Fresh Start Policies

Special Provisions for Reinstatement after Extended Absence from the University. (Fresh Start).
Students who return to the University after an absence of at least three years may have their prior work not included in their cumulative grade point average subject to the following conditions:

1. Readmission to the University must follow normal procedures (e.g., a student who left the University on academic dismissal must petition the Committee on Admissions and Records and justify readmission on the usual grounds).

2. A minimum of 45 credits must be taken in residence on the UMass Amherst campus after readmission and before graduation.

3. Courses taken and grades achieved in the first admission will appear on the transcript along with a notation that they are not included in the cumulative average.

4. General Education and free elective credits passed with a grade of C- or better in the first admission will be counted toward graduation credit upon readmission but will not be included in the cumulative average.

5. Major program courses taken in the first admission must be approved as part of the major program for graduation by the major department. Courses accepted to the major will not be included in the calculation of the major grade point average.

6. Those who had left the University in Good Standing or on Probation will have Academic Standing calculations begin at the start of the progression upon their return. Students who, upon departure, had a suspension or dismissal in that final term will continue through the usual Academic Standing progression after their return.

7. Students who qualify for and wish to choose this option must notify the Registrar as part of the Readmission application. Students may not change the option after they have been readmitted. If students choose this option, it will apply to all prior work at the University.

8. For the purpose of this policy, an "absence of at least three years" is defined as not having been enrolled in any courses on the Amherst campus for six successive fall and spring semesters or any of the intervening intercessions or summer sessions. Students may not have been enrolled in any regular University courses or any courses offered by Continuing & Professional Education during this period.