Leave of Absence
On the recommendation of the departmental director of graduate
studies, the Graduate School may grant up to a year's leave of absence
at any one time to students in good standing. Leaves are granted for
personal reasons, when the student will not be actively pursuing an
academic course of study in fulfillment of Princeton's degree
requirements.
Students on leave have withdrawn formally from the
graduate program and are not enrolled or registered
students for the period of the leave. Accordingly, no University student benefits continue. An
extension of up to one additional year of Leave may be granted if the student requests, but no longer. At that point, if the student does not return
to the graduate program, his or her degree candidacy is terminated. In
order to return to graduate work at a later time, the student must
formally reapply. Leaves should be timed, whenever possible, to come at
the end of a term, preferably at the end of a full academic year.
Reenrollment after leave is subject to confirmation of continued
professional suitability and a written request for reenrollment.
Leave of Absence Policy
Acceptance by a student of Princeton’s offer of admission to the Graduate School implies full commitment to graduate and professional study. Such a commitment, in keeping with the University's express policy of urging rapid completion of studies, involves fulfillment of degree work as rapidly as possible, compatible with the requirements of the particular discipline. Continuous enrollment between admission and the completion of degree work is thus considered the norm.
We recognize, however, that circumstances may force students to interrupt their studies temporarily. Therefore, up to a year's leave of absence at any one time, for personal reasons, may be granted by the Graduate School to students in good standing on the recommendation of the departmental director of graduate studies. A one-year extension of leave status may be approved, but no longer.
Leaves are not granted to students who (1) have completed less than one full term of enrollment in residence, or (2) are scheduled to take their general examination in the term for which the leave is being requested, or (3) will be working essentially full time on their Princeton degree requirements, although away from Princeton (for which in absentia status is normally recommended). The Graduate School reserves the right to place students on a Leave of Absence if circumstances require it. In such cases return from Leave may be contingent upon academic, medical, or psychological evidence that the student is ready to return to full-time study.
Leaves should be timed, whenever possible, to come at the end of a term Re-enrollmentnt after an approved leave will not depend on ranking among new applicants but will be subject only to confirmation of continued professional suitability by the department and a written request from the student for re-enrollmentnt. These requests must be received by December 15 for return in the following spring term, and by March 15 for return in the following fall term. Financial support cannot be guaranteed to a student returning from an approved leave. Normally, however, the Graduate School Office and the department work together to identify and assure a comparable level of financial support to students returning from leave. Students on leave are urged to keep in touch with the Graduate School and their department about their plans. If the Graduate School has heard nothing from a student by the time the period of official leave has expired, it will assume that the student has resigned from the Graduate School and will terminate degree candidacy automatically. A request to return thereafter will entail reapplying to the Graduate School.