Before submitting your request, please review the information below and discuss your situation with an academic advisor. Please also review your Faculty's course withdrawal webpage.
Arts (including BSW and BTh):
Science (including BArts&Sc):
IMPORTANT: Please do not submit requests during exam periods. Review of late course withdrawal requests stops during exams and restarts one week after the Minerva exam deferral application closes.
Eligibility for a late course withdrawal
Late course withdrawals are meant to help students who are severely ill or dealing with unforeseeable, significant extenuating circumstances that prevented them from withdrawing by the听posted deadline.
You are NOT eligible for a late course withdrawal if the following applies to you:
- You are concerned about getting a poor grade in the course.
- You were unaware you were enrolled in the course.
- You require an absence for social activities, leisure events, or for pre-arranged holidays/vacations, including overseas travel.
- You are not/ no longer eligible to take this course as part of your academic program.
- You have a minor illness, or are experiencing minor personal matters (unless you were not in a position to complete your coursework for more than just a few days).
- You have already written the final exam for the course.
- You have received a final course grade (other than K, J, L, or NR). If you have a final course grade, your request will not be considered.
*If according to the above you are not eligible for a late course withdrawal, please contact your Academic Advising office to discuss future degree planning and your academic trajectory.
Things to consider before submitting a request for a Late Course Withdrawal
- In the case of a flare-up of a chronic condition, the note from your health practitioner will need to specify that they observed the flare-up and the date(s) during which you were not in a position to complete your coursework. Note: a diagnosed anxiety disorder is considered to be a chronic issue. However, if your note simply states anxiety, this is considered to be an incidental illness.
- If you have requested late course withdrawals or deferred exams in the past, new requests will be reviewed more stringently and are unlikely to be approved. We will need to see evidence that you have taken measures to manage your condition and your course load to avoid relying on late course withdrawals.
- If you are selectively asking to drop only one, or a few, of the total number of courses in which you are enrolled in the term, your explanation and supporting documents must address why you are able to complete some courses, but not others.
- Withdrawing from courses may affect your financial aid or immigration status. Accordingly, if either of these apply to you, you are urged to consult with the Scholarships and Student Aid office or International Student Services respectively.
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Submit a late course withdrawal request
REQUIREMENTS to request a late withdrawal:
- Your concise (max 500 words) statement.
- Your statement should explain why you missed the course withdrawal deadline, why you are requesting a late course withdrawal, and the measures you took to avoid relying on a late course withdrawal, such as support services or resources you used, reduction in course-load, etc. Please ensure to address any of the 3听considerations above if they apply to you.
- Your supporting documentation:
- Adequate supporting documentation is required. Note that supporting documentation does not guarantee approval.
- Supporting documents must be sent as soon as you have submitted your request (e.g. medical certificate, hospital records, accident/police reports).
- Please refrain from submitting photographic evidence of injury or illness, as this is not considered valid supporting documentation.
- For medical documentation, we recommend that you use the medical note template provided on this site. If you choose not to use the template, you must ensure the note includes the following important elements:
- Indicates your full name (and 91社区 ID number听if possible).
- Issued by a healthcare practitioner licensed to work in Canada who has observed and diagnosed your condition, such as:
- A Psychologist, Psychotherapist, or Social Worker
- A Physician, Psychiatrist or Surgeon
- A Nurse or Nurse Practitioner
- A health professional from the 91社区 Student Wellness Hub
- Indicates the health practitioner鈥檚 name, title, address, license number听and signature.
- Indicates the date the practitioner consulted with you and on which they observed your symptoms; specifies your inability to attend or to complete your course(s), including听the range of dates听during which you were unable to complete your coursework; the date on which you鈥檒l be able to resume your studies (i.e. the prognosis for your return to health).
- Is in English or French (translations must be from certified translators).
Decision Timeline and Understanding Your Decision
The normal range of dates to submit a late course withdrawal request is from 1 day after the withdrawal without refund deadline for the term concerned until the start of exams. You will be notified of the review outcome within approximately two weeks, response dates cannot be guaranteed. Note that no decisions will be rendered during the exam period.
If your request is approved, the course in question will show a grade of 鈥淲鈥 on your transcript. Tuition and fees charged for that course are not refunded in the context of late course withdrawals, except in demonstrated exceptional circumstances which were unforeseeable and beyond your control.
If your request is refused, you may make a written request to have the decision reviewed by the Decision Review Committee, consisting of the Director of Service Point, the Registrar and Executive Director of Enrolment Services and either the Associate Dean (Arts OASIS) or the Associate Dean (Science SOUSA). The Committee will review the original request and the additional information or supporting documentation you provide upon appeal. The Committee will only review documentation and written statements; appointment requests to present verbal statements or arguments in-person will not be granted. Decisions made by this Committee are final.
How to request a Decision Review
- Submit your written request no later than 5 business days after the refusal of your original request.
- Write a concise (max 500 words) statement explaining why you are requesting a decision review, and what new and relevant information you are sharing to support your appeal, such as:
- The specific measures you took during the semester to avoid relying on late course withdrawals, including support services or resources you used, reduction in course-load, etc.
- If relevant, an explanation of why your documentation was not complete or specific for your initial request.
- If your request was refused because it was submitted outside of the posted deadlines, please also provide an explanation and/or documentation outlining the reason(s) why you were unable to submit your request on time.
- Email your statement,听including PDF-formatted supporting documents,听to servicepoint [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Decision%20Review%3A%20Late%20Course%20Change) from your 91社区 email account, ensuring that the subject line reads 鈥淒ecision Review: Late Course Withdrawal".