P&S expects that all candidates for the M.D. degree will normally be in attendance during consecutive periods until completion of the requirements for the degree. A leave of absence at the request of a student may be granted by the Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs. Requests for leaves must be submitted in writing to the Dean stating the reasons for the requested leave and the anticipated date of return. Leaves of absence will be granted by the Dean only in exceptional circumstances to students who have not completed the first semester.
A leave of absence may be granted if a student is unable to continue medical studies because of illness or emergency family problems. For medical or psychiatric illnesses, documentation determined to be appropriate by the Office of the Dean must be submitted.
Students in their first semester of first year who are required to take a leave of absence or who have been approved for a requested leave of absence during first semester may be required by the Dean to receive review and approval from the Committee on Admission prior to resuming their studies. Such review does not guarantee readmission. Students approved for readmission will start at the beginning of the first year curriculum.
Leaves of absence for military service are granted if the student is called or ordered to active duty or conscripted. A student seeking such a leave should contact the Dean.
In most cases, leaves are granted for a maximum of one year. Extensions for extended military service or continued recuperation from illness may be granted on a case by case basis. After two years, a student on a leave of absence may have their matriculation terminated; the student would be permitted to apply for readmission at a later time.
The Dean may stipulate conditions for the granting of a leave and for students on leave, the Dean may stipulate conditions for return, including an administrative evaluation described in this handbook on page 98 and/or a review by the admissions committee or appropriate faculty committee.