgraduate programs—including the possibility of continuing at Queen’s—I am concerned that a sub-B grade on my final-year transcript would materially weaken my applications. Granting an exception to transfer one additional external mathematics/statistics credit would allow me to rebalance my workload and avoid this long-term transcript impact.
5. Enrollment barriers for on-campus Statistics courses:
I attempted to enroll in STAT 252 (which conflicts in time with required courses) as well as STAT 268 and STAT 361, for which I do not meet the stated prerequisites. For the Winter term, STAT 362 is the only eligible course for which I meet the prerequisites; fortunately, it is an R-programming course and I have prior experience in R.
I would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss my situation further and provide any additional documentation or information you may require. Thank you for your time and consideration.
With warmest regards,
Leo
I hope this email finds you well. My name is Xiangyu(Also preferred as Leo) Jiao, and my student number is 20256626, majoring in Computer Science, minor in Math. I am writing to respectfully submit a petition for an exception to transfer an additional course credit beyond the allowable limit of 6.0 units.
I have already transferred 6.0 units of credits toward my degree. However, due to extenuating circumstances related to my academic progression, I would like to request approval to transfer one additional course—specifically, a mathematics or statistics elective—to alleviate significant academic pressure and ensure timely completion of my program.
The situation is as follows:
1. Unexpected Requirement for a Minor in Mathematics:
Due to recent updates in the Queen’s Modular Plan this summer, I was unexpectedly required to declare a minor in Mathematics. As I had not previously planned for this, I now find myself needing to complete several mathematics and statistics electives within a limited timeframe. Prior to the Modular Plan update, I had intended to take a lighter final-year course load to strengthen my GPA; the sudden change disrupted that plan and left me uncertain about how to proceed. I had not previously contemplated transferring credits. Even with this request, I will still complete more than 120.0 units at Queen’s.
2. Limited Course Availability:
Among the few courses that fulfill the minor requirements, STAT 465 and STAT 466 are not being offered this academic year. I have already enrolled in STAT 362 for the Winter term, which is one of the few eligible courses for which I meet the prerequisites. However, the sudden need to complete four mathematics courses within a condensed period has presented a considerable challenge, particularly as I have not taken mathematics courses consistently over the past four years.
3. Academic Burden and Risk of Delayed Graduation:
Taking multiple mathematics and statistics courses simultaneously, without the opportunity to adequately prepare, has made it difficult to maintain the level of academic performance I strive for. By transferring one additional eligible course from an external institution, I hope to reduce my on-campus course load, focus more effectively on my remaining courses, and avoid a potential delay in graduation.
4. Challenges in MATH 225 and transcript considerations:
This term I attempted MATH 225. My last fully structured mathematics sequence was three years ago (apart from MATH 381, which was comparatively light), and I have struggled to recall the prerequisite material at the expected pace. Before the term began, I assumed sheer effort would let me catch up; after sustained self-study during Reading Week, I realized that without rebuilding the foundations, this is not realistic. As they said. math indeed is a discipline that demands sustained, structured study. Based on my current performance, I estimate a result in the D range. As I am applying to postgraduate programs—including the possibility of continuing at Queen’s—I am concerned that a sub-B grade on my final-year transcript would materially weaken my applications. Granting an exception to transfer one additional external mathematics/statistics credit would allow me to rebalance my workload and avoid this long-term transcript impact.
5. Enrollment barriers for on-campus Statistics courses:
I attempted to enroll in STAT 252 (which conflicts in time with required courses) as well as STAT 268 and STAT 361, for which I do not meet the stated prerequisites. For the Winter term, STAT 362 is the only eligible course for which I meet the prerequisites; fortunately, it is an R-programming course and I have prior experience in R.
I would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss my situation further and provide any additional documentation or information you may require. Thank you for your time and consideration.
With warmest regards,
Leo