Personal Leaves of Absence and Medical Leaves of Absence

Personal leaves of absence and medical leaves of absence are processed through the Office of Accessible Education and Student Support Services, and students considering a personal or voluntary medical leave should contact the Director of Student Support Services.

Students initiating a personal or voluntary medical leave should contact Student Financial Services to discuss the financial implications of a leave of absence, as some education loan repayments may begin if a student takes a leave. Additionally, students should consult with the Office of the Registrar and Academic Systems and their academic advisor if they wish to transfer credit taken elsewhere while on leave. Students on a personal or medical leave are typically permitted to transfer 2.0 credits into Bates, subject to the Bates Transfer Credit Policy. 

Involuntary medical leaves are used only under extraordinary circumstances when a student is unable or unwilling to request a voluntary medical leave. Such a leave may be necessary when a student's behavior is disruptive to the College's learning environment; the student's health concerns have compromised the student's health, safety, or academic success; or the behavior poses a direct threat to the safety of one or more members of the College community. Before an involuntary leave is considered, efforts are made to encourage the student to take a voluntary leave.

Academic Leaves of Absence

Students wishing to study elsewhere in the United States for a full semester may seek to take an academic leave of absence. Students on an academic leave are typically permitted to transfer 4.0 credits into Bates, subject to the Bates Transfer Credit Policy.

Students considering an academic leave should discuss their plans with the Office of the Registrar and Academic Systems early in the planning process. Following their original graduation year, the College cannot guarantee students consecutive semesters of enrollment. The College makes final decisions based on the following factors: balancing student enrollment through the fall and winter semesters; course availability; course and classroom capacity; and housing capacity. Students are not guaranteed housing beyond their original graduation year.

Considerations for All Leave Types

Any student on a leave of absence is not considered to be enrolled at Bates during the leave period. At the conclusion of four consecutive semesters on leave, students are automatically withdrawn from Bates.