Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Academic Consideration Committee,

I am writing to petition for a late drop, submitted shortly after the April 6th deadline, for COMM 321 - Derivative Securities due to a concussion that significantly impacted my academic functioning throughout the month of March.

While I was initially advised to step away from classes for approximately two weeks, my symptoms persisted beyond this period. Although I was able to resume attending classes with accommodations such as wearing sunglasses and using assistive tools, I continued to experience reduced concentration, slower cognitive processing, and difficulty engaging with complex material. As a result, even after returning to classes, I was not able to perform at my normal academic capacity during a critical portion of the term. I have QSAS documentation covering this period, outlining the duration of my impairment.

The impact of these circumstances was particularly pronounced in COMM 321 due to the structure and demands of the course. The course places substantial weight on group assignments (60%), which require consistent engagement and a strong grasp of technical material. During this time, I faced challenges fully participating in group work while managing my symptoms and ultimately completed subsequent assignments independently. This significantly limited my ability to perform at my usual level in assessments that depend heavily on collaboration and sustained technical understanding.

Additionally, the course content is cumulative and highly quantitative. Missing or not fully understanding key concepts during this period made it significantly more difficult to keep up with subsequent material, compounding the academic impact of my initial impairment. This created a gap in understanding that has been difficult to recover from, particularly given the pace and technical nature of the course.

Finally, the final exam, which accounts for 40% of the course grade, requires a continuous and well-developed understanding of the material. The period in which I would typically consolidate my knowledge and prepare for this exam coincided directly with my concussion symptoms, significantly limiting my ability to prepare effectively.

Given the timing, duration, and impact of these extenuating circumstances, I am requesting a late course drop for COMM 321. Continuing in the course under these conditions would not allow me to demonstrate my true academic ability and would risk misrepresenting my performance due to factors beyond my control. A supported drop would allow me to recover academically and ensure that my performance in my remaining courses more accurately reflects my capabilities.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Kind regards,
George Selinas