Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 13688
Submitted: October 27, 2025 at 1:47:21 PM
First Name: Sofia
Last Name: Smith
Pronoun: She/her
Student Number: 20409529
Email: 22nrq1@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: APPLIED ECON
Level of Study: 3
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Request to take more than 6.0 units of courses on a letter of permission through another institution
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: I am requesting approval to complete three courses (9.0 credits) during the Winter 2026 term at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) in Madrid, Spain. I am pursuing this on the grounds of exceptional circumstances (unique academic opportunity) because the courses I plan to take will directly advance my degree progress and strengthen my academic plan without delaying my time to graduation.
To remain fully on track, I will (1) enroll in 9.0 credits at UC3M that map to my program requirements at Queen’s (employment/business related electives and/or core equivalents); (2) submit syllabi for transfer-credit pre-approval; and (3) upon my return, I will submit my completed transcript for approval/credit transfer. I also plan to enroll in Summer 2026 courses at Queen’s to ensure continuous progress. Although I am arranging this visit independently, UC3M is an established Queen’s exchange partner, which should facilitate credit transfer and academic alignment.
Academically, this opportunity will broaden my learning by allowing me to study employment- and business-related topics in a European context, compare pedagogy and policy across jurisdictions, and engage with internationally diverse peers and instructors. Professionally, exposure to Madrid’s globally connected ecosystem will expand my networks with faculty and students, potentially opening internship and research opportunities relevant to my long-term career goals. Finally, immersion in a Spanish-speaking environment will help me develop functional fluency; I grew up with a Spanish speaker but was never fully immersed, and this term will enable the linguistic proficiency increasingly expected in international, client-facing roles.
Thank you for considering this petition. I am committed to meeting all Queen’s academic standards while abroad and welcome any additional documentation you may require.
Sincerely,
Sofia Smith
20409529
To remain fully on track, I will (1) enroll in 9.0 credits at UC3M that map to my program requirements at Queen’s (employment/business related electives and/or core equivalents); (2) submit syllabi for transfer-credit pre-approval; and (3) upon my return, I will submit my completed transcript for approval/credit transfer. I also plan to enroll in Summer 2026 courses at Queen’s to ensure continuous progress. Although I am arranging this visit independently, UC3M is an established Queen’s exchange partner, which should facilitate credit transfer and academic alignment.
Academically, this opportunity will broaden my learning by allowing me to study employment- and business-related topics in a European context, compare pedagogy and policy across jurisdictions, and engage with internationally diverse peers and instructors. Professionally, exposure to Madrid’s globally connected ecosystem will expand my networks with faculty and students, potentially opening internship and research opportunities relevant to my long-term career goals. Finally, immersion in a Spanish-speaking environment will help me develop functional fluency; I grew up with a Spanish speaker but was never fully immersed, and this term will enable the linguistic proficiency increasingly expected in international, client-facing roles.
Thank you for considering this petition. I am committed to meeting all Queen’s academic standards while abroad and welcome any additional documentation you may require.
Sincerely,
Sofia Smith
20409529
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: Here is my Academic Plan should the petition be granted. I am registered in Applied Economics- Business Market Startegy sub plan and have met with my Academic Advisor to review my Academic Advisement Report, confirm remaining requirements, and map an on-track path through exchange, Summer 2026, and fourth year. To safeguard progress, this term I front-loaded core and quantitatively demanding requirements—300-level Microeconomics (310), 300-level Econometrics (351), and another required upper-year Economics course (244)—alongside two EMPR courses that count directly toward my program (210 and 220). For Winter 2026 at UC3M (Madrid), I will study part-time (three courses—the visa minimum) that transfer as EMPR or non-core ECON credit. I have submitted the following for transfer approval and will enroll in the top three that best fit my program map: Organizational Behaviour, Marketing Management, Family Business Management, Culture and Identity in Globalization, and International Human Resource Management. I am in contact with UC3M’s academic/student offices to confirm seat availability. I have no incomplete work from prior terms. I do not plan to work while abroad; if employment becomes necessary, it will be limited and scheduled so it does not interfere with coursework. I receive OSAP and am in contact with Queen’s Student Awards regarding OSAP/bursary implications; I have dedicated savings, am working until departure, and will explore any host-institution supports.
My strategies for success include a structured weekly study schedule, early and regular use of instructor/TA office hours and tutoring, and continued access to Queen’s SASS to plan ahead. I have a meeting booked with my QSAS counsellor to review accommodations and confirm any documentation needed abroad. If any approved UC3M course becomes unavailable, I will immediately re-evaluate my list of approved courses, rearrange my schedule accordingly, and resubmit updated transfer-credit approvals. On return, I will continue EMPR and ECON/COMM courses aligned with my business market-strategy sub-focus and enroll in Summer 2026 courses to maintain momentum. I have reviewed reduced-load implications with the appropriate offices and will follow their guidance. I will retain syllabi and graded work and submit all materials within two weeks of grades posting to finalize transfer credits.
My strategies for success include a structured weekly study schedule, early and regular use of instructor/TA office hours and tutoring, and continued access to Queen’s SASS to plan ahead. I have a meeting booked with my QSAS counsellor to review accommodations and confirm any documentation needed abroad. If any approved UC3M course becomes unavailable, I will immediately re-evaluate my list of approved courses, rearrange my schedule accordingly, and resubmit updated transfer-credit approvals. On return, I will continue EMPR and ECON/COMM courses aligned with my business market-strategy sub-focus and enroll in Summer 2026 courses to maintain momentum. I have reviewed reduced-load implications with the appropriate offices and will follow their guidance. I will retain syllabi and graded work and submit all materials within two weeks of grades posting to finalize transfer credits.
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: NO DOC