Gilda Gazor ggazor@media.ucla.edu
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Sometimes at UCLA, you have to bite the bullet. Like for
example, when you didn’t pay that stupid enhancement fee on
your BAR account, and without even knowing it, you are dropped from
all your classes, and you can’t re-enroll because the classes
are full.
We’ve all been there. But what about those bullets that
you don’t have to bite? Petitions offer solutions to
difficult problems, including those with the added worry of ruining
your transcript.
If you have some sort of extenuating circumstance, petitions are
the answer for you. Don’t just sit back and get screwed
because you think there is no way to solve your problem through the
UCLA bureaucracy. Do something!
If you are ill for weeks and you can’t switch your classes
from letter grade to pass/no pass in time, petition and provide
evidence of your illness and at least your case will be considered.
Also, under such circumstances, you can petition to late-drop an
impacted course or retroactively withdraw a failing grade from your
transcript. It is not guaranteed that petitions will be approved,
but the committee will base their judgments on the evidence you
provide. Why suffer for circumstances that are out of your
control?
If you don’t have a serious illness or problem, you can
still play the petition game to tailor your education. For example,
petition to take more than 19 units if you have above a 2.0 GPA.
It’s simple: just go to the College of Letters and Sciences,
and they will sign your petition. This kind of petition can
eliminate your worries about graduating on time because you
can’t normally take 20 units in one quarter.
Now, since we’re on the topic of graduation, did you know
it’s possible to petition to walk in the ceremony even if you
are not graduating this quarter? Students have until the end of the
following fall quarter to complete requirements. Gone are your
worries of crushing your parents’ dream of basking in the hot
sun while your name is announced off a 3×5 card (the personal touch
UCLA offers).
Are you an over-achiever? Petition to be in the honors program
if your GPA is on the 3.5 borderline or if you are doing extra work
for a certain class and want honors credit.
Perhaps you’re more of an under-achiever? If you’ve
had extenuating circumstances that have prevented you from
completing a course for which you took an “˜incomplete’
by the deadline, petitioning can help. For example, if you need to
re-take a course but it isn’t offered the following quarter,
you can petition for an extension of the incomplete for an extra
quarter.
The petitions above must be filed with your college. There are
several petition options, however, that you can file through your
department. For example, certain classes you have already passed
may double for your major or minor requirements without your
knowing it. See your department counselor to learn whether you can
downsize your remaining requirements in this way.
Studying abroad? You will have to familiarize yourself with the
petitioning process very soon. The petition you’re most
likely to need will request that your units and/or grades count
toward your UCLA requirements.
If you will spend your fifth-year abroad, you must file a
petition explaining why you will be violating the residency
requirement, which mandates that your final 60 units be taken at
UCLA. You may also want to petition to walk in the graduation
ceremony this year, considering that they will not be back in time
for the 2003 ceremony.
You can even petition to exceed the maximum unit limit that UCLA
imposes without paying the normal fines. You can save your money
for your new summer wardrobe instead of paying extra for classes.
This is a common petition filed by seniors and super seniors that
all students need to know about.
So don’t just sit back and feel sorry for yourself. Make
the dreaded trip to Murphy, endure the long lines and cranky staff
and you may just be able to personalize your education to your
needs. Use petitions to your advantage and stop letting
uncontrollable circumstances take over your life!