A student who leaves the University without obtaining a leave of absence, or who fails to pay the Matriculation and Facilities fee, is readmitted at the discretion of the department and the Graduate School. The special approval of the Dean, contingent upon the merits of the student’s request and the recommendation of the department, is required for readmission.

A student wishing to apply for readmission must submit the application to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Office of Academic Affairs, at least eight weeks before the first day of registration for the term in which he or she wishes to resume studies. If readmitted, the student becomes subject to all current requirements, as interpreted by the Dean, to fit the student’s case. In cases involving prolonged interruption of studies, departments may require students to retake examinations and/or courses as appropriate. Because an unauthorized absence does not relieve a student of the obligation to register continuously until the completion of all degree requirements, readmitted students are also required to pay a reinstatement fee equivalent to the cost of the Matriculation and Facilities at the current rate multiplied by the number of terms of absence, ordinarily for a maximum of eight terms.

Readmission to a Ph.D. program is contingent on the approval of the department and the Dean. An approved Ph.D. dissertation sponsor in the student’s department must also agree to serve as a sponsor and a schedule for completion of all requirements must be set in writing.

The readmission form is available on line at http://www.columbia.edu/cu/gsas/pdf-files/readmission.pdf