Return to Smith

Applications to return to Smith must be submitted by March 1, 2025, to be considered to return to Smith in fall 2025.

The Academic Board is responsible for overseeing the Return to Smith process. Requirements for return may vary depending on the reason for withdrawal. For a description of the Academic Board and rules regarding leaves, withdrawal, and Return to Smith, please refer to the current Smith College Catalog.

If you are a financial aid recipient contact Student Financial Services early in the Return to Smith process. 

If you need health clearance, contact the Schacht Center for Health & Wellness early in the Return to Smith request. (Health clearance is a separate process and may take time as your health care provider must communicate with our Health Services staff.)  

Return to Smith Deadlines

Date Semester
November 1 For the following spring semester
March 1 For the following fall semester

Be sure we have your current email address and phone number. Return to Smith is managed through email and phone, and we need to be able to reach you.


 

Smith students who have been withdrawn from the College for 6 or more years must apply as Ada Comstock Scholars through the Office of Admission.

 

The deadlines are November 15 for the spring semester and February 15 for the fall semester. Smith requires the Common Application for Transfer noting the Ada Comstock Scholars Program; applicants must submit all required credentials, including an interview with an admission staff member, by the published deadlines.

The Return to Smith Process

Start by reviewing the letter you received upon your withdrawal from Smith College to determine whether or not you have met the conditions requested by the Academic Board. If you need a copy of your withdrawal letter, please request it by emailing classdeans@smith.edu.

To be considered for return, The Return to Smith Committee requires the following:

  1. A complete Return to Smith Application which includes a personal statement. Contact classdeans@smith.edu to request a link to the Return to Smith Application and indicate whether or not you took a medical leave. 
  2. Official transcripts for any credit earned if you studied while away.
  3. Clearance from Health Services (if required).
  4. Clearance from Student Financial Services.
  5. A conversation with the appropriate class dean.

Submit your completed application. Official transcripts should be sent from the institution directly to our office via email or U. S. mail before the Return to Smith deadline if possible. Call the Class Deans Office at  (413-585-4915) to schedule a conversation with a class dean.

Detailed Return to Smith Instructions

The Return to Smith Form consists of three parts: your current contact information, a list of courses taken (if required) and the credit you expect to earn (if you earned credit while away), and a personal statement.

The personal statement should include:

  • A brief explanation of the circumstances that led to your withdrawal.
  • Brief descriptions of what you have been doing in your time away from the college (study, work, attending to health concerns, volunteering, etc.).
  • An abbreviated plan to manage your course work upon your return. 
  • A concise plan for self-care upon your return to Smith (required only if you withdrew for health reasons).
  • (If you are a junior or senior, or if you have changed your major) A plan of study that indicates how you will complete the major as endorsed by your major adviser (the adviser can email approval of your plan to the class deans office). If you are changing majors you should have your course plan approved by the chair of your new department.

Any course work taken away from Smith College must be preapproved for transfer credit. (See Transfer Credit.) If you have completed course work at another institution, list these courses on the Return to Smith Form.

Upon completion of all course work, request that an official transcript be sent directly to:

Smith College
Office of the Class Deans
College Hall Room 101
Northampton, MA 01063

If a student left the college on medical leave or withdrawal, official medical clearance is required by the Return to Smith Form deadline; the Academic Board cannot consider an applicant without medical clearance. A student must submit a brief explanation of the circumstances that led to the medical withdrawal along with confirmation of treatment and healing during the medical leave. A student must submit documentation from a medical professional that serves as medical clearance. The documentation will state that the student will be able to attend an academically rigorous residential institution along with a plan for maintaining good health. The student will share a concise plan for self-care upon re-entry to Smith.

Each previously enrolled Smith student who is admitted will be required to file new, updated health forms with Health Services.

Contact the Schact Center for Health and Wellness directly for instructions at 413-585-2806. You should initiate the process as soon as it is practical. The Academic Board will not finalize your request for Return to Smith without health clearance if required.

Deadlines for Health Clearance
June 1 For the fall semester
December 1 For the spring semester

 

Financial Holds

If you have access to Workday, check to see if you have a financial hold on your student account for any reason. If so, your account must be cleared by Student Financial Services. If you do not have Workday access or you have questions, you may contact Student Financial Services directly for more information at 413-585-2530 or sfs@smith.edu.

Financial Aid (if applicable)

If you are a financial aid recipient, you should plan ahead and reapply for financial aid, regardless of your Return to Smith status. Follow the Smith College financial aid deadlines for current students.

Applying for financial aid does not imply that you have been approved to return. It is highly recommended that you complete your financial aid application by the following deadlines:

Deadlines for Financial Aid
May 15 For the fall semester
December 15 For the spring semester

If your financial aid application is still incomplete by the final deadlines listed below, your request to Return to Smith may be denied or prior approval revoked.

August 15 For the fall semester
January 4 For the spring semester

Please contact Student Financial Services with any questions regarding the financial aid application process at 413-585-2530 or sfs@smith.edu.

After you have submitted your form with the appropriate supplemental materials, you should call the class deans office at 413-585-4915 to schedule an in-person or phone appointment with the appropriate class dean.

This conversation will give you a chance to discuss your academic plans, consider your options as you resume your studies, and discuss any other issues that are relevant to your successful return to Smith College.

After Return to Smith Approval

Once your Return to Smith has been approved, you will be notified by the class deans office and asked to submit a check or money order for $100 made out to Smith College and sent to the registrar's office to cover the general deposit required of all approved to return students. Until this deposit is received, you will not be considered an enrolled student (your housing will not be assigned and your financial aid will not be calculated).

Along with the general deposit, you must fill out the room assignment request for readmitted students. The form is required of all approved to return students, even those requesting permission to live off campus.

Coming Back to Smith

As an approved to return student, you are invited to participate in orientation events.

Check with the Office of Residence Life regarding housing assignments, return date and key pick-up.

You should arrange to meet with your adviser to discuss your course selections. Your adviser will have access to lifting your registration hold a couple weeks before the semester starts. However, please note that your adviser will not necessarily be on campus and available to meet prior to the beginning of classes. You will receive information from the registrar's office about registration before the semester starts. You will have the first two weeks of classes to add/drop courses online.

If you have a declared major, the chair of your department will also be able to lift the registration hold in order to be able to register. If you have not declared a major, your liberal arts adviser and your class dean will be able to help you with lifting the hold in order to be able to register.

Please make an appointment with your class dean to follow up on your academic plan for successful completion of your degree.