University Of California, Berkeley
Office of Undergraduate Advising

  College Policies  

College of Letters & Science

  Withdrawal & Readmission  

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Withdrawal

Students withdraw from their studies for many reasons - to work, travel, recover from an illness, or find their true academic direction. Most students perform even better when they return and find that "re-entry" is not unduly difficult.

Guidelines for Withdrawal

  • If you wish to withdraw after the semester begins, you must meet with a College adviser; students who discontinue their work during a semester without formal permission should expect to receive the grade of F or NP in courses in which they are enrolled.

  • If you withdraw after the eighth week of the semester, the "semester-out" policy is in effect. This means that you will be required to stay out the following semester in order to resolve the problems which contributed to the withdrawal. A College adviser may waive the semester-out policy.

  • If you hold a nonimmigrant visa, you should notify the appropriate office.

Note: Fee refunds are based on the date on which the adviser processes the withdrawal, not when you stopped attending classes; consult the General Catalog or Schedule of Classes for the fee refund schedule.

How to Withdraw

Timing Action
After completing semester Do not enroll in classes for next semester. Pay no fees. Notify the Office of the Registrar that you will not return next semester. You can do this through Tele-BEARS. Apply for readmission when ready (see discussion of readmission, below).
Before semester starts If you have registered, contact the Office of the Registrar before the first day of classes to cancel your registration (full refund less $10 processing fee). You can do this through Tele-BEARS.
From the first day of classes to the eighth week of classes Meet with an L&S adviser. Fees are refunded on a sliding scale, with no refund after the fifth week.
After eighth week of classes Meet with an L&S adviser. "Semester out" policy applies for the semester following the one in which you withdraw unless waived by a College adviser. The deadline for withdrawing is the last day of classes.

Readmission

To resume your studies after withdrawing or after being absent for one or more semesters, file an Application for Readmission at the Office of Undergraduate Advising or the Office of Undergraduate Admission. Complete the Statement of Legal Residence (SLR). Instructions are found at http://registrar.berkeley.edu/elecforms/LegalResInfo.pdf. Print and attach the completed form to your readmission application. There is a processing fee for this application.

  • Deadline for fall semester - June 1
  • Deadline for spring semester - November 1

Guidelines for Readmission

  • If you attended other institutions during your absence, you must send to the Office of Undergraduate Admission an official transcript of record from each college demonstrating a C average for all work completed.

  • If you withdrew because of illness, your return may also be subject to the approval of the University Health Services director.

  • If you have 12 units or more of Incomplete (I) grades on your Berkeley record, you must reduce this number to fewer than 12 before your Application for Readmission will be approved. You will need to present your final grades before the beginning of the semester in which you seek readmission.

  • If you left Berkeley on academic probation, you will be required to meet with a College adviser before your readmission will be approved.