Leave, Withdrawal, Readmission, and Refund Policy

The following categories indicate the conditions under which a student’s registration at Wesleyan may be interrupted. These designations are recorded on the student’s permanent record. Any semester in which a student takes a leave and receives at least one grade is counted as a semester in residence for purposes of graduation.

Leave of Absence

BA Students:
Bachelor of Arts students may interrupt their studies to pursue other experiences for up to one year, extendable by approval of the faculty advisor and class dean. Leaves of absence (other than medical leaves) will not be granted after the relevant semester’s drop/add period, and students may not go on a leave to study abroad. 

Students will be reclassified to the appropriate class year as appropriate. Credits earned while on leave must be processed two weeks prior to the semester in which a student returns for purposes of class-year classification.

Students who interrupt their enrollment at Wesleyan by taking a leave for more than four consecutive semesters must apply for readmission. Students who do not enroll or renew their leave by the end of the drop/add period in the expected semester of return will be administratively withdrawn from the University. 

BLS Students:
BLS students who are not enrolled in at least one Wesleyan course by the end of the Drop/Add period in the fall or spring term are automatically put on academic leave (unless the student requests and is approved for a medical leave). Class year and semesters in residence are not a factor for BLS students considering a leave of absence.

Medical Leave:

Medical leaves are authorized by the vice president for student affairs based on a recommendation from the medical director of Davison Health Center or the director of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Medical leaves may be authorized at any time during the semester. Once authorized, students are withdrawn from the courses in which they are enrolled and the conditions for return and possible incomplete grades are communicated by the class dean. Medical leave semesters will be counted as a semester in residence for purposes of graduation as long as the student attempted at least three credits and received at least one grade. 

Withdrawal from the University

Following are the five types of withdrawal from the University. Note that withdrawal from the University does not include withdrawal from courses if it occurs after the course withdrawal deadline.

• Voluntary Withdrawal: A student chooses to voluntarily withdraw from Wesleyan.

• Required Resignation: A student is required to resign from the University for academic reasons, retaining the privilege to apply for readmission after the recommended period of absence.

• Separation: A student is required to leave the University for the second time for academic reasons, and is not eligible to apply for readmission.

• Suspension: A student is required to leave the University for a specified period of time for non-academic reasons.

• Dismissal: A student is required to leave the University for non-academic reasons, and is not eligible for readmission.

Readmission

BA students who have voluntarily withdrawn or have been required to resign may apply for readmission. Students must abide by the return notification and return documentation deadlines detailed in the student’s approval for leave. Credits earned while away are subject to the conditions described in Transfer of Credit. 

Bachelor of Arts students who wish to be admitted to the Bachelor of Liberal Studies program upon readmission to the University, instead of the Bachelor of Arts program, must have been away from the University for at least three years before switching degree programs. Bachelor of Liberal Studies students who wish to be admitted to the Bachelor of Arts program at any point must apply as transfer students to the Admissions Office.

BLS students who wish to return to Wesleyan after a leave, a voluntary withdrawal, an administrative withdrawal, or being required to resign may submit a readmission petition to the Continuing Studies office. Credits earned while away are subject to the conditions described in Transfer of Credit.