Student Return 

Policy Statement

Students on leave wishing to return to Carnegie Mellon to resume their degree studies may do so under several conditions. In order to be considered for return from leave, a student must first obtain an Application for Return form from The HUB or their academic department. This application requires information from the student regarding the intended semester of return, current address information and information about their leave. This application must be submitted to their home department at least one month prior to the beginning of the semester.

Undergraduates may return within their same academic department within two years. After two years, students returning in the same academic department are subject to space constraints and academic performance review. Graduate students must negotiate their return with their home department and must follow their department policy.

The Application for Return requires approval of the student's academic department and dean. If a student's department chooses to deny the student's Application for Return, the student may appeal to their dean. Any constraints governing the student's eligibility to return will be specified directly on the application by the academic department and/or dean's office or the Office of Student Affairs.

Students who have taken courses elsewhere must submit an official transcript and course descriptions with their Application for Return. Transfer credit approval is determined by the academic department based on course level, performance and appropriateness to the student's curriculum requirements. Credit transfer is subject to college-specific policy. Failure to submit the necessary documents at the time of return will result in denial of transfer credit.

The process of returning is not completed until all necessary signatures on the Return form are obtained by the student and until all outstanding bills are paid. Enrollment Services will then notify the appropriate university offices of the student's return.