Academic Reinstatement and Re-enrollment

Recommendations after a First Academic Suspension

To be reinstated, a student who has been suspended for academic reasons must present convincing evidence that the barriers to academic success have been corrected or eliminated. There are various ways in which a student can prepare themselves for re-enrollment, including:

Students should consider completing at least two courses at another institution. These courses must be comparable to courses offered at W&M. Credits earned while a student is not in good standing at William & Mary will not transfer and do not count toward a William & Mary degree. These courses, however, may help the student strengthen a weak background and will demonstrate academic responsibility to the Committee on Academic Status. While taking course(s) away from W&M, students should make sure to not register as a "degree-seeking student" at the other institution.
Students may also consider employment averaging at least 20 hours per week, during the period of suspension. This work is viewed as an indication of maturity and seriousness of purpose. Many work skills are also skills related to successful academic achievement. Comparable volunteer work with a non-profit agency should also be considered.
Students also may benefit from professional help if they are dealing with medical issues, mental health concerns, family circumstances, financial difficulties, deficiencies in academic skills, or other personal matters.

Important Dates

Reinstatement and reenrollment are not automatic.

A student who has been academically suspended in May is eligible to apply after October 1st for review for reinstatement. If a student's intention is to return for the spring semester, all the Committee expectations must be met and the application submitted no later than November 15th.
A student who has been academically suspended in January is eligible to apply after May 1 for review for reinstatement. If a student's intention is to return for the fall semester, all the Committee expectations must be met and the application submitted no later than July 15th.

Reinstatement Process

To apply for reinstatement, a student must do the following:

1. Petition the Committee on Academic Status in writing, including:

A detailed account of activities the student participated in during the period of academic suspension from William & Mary.
A discussion of the factors that were barriers to academic success and the manner in which those factors have been overcome.
An explanation of current academic goals and a specific plan to achieve them.
- This includes an academic plan developed in conjunction with an academic advisor in the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.
- This includes an explanation of academic success strategies developed in conjunction with a member of Academic Wellbeing in the Dean of Students Office.
Up to date contact information.

Students may opt to submit a transcript (if they took courses elsewhere) and a letter of recommendation with the petition.

If a student took courses elsewhere, they should arrange for transcripts (unofficial are permissible) of all courses taken while on suspension (or letters from professors of courses in progress) to be sent to the Dean of Students Office.

Students may choose to provide a letter of recommendation from an employer/volunteer supervisor/mentor (not next of kin), to highlight the student’s accomplishments during suspension to the Dean of Students Office.

Reenrollment

After a student receives notification of reinstatement, the student must submit an application for reenrollment if the student wishes to return to William & Mary and has not enrolled as a degree-seeking student at another institution since last attending William & Mary.

Second Academic Suspension

It is extremely unlikely that a student who is suspended twice from William & Mary for academic reasons by the Committee on Academic Status will ever be reinstated.

Further Information

Questions concerning these policies should be addressed to the Dean of Students Office by emailing [[academicwellbeing]] or calling 757-221-1327.