For All International Students
Undergraduate and graduate international students must obtain a clearance form from the Office of International Students and Scholars prior to requesting a leave of absence or withdrawal.
Leaves of Absence
A leave of absence (LOA) is a temporary break from classes that allows you to suspend your enrollment without formally withdrawing.
If you're an undergraduate student who will not be registered at the university during a regular semester (fall and/or spring), but would like to return without applying for readmission, you must request a leave of absence (LOA) by the last day to enroll in classes for that semester.
If you're a graduate student wishing to take a leave of absence (LOA), you must go through your specific graduate program. An official leave of absence is an approved, limited suspension of participation in a graduate program (master’s or doctoral). A leave of absence is required for any term in which a student would otherwise be actively enrolled, including fall, spring, intersession and summer, if those terms are part of the student’s regular enrollment cycle. Contact your program coordinator for assistance.
Medical Leaves of Absence
If you need to apply for a voluntary leave of absence for medical reasons, you may do so through the Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA) process.
Withdrawals
A withdrawal is when you officially inform the university that you no longer want to attend classes and are leaving USD.
If you have been recently admitted to USD or are newly enrolled and have been attending class for eight days or fewer, please submit the Undergraduate Admissions Change of Plans form. If you're an undergraduate student withdrawing from the university during a semester or for a future semester, you must request a withdrawal from the Center for Student Success located in the University Center, Room 114.
Failure to do so before leaving the campus or, in the case of illness or other emergencies, as soon as the decision not to continue has been made, will result in non-passing grades in all courses, thereby jeopardizing your eligibility to re-enter the University of San Diego or acceptance in another institution.
After the last day to enroll in classes, and continuing through the end of the 10th week of the semester (the last day to withdraw from classes), you may process a withdrawal to drop all your classes with grades recorded as Ws. After the last day to withdraw from classes, you will receive grades for courses.
If your registration at the university is interrupted for one or more semesters, you must apply for readmission through the Office of the Registrar unless a leave of absence has been granted in writing.
If you terminate your enrollment in a graduate program, you must file an official Notice of Withdrawal with the Graduate Records Office.
If you're a law student, please complete the Law Student Leaves of Absence and Withdrawals form.
Defer or Decline your Enrollment
Deferring enrollment means delaying your start date, while declining means you choose not to attend USD after being accepted.
If you're an admitted student who would like to defer your enrollment to USD, you must contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission.
If you were admitted but would like to decline your acceptance from USD, you can indicate this by submitting the Undergraduate Admissions Change of Plans form. Technical issues? Reach out to admissions@sandiego.edu.
If you're an admitted graduate student who would like to defer your enrollment to USD, you must contact the Graduate Admissions Office to alert them of your plans by emailing grads@sandiego.edu.
If you were admitted but would like to decline your acceptance from USD, please contact Graduate Admissions to inform them of your decision.
Petition for Readmission
If you're an undergraduate student who is returning after taking more than two consecutive semesters off or leaving USD without filing a leave of absence, you must complete a petition for readmission by the deadline.
If you're a graduate student and wish to apply for readmission, you must work with the Office of Graduate Admissions.