Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Stephenson,

I am appealing for credit standing in multiple courses in the Fall 2016 and Winter 2017 semesters of my undergrad degree. These courses are as follows: ENGL 234 - The Short Story in English (D+), ENGL 237 - Children's Literature (C+), ENGL 238 - Comics and Graphic Novels (C), ENGL 257 - Elizabethan Shakespeare (D), ENGL 321 - Renaissance Poetry & Prose (C-), ENGL 356 - British Fiction in the 19th Century (C), and ENGL 360 - Modern Literature (C+).
There were extenuating circumstances which were beyond my control. I am a recovering alcoholic/addict and I have been sober since August 31st, 2017. During the aforementioned semesters, I was heavily consumed by my alcoholism and mental illnesses. It made it very difficult for me to fulfill academic obligations such as attending class, writing exams, studying, participating, presenting, and completing assignments on time. It essentially took over my life to the point that I didn't care about anything other than drugs and alcohol. In the summer of 2017, I attended a two-month treatment program and have been sober ever since. I don't believe the grades I received in my third year accurately reflect my academic quality. I didn't initially think that I should apply for credit standing in these courses until I realized that I wanted to continue my studies in the future. I will be applying for Master of Social Work programs in Fall 2020, hopefully, to go on and help others who are struggling with addiction and mental illness. These courses negatively impact my GPA and will influence my applications to these programs.
I am highly committed to my recovery. I work in a sober living house and an addiction/hepatitis c clinic in downtown Toronto. I am an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous and have remained sober throughout my fourth year. I took a year off (on medical leave) after my third year in order to focus on my recovery and get to a place where I could return to Queen's. I believe my grades in the fourth year prove that I achieved academic success in sobriety and that my plan for overcoming these circumstances was effective.
I appreciate you taking the time to read this letter. I hope you will grant me credit standing in the courses mentioned above. Thank you for your consideration.

All the best, Ted Boyle

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