›
To take part in discussions on talkSFU, please apply for membership (SFU email id required).

Appealing a letter grade - Extenuating circumstances

Astra92
edited December 2013 in General
Hi all,
I received a poor mark in two of my courses this semester (stats and upper level psych), C+ and D respectively. I have yet to receive all of my marks back but I got a B+ in one course and am expecting to do well in the fourth course I took.
I have been going through some issues in my personal life which had translated over to my school performance and I have been seeing a counsellor at the health and counselling clinic at SFU.
In order to be accepted into the masters program I am aiming for, I need to have at least a 3.0 GPA. My marks for this semester have brought me below a 2.5 and that simply will not do.

Basically I'm asking if anybody has had experience applying for an appeal due to extenuating circumstances. In my case, there was a few medical emergencies in my family followed by difficulty recovering. Does anybody how if I need to do anything further than strictly "appeal"? I will be going to see my department advisor next week but I would really appreciate any feedback from you guys. Thanks in advance

Comments

  • ryan
    I am sorry to hear about your family, and hope everything works out in the end.

    I have not gone through a grade appeal before, nor am I an expert so I could be wrong. That said though looking at the guidelines I am not sure if extenuating circumstances is grounds for a grade appeal. Looking at all of the grade appeal guidelines they all seem to have to do with remarking of assignments and exams to account for marks that should have (or should have not) been awarded. I think extenuating circumstances mainly just applies to course withdrawal. So you might be able to get the courses wiped from your record (was that what you were thinking?), but I don't think grades can be increased without remarking.

    In the end if you are looking to get your GPA up you might just have to retake some courses. Another possibility would be to explain your situation when you apply for the graduate program (if you are close to that point) and see if the GPA requirement is flexible then.

    As I say though I might be wrong. Perhaps someone with some more direct experience can shed some light on your situation. Otherwise I do think speaking to the department adviser is the right thing to do next. They will definitely be able to guide you through your options.
  • Whydoihavetoregister
    Besides seeing your counselling, also go to the Health Services or have your counseller refer you over, the reason being if you have a medical note from a Doctor (M.D.) you can apply under medical withdrawal which is a pretty solid case most of the time.  Other way is if you have supporting evidence of your family's emergencies...either way explain in detail in your personal statement letter and be sure to follow the format.  If you need help please go see an academic advisor, they'll teach you the know how and will even read through your letter before submission to ensure you have everything in order.
  • Astra92
    Thank you both for your replies. Ryan, yes I was thinking more along the lines of having the courses wiped from my record. I have been trying to find information or steps to take on the SFU website but most of it points to a grade appeal.
    I will definitely try to get the necessary documentation together in order to get the marks wiped, but my only concern is that the uni will be skeptical as to why I received a high mark in one of my courses.
    Anyhow, thank you for your help. Any further comments are more than welcome.
  • lifeishard
    If this was a few weeks ago...you could drop the course easily.  Going to the health and counselling services along with personal life problems are reasonable for SFU to let you able to withdraw courses during the last few weeks.  I've heard of it being done before

    It might be hard to withdraw now but you should talk to upper admin/faculty asap
  • Whydoihavetoregister
    You could also do "partial withdrawals" which means only those courses you did bad at, like you said already you would have to explain why you did horrible in those courses and not that one particular one where you got a high mark.
  • BeAnBeAnBeAnBeAn
    So I'm curious, how did it go? 

    Imo this method seems kind of sketchy mainly because you're trying to withdraw AFTER the final grades have been released. So in a situation where you had A's instead you wouldn't be appealing.
  • Astra92
    I spoke to my department advisor and she suggested that I apply for withdrawal (WE) once I get my grades back up. The period of application lasts for two years, so I have the ability to monitor my grades. His main idea is that, with my circumstances, it should not be an issue to withdraw from the classes I did poorly in because my history shows good comprehension (a B average). Thank you guys for all of your help, have a Merry Christmas.


    @BeAnAn, this method is designed for students who are unable to balance crisis in their life with their school work. Applying for a withdrawal is not an easy decision to come to nor is it an easy application process. You need to have reasonable grounds for withdrawal and provide proof of your distress. In all honesty if this was not an option for me, I would likely drop out of school.
  • BeAnBeAnBeAnBeAn
    Makes sense.

Leave a Comment