Interrupting Your Studies

We understand that after joining CBS circumstances may change, resulting in the need to suspend studies for a period of time, or take fewer credits during a term and creating a need for more than four semesters of study (stretch). Columbia Business School is aligned with the University’s Withdraw Policy. Please review this page carefully as it contains important information. 

Withdrawal with Intent to Return 

Withdrawal With Intent to Return (WR) generally refers to scenarios where a student demonstrates compelling reasons and necessity to interrupt their studies. There are multiple withdrawal types a student may pursue or otherwise be subject to, including those arising from Voluntary and Involuntary circumstances.  These include voluntary, medical, military, and involuntary leave.

Students must start the program at the entry point to which they were admitted. A Withdrawal with Intent to Return cannot be taken prior to the completion of the first semester of the program. In the event that students cannot begin the program at the entry point to which they were admitted, they should contact Admissions.  

Students who interrupt their studies in their first semester must return at the entry point to which they were admitted. For example, a student who begins the program in the summer semester and takes a Withdrawal with Intent to Return will be eligible to resume their studies the following summer. A student in this situation may not come back during the fall semester unless all first-semester core classes are complete.

All students in good academic standing have up to five (5) years from their date of matriculation to complete the MBA program.

Withdraw 

The University uses the term Withdraw to formally indicate that a student has ceased attendance in all scheduled courses for a given term. Students must alert CBS if they intend to withdraw from a semester. If a student ceases attending classes without notification, that student is considered to have Unofficially Withdrawn from the University. Students who fail to enroll by the end of the registration period without prior approval from the Office of Student Affairs will be withdrawn and may be required to re-apply through the Office of Admissions, with no guarantee of re-admission. 

Resources, Requirements, and Implications  

To fully understand the impact of a Withdrawal or Withdrawal with Intent to Return from school, you must understand the ramifications. There are many other areas that should be considered as part of a student's decision to temporarily or permanently interrupt their studies. 

This includes, but is not limited to: 

• Financial Implications, including those related Tuition & Fees, Title IV Federal Student Aid and Other Financial Assistance 
• School and University Services including Columbia Health and the Health Insurance  
• International Students and Scholars Office 
• Students returning from a separation will not receive an additional opportunity to attempt exemption exams for withdrawn, incomplete courses, or Core courses not yet attempted, as this opportunity occurs in advance of matriculation. 

Regardless of the type of separation requested or enforced, students who suspend their studies will not have access to some CBS systems, CBS-specific services such as Career and Academic Advising, or University facilities and services outlined in the University Policy. While separated, students are not permitted to participate in CBS academic, career, club, community, or social events unless they are open to the general public. When preparing to return from a leave, students must notify OSA in writing at [email protected] with the expected semester of return to devise a plan for return. 

There are many support resources available to students considering interrupting their studies. This includes, but is not limited to: 

• Academic Advisor (OSA): Schedule an Advising Appointment.
• University Life: focuses on enhancing the student experience across Columbia’s 17 schools and colleges and is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive campus culture where students can thrive in all dimensions of their lives. 
  • Resource Directory 
• Center for Student Success and Intervention: provides multiple on-campus and off-campus resources to assist students with meeting basic needs and serves as a space to access and obtain necessary support and services to help as a part of your journey here at Columbia. 
  • Resource Directory 
• Religious Life  
  • Resource Directory 

Next Steps 

Students must Schedule an Academic Advising Appointment with their designated Academic Advisor before submitting a Withdrawal and Leave of Absence Notification Request Form to the University.