The deadline for L&S undergraduates to drop semester-long courses is the Monday of the 13th week of instruction. For this reason, courses taken during the fall and spring terms may not be dropped after the Monday of the 13th week of the fall or spring terms except in extremely unusual circumstances, and only with the approval of an academic dean. (Please note that modular courses and summer term drop deadlines are usually within the first week or two of a particular summer session. See UW–Madison session dates for more specific details.)
- Please note that the 13th-week deadline is for the main 15-week A1 (Regular) session in the fall or spring term. Certain other classes run for fewer weeks, start on a different week, or have other rules about deadlines. Refer to Session Dates for the appropriate drop deadline for these courses.
In order to obtain a drop after the official deadline, a student should have verifiable non-academic circumstances beyond their control which prevented them from dropping the course in a timely manner or from completing the course. Please note that the last day to request a late drop is on the last day of classes prior to the start of final exams for the fall or spring term. The deadline for summer term late drop requests will be on the last day of the particular summer session. Please see dates & deadlines for more detailed information.
If the class(es) you hope to drop are still in progress, please use the Late Drop Form below. If you wish to drop a class that was taken in a previous term or after the last day of classes, please visit the Retroactive Drop Request page.
To request a drop, you must:
- Submit this completed form (see below)
- L&S undergraduate students on F-1 and J-1 visas must obtain permission to drop below full-time status. Detailed information on getting permission to drop below full-time can be found at reduced course load.
- Please note that due to a large number of requests submitted late in the semester, student requests may be reviewed without the need to speak with a dean.
A student MUST first read through the Late Drop information above and THEN fill out the information below. Please note that in order to possibly qualify for a drop after the official deadline, it is important that an individual provides strong documentation of their circumstances. (Extenuating circumstances should occurred and be able to be well documented.) Examples of documentation that should be provided are as follows:
- Death of a family member or friend
- Obituary or death certificate
- Letter from counselor
- Documentation should include date and indicate relationship to the deceased
- Family Issues
- Letter from therapist or counselor
- Medical Issues (serious illness, hospitalization, mental health, change in health status)
- Letter from doctor with advised period of recovery
- Record of doctor visits
- Hospitalization records
- Copies of medical bills documenting illness/injury
- Letter from doctor, therapist, or counselor
Please feel free to provide written feedback from your instructor(s) regarding your class participation and academic performance if you believe this information would be helpful to the academic dean reviewing your situation. Please note that a request for a late drop is never guaranteed.
Providing documentation *is not *a guarantee that a student’s request to drop or retroactively drop a class will be granted. Earning a poor grade in a course, not being aware of deadlines, or not receiving feedback on an examination until after the deadline are a few examples that are not considered strong reasons for obtaining a drop after the deadline.
L&S Undergraduate Academic Deans’ Services will contact you within three (3) business days of receiving your request with next steps.
Please be sure to print a copy of the information – before you hit “SUBMIT” – to keep for your records.**
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