Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,

I am petitioning to drop out of PHGY 170 and PHAR 100 (Fall, 2023).

I would like to state before that I just was able to receive certain supporting documentation, which is why I petitioned at this time instead of sooner which is what I had wished for. Nonetheless, this semester I enrolled in three courses, one, which is required for my degree and two other elective courses. Although I did not need to take the two elective courses as I have enough for my degree already, I did because I thought I had to maintain being a full-time student and taking a minimum of three courses each semester. I, however, talked to an advisor and she informed me that I could drop out of them, and I could switch to being a part-time student, taking less than three courses, without submitting or anything required of me. After meeting I then determined I was going to drop out of two the courses, however, because of financial and family situations I had a hold on my account and could not drop out of the courses before the deadline on the 30th. This hold, however, got resolved a couple of weeks ago after the deadline.

On top of this, I also have been experiencing health issues that have been affecting my life and causing distress. This is another reason I am petitioning to drop these two courses as with these issues, it has been difficult for me to focus on my academic. I have been doing many tests with my healthcare provider. One test I recently had to do was a 72-hour Holter test. This had to occur from the 25th to the 28th, when my PHGY 170 exam was supposed to occur. Further, the day before on the 24th when my PHAR 100 exam was scheduled, I also had to have other testing. Nonetheless, I ended up deferring both these exams as I was trying to keep my stress low for the tests, particularly the Holter test, and overall, I just found it very difficult to do these exams during these tests. Further, it has been extremely hard to focus on school and apply my best work when doing these tests, worrying about my health, and experiencing the distressing symptoms. Even though I deferred these exams, thinking I would take them later, I determined I wish to drop the courses. Overall, I have found these courses very demanding and, again, trying to take these courses and submit my best work is extremely difficult right now with my symptoms, anxiety about my health, and with my healthcare provider also trying to figure out the issue. I have and continue to find it unfeasible to finish these courses as I don’t think I will be able to, or at any appropriate level, considering my current situation. Further, me and my healthcare provider have been trying to lower stress during this time, so my symptoms are not exacerbated, and prioritize my health. I am petitioning to drop out of only these two courses because again, they are the only elective courses I am taking, and I don’t need them for my degree. Further, I have found these two courses in particular very demanding, and the assignments and exams stressful, making my symptoms worsen.

Considering the future, I am going to take lighter course loads until I feel that I have reached a better place with my physical health and also my mental health which has been impacted from the situation if still needed next semester. Further, most importantly, I will ensure no holds are put on my account again so if I need or want to drop courses before deadlines, there is nothing preventing me from doing so