Petition Letter
Associate Dean (Academic)
Queens University
March 4th 2026
Dear Associate Dean,
I am writing to request a waiver of the one-year deadline in order to have a petition heard for a late course drop or credit standing. As reflected in my transcript, I was enrolled in full time studies from 2017 until the end of the Winter 2022 semester. During this time, I experienced extenuating circumstances related to a chronic mental health condition that rendered me unable to complete my academic studies. I am requesting that the petition deadline is waved because I continued to experience significant symptoms related to my condition in the year following my withdrawal from classes. It is due to these persistent symptoms that I was unable to submit a petition within the required timeframe. Since then, I have undertaken extensive steps to improve my symptoms, including starting a treatment plan, working with a licensed psychiatrist, and following a prescribed medication regiment.
I began experiencing severe symptoms in Fall of 2020. These symptoms not only impacted my academics, but also my relationships, finances, and physical health. I experienced these symptoms persistently throughout the following two years until the winter semester of 2022, when I ultimately had to withdraw from all of my classes at Queen’s. Following the Winter 2022 semester, I continued to experience severe, daily symptoms that I was unable to manage on my own. At the time, I was unable to advocate for myself through the petition process and the symptoms I was experiencing directly impaired my ability to take the necessary steps to seek academic accommodation. Four years later, my condition has stabilized and I request to waive the deadline to have my petition heard.
Over the past few years, I have undertaken extensive efforts to improve and manage my condition. Through consistent and appropriate psychiatric care, adherence to my prescribed medication, and a structured treatment plan, I have worked hard to regain stability and build healthy coping strategies for myself. I continue to receive professional support to ensure that my progress is maintained. As a result of this sustained work and stability, I have gained employment in a high trust position, financial stability, and a strong support system. I can confidently state that I am now in a position to return to my academic studies at Queen’s and I am now more motivated than ever to do so. In light of both the circumstances that prevented me from petitioning earlier and the substantial progress I have made toward recovery and long-term stability, I respectfully ask that my request for a waiver of the petition deadline be considered.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Mackenzie McAskill
Queens University
March 4th 2026
Dear Associate Dean,
I am writing to request a waiver of the one-year deadline in order to have a petition heard for a late course drop or credit standing. As reflected in my transcript, I was enrolled in full time studies from 2017 until the end of the Winter 2022 semester. During this time, I experienced extenuating circumstances related to a chronic mental health condition that rendered me unable to complete my academic studies. I am requesting that the petition deadline is waved because I continued to experience significant symptoms related to my condition in the year following my withdrawal from classes. It is due to these persistent symptoms that I was unable to submit a petition within the required timeframe. Since then, I have undertaken extensive steps to improve my symptoms, including starting a treatment plan, working with a licensed psychiatrist, and following a prescribed medication regiment.
I began experiencing severe symptoms in Fall of 2020. These symptoms not only impacted my academics, but also my relationships, finances, and physical health. I experienced these symptoms persistently throughout the following two years until the winter semester of 2022, when I ultimately had to withdraw from all of my classes at Queen’s. Following the Winter 2022 semester, I continued to experience severe, daily symptoms that I was unable to manage on my own. At the time, I was unable to advocate for myself through the petition process and the symptoms I was experiencing directly impaired my ability to take the necessary steps to seek academic accommodation. Four years later, my condition has stabilized and I request to waive the deadline to have my petition heard.
Over the past few years, I have undertaken extensive efforts to improve and manage my condition. Through consistent and appropriate psychiatric care, adherence to my prescribed medication, and a structured treatment plan, I have worked hard to regain stability and build healthy coping strategies for myself. I continue to receive professional support to ensure that my progress is maintained. As a result of this sustained work and stability, I have gained employment in a high trust position, financial stability, and a strong support system. I can confidently state that I am now in a position to return to my academic studies at Queen’s and I am now more motivated than ever to do so. In light of both the circumstances that prevented me from petitioning earlier and the substantial progress I have made toward recovery and long-term stability, I respectfully ask that my request for a waiver of the petition deadline be considered.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Mackenzie McAskill