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 should contact the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs for information and review the UW-Madison Registrar's withdrawal page.

Like part-time students, students who withdraw or take a leave of absence must complete the full sequence of first-year courses within two years of matriculation, must complete the 90 credits for the JD within six years of matriculation, and must meet the Graduation Requirements for JD Students and the Wisconsin Diploma Privilege Requirements (if planning to pursue Diploma Privilege).

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.

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.

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.