Policy Statement
There are two types of withdrawals from the School of Medicine—administrative and voluntary. A student in good standing may request a voluntary withdrawal from the KSOM. Students not in good standing must gain approval from the Student Performance Committee (SPC) to withdraw from KSOM. Administrative withdrawals are executed by the Associate Dean for Student Affairs or the Student Performance Committee in accordance with the policies of KSOM.
Policy Requirement for Voluntary Withdrawals
A voluntary withdrawal is an action taken when a student requests to voluntarily leave the School of Medicine.
Students in Good Standing requesting a withdrawal:
- Students in good standing may submit a written request for a voluntary withdrawal to the Associate or Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. The Associate Dean for Student Affairs accepts voluntary withdrawals from students in good standing and notifies the KSOM Registrar of an accepted withdrawal.
- Students who voluntarily withdraw from KSOM will have the notation “Withdrew: DATE” recorded on their permanent academic record and their official transcript.
Students not in Good Standing requesting a withdrawal:
- Students who are not in good standing, such as those who are on probation, must petition for a voluntary withdrawal to the Student Performance Committee (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 KSOM Registrar if the petition is approved.
- Students who are in the process of dismissal are not in good standing and will be denied the option of withdrawal until the dismissal hearing and appeal process have been completed.
- Students who are approved for a withdrawal from KSOM 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 of Medicine for any of the following reasons:
- Failure to contact the Keck School of Medicine by a stated deadline while on an approved leave of absence.
- Failure to return on a predetermined date from a scheduled, approved leave of absence; or absence without leave.
- Failure to make satisfactory academic progress in a time frame determined by the Student Performance Committee.
- 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 M.D. degree program is equivalent to dismissal from the Keck School of Medicine of USC. 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 KSOM Doctor of Medicine program.
- Students who withdraw (voluntary or administrative) remain subject to their financial obligations with the University.
Appeal Process for Administrative Withdrawal
Reviewed and Approved: July 7, 2021
Medical Education Executive Council
Related Policies: