Returning from MLOA

It takes preparation, organization, and honesty to stay on course once you return to campus. Here are resources, considerations and questions to keep in mind and potentially discuss with care providers, family members, and college advisors as you plan for your return.

What was hard about returning was adapting to being in the WashU environment and finding balance. It was hard to find the right balance of self-care and work. I had to constantly remind myself that if I tried to do everything, I would probably end up crashing. It took a while for me to stop feeling guilty for taking the time I needed for myself to stay healthy both physically and emotionally, especially during my first weeks back at WashU

Initiating your return from MLOA

To initiate your return from MLOA, it is important that you have information about the process of returning from a leave. In order to resume study at Washington University, the student will be asked to demonstrate that the condition that caused them to take a leave has resolved sufficiently to allow resumption of studies.  The duration of the leave should correspond with an appropriate recovery time associated with the issues for which the leave was initiated. The MLOA Committee may request additional information or documentation to establish your fitness to return to your studies at Washington University.

Please note the following:

• To ensure that our office has the most up-to-date information about your time away, return requests will not be accepted before the below dates.
  • Fall Return: Documents can be submitted starting on May 15, with the official window being open from June 1- July 1.
  • Spring Return: Documents can be submitted starting on October 15, with the official window being open November 1- December 1.
• Requests to return that are submitted later than the recommended deadlines will be postponed until a later semester.
• If using email, be aware that it is not necessarily a confidential method of communication.

Please contact the Leave Case Manager if you have questions about the timeline. 

Steps to return from MLOA

Step 1. Request to return

Please email the Leave Case Manager and/or make an appointment to help you identify logistical steps you may need to take as you explore a return to the university. 

At that meeting you will review reinstatement guidelines, policies, and expectations. Begin exploring a holistic plan for maintaining your health and well-being when you return to Wash U., that will also help you identify supportive resources both on and/or off campus.

Step 2. Documentation of Readiness to Return

Please submit the following documentation to the Leave Case Manager by email or fax: 314-970-9093. Please make sure you have all of the below forms submitted to ensure your application to return is complete.

• MLOA Reinstatement Request Form for your respective school of program
• Complete the MLOA Personal Statement
• Provider Documentation of Readiness to Return from each provider that you worked with while on MLOA
  • Provider documentation must be in English and/or on letterhead and translated by a licensed professional translation service
• Release of Information form (in PDF format) from each provider that you have worked with while on MLOA

Eating disorders

For students returning from MLOA due to an eating disorder, the following additional information is required from the student’s health care provider:

• Complete history of the eating disorder (with explanation of severity of behaviors)
• Report of physical exam completed by a physician within the past month.
• Height and weight parameters and vital signs for the last 3-6 months (depending on duration of leave)
• EKG and labs: CMP, CBC, amylase, urinalysis, magnesium, and phosphorus completed within the past 30 days (preferred) – 60 days (acceptable).

Athletics

Student athletes returning from MLOA may be asked to undergo an evaluation by a team physician and/or an additional healthcare provider designated by the university at the university’s expense.

Step 3. Review of Materials and Recommendation

After a student has submitted all of the required documentation, this paperwork will be disclosed to the MLOA Committee for review.

The MLOA committee will consult as a team to determine a student’s readiness for return. The committee makes a recommendation to a student’s school/program, who will then make the final decision of either (1) a student is ready to reinstate or (2) postponement of a student’s return. Please note: a student’s reinstatement form and/or their personal statement are also shared with the student’s designated school official as part of the process.

Any communication regarding the final decision will come to a student’s email directly from their school or program.

MLOA reinstatement forms and links

To return from your leave, choose the appropriate forms and links from the list below.

Note: whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student, you must use the Reinstatement Checklist and complete the Release of Information form. Then for undergraduates: complete the Request to Return from MLOA. Graduate students should select the correct option for your school. All students: your provider must complete the Reinstatement Health Evaluation form.

Considerations for returning from MLOA

Academics

• What do you consider to be your greatest academic strengths?
• Does your current major feel like the right fit? Do you feel passion, purpose and meaning from this field of study?
• What is a manageable number of credits to take as you readjust to life at Washington University?
• What combination of classes will allow for balance in terms of the skills and amount of time required for each class?
• What questions do you have for your academic or program advisor? 

Financial Information

• Do you have any outstanding holds that may prevent you from registering?
• Have you completed your FAFSA/ CSS profile?
• Are you aware of how your MLOA might impact the amount of financial aid remaining if you are receiving aid?
• Have you created a budget with potential expenses that you might incur when back on campus?

Health and well-being

• What will you need to do in order to maintain your health and well-being (e.g., nutrition, exercise, sleep, meditation, socializing, other)?
• How and when will you build in time for activities that support your well-being?
• What are the warning signs of a deterioration in your health and well-being? 

Housing

• What housing situation will be the most beneficial for your first semester after a leave?
  • Consider the following: On- or-off campus; alone or with roommates; distance from campus; access to grocery stores and transportation
• Have you updated your local address and emergency contact information in Workday?

Resources on or off campus

• What concerns do you have about returning from a medical leave? What help do you need to address those concerns?
• What campus resources will you access to support your return and what type of support do you need (e.g., Student Health Center, Center for Counseling and Psychological Services, Disability Resources, College advising office)?
• What off campus resources are available? How can I gain access?
• What is the most helpful way for college staff to reach out to you if there are concerns about your well-being (e.g., email, phone, text, other)? 

Social connections

• What communities do you want to engage with?
• What interests do you want to pursue when you return to WashU (e.g., student organizations, religious groups, resource centers, service or research opportunities)?
• Do you want to reconnect with old friends or create a new network?
• What personal resources can you rely on for support once you return to campus (e.g., family, physician or therapist, friends, other)?

Your first semester back 

Many services are available to support students’ health and well-being while on campus.