Documentation Review

Returning to the University after Withdrawal for Psychological Reasons

For all Reynolda Campus students (undergraduate and graduate/professional) who plan to return to the university in the future after a withdrawal for psychological reasons, you are required to provide documentation from a licensed mental health professional of your readiness to resume all student-related activities. Please share the following forms with your provider as soon as you initiate the treatment relationship so that the professional has an adequate opportunity to assess your readiness.

Your provider will need to follow the directions for completion and return this document to medicalrequests@wfu.edu no later than 3 business days prior to the OAA submission deadline.  This will allow adequate time for review and communication with OAA on your behalf. The information provided will be reviewed by the medical requests team in order to make a recommendation to the Committee on Academic Affairs, or relevant graduate/professional school Dean or committee, who will make the final decision.

Undergraduate students should contact the Office of Academic Advising with any questions related to a leave from the university. Students from Wake Forest University graduate and professional schools on the Reynolda Campus should contact relevant program administrators.

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Reduction in Course Load, Late Drop of Class(es), and Withdrawal from the University for Psychological Reasons

The UCC does not provide letters of support at the time of the initial visit and students should not seek services at the University Counseling Center for the sole purpose of obtaining a letter to support a reduction in academic course load or withdrawal from classes. The UCC typically provides documentation regarding a student’s mental health only when the student has been receiving on-going treatment at the UCC concurrent to the time in question.

Students requiring such documentation who have not been seen at the UCC are advised to obtain letters of support from mental health professionals or medical providers who have been involved directly in their mental health care for the relevant time period. This documentation can be sent  to medicalrequests@wfu.edu for review and subsequent communication to the Office of Academic Advising or relevant graduate/professional student affairs staff or committee. Please allow at least 3 business days for review and follow up.

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Documentation for Emotional Support Animals (ESA)

Due to professional ethics recommendations and the UCC’s scope of service, the staff of the University Counseling Center do not provide letters or prescriptions for Emotional Support Animals (ESAs). Students seeking clinical evaluation of the need for an ESA are encouraged to seek an off-campus provider, including those in their home area or in the local Winston-Salem area.