Petition Letter
Dear Associate Dean,
I am writing this letter as an appeal to petition for a late drop in three of my four fall-term courses in 2022. In addition, I am petitioning for a late drop in one course and Credit Standing in two courses from Fall/Winter 2021. The three courses in Fall 2022 are EMPR 100, EMPR 210, and EMPR 220. The 2021 Petition course is CHEM 212. And the two appeals for Credit Standing are BIOL 243 and HLTH 230.
My petitions and appeals for Credit Standing are due to extenuating circumstances related to my mental health, which affected my ability to complete course deliverables and drop these courses on time.
I am currently a third-year student majoring in Employment Relations. I have been a dedicated and hardworking student throughout my time at the university. However, over the last two years, my mental health has been declining. During the 2021/22 fall and winter semesters, I experienced an initial mental decline which dramatically impacted my outcomes. As it developed, I tried focussing on the courses I could succeed in. Although I finished my courses, I was unable to achieve my academic goals in the ones that suffered. As a result, I decided to shift out of Sciences and into Arts (EMPR), while reducing my course load for Fall 2022. Unfortunately, in the Fall 2022 Semester, I experienced a more severe mental health decline in the first month. At that point, I was unable to complete the most basic daily tasks, including reaching out to school resources and my friends and family for help.
Specifically, I struggled with poor mental health due to a number of personal and academic stressors. As a result, my ability to manage school, personal health, and basic relationships simultaneously declined and I self-isolated.
These extenuating circumstances had a particularly negative impact on my performance. I could not attend most of my classes and missed important lectures and discussions. Additionally, I fell behind on my readings and assignments and was unable to catch up despite my best efforts. I understand that I should have dropped the course by the Week 8 deadline, but I did not do so because I was in a state of denial, thinking I could turn myself around, It wasn't until I recently reached out to family and resources that I realized how far removed I have been from being functional. Unfortunately, I was unable to complete the majority of the required coursework before the end of the semester, and as a result, am likely receiving failing grades in the courses.
I understand that this is a rare and exceptional circumstance, but I genuinely believe that my extenuating circumstances warrant consideration.
I have not asked for a late drop of the fourth course EMPR230 because I have completed two of five course deliverables to date, and believe that with accommodation, I can complete the course with good results.
My plan going forward is to continue taking steps to improve my overall mental health and manage my stress more effectively. I am seeking counseling and therapy, using both school resources and third parties to help me cope with the personal and academic challenges I am facing. I am encouraged that with the support of the university as well as the support of mental health professionals, I will be able to overcome these obstacles and achieve academic success in future semesters.
My goal is to mitigate the impact of these extenuating circumstances on my GPA, toward my ultimate objective of applying for a graduate degree in law or business.
Thank you for your consideration. I truly appreciate access to this petition process and the university resources I have been able to engage.
Sincerely, Jonah Tal
I am writing this letter as an appeal to petition for a late drop in three of my four fall-term courses in 2022. In addition, I am petitioning for a late drop in one course and Credit Standing in two courses from Fall/Winter 2021. The three courses in Fall 2022 are EMPR 100, EMPR 210, and EMPR 220. The 2021 Petition course is CHEM 212. And the two appeals for Credit Standing are BIOL 243 and HLTH 230.
My petitions and appeals for Credit Standing are due to extenuating circumstances related to my mental health, which affected my ability to complete course deliverables and drop these courses on time.
I am currently a third-year student majoring in Employment Relations. I have been a dedicated and hardworking student throughout my time at the university. However, over the last two years, my mental health has been declining. During the 2021/22 fall and winter semesters, I experienced an initial mental decline which dramatically impacted my outcomes. As it developed, I tried focussing on the courses I could succeed in. Although I finished my courses, I was unable to achieve my academic goals in the ones that suffered. As a result, I decided to shift out of Sciences and into Arts (EMPR), while reducing my course load for Fall 2022. Unfortunately, in the Fall 2022 Semester, I experienced a more severe mental health decline in the first month. At that point, I was unable to complete the most basic daily tasks, including reaching out to school resources and my friends and family for help.
Specifically, I struggled with poor mental health due to a number of personal and academic stressors. As a result, my ability to manage school, personal health, and basic relationships simultaneously declined and I self-isolated.
These extenuating circumstances had a particularly negative impact on my performance. I could not attend most of my classes and missed important lectures and discussions. Additionally, I fell behind on my readings and assignments and was unable to catch up despite my best efforts. I understand that I should have dropped the course by the Week 8 deadline, but I did not do so because I was in a state of denial, thinking I could turn myself around, It wasn't until I recently reached out to family and resources that I realized how far removed I have been from being functional. Unfortunately, I was unable to complete the majority of the required coursework before the end of the semester, and as a result, am likely receiving failing grades in the courses.
I understand that this is a rare and exceptional circumstance, but I genuinely believe that my extenuating circumstances warrant consideration.
I have not asked for a late drop of the fourth course EMPR230 because I have completed two of five course deliverables to date, and believe that with accommodation, I can complete the course with good results.
My plan going forward is to continue taking steps to improve my overall mental health and manage my stress more effectively. I am seeking counseling and therapy, using both school resources and third parties to help me cope with the personal and academic challenges I am facing. I am encouraged that with the support of the university as well as the support of mental health professionals, I will be able to overcome these obstacles and achieve academic success in future semesters.
My goal is to mitigate the impact of these extenuating circumstances on my GPA, toward my ultimate objective of applying for a graduate degree in law or business.
Thank you for your consideration. I truly appreciate access to this petition process and the university resources I have been able to engage.
Sincerely, Jonah Tal