Study Leave and Leaves of Absence

• Study Abroad
• Other Leaves of Absence
• Study at Spelman College

Other Leaves of Absence

Taking time off, or withdrawing, from the College often makes good sense for all kinds of reasons: a family crisis; your health; your financial situation; the opportunity for a full-time internship or job; the desirability of learning that there is more to life than being a student. While parents tend to worry about whether their daughters will return to Barnard and complete the degree, the evidence over the years shows that students who leave almost always return, and they are almost always more highly motivated and better prepared to make the most of their academic experiences. In fact, the College's procedures for withdrawing and returning are not complicated, and you should meet with your Class dean if you are interested in them. Most important is that your decision be well-considered and that you understand its ramifications. For example, if you are on financial aid, and if you decide to withdraw during the semester, you will, in effect, lose that semester's aid -- which may be problematic since students are eligible for a maximum of eight terms. In some cases, students are required to withdraw from the College for a period of time, e.g., unsatisfactory or dishonest academic performance or behavior which disrupts normal College activity. Again, students who are required to withdraw almost always return, better able to function successfully here.

Study at Spelman College

Barnard and Spelman set up a formal agreement in which there is a study exchange between the two institutions. Barnard students may spend a semester or a full academic year studying at Spelman. The program is designed for juniors; however, sophomores may be considered on a case by case basis. Students must have a minimum cumulative g.p.a of 2.8 and may not have a record of disciplinary action. Students participating in the exchange must live in the college's residence halls. Barnard students pay for their Spelman tuition, fees, room and board through the Barnard Bursar's office. Barnard students interested in participating in the exchange program should contact the Dean Taylor, the Dean for Multicultural Affairs, one semester in advance.