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Medical Withdrawal

Medical Withdrawal

University services available to students dealing with medical issues are described online at http://www.depauw.edu/studentlife/wellness/. Should a student’s health become compromised to the point that it is affecting their academics or ability to reside in the University environment, help is available to that student through the Office of Student Affairs.

A Medical Withdrawal is initiated by a student when the student’s medical condition interferes with their ability to function successfully, safely, or independently in the university environment. It is expected that the student is taking time away from school to receive treatment, to focus their time and resources on improving their health, and eventually return to the University with a significantly improved chance of academic and personal success.

 

  Guidelines for Medical Withdrawal

  1. The term “medical” is broad and includes illness, injuries, or conditions that are mental or physical.

  2. A Medical Withdrawal may occur prior to the beginning of a semester or during a semester. The deadline to apply for a Medical Withdrawal during a term is the last day classes are in session for the given term. Medical Withdrawals cannot be taken retroactively.

  3. It is expected that the time a student takes away from the University will be used for treatment and recovery. To increase the likelihood of success upon returning to campus, most students will need one or two full semesters away to receive appropriate care and to demonstrate a sustained period of stability.

  4. Medical Withdrawals are considered complete withdrawals, thus they are “all or none”, not selective withdrawal from some classes. This also means students requesting a Medical Withdrawal are withdrawn from all classes for the current and following term.

  5. The Medical Withdrawal process is facilitated by the CARE Team. Students seeking a Medical Withdrawal will start the process by reaching out to the CARE Team at care@depauw.edu.

  6. A completed Medical Withdraw request application will be submitted to the Medical Withdrawal Committee by the Director of the CARE Team and will contain the following:

    1. a completed online request form with personal statement

    2. submitted documentation from an outside treating health care professional, to DePauw Health and/or DePauw Counseling Services, within 30 days after the date the request form is submitted.

  7. International Students: A Medical Withdrawal may affect one’s legal immigration status. International Students holding visas should consult with International Student Affairs before applying for a Medical Withdrawal to make sure they meet the immigration regulatory requirements.

Medical Withdrawals are approved by the Vice President for Student Affairs and the University Registrar, after recommendation from he director of DePauw Health and/or the director of DePauw Counseling Services. This committee will evaluate the application based on whether the request and submitted documentation demonstrates that the student has a diagnosed condition, that the condition is being treated, that the condition did cause significant impairment in the student’s ability to perform to their typical/expected academic level, and that the student is pursuing treatment to prevent the condition from impairing academic performance in the future.

Please note: If medical documentation is not submitted by a healthcare provider within 30 days, the withdrawal will move forward without the medical approval.

 

To Begin the Process for Requesting a Medical Withdrawal

  1. Schedule an appointment with the CARE Team: (care@depauw.edu) Withdrawals require multiple steps. The CARE Team can help the student with the process and/or partner with an identified support such as a family member or advocate while a student is completing the process. A medical withdrawal must be requested by the student, unless they are incapacitated, which will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

  2. Complete the Medical Withdrawal Form. Be sure to include a personal statement about the reason for medical withdrawal. This is part of the application and will be shared with the committee during the review process.

  3. Review the Medical Withdrawal Checklist

 

Returning from a Medical Withdrawal

The decision to readmit a student who had withdrawn for medical reasons will be based on the student’s ability to be part of the University and resume the academic rigors required of DePauw University students. The University will work with each student, their health care provider(s), and family to determine what (if any) reasonable accommodations can be provided by the University to facilitate the student’s successful resumption of their academic requirements and other campus activities. 

Many students and their families are eager to return to campus to continue their academic progress. However, returning too soon can have an adverse effect on your ability to do well. Most students who take a medical withdrawal will need one or two full semesters away to receive appropriate care and to demonstrate a sustained period of stability before they return. We encourage students to complete this assessment, alone or with their families, to help them think through the transition back to DePauw. 

Applications to return from a medical withdrawal will be reviewed by the Medical Withdrawal Committee. The Office of the Registrar communicates the outcome to the student, student’s academic advisor and other relevant offices. Students will be able to register for courses and secure housing once they are readmitted to DePauw. 

For the Committee to review applications, applications must include all the required supporting documents by the deadlines stated below. Please see the Returning from a Medical Withdrawal Checklist for detailed information about the necessary documentation outlined.

  • For Semester I (Fall and Winter terms):

    • July 1- Readmission application, which includes a letter to the VP for Student Affairs

    • August 1 – Letter from medical provider sent to Counseling Services or DePauw Health and Wellness

      • Please note in order to have the most recent information about your health, if this letter is sent too soon, you may be asked to provide updated information from your medical provider.

  • For Semester II (Spring and May terms):

    • December 1- Readmission application, which includes a letter to the VP for Student Affairs

    • August 1 – Letter from medical provider sent to Counseling Services or DePauw Health and Wellness

      • Please note in order to have the most recent information about your health, if this letter is sent too soon, you may be asked to provide updated information from your medical provider.

Beginning the Process to Return from a Medical Withdrawal

When the student and their medical provider believe a student are ready to return to campus:

  1. Review the Returning from a Medical Withdrawal Checklist

  2. The student notifies the University of their return after a medical withdrawal by submitting an Application for Readmission, including the required letter to the Vice President of Student Affairs to the CARE Team at care@depauw.edu by the deadline.

  3. The medical documentation/letter from the medical provider is submitted to Counseling Services and/or DePauw Health and Wellness by the deadline.

  4. Once documentation is received from the medical provider: It is reviewed and a decision is made based on the information provided about a students readiness to return from a medical withdrawal. Please note that the review process can take up to a week and additional information may be asked from your medical provider.