Personal Leave

To be eligible for a personal leave, students must successfully complete their academic work in the semester prior to the leave and must apply by the Friday before the start of classes each semester. Students apply by discussing their plans with their deans. As you consider whether a personal leave is right for you, we have created a Personal Leave Information Checklist for you to review to help with your decision-making process and preparations for taking the leave. 

Students on personal leave are expected to be taking time away from academics. Those who hope to study full-time at another institution should apply instead for Study Abroad or Study Away in the U.S. However, if they choose to take courses as a guest student at another institution in the U.S. during their leave they should consult our transfer credit policy and may apply to transfer up to two Bryn Mawr units per semester away. If you take coursework during your time away and would like to receive transfer credit, please complete Transfer Credit Approval Application and the Registrar's Office will be in touch with you regarding whether the coursework is eligible for transfer credit.

No matter the length of time initially requested, students on personal leave confirm their plans each semester (by November 1 regarding plans for the spring and March 1 regarding plans for the fall) rather than filing a re-enrollment application. Students returning from personal leave usually participate in room draw and preregister for classes.

Before embarking on a leave, students with an F-1 visa must notify the International Student and Scholar Services Office to update their immigration records and avoid compromising their eligibility to return to the U.S.

When you are ready to return from your Personal Leave, please review this Return from a Personal Leave Information Checklist to help guide your return process.

If you are returning from a Personal Leave, please complete the Return from Leave Interest Form for the upcoming semester, and we will be in touch with you when return period reopens.

IF YOU WANT TO RETURN FROM PERSONAL LEAVE IN FALL 2024, PLEASE COMPLETE THE PLAN TO RETURN FROM PERSONAL LEAVE - FALL 2024 FORM BY MARCH 18 TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATING IN PREREGISTRATION AND ROOM DRAW THIS SEMESTER.

If you are returning from any other type of leave or if you were on a personal leave for longer than two semesters, you will need to apply for re-enrollment.

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