Middlebury Handbook

This withdrawal policy applies to any student who decides not to participate in the program abroad or who is dismissed from the program abroad on or after the start of the program. All programs are considered to start on the first day of orientation for fall or spring-only students, and again on the first day of spring classes for academic year students.

Students who withdraw after the on-site registration period will receive grades of “WD”; refunds apply as per the Withdrawal Refund Schedule outlined in Section C.4. A grade of “WDF” as indicated on the back of the Middlebury College transcript applies only to Language Schools and not to Schools Abroad. Students who are dismissed or who withdraw after the on-site registration period and before the last week of classes will receive a grade of “WD” in all of their courses.

Students who are dismissed or who voluntarily withdraw during the last week of classes (i.e., beginning at 12:00am local time on the fifth class day prior to the start of exams) or after will receive a grade of “F” in all of their courses.

Middlebury undergraduate students who withdraw from a School Abroad after the start of a semester are not normally eligible for readmission to Middlebury the following term. 

In some cases, the Vice President for Student Affairs or their designee may impose specific requirements for readmission if the circumstances of the student’s departure warrant it. The goal of such conditions is to prepare the student for a successful return to Middlebury.

In exceptional circumstances, and when indicated by a medical or health care professional, students may request permission to withdraw from one (and only one) course, rather than withdraw entirely from the program. If permission to withdraw from a specific course is granted by the Director/Principal of the School Abroad, the student would stop all work related to that course and receive a “WD” on their transcript for that course.

Middlebury undergraduate students who receive permission to withdraw from a course abroad should understand that because of the reduced course load, they will no longer be eligible for a WTEQ (winter-term equivalent credit), where applicable.

Although this is the policy for a student’s Middlebury transcript, depending on the laws of the host country, a failing grade or a failure to complete the course may become a part of a student’s permanent academic record at the host institution.

a) Paperwork & Procedures for Withdrawal from a School Abroad
A student must notify the Director/Principal of the School Abroad in writing of the intent to voluntarily withdraw and the Director/Principal should complete the withdrawal form and send it to the student for a signature. The Director/Principal must send that withdrawal form to International Programs within 30 days of withdrawal. The Dean of International Programs (for undergraduates) and the Dean of Language Schools (for graduates), in consultation with the Director/Principal, may impose conditions on readmission designed to support the student's health and academic success.

b) Notice to the Student's Home Institution

Middlebury reserves the right to notify all institutions or programs in which the student is (or will be) enrolled of any withdrawal or dismissal of the student from a Middlebury School Abroad.

c) Readmission

A student who would like to seek readmission to a School Abroad after withdrawal must reapply.

MA candidates who wish to seek readmission after a withdrawal from a School Abroad should refer to the Schools Abroad Handbook Section B.4. Master of Arts Degree Candidacy.