Hardship is an excusable event that precludes completing the write-on problem during the time allotted for the competition (33 hours). Hardship includes, but is not limited to:

1. A handicap that puts an applicant at a competitive disadvantage
2. An unforeseeable emergency, illness, or injury.

It is up to the sole discretion of the Editor-in-Chief to determine if the circumstances support hardship and whether an applicant who petitions for membership is invited to join the Journal. 

If a student knows they will be unable to participate or complete the Competition in advance of the competition, they must inform the Write-On Committee Chair of their intent to submit a hardship petition and submit their petition to the Write-On Committee Chair before the Competition begins. 

All other students who seek to petition for membership based on hardship must notify the Write-On Committee Chair of their intent to submit a special petition as soon as possible but no later than 24 hours after the end of the Competition and e-mail the petition to the Write-On Committee Chair as soon as practical after learning of the hardship, and no later than 14 days after the end of the Competition.

Email petitions to the Write-On Committee Chairs at asujournalwriteon@gmail.com. Petitions must include:

• Resume that includes GPA and rank. Please remove your name from your resume;
• Writing sample of 6 to 12 pages. Please remove your name from the writing sample.
• Grade Release Form; and
• Statement of interest detailing the nature of the hardship which prevented the student from participating (or completing) the Write-On Competition, why the student fell below the top fifty percent rank threshold (if applicable), why the student’s grades, credentials and/or Write-On performance do not accurately reflect the student’s ability (if applicable), the reasons for desiring Journal membership, and any other factors the student feels are relevant to the selection process (e.g., diversity, unique skills).