Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,

I am writing to respectfully submit a petition for academic consideration regarding courses I completed during the 2024–2025 academic year. I am requesting the following:

Late course drops for:
    • CISC 203 – Fall 2024
    • CISC 271 – Winter 2025
Credit Received (CR) standing for:
    • CISC 204 – Winter 2025
    • CISC 221 – Fall 2024

a. Extenuating Circumstances and Timeline
Over the past two academic years, I have experienced ongoing mental health challenges that began in September 2023. I began receiving professional support in November 2024, as confirmed in my supporting documentation. These challenges impacted several critical aspects of my academic and personal functioning — including focus, class attendance, timely completion of assignments, and exam performance — throughout both the Fall 2024 and Winter 2025 terms.

Despite these difficulties, I remained enrolled and committed to my studies, believing that determination and effort would eventually lead to recovery and academic improvement. In hindsight, I realize that this approach caused me to overlook the depth of my struggles and prevented me from withdrawing before the academic deadlines. My actions were guided by hope and persistence, not avoidance of responsibility — but I now understand that clearer decisions might have protected my academic standing more effectively.

This petition is not only a reflection of the challenges I’ve faced, but also of the growth and insight I’ve gained. With a stronger awareness of my limits, consistent access to care, and improved strategies for managing both academic stress and mental wellness, I am confident in my ability to succeed moving forward. These revisions in my academic path would allow me to meet eligibility for the Honours Computing plan — a goal I am working towards with focused intention.

b. Explanation of Course-Specific Requests
CISC 203 (Fall 2024): I did not pass this course in the Fall term. I later retook it in Winter 2025 and earned an A-, which I believe better reflects my true capability. I am requesting to drop the Fall attempt from my transcript, as it does not accurately represent my academic potential.
CISC 271 (Winter 2025): This course coincided with a particularly unstable period in my mental health. Despite my efforts, I was unable to keep pace with the material and perform to standard.
CISC 204 (Winter 2025): This was a repeated attempt after a previous failure. While there was some improvement, the final grade still fell short of my expectations. I am requesting Credit Received standing to recognize the learning progress made under challenging conditions.
CISC 221 (Fall 2024): I remained enrolled while managing ongoing difficulties, but my performance was compromised. A Credit Received designation would allow me to move forward without the long-term impact of a low grade on my transcript.
c. Academic Plan and Support Moving Forward
I am currently at home for the summer and continuing to receive consistent mental health support. I’ve taken meaningful steps to address underlying issues such as burnout, homesickness, and unrealistic expectations. Through this process, I’ve developed a healthier approach to time management, workload planning, and knowing when to seek help.

This fall, I intend to return to Queen’s with a full course load, supported by a new set of academic habits and wellness routines. I also plan to take on an on-campus job to help structure my time and support myself financially.

In addition, I am currently completing an internship as a Software Developer Intern in the Banking and Financial Services industry, which has helped me rebuild confidence, discipline, and problem-solving skills in a high-performing environment. This experience has reinforced my ability to balance responsibilities and approach challenges with focus and resilience — a mindset I am excited to bring into the new academic year.

My long-term goal is to transition from the 3-year General Computing program to the Honours Computing plan, possibly with a Minor in Mathematics. The approval of this petition would play a critical role in helping me meet the eligibility requirements for that next step.

d. Supporting Documentation

I will be attaching documentation from my licensed healthcare provider, confirming:
-The onset date of November 5, 2024
-The presence of ongoing, moderate impairment affecting core academic functions

-Specific functional challenges related to class attendance, focus, deadlines, and evaluations
Thank you very much for taking the time to review my petition. I am deeply committed to both personal growth and academic success, and I hope this letter demonstrates that I am prepared to return with clarity, strength, and renewed purpose.

Sincerely,
Tisha Bandyopadhyay
Student ID: 20341315