Getting a Sick Note for a Dalhousie University Exam Deferral
Exam season at Dal means packed walk-in clinics across Halifax. Here's your complete guide to getting the documentation you need for an exam deferral at Dalhousie University.
Dalhousie's Exam Deferral System
Dalhousie uses a two-tier system for illness-related absences:
Tier 1: Student Declaration of Absence (SDA)
- For absences of 3 days or fewer
- Self-declaration — no medical documentation required
- Submit through Dal Online (myDal)
- Limited to 2 SDAs per academic term
- Cannot be used for final exams or tests worth more than 30%
Tier 2: Medical Documentation Required
- For absences exceeding 3 days
- For final exams (regardless of duration)
- For tests/assignments worth more than 30%
- When you've already used your 2 SDAs for the term
- Must be submitted within 5 business days of the missed assessment
What Medical Documentation Does Dalhousie Accept?
For Tier 2 situations, Dal requires:
✅ Must include:
- Date of medical consultation
- Confirmation of illness preventing academic participation
- Specific dates of incapacity (must cover the assessment date)
- Physician's name, credentials, and signature
- CPSNS registration number (for NS physicians) or equivalent
❌ Not required:
- Specific diagnosis
- Symptom details
- Treatment plan
Faculty-Specific Processes
Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences:
- Submit through myDal
- Documentation uploaded electronically
- Contact: artsdean@dal.ca
Faculty of Science:
- Submit to the Associate Dean's office
- 5-business-day deadline
- Contact: scidean@dal.ca
Faculty of Engineering:
- Submit to the Faculty of Engineering Student Services
- May require additional forms for co-op term impacts
- Contact: engstudent@dal.ca
Schulich School of Law:
- Stricter requirements — contact the Assistant Dean directly
- Documentation must be very specific about dates
- Contact: lawacademic@dal.ca
Faculty of Medicine:
- Clinical rotation absences have separate requirements
- Contact Student Affairs: medstudentaffairs@dal.ca
Faculty of Management (Rowe School of Business):
- Submit through the Rowe undergraduate office
- Contact: management@dal.ca
The Halifax Exam-Season Problem
During December and April finals at Dal:
- Dal Health & Wellness Centre: 2–3 hour waits, frequently at capacity
- Halifax walk-in clinics: Overwhelmed (3–4 hour waits)
- Dartmouth clinics: Slightly better but still 2–3 hours
- Family doctors: Booked 5–7 days out
With a 5-business-day deadline, you have more time than some universities — but during finals, every day matters.
Getting Documentation Online
MedLetter provides documentation meeting Dalhousie's Tier 2 requirements:
- Date of consultation (same day)
- Confirmation of medical inability to attend assessment
- Specific dates of incapacity
- CPSNS-registered physician credentials and signature
- Cost: $49 | Turnaround: Same day (most within 2–4 hours)
Saint Mary's University Students
If you're at SMU rather than Dal:
- Similar documentation requirements
- Submit through the Registrar's Office
- Deadline: 48–72 hours depending on faculty
- Contact: registrar@smu.ca
Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) Students
MSVU process:
- Submit to the Registrar's Office
- Medical documentation required for final exam deferrals
- Contact: registrar@msvu.ca
NSCAD University Students
NSCAD (Nova Scotia College of Art & Design):
- Contact the Registrar's Office
- Documentation requirements vary by program
- Studio-based courses may have different policies
- Contact: registrar@nscad.ca
Common Mistakes at Dalhousie
1. Using an SDA when you should use medical documentation — If it's a final exam, you need Tier 2 regardless
2. Exceeding your 2 SDAs — After 2 self-declarations, you need medical documentation for everything
3. Missing the 5-day deadline — While more generous than some schools, it's still firm
4. Not notifying your professor — Always email them immediately, even before documentation
5. Assuming one note covers everything — If you miss multiple assessments, ensure dates are comprehensive
Key Takeaway
Dalhousie's two-tier system means you may not need medical documentation for short absences (use an SDA). But for final exams, high-value assessments, or when you've used your SDAs, you need proper documentation within 5 business days. During Halifax's exam-season clinic crunch, online documentation from a CPSNS-registered physician ensures you meet your deadline without spending half a day in a waiting room.