Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Good evening, my name is Edward VanDyke and I am writing to request permission to add GPHY 102 after the course add deadline after a very overwhelming first two weeks in a course that I am hoping to drop in GPHY 230. Unlike previous academic years I was able to successfully enroll myself in a full course load for the current year and have greatly appreciated the stability that this has provided. However, as the winter semester has begun I have found GPHY 230 to be academically overwhelming and misaligned with both my strengths and long-term academic goals. Despite my best efforts to keep pace with the course material, I do not feel confident in my current ability to be successful in this course. I recognize that this request has come after the add deadline and I take responsibility for not initiating this change earlier. At the time I felt compelled to remain in the course to maintain my full-time student status and continue progressing towards my degree, despite growing concerns about my academic performance. Upon reflection, I believe that continuing in GPHY 230 would likely result in a poorer academic outcome than is consistent with my demonstrated abilities. I had intended to formally drop GPHY 230 and add GPHY 102 on Friday January 16th following my fourth GPHY 230 lecture, however upon returning home that evening I became ill and was unable to complete the necessary steps, because of this I am submitting this petition on the next available business day. I am requesting to add GPHY 102 as a replacement course as I believe that this course is a far better fit for my current academic background and learning style and I am confident that I would be able to succeed at a high level. Importantly, enrollment in a Geography course is required to fulfill the teachable subject requirements for my application to Bachelor of Education programs, which I have been actively pursuing over the past several months. Maintaining progress towards this requirement is essential for my postgraduate plans. I respectfully ask that my academic record, persistence in navigating past enrollment challenges and clear academic rationale be considered in support of this request. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.