Withdrawal and Readmission

Withdrawal from a current semester

If you find it necessary to discontinue attending classes during the semester, you must formally request a withdrawal from the University. When you withdraw, any classes in which you are enrolled will be dropped from your schedule, and any classes in which you are enrolled for a future term will also be dropped. You will no longer be eligible to attend Berkeley until you are readmitted (see Readmission tab). You should discuss withdrawal with a CDSS College Advisor and Major Advisor.

Withdrawal requests submitted during Reading, Review, and Recitation (RRR) week will be approved on or before the Friday of RRR week, even if you have not contacted your College Advisor. Students who withdraw during RRR week will be subject to the "semester-out" rule, meaning they are not eligible to enroll at UC Berkeley the following semester. Your College Advisor will process your withdrawal electronically; you do not need to go to the Cal Student Central office to file a petition.

The last day to submit a withdrawal is the Friday of RRR week at 11:59 p.m. PDT.

Cancellation for an upcoming semester

Withdrawals submitted prior to the first day of instruction for a term will be processed as a cancellation of registration. You will need to apply for readmission in order to attend a future Fall or Spring semester.

How to submit a withdrawal or cancellation

Submit a Withdrawal Request by going to your CalCentral’s “My Dashboard” tab and selecting “Add a Withdrawal Request” under Student Resources.

To submit a withdrawal, select the current term.
For a cancellation, select a future term.

Newly Admitted Students: If you submit a withdrawal request prior to the first day of instruction of your first semester, it will result in the cancellation of your admission to UC Berkeley.

Readmission

Undergraduate students who leave the University and are absent for one or more semesters must apply for readmission. Readmission and re-enrollment is not guaranteed. The decision ultimately rests with the College. If you have not been dismissed and want to resume your studies in CDSS after withdrawing or being absent for one or more semesters, the readmission process is streamlined. Students who left the College in good standing and who do not have any registration holds are encouraged to submit the readmission application by the posted deadline.

Students who withdraw from the university during or after RRR week of a Fall or Spring semester, are not eligible for readmission in the following semester.

Upon readmission, you will be required to submit an online Statement of Legal Residence and an application for readmission fee via CalCentral. For more information about readmission fee waivers, please visit the Educational Opportunity Program website.

Applying for Readmission

Please reference this chart for steps on who to contact as your begin your readmission journey. Then complete the following pieces of the Application for Readmission and submit all application materials together to CDSS College Advising at cdss-undergrad@berkeley.edu.

Undergraduate Application for Readmission

Program Planning Form with major advisor signature indicating approval
- A program plan is NOT required for all students. Please reference this readmission chart for more information.
Official transcripts from any other institution(s) attended while away from the university should be submitted to the University for evaluation.
$70 Readmission application fee or EOP fee waiver.

Deadlines to Apply for Readmission

In order to be considered for readmission, you must file an Application for Readmission by the following deadlines:

Fall Semester: June 1; * Priority Deadline - March 15
Spring Semester: November 1; * Priority Deadline - September 15

* In order to be on time for your Phase I registration appointment, it is strongly recommended to submit your completed request by the priority deadlines. Completed requests will still be accepted after the priority deadlines, but are not guaranteed to result in a Phase I registration appointment.

Students from Other Colleges

Students who were last enrolled at UC Berkeley in another college (L&S, Haas, COE, CED, RCNR or Chem) and wish to be readmitted directly into CDSS may petition to do so under certain circumstances. In these cases, readmission will require that the student be eligible to declare one of the CDSS majors. Readmission into CDSS is not guaranteed, and students should also consider alternative plans to return to UC Berkeley.

Students interested in pursuing a change of college as part of their readmission should:

Review the requirements for their intended major. Requirements to declare will vary by major.
Meet with the advisor for the major they wish to declare.
Meet with a college advisor for guidance on the change of college and readmission processes.

Readmission for Graduation Purposes (non-enrollment)

If you are withdrawn from UC Berkeley and wish to be added to the degree list, you will need to be readmitted for graduation purposes. To understand this process, reach out to CDSS college advising. The deadline to request to be added to the degree list while you are withdrawn is the last day of instruction (Friday before RRR week) at 11:59:00pm PT.

If you wish to be readmitted for a Summer term in order to complete required courses and be added to the degree list, this may be an option. Please reach out to CDSS college advising to learn more.

Readmission

If you plan to enroll for a future term, you must file an Application for Readmission by the following deadlines:

Fall Semester: June 1;* Priority Deadline - March 15
Spring Semester: November 1; * Priority Deadline - September 15

Students who withdraw from the university during or after RRR week of a Fall or Spring semester are not eligible for readmission in the following semester. Please contact CDSS College Advising for more information.

Readmission After Disqualification (f.k.a Dismissal)

Students in disqualification status may not continue their studies in CDSS or enroll in classes at UC Berkeley during a Fall or Spring semester. However, some students may elect to attend another educational institution, such as a community college, to improve their academic performance, and request special permission to return to UC Berkeley.

Readmission after disqualification may be approved if the student demonstrates readiness to return. To be eligible for readmission after dismissal, students will need to meet the following requirements:

Two full-time (at least 12 units) terms away at a different institution earning a B average for each term
Summer or winter term can be counted as one term (at least 6 units must be taken to be considered full-time)
Students who have approved reduced course load can take less than 12 units in a term
One page statement about the difficulties you have experienced at UC Berkeley and what you have been doing to improve your situation and why you are ready to return
Optional: any other documentation you think would support your case

Your advisor will be able to discuss these and other options with you. In order to understand the readmission process after previous disqualification, make an appointment to speak with a CDSS College Advisor or email cdss-undergrad@berkeley.edu.