Withdrawal Policy

Professionalism Reporting

Policy Statement:

There are two types of withdrawals from the Keck School of Medicine (Keck School) —administrative withdrawal and voluntary withdrawal. A student in good standing may request a voluntary withdrawal from the Keck School. Students who are not in good standing must petition the Student Performance Committee (SPC) if they seek to withdraw from the Keck School. Administrative withdrawals are executed by the Associate Dean for Student Affairs or the SPC in accordance with the policies of the Keck School.

Policy Requirement for Voluntary Withdrawals:

A voluntary withdrawal is an action taken when a student requests to voluntarily leave the Keck School.

Students in Good Standing requesting a withdrawal:

  1. Students in good standing may submit a written request for a voluntary withdrawal to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. The Associate Dean for Student Affairs accepts voluntary withdrawals from students in good standing and notifies the Keck School Registrar of an accepted withdrawal.
  2. Students who voluntarily withdraw from the Keck School will have the notation “Withdrew: DATE” recorded on their permanent academic record and their official transcript.

Students not in Good Standing requesting a withdrawal:

  1. Students who are not in good standing, such as those who are on probation, must petition for a voluntary withdrawal to the SPC. The SPC will review the petition and may require that the student appear before the committee. The chair of the SPC will notify the Keck School Registrar if the petition is approved.
  2. Students who are in the process of being considered for dismissal are not in good standing and will be denied the option of withdrawal until the dismissal hearing and appeal process have been completed.
  3. Students who are approved for a withdrawal from the Keck School will have the notation “Withdrew: DATE” recorded on their permanent academic record and their official transcript.

Policy Requirement for Administrative Withdrawals

The Associate Dean for Student Affairs may execute an administrative withdrawal from the Keck School for any of the following reasons:

  1. Failure to contact the Keck School by a stated deadline while on an approved leave of absence.
  2. Failure to return on a predetermined date from a scheduled, approved leave of absence.
  3. Absence without leave.
  4. Failure to make satisfactory academic progress in a time frame determined by the Student Performance Committee.
  5. Failure to meet financial obligations.

 Procedure:

  • Students who voluntarily withdraw must reapply through the standard application process if they seek consideration for readmission.
  • Administrative withdrawal from the Doctor of Medicine program is equivalent to dismissal from the Keck School. Once executed, the administrative withdrawal will be noted on the student’s permanent academic record and official transcript. Students who are subject to an administrative withdrawal are not eligible for readmission to the Keck School Doctor of Medicine program.
  • Students who withdraw (voluntary or administrative) remain subject to their financial obligations with the University.

Appeal Process

Reviewed and Approved: November 19, 2025

Medical Education Executive Council