Personal Leave
Students who are in good standing may be approved by the Committee on Academic Standing to take a personal leave for purposes of work, travel or other nonacademic experience. Work activities may be explored through the Hale Center for Career Development.
In all cases, students planning to take a personal leave should consult with their class dean.
Effects of a Personal Leave. The following terms generally apply while a student is on a personal leave status, depending on the student’s individual circumstances:
Academic record. When a student decides to take a personal leave after the first day of classes, the transcript will show a "W" (for withdrawn) in lieu of a letter grade for each course begun that semester. If a student is on an academic probationary status, this status (and its conditions) may remain in effect while on a medical leave as well as upon return. A student may be reclassified to a different class year (upon return) depending upon the student’s academic credits.
Financial Aid and Tuition Refund. Students who receive financial aid need to contact the Office of Financial Aid to understand how the leave may impact their financial aid obligations. If a student is eligible for a tuition refund, it will be made in accordance with the College’s tuition refund policy and schedule.
Tuition insurance. Tuition insurance, for students who have it, does not apply to personal leave. International Students. Students enrolled on a visa should consult with the International Student Advisor to understand their leave status and the implications for return to the College.
Class Registration and Housing Lottery. The student is eligible to pre-register for classes at the same time as on-campus students are pre-registering. The student is able to participate in the housing lottery or to apply for housing along with other returning students. The pre-registration and housing lottery process ensures that students on personal leave will not be at a disadvantage when they return.
The deadlines for these opportunities are as follows. Fall semester: If the student intends to return for the fall semester, they must notify their class dean of their intent to return by March 1st (or earlier if they intend to seek accommodations in the housing lottery). Spring semester: If the student intends to return for the spring semester, they must notify their class dean of their intent to return by October 15th. If the student does not meet these deadlines, they must register for classes during the add/delete period after the semester begins.
Courses at other institutions. Under ordinary circumstances and after consultation with the student’s class dean, students will be allowed to take courses elsewhere while on personal leave. With the prior approval of the adviser, class dean, and in some cases, the department chair, and upon successful completion of those courses, they will be able to transfer up to 8 credits to Connecticut College (per semester of leave).
Disciplinary Proceedings. Placement on personal leave is not disciplinary in nature and not part of the student conduct process. However, there may be situations when a student requesting a personal leave may also have violated College policies. In those instances, a student may take a personal leave but the student’s return to the College will be contingent upon the completion of student conduct proceedings.
If a student is on disciplinary probation at the time of the leave, the probationary status will be applied to the semester of the student’s return to campus.
Campus Activities. The student on leave may not be present on campus and may not participate in College activities (including athletics) until the first official day of the academic semester when the student is permitted to return, unless given express permission by the Dean of Students.