A-to-Z Index

Re-entry Students

Students previously enrolled as degree-seeking students at JMU who have not attended JMU for one or more semesters and who wish to return to their studies at JMU are classified as re-entry students. Your re-entry process depends upon your length of absence and academic standing at the time of departure.

 

Re-entry Students – Absent From JMU For Less Than Two Years

Students on Probation

Students who left the university on academic probation, and who have been absent for one semester or more and less than two years, must:

  • Complete an Intent to Enroll Form
  • Complete a one page personal statement citing the reason for departure and interim activities.
  • Mail your completed intent to enroll form and personal statement, by the deadline of the semester in which you wish to return to:

                          Director of Academic Student Services
                          James Madison University
                          MSC 7506
                          71 Alumnae Drive
                          Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Re-entry is not guaranteed, but contingent upon review by an academic review committee chaired by the Director of Academic Student Services. Such review may result in denial or conditional re-entry.

Download the Intent to Enroll Form.

Students on Suspension

Students who are placed on a first academic suspension may follow the appeal process in the JMU Undergraduate Catalog or apply for re-entry after their suspension period is complete. Students must:

  • Complete an Intent to Enroll Form
  • Complete a one page personal statement citing the reason for departure and interim activities.
  • Mail your completed intent to enroll form and personal statement, by the deadline of the semester in which you wish to return to:

                          Director of Academic Student Services
                          James Madison University
                          MSC 7506
                          71 Alumnae Drive
                          Harrisonburg, VA 22807


Re-entry is not guaranteed but contingent upon review by an academic review committee chaired by the Director of Academic Student Services. Such review may result in denial or conditional re-entry.

Download the Intent to Enroll Form.

Students in Good Standing

Students in good standing who have declared a formal leave of absence for non-medical reasons will be automatically activated and eligible to register for the stated semester of return without further action on their part—provided there is resolution of outstanding registration holds.

Students who left the university in good standing and who have been absent for one semester or more without declaring a formal leave of absence must submit an Intent to Enroll Form to the Office of the Registrar.

Activation for students who take a leave of absence for documented medical or mental health reasons will be contingent on receipt of a letter from the attending physician indicating the student is able to attend classes. This letter must be received in the Office of the Registrar by the deadlines listed on this website.

Download the Intent to Enroll Form.

Re-entry Students –Absent for Two Years Or More

Students who plan to re-enter after an absence of two or more calendar years, regardless of their academic standing at the time of departure, must:

  • Apply for readmission through the Office of Academic Student Services by completing the Re-Entry Form.
  • Complete a one page personal statement citing the reason for departure and interim activities.
  • Mail your completed re-entry form and personal statement, by the deadline of the semester in which you wish to return to:

                          Director of Academic Student Services
                          James Madison University
                          MSC 7506
                          71 Alumnae Drive
                          Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Re-entry is not automatic but subject to committee review of the application, the personal statement citing the reason for absence, and evaluation of work completed at JMU as well as work completed at other institutions during the student’s absence from JMU.

Download the Undergraduate Re-entry Form.

Please note: You are responsible for making sure that all registration holds are cleared before you will be eligible to register.

Re-entry under the Transfer Equivalent Option

You may be offered re-entry under the Transfer Equivalent Option (TEO) because you have two academic suspensions or you have one academic suspension and the academic review committee has concluded that there is insufficient chance of your being able to reach academic good standing without use of the Transfer Equivalent Option (TEO).

To acknowledge understanding and acceptance of the re-entry under TEO you must:

  • Sign and return a copy of your letter (please be sure to make a copy of the letter for your records) by the deadline on your letter, to:
                          Director of Academic Student Services
                          James Madison University
                          MSC 7506
                          71 Alumnae Drive
                          Harrisonburg, VA 22807
  • Take care of any holds. You will be unable to register until all holds are lifted.
  • Be aware of JMU's Academic Suspension and Academic Dismissal policies.

 

Note: Re-entry is not guaranteed to first or second time academic suspension students.

Seriously contemplate the likelihood of being able to meet the conditions of TEO. Keep in mind that failure to fulfill the conditions will result in an additional academic suspension and/or academic dismissal (if you have been suspended twice).

Academic Suspension policy states that following a second suspension, the period of suspension is two calendar years, and students who are academically suspended for a second time are only eligible to apply to return to JMU by agreeing to apply for the Transfer Equivalent Option upon their approved return to JMU. 

Academic Dismissal policy states that a student who is suspended a third time will be permanently dismissed from the University. No appeal of this dismissal will be considered.

 

 

Important Alternatives Once You Are Re-enrolled at JMU

Guidelines for Re-entry with Conditions

You may be offered re-entry with conditions because you have one academic suspension and the academic review committee has concluded that there is a reasonable chance of your being able to reach academic good standing without use of the Transfer Equivalent Option (TEO). (Note: Re-entry with conditions is not guaranteed to first suspension students).

Seriously contemplate the likelihood of your being able to satisfy the stated conditions. Keep in mind that failure to fulfill the conditions by the end of the specified semester will result in an additional academic suspension.

To acknowledge understanding and acceptance of the conditions for re-entry, complete the following:

  • Sign and return a copy of your conditions letter by the deadline stated on the letter to:

                          Director of Academic Student Services
                          James Madison University
                          MSC 7506
                          71 Alumnae Drive
                          Harrisonburg, VA 22807

  • Make a copy of the letter for your records.
  • Take care of any holds. You will be unable to register until all holds are lifted. Your e-ID and registration accounts will be re-activated after your signed letter is received by Office of Academic Student Services.
  • Carefully follow the instructions given in your re-entry letter, being sure to meet all stated deadlines.
  • Be aware of JMU's Academic Suspension and Academic Dismissal policies.

Repeat Forgiveness

You may elect to repeat up to two courses on a Repeat Forgiveness basis, but those courses must be repeated at JMU. This option allows you to repeat a course you previously took and forgive your prior attempt. This replaces the previous grade and credit hours from calculations of your GPA, whether you achieve a better grade on the repeated attempt or not. The grade from any previous course will appear on your transcript, even though it will only be counted once toward satisfying graduation requirements. You must declare Repeat Forgiveness at the time of course registration. This option is helpful if you were reinstated and are trying to improve your academic standing. You can find details on Repeat Forgiveness in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the JMU Undergraduate Catalog.

Transfer Equivalent Option

If you return to JMU after an absence of two or more calendar years and maintain a 2.0 GPA for 12 credit hours after your return, you may apply for the transfer equivalent option. This allows you the same quality point status of a transfer student admitted to the university. That is, your new GPA will initially be earned in the 12 credit hours taken upon re-entry.  If you are suspended with a GPA of 1.0 or below, this is a helpful option to consider. Specific regulations and procedures governing this option are described in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the JMU Undergraduate Catalog.