Getting a Sick Note for a Memorial University Exam Deferral
MUN is Newfoundland's largest university with 18,000+ students. During exam season, St. John's limited walk-in clinics are overwhelmed. Here's how to get the documentation you need.
MUN's Deferred Examination Policy
Memorial University of Newfoundland:
- Submit a "Request for Deferred Examination" through your faculty/school
- Medical documentation must be submitted within 48 hours of the missed exam
- Documentation must be dated on or before the exam date
- Deferred exams are typically scheduled during the next deferred exam period
Faculty contacts:
- Arts: artsgen@mun.ca
- Science: science@mun.ca
- Engineering: engr@mun.ca
- Business: business@mun.ca
- Medicine: med.admissions@mun.ca
- Nursing: nursing@mun.ca
- Education: education@mun.ca
Grenfell Campus (Corner Brook):
- Same general policy as St. John's campus
- Submit through Grenfell Registrar
- Contact: grenfellregistrar@grenfell.mun.ca
Marine Institute:
- Separate from main MUN campus
- Contact: mi@mi.mun.ca
- May have program-specific requirements for sea-time courses
What Documentation Is Required?
MUN requires:
✅ Must include:
- Date of medical consultation
- Confirmation of inability to write the exam
- Specific dates of incapacity (must cover the exam date)
- Physician's name, credentials, and signature
- CPSNL registration number (for NL physicians)
❌ Not required:
- Specific diagnosis
- Symptom details
- Treatment information
The St. John's Exam-Season Problem
During December and April finals:
- MUN Student Wellness Centre: 2–3 hour waits, frequently at capacity
- St. John's walk-in clinics: Overwhelmed (3–4 hour waits)
- Mount Pearl clinics: Slightly better but still 2–3 hours
- Family doctors: Booked 5–7 days out (past the 48-hour deadline)
The 48-hour deadline is extremely tight. If you miss a Friday exam, you need documentation by Sunday/Monday. Weekend clinic access in St. John's is severely limited.
Getting Documentation Online
MedLetter provides documentation meeting MUN's requirements:
- Date of consultation (same day)
- Confirmation of medical inability to attend exam
- Specific dates of incapacity
- CPSNL-registered physician credentials and signature
- Cost: $49 | Turnaround: Same day (most within 2–4 hours)
Grenfell Campus Students (Corner Brook)
Corner Brook has even fewer healthcare options than St. John's:
- 1 walk-in clinic (wait: 2–3 hours)
- Grenfell Student Health: Limited hours during exams
- Family doctors: Very limited availability
- Online documentation is often the only realistic same-day option
College of the North Atlantic (CNA) Students
If you're at CNA rather than MUN:
- Similar documentation requirements
- Submit to your campus Student Services
- Deadline varies by campus (typically 48–72 hours)
- Multiple campuses across NL — healthcare access varies dramatically
Graduate Students and Thesis Defences
MUN graduate students:
- Thesis defence deferrals require documentation through the School of Graduate Studies
- Comprehensive exam deferrals: Contact your supervisory committee
- Teaching assistant absences: Notify your department and provide documentation
Common Mistakes at MUN
1. Missing the 48-hour deadline — This is extremely tight, especially for Friday exams
2. Documentation dated after the exam — Must be on or before exam day
3. Using 811 Telehealth — They provide advice, not documentation
4. Not emailing your professor — Do this immediately, even before you have documentation
5. Waiting for MUN Student Wellness — During exams, they may not have same-day availability
Key Takeaway
MUN's 48-hour deadline for exam deferral documentation is one of the tightest in Atlantic Canada. During exam season when St. John's clinics are overwhelmed, online documentation from a CPSNL-registered physician ensures you meet your deadline without spending half a day in a packed waiting room. Especially critical for Grenfell Campus students in Corner Brook where options are even more limited.