Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,

I am writing in regards to the letter of requirement to withdraw that I received on May 22nd. I am aware of my low GPA that has led to this requirement, and I would like to explain my circumstances and am hoping to be reinstated for the upcoming semester.

In first year, I had an extremely difficult time adjusting to life in Kingston and university life, while juggling an emotionally abusive relationship that initiated the decline of my mental health. In March of 2017, the brother of my boyfriend at the time committed suicide and I withdrew from everything else in my life to focus on my boyfriend instead of learning to cope with the trauma for myself. I enrolled in Bounceback in attempt to improve my GPA, but I refused to seek therapy from the counsellors at Queen¿¿s against the advice of my mentor. I was extremely uncomfortable with opening up to a stranger about my life, and I opted to commute home to my family in Toronto every weekend instead. I ostracized myself from the community at Queen¿¿s, and my grades suffered as a result.

When deciding on an academic path in the summer, my mother did not approve of my initial decision to enter second year as an undeclared major so I was pressured to choose English as my major because it was the best final mark I had in first year. My mother also purchased a house in Kingston as an investment opportunity, and I was responsible for the management and upkeep of the property. As reflected in my grades, the maintenance of the tenants and house clashed with my academic responsibilities. I was still trying to keep my depression and anxiety from last year out of sight, but managing the house with no prior knowledge of real estate law was only worsening my mental health. I knew that my grades were suffering, but no matter how hard I tried I wasn¿¿t making the progress that I wanted. I resorted to commuting home instead of seeking help on campus again. I lost the ability to sleep, and the sleeping medication that I needed affected my ability to attend class during the week. I understand now that I severely underestimated the state of my mental health, and that I should have sought the help I needed earlier. I finally opened up to a counsellor at Lasalle, and have since started come to terms with my mental health and learned self-help techniques that are necessary for my academic success. This counsellor has also been notified of my academic standing, and is submitting a supporting letter for this appeal.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to explain my situation, and I hope that you understand that my low GPA is not an indicator of my academic ability. I have adored Queen¿¿s since 4th grade, and it has been a lifelong dream to graduate from this school. I realize that I did not put my mental health first, but now that I am, and am finally in a healthier headspace, I know that I am more than capable of succeeding here at Queen¿¿s with the following academic plan. I hope to be reinstated for the following Fall semester, and eventually graduate from Queen¿¿s University.

Best regards,
Kathy Li