A leave of absence allows students to withdraw from a semester to take time away from law school to address personal matters. If you are considering a leave, you should contact the Office of Student Life.
As you consider the possibility of a leave, be aware that the Law School’s academic regulations require completion of degree requirements within five years from the date of first enrollment. In other words, you are limited in the number of semesters you can be absent and still maintain the ability to re-enroll.
Leave of Absence Process
In preparation for discussion, this guide (1) outlines a few general considerations designed to help you approach this decision, (2) describes the process for requesting a leave of absence, and (3) outlines the process for applying to return from a leave.
Common Reasons for Considering a Leave
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Serious health challenges. Caring for a family member.
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Reconsidering law school or being a lawyer.
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Other opportunities. Sometimes, a student will encounter a unique personal or professional opportunity that cannot be pursued while enrolled in law school classes.
Process for Requesting a Leave of Absence
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Meet with the Office of Student Life.
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To schedule an appointment, call 734.764.0516 or email [email protected].
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You may be advised to meet with other administrators, in particular those in the Financial Aid Office and in the Office of Career Planning, regarding your plans.
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If you decide to proceed with taking a leave, send an email message from your umich.edu account to both [email protected] and [email protected], providing the following information:
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A statement that you are taking a leave of absence;
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The term that the leave of absence is to become effective; and
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The term that you anticipate returning from the leave of absence.
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Process for Applying to Return from a Leave of Absence
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Schedule an appointment to speak with the Office of Student Life to discuss the possibility of returning to the Law School.
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Schedule an appointment to speak with the Dean in the Office of Career Planning to discuss your return on your career prospects.
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If you decide to proceed to return from your leave and have been approved by the Office of Student Life, send an email message to both [email protected] and [email protected] stating that you intend to return from the leave of absence and specifying the term in which you intend to return.
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If you receive financial aid (whether Law School grants or federal loans), you should also communicate with the Financial Aid Office ([email protected]) in order to ensure that your aid is processed for the term you intend to return, and to resolve any other outstanding issues.
Students are also able to take up to a two week leave during the semester for medical or family emergencies with the approval of the Office of Student Life. If you are considering taking a leave, please reach out to the Office of Student Life.