Returning After a Leave of Absence
You should contact the advising office you were enrolled in when you left. The advising office returns students from leaves of absence, as long as the student has not been dismissed and is eligible to enroll in the major.
- If you took coursework at another institution(s), be sure to send each transcript to Ohio State
- If you have already completed a degree and would like to enroll in just a few courses but you do not intend to earn a second undergraduate degree, please contact the Office of Extended Education
- Contact the Buckeye Link office to discuss financial aid and fees
- Log into your My Buckeye Link account to check for holds and to change personal information like address or phone number
- If you plan to live on-campus, you should contact University Housing
- If you plan on living off-campus, you should contact the Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement office for additional information
Return after a Dismissal
If you were dismissed from the university you will have to petition for reinstatement with the college that offers the program you want to complete.
- If you wish to return to a regional campus, you should contact an advisor from that campus to talk about the petition process
File for Reinstatement
Students who have been academically dismissed from the university must petition to return. Each college has a formal process for submitting a petition, reaching a decision, and alerting the student. Talk to an advisor in the office that offers the major you intend to study to understand the process, as well as how to prepare an effective petition.
Students who have been dismissed from the university for academic reasons can petition for reinstatement. Students are typically asked to spend at least two semesters away from the university to address the issues that led to their academic struggles. Reinstatement is not guaranteed, and desire to return is not enough support for a petition.
Students who wish to return to the university should think about how they have demonstrated a commitment to their academic and/or career goals. It can be a good idea to take course work elsewhere, to show that you are able to complete college-level work successfully. If you plan to attend another institution with the goal of returning to Ohio State, see an academic advisor for help selecting appropriate courses.
Before you meet with an advisor
Students are rarely allowed to return into University Exploration. As part of their time away from Ohio State, students are expected to choose an attainable major. Reinstatement petitions should be discussed with the advising office for the major that you intend to complete. An advisor will explain the process, and give you tips for preparing an effective petition.
It is very helpful if you can come prepared with the following documentation:
- A statement based on the guidelines and/or questions presented to you by the college you are petitioning; ask for the email address of the advisor you are scheduled to meet with, so you can inquire about this information
- Unofficial transcript from another university/college if you took courses during your time away
- Any other supporting documentation you feel will help your case (for example, a letter from an instructor, medical professional, and/or employer, etc.)
The published university deadlines for submitting a reinstatement are:
- Autumn Semester June 1*
- Spring Semester October 1*
- Summer Term February 1*
*or the first business day following, if these dates fall on a weekend
- Fresh Start
Students who have been away from the university for at least five years may want to petition to use Fresh Start. While all the courses you have taken will remain on your transcript, only courses in which you received a C- or higher will be counted for credit toward your degree. Other course work will not be counted for credit, towards any requirement, or toward graduation. You will return to Ohio State with a recalculated cumulative GPA of 0.00. You must complete a minimum of two terms and 30 credit hours after using the Fresh Start Rule before you can be eligible to graduate.
Points to remember:
- Fresh Start only adjusts your academic record; your previous coursework may still impact your financial aid eligibility
- If you are considering applying to graduate or professional schools, or even to other undergraduate programs at Ohio State, their admission processes may look at all of your grades and recalculate the original grade(s) into your total.