Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean of Academics,

I am writing to petition for my final grade in BIOL 441 to be changed to Credit (CR). I understand that the CR option is typically used for grades of C or lower; however, I am requesting special consideration because the grade I received in this course is not reflective of my overall academic ability or usual performance and I intend to apply to postgraduate programs. This mark would significantly affect my competitiveness despite being the result of temporary and extenuating medical circumstances beyond my control.

During the semester, I experienced significant adverse effects after being prescribed a new class of medication in October to address mental health concerns. Initially, the medication did not appear to alleviate my symptoms, and my dosage was gradually increased over the following months. In late December, my dosage was substantially increased hoping that it would provide cognitive benefits. During the first two weeks of January, I took the medication daily and began to feel noticeably “off.” At first, I continued taking it because I understood that it can be normal to feel different when adjusting to a new medication or dosage.
However, after several days, the medication began to severely affect my cognitive functioning. Rather than improving my symptoms, it significantly impaired my ability to think clearly, retain information, and complete tasks. I entered a dissociative state, during which I struggled to remember tasks, conversations, and information from even a few minutes earlier. My partner noticed a drastic change in my personality and mental ability and encouraged me to document what I was experiencing, which is one of the main reasons I am able to recall and explain that period now.

These circumstances had a direct and serious impact on my performance in BIOL 441. A major assessment in the course was a one-hour presentation, followed by live questioning. This assessment format required sustained memory, quick recall, and on-the-spot critical thinking. Because of the effects of the medication, I struggled to remember key aspects of my presentation and had difficulty answering questions in a timely and effective way. This was especially challenging because the presentation was much longer than in any other courses and relied heavily on skills that were most affected by my symptoms.

The timing of the final assessments also coincided with the period when my symptoms were at their worst. My impaired memory, reduced problem-solving ability, and difficulty thinking clearly had a significant impact on my performance. Because the presentation and final tests were heavily weighted, my poor performance on those assessments had a disproportionate effect on my final grade.

My performance in earlier and other assessment formats demonstrates that this grade does not accurately reflect my understanding or ability. I performed significantly better on take-home assignments because I was able to work at my own pace, take breaks when experiencing brain fog, and worked when my symptoms were less severe. In contrast, the live presentation and question period required immediate recall and critical thinking under time pressure, which I was unable to manage effectively during the adverse medication reaction. Unlike my other courses, which included a greater number of assessments and more take-home work, BIOL 441 relied heavily on a uniquely long presentation and heavily weighted final tests, making it uniquely affected by the timing and severity of my symptoms.

I took steps to address the situation as soon as I was able, where I met with my nurse and explained the symptoms I was experiencing. After discussing the severity of the cognitive and emotional effects, my nurse agreed that stopping the medication was appropriate. My nurse also agreed to provide a letter of support regarding the medical circumstances and their impact.

Since then, my treatment plan has changed. In consultation with my nurse, I switched to a different class of medication, and my symptoms are now being managed much more effectively. I have been performing significantly better during the winter semester, supporting that my BIOL 441 grade was the result of a temporary medical circumstance rather than a reflection of my academic ability.

Moving forward, I will continue to meet with my nurse to monitor my progress, track the effectiveness of my medication, and address any similar issues promptly if they arise. I am also taking proactive steps to ensure that my health remains stable and that I am able to continue succeeding academically.

For these reasons, I respectfully request that my BIOL 441 grade be changed to Credit (CR). I believe this would more accurately reflect the unusual and temporary circumstances that affected my performance, while preventing one medically impacted grade from significantly harming my future postgraduate opportunities.

Thank you for considering my petition.

Maxx Choi
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