Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To Associated Dean of Studies of Arts and Science,

I am writing this letter to request an approval for a late decision to drop a course, PSYC 100 (Fall/Winter, 2014/15). As you know, I have made a previous appeal to drop a course in the same term as the course I am requesting to drop now. However, this decision was made four years ago. The reason why I am pleading to drop PYSC 100 four years later lies upon the fact that I have made a naive, short-thinking decision in my first year. I believed that since I was pursuing a major in computer science, having a failed elective in arts would have not made a significant impact on my future. This thinking reflected a young adult who recently flew across the world, to start an independent life at this school. Unlike most students, due to the distance and difference in culture, I did not have my family or close friends nearby to provide me support mentally and physically. As provided in my previous appeal to drop MATH 121, I faced depression and anxiety due to the fact my respectful grandfather was going through one of the toughest moments of his life, which I was unable to be there for due to my studies. Furthermore, during the last few months of the school year, I received a notice to perform my service for two years in the Korean army which is mandatory for all Korean citizens. As a dual citizen, I had to comply to one of my country's long-time law and duty. I did not know how many people would be able to sympathize with what I was going through during the worst year of my life. I felt like there was no one I could talk to, nor could I find any way to make my situation better, leading to isolation and stress, which added onto my depression and anxiety. With all these significant events occurring in my life, it all felt sudden and uncontrollable. It led me to make a thoughtless decision to appeal to drop only a single course, when in fact these events impacted me entirely for that year. I would like to emphasize on the fact that I only dropped a course that was a prerequisite to my desired major, not knowing the consequences of how other failed courses would have in my academic standing overall.

After taking three years off in my studies, my situation drastically changed for the better. I have successfully completed my military service in Korea, and my grandfather's health has significantly improved over the years. However, I will not be needing PSYC 100 in my further studies at Queen's University, therefore, I am not planning on retaking this course. I have attached documentation of my psychological behavior during the school year four years ago, and proof of serving the military in Korea. Recently, I have talked to a counselor to make sure that my psychological behavior has improved.

Thank you for your consideration.

Warm regards,
Jeewoo Han (10157100) (14jh17)
Second year Arts and Science student.