Re-entry After Being Dropped

This page provides guidance if you are a former CALS student who wants to return to UW–Madison after being dropped for a semester or year.

The steps for returning are different depending on your academic standing for the last semester you were enrolled at UW-Madison. Review your UW-Madison transcript to confirm your academic standing for your last enrolled semester and follow the appropriate instructions below.

You are expected to meet with your academic advisor prior to submitting an application for re-entry. You may be able to use Starfish to schedule your advising meeting. If you are unable to login to Starfish, you can find academic advisor contact information on the Guide page for your major to set up an appointment.  If you aren’t sure who to contact or experience trouble scheduling a meeting, reach out to CALS Academic Affairs at academicaffairs@cals.wisc.edu or (608) 262-3003.

If you are planning to apply for re-entry, the following steps should be completed before December 15th for spring re-entry, April 15th for summer re-entry, and August 1st for fall re-entry.

If you are approved for re-entry, please review the re-entry checklist and our list of information for a strong return to campus. 

Dropped for one semester

  1. Submit a re‐entry application to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment.

  2. Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor on Starfish or via email. Consider the following questions and come prepared to discuss your answers with your advisor.

    1. What circumstances led to your current academic standing?

    2. What steps have you taken to address the issues described above and what are the outcomes of those steps?

    3. What steps will you take if approved for re-entry to improve your academic performance?

  3. After you have met with your academic advisor, schedule a meeting with a Dean on Call for final approval.

  4. If you are approved for re-entry and notified of your readmission, you must accept the offer of admission and connect with your major advisor to discuss course selection as soon as possible. Note that you will be on probation if readmitted.

Dropped for one year

  1. Submit a re‐entry application to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment.

  2. Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor on Starfish or via email. Consider the following questions and come prepared to discuss your answers with your advisor.

    1. What circumstances led to your current academic standing?

    2. What steps have you taken to address the issues described above and what are the outcomes of those steps?

    3. What steps will you take if approved for re-entry to improve your academic performance?

  3. Complete the CALS Re-entry Appeal Form. Be prepared to address the questions above in your appeal.

  4. Once you have submitted an appeal form, CALS Academic Affairs will contact you to offer you a time to meet with the Scholastic Policies and Actions Committee (SPAC) for a personal appeal on Zoom. Personal appeals are not required but are highly encouraged.

  5. If you are approved for re-entry and notified of your readmission, you must accept the offer of admission and connect with your major advisor to discuss course selection as soon as possible. Note that you will be on probation if readmitted.

 Dropped and appealing for re-entry without the full time off

  1. Submit a re‐entry application to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment.

  2. Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor on Starfish or via email. Consider the following questions and come prepared to discuss your answers with your advisor.

    1. What circumstances led to your current academic standing?

    2. What steps have you taken to address the issues described above and what are the outcomes of those steps?

    3. What steps will you take if approved for re-entry to improve your academic performance?

  3. Complete the CALS Re-entry Appeal Form. Be prepared to address the questions above in your appeal.

  4. Once you have submitted an appeal form, CALS Academic Affairs will contact you to offer you a time to meet with the Scholastic Policies and Actions Committee (SPAC) for a personal appeal on Zoom. Personal appeals are not required but are highly encouraged.

  5. If you are approved for re-entry and notified of your readmission, you should connect with your major advisor to discuss course selection as soon as possible. Note that you will be on probation if readmitted.

 Dropped and appealing without time off

  1. Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor on Starfish or via email. Consider the following questions and come prepared to discuss your answers with your advisor.

    1. What circumstances led to your current academic standing?

    2. What steps have you taken to address the issues described above and what are the outcomes of those steps?

    3. What steps will you take if approved for re-entry to improve your academic performance?

  2. Complete the CALS Re-entry Appeal Form. Be prepared to address the questions above in your appeal.

  3. Once you have submitted an appeal form, CALS Academic Affairs will contact you to offer you a time to meet with the Scholastic Policies and Actions Committee (SPAC) for a personal appeal on Zoom. Personal appeals are not required but are highly encouraged.

  4. If you are approved for re-entry and notified of your readmission, you should connect with your major advisor to discuss course selection as soon as possible. Note that you will be on probation if readmitted.

Questions about the re-entry process?

Review the re-entry frequently asked questions on the Office of Admissions and Recruitment website and then contact CALS Academic Affairs at academicaffairs@cals.wisc.edu or (608) 262-3003 with remaining questions.

See Also


Keywords:
re-entry, return, re-admission, admission, dropped, drop, academic standing, probation, SPAC 
Doc ID:
79949
Owned by:
Diana A. in CALS Academic Affairs
Created:
2018-02-07
Updated:
2025-04-16
Sites:
CALS Academic Affairs