Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: June 14, 2014

Associate Dean(s) of Studies, Faculty of Arts
Queen's University (Mackintosh-Corry Hall, F300)
68 University Avenue
Kingston, ON K7L 3N9


Dear Associate Deans (J. Hugh Horton, Ph.D. and Johanne Bénard, Ph.D.),

My name is Joshua S. Won and I am in my third year of the Bachelor of Arts program pursuing a degree in Psychology. I am writing to appeal the decision requiring my withdrawal from the Faculty of Arts and Science dated May 27, 2014 based on my inability to maintain an acceptable grade point average (GPA). I wish to continue my studies by appealing the decision of the requirement to withdraw based on the circumstances outlined in this letter.

During first year (Fall 2011), I enrolled planning to pursue Biology and possibly medical school to fulfill my parents wishes. Despite this, I had neglected my studies, focusing solely on making friends and having fun. My thinking was very naïve as I carelessly ignored the importance of first year marks since they laid out the academic foundation for my university career. I did not study properly and procrastinated on most of my work, eventually receiving a GPA of 1.55 and an honours warning. I then told not only myself, but also my family that I would redeem myself the following year, and bring up my grades.

However, I became heavily involved with extracurricular activities right from the start of second year (Fall 2012). I became a Gael for Orientation Week, an executive member for both Queen's Koreans in Canada (QKIC) and Queen's Korean Christian Fellowship (KCF). But on top of all this, I worked full time as a Residence Facilitator. I fell behind with my studies and work right away and attempted to catch up but I struggled as I was still adapting to my job. As the year went by I realized that I did not want to pursue my parents' wish for biology and medical school any longer and felt heavily unmotivated and depressed. My GPA dropped even lower to 1.42 and finally I was placed on academic probation. I realized that this was a very serious issue and that I had to make the proper adjustments.

I started by taking a few courses in the summer of 2013 to bring up my GPA, which came out to a 2.00 for the two courses (overall increased to 1.45). So I entered third year (Fall 2013) and switched into Psychology which I found very interesting based on how interacting with people can go so much deeper by examining behaviours. Fully knowing that I was given a second chance to turn things around and bring up my marks, I met with a guidance counselor and decided not to work in residence and also left QKIC as an executive member. My GPA for the fall semester showed further improvement with a 2.20 (increased to 1.56 overall), giving me confidence that I could end the year by coming out of probation. However, during the winter semester (2014) I began to take more of a role in KCF, holding meetings multiple times a week, and also planning the end of the year banquet which has never been done before. The task took much time, and the banquet went right until the week before final exams, preventing me from studying efficiently. With most of my exams weighed heavily (40-60), I performed poorly and was unable to bring my grades up, ending with a GPA of 1.23 for the semester. This caused my overall GPA to drop to 1.49, and thus, failing to overcome academic probation.

Unfortunately, I did not have any extenuating circumstances (i.e. medical conditions, passing of family) that hindered my studies, which can also be seen as a blessing. I understand that I was given a second chance during my probation period and that asking for another chance is very selfish. Having to withdraw will also affect my financial state as I have unfortunately already signed a 1-year contract for my house in Kingston for the following year. But at this point all I can do is ask yet again for another chance as I showed improvement in my grades before and that this time I will be able to break free of probation. I do so by asking the Associate Dean(s) to allow me to continue my studies in the Faculty of Arts and Science for the upcoming academic year of 2014-2015 so that I may reestablish my GPA. With a newfound strong desire to continue my studies, I believe that I have right support and effective planning to recover and eventually succeed.

I will be glad to answer any questions you may have, and would like to thank you for taking time to review my request.

Sincerely,

Joshua Sung-Sup Won


Joshua Won
Student ID: 10020567
Tel: 416 949 2829
Email: 1jssw@queensu.ca