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The traditional approach to college education (four consecutive years of study directly following high school and interrupted only by summer vacations) is by no means best for every student. There is a clear distinction between education and schooling: the former need not take place in a classroom and sometimes includes learning experiences as valuable to the student as any available at the University. Students sometimes wish to leave the University for a time to work, pursue studies elsewhere or manage long-term health or family problems.
Recognizing this, advisors in the College are prepared to speak with students about requesting a leave of absence.
Leave of Absence
A leave of absence is an interruption of a semester (summer sessions are not considered semesters) or more in a student’s pursuit of an undergraduate degree. Such leaves may be requested by the student or may be mandated by the College for failure to make the requisite academic progress to degree.
All leaves, including those requested by a student, must be approved by the College and are subject to College and University rules that ensure a smooth transition both out of and back into academic life.
A student on leave may not be enrolled in Penn classes and will not receive credit for classes taken elsewhere during the leave unless special approval by the College is given. Students on leave may not live in University-owned housing during the term of their leave. In addition, a student may not participate in and/or hold a leadership position in a registered University organization.
Discontinuance of study without permission from the University does not constitute a leave of absence.
In order to return from a leave of absence, students must submit a formal request no less than one month before the start of the term in which they wish to enroll (August 1 for the fall term and December 1 for the spring term).
