Taking a Leave of Absence or Withdrawing

Students considering withdrawing after a term has already began or taking a leave of absence in a subsequent term for financial, health or other personal reasons must contact the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs for information and review the UW-Madison Registrar's withdrawal page.

Medical Withdrawal

Medical withdrawal may be granted to students who experience a serious or unexpected physical or behavioral health condition; who may need to provide care to an immediate family member who is experiencing a serious or unexpected physical or behavioral health condition; or who have experienced the death of an immediate family member. Approval will be granted on a case-by-case basis by the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. Like other withdrawals, medical withdrawal results in the drop of all enrolled classes for the given term.

Completion of 1L Curriculum and JD Requirements

Like part-time students, students who withdraw or take a leave of absence must complete the full sequence of courses in the First-Year Curriculum within two years of matriculation, and must complete the Graduation Requirements for JD Students within six years of matriculation (and the Wisconsin Diploma Privilege Requirements if planning to pursue Diploma Privilege).

Intention to Return

When withdrawing or taking a leave of absence, students should indicate whether the leave is temporary or permanent i.e., whether they plan to return. It's OK if plans change, but it's important to keep the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs apprised of any changes.

Re-Entry After Withdrawal or Leave of Absence

First-year students who withdraw before completing their first semester may be required to reapply to reenter. See Law School Rule 1.07(1).

First-year students who fail to register for the second semester may reenter subject to the requirements under Law School Rule 1.07(2).

Students who do not return in time to complete the First-Year Curriculum within two years of matriculation or the Graduation Requirements for JD Students within six years of matriculation, or whose cumulative GPA is below a 2.0, cannot return without permission from the Retentions Committee. See Law School Rule 1.07(4), Law School Rule 3.02(1), and Law School Rule 7.06.

Students who take a leave of absence become “inactive” in the UW campus registration records. Accordingly, when students on leave are ready to return, they should contact the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and request the Law School's required re-entry forms, which must be submitted prior to enrollment. A student who has not complied with the re-entry requirement will not be able to register for a subsequent semester at the University of Wisconsin Law School until completing the re-entry process.