Withdrawal

1. Complete Withdrawal

   Except as otherwise specifically provided, a student may completely withdraw from the Law College at any time. If a student elects to completely withdraw from the Law College, first they must consult with the Assistant Dean for Student and Academic Affairs or Assistant Director for Student Affairs (or in the case of graduate students, with the Assistant or Associate Dean for Graduate and International Programs). Second they must complete a "Complete Withdrawal" form. Third, we strongly recommend the student speak with the Accounting and Financial Aid offices when considering a complete withdrawal.

   A student who completely withdraws from the College, and later wishes to return, must apply to be readmitted to the Faculty Academic Standards Committee.

2. Course Withdrawal

   A student also may withdraw from a course so long as the withdrawal occurs by a specific time. Note: A J.D. student may not withdraw from any first-year course unless the student withdraws from all courses in that semester. 

   1. Final Examination Course

      In courses in which a final examination is given, whether or not a paper also is required, a student who wishes to withdraw from the course must do so prior to commencement of the examination. Failure to appear for the examination constitutes a withdrawal. In the case of a take-home examination, the student may withdraw from the course anytime prior to acquiring a copy of the examination.

   2. Paper Course

      In courses in which a paper is required in lieu of a final examination, the failure to turn in a written work product on or before the due date constitutes a withdrawal. A grade of "W" is entered for each course from which the student withdraws or is administratively withdrawn.

   3. Research, Writing, and Analysis; and Advocacy

      A student may not withdraw from RWA or Advocacy unless the student withdraws from all courses that semester.

   4. Course with Multiple Writing Assignments

      In a course which has multiple written assignments throughout the semester but no final exam, a professor may withdraw a student from the course if at least one deadline for an assignment has not been met and the professor, after inquiry of the student, believes that the student is no longer an active participant in the class. A student may not withdraw from a course after submission of the final assignment for the semester.

   5. Attendance

      A student will be withdrawn from a course by a professor for failure to comply with the college attendance policy.

3. Grade

   A "W" grade carries no credit and is not included in computing the student's grade point average. The grade of "W" is final. It cannot be changed or removed by taking a subsequent examination or turning in a paper or project after the due date.

4. Excessive Use and Consequences of Electing to Withdraw

   Any student who makes excessive use of the withdrawal policy by regularly withdrawing from one or more courses for which he/she registered, either officially or by not taking the examination therein, may be required to explain the reason for such withdrawals. If the faculty considers the offered explanation to be inadequate, permission to re-enroll for the following year may be denied.

   Further, withdrawal from any course during a semester will affect eligibility for scholarships and for honors awards, and may affect qualification for financial aid.