Interruption in academic program / Leave of absence policy

1. Students who have matriculated (attended freshman orientation and registered) are expected to complete the first two years of medical education without interruption. Should a student fail to pass the first year, or interrupt the first year of study for any reason, the student is not guaranteed re-entry into the School of Medicine. Re-entry will depend on:
   1. The number of spaces available once an entering class has been filled by regular applicants and other category students (e.g. MSTP or repeating students) the School determines to be most qualified for a space in the class AND
   2. The merits of the circumstances that necessitated the student leaving medical school.
2. A description of reasons for which a student may be dismissed from school for academic reasons is located on pages 154 and 155 of the Loma Linda University Student Handbook (2006 edition). Note that one of these reasons is “failure to satisfactorily complete the year-2 curriculum within 36 months of starting medical school unless prior approval for additional delay is obtained (in writing) from the office of the dean.” A second reason is “failure to satisfactorily complete all requirements for graduation within 36 months of completing the year-2 curriculum and USMLE, Step 1, unless prior approval for additional delay is obtained (in writing) from the office of the dean.”

This means that students who are not able to pass the first two years within three years and/or who are not able to pass the third and fourth year within three years will ordinarily be dismissed from school unless exceptional circumstances exist.