Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Committee,
I am writing to respectfully request permission to enroll in four courses within the General Arts program after recently switching from Life Sciences. This decision came after careful reflection and a realization that pursuing a career in medicine was no longer the right fit for me. I’ve come to understand that my true interests and passions lie elsewhere, and I believe that the General Arts program offers the ideal academic environment for me to thrive.

When I first enrolled in Life Sciences, I thought I wanted to pursue a career in medicine. However, after just two weeks in the program, I found myself feeling more and more disconnected from the work and the direction I was heading. I realized that the medical field, while admirable, did not fit in with my interests or passions. This shift in perspective led to feelings of uncertainty and stress, which affected my academic performance. I found it difficult to engage with the material as I knew I wasn't in the right path. On Monday night September 15th, I went into SOLUS and dropped all my life sci courses to obtain the full refund, although by the time I had gotten to the enrolling segment, the website had continuously crashed moving time away from the deadline. Once the deadline hit and I couldn't access the courses anymore, I decided to take immediate action by speaking to an academic advisor who has guided me through all these points.

I took proactive steps and consulted with my academic advisor and began to explore other academic options. Through this process, I came to the conclusion that the General Arts program was the best fit for me. I’m deeply passionate about creative and intellectual pursuits, and I feel that courses within this program will allow me to develop the skills and knowledge that make me happier.

I have received approval from all the instructors of the courses I am requesting to join, acknowledging that I will be entering their classes late. I let the, know that I will do my best to catch up on any missed material and am fully committed to putting in the effort required to succeed in these courses. I am confident that this shift will allow me to pursue a path that aligns with my passions.

Thank you for considering my petition. I understand that switching programs so soon after starting is an unusual request, but I am committed to excelling and am confident that this decision will lead to greater success for my mental well being. I truly appreciate your understanding and hope for the opportunity to continue my studies with renewed enthusiasm.

Best regards,
-Emilie