Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,

I hope this letter finds you in good health. I am writing to formally request your understanding and support in a matter that significantly impacts my academic journey. My name is Petar Trpeski, and I am currently enrolled in the life science program at Queen's University.

I am asking to drop my full-year CHEM 112 course and replace the first semester I have already completed in CHEM 112 with CHEM 113 (Fall 2023) and keep the 3.00 credits I have earned from the first half of the course. This request is deeply rooted in the unforeseen and challenging circumstances that have arisen during the early stages of my first year at Queen's. Unfortunately, my mother was diagnosed with stage 4 sarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer, on September 25th, 2023, coinciding with the beginning of my first semester.

Following the diagnosis, my mother underwent a challenging two-month hospitalization at Princess Margaret Cancer Center. She has recently been discharged but remains in critical condition, requiring ongoing treatment for cancer that has metastasized to her lungs from the uterus. The emotional and mental toll of this situation, in addition to the physical separation from the rest of my family has been overwhelming for everyone.

In my attempts to balance family responsibilities and academic commitments, I found myself in a situation where my own well-being was compromised. I experienced a fainting episode during my physics exam, necessitating a visit to the emergency room. The cumulative stress, coupled with financial strain due to my mother's treatments and both my parents being unable to work, has made it increasingly difficult for me to focus on my studies.

My father, as the primary caregiver, has taken compassionate care leave and is dedicated to supporting my mother's recovery. Consequently, my family's financial situation has become increasingly challenging, leaving my father unable to financially support my studies here, exacerbating the challenges I face in pursuing my education without compromising my family's well-being.

I have aspirations of attending medical school and understand the requirement of maintaining a full course load in every semester. To facilitate my transition to the University of Toronto Scarborough, I have spoken with Andrea Rogers, the admission manager at U of T, who has graciously reactivated my admission offer from the fall to the winter semester. Additionally, Haley Everson, the academic advisor at Queen's, has communicated with the Undergraduate Chair in the Chemistry department, who is supportive of my request to switch from CHEM 112 to CHEM 113.

The purpose of this petition is to kindly seek your approval for this course switch, which would allow me to receive 3 units of credits for CHEM 113 with my current grade (yet to be calculated) for the fall semester of 2023. This adjustment is crucial for maintaining a full course load status and, consequently, ensuring my eligibility for medical school applications.

I understand the significance of adhering to academic policies, but I sincerely hope that my unique circumstances are taken into consideration. I am committed to fulfilling any additional requirements or providing documentation deemed necessary to support my request.

Thank you for your time, understanding, and consideration of my situation. I am hopeful that with your support, I can navigate these challenging times without jeopardizing my academic and professional aspirations.

Sincerely,
Petar Trpeski