26 Taking a Semester Off

Students are allowed to take time away from the program. If you are considering taking a semester off, you should contact your advisor to discuss your options and cover the policies below.

If you decide to not attend UW–Madison for a term, and you have already enrolled in at least one course, you will either cancel your enrollment or withdraw from the university, depending on the timing. Please note that your decision to either cancel your enrollment or withdraw from the university will impact how you return to the program. For detailed information about the options, click here.

Below is a brief description of each:

Cancel enrollment

• Process: To cancel enrollment, you will either not enroll in any courses for the semester or you will drop your course(s) by 11:59pm the day before the first day of the semester.
• Notes on returning: To take courses in a later semester, you will have to complete an online application to be considered for reentry. The reentry application is shorter than the original and we can use your previous letters of recommendation and statement of purpose that we’ve kept on file. Additionally, we will waive the application fee (if applicable). For more info, click here and scroll to the section titled Previously Enrolled Graduate Students.

Withdraw from the university

• Process: To be considered withdrawn, you will have to be enrolled in courses and then submit a withdrawal request after the start of the semester. Be mindful of drop deadlines to avoid tuition charges.
• Notes on returning: If you withdraw from a term, you will be considered a continuing student even after you withdraw and will automatically be eligible to enroll for the following term. If you withdraw from the fall term, you will be eligible to enroll for spring courses. If you withdraw from the spring term, you will be eligible to enroll for summer and fall courses. An enrollment appointment time will be assigned for you automatically, and displayed in MyUW and Course Search & Enroll.

Please note that university policy states that students who have been absent for five or more consecutive years lose all credits that they have earned before their absence.

If you are an international student in the U.S. on visa, it is important that you check with International Student Services (ISS) regarding leave of absence policy.