Petitions overview
In special circumstances, a student may submit a petition to request an exception to a university policy. Petitions may be submitted for Academic Standing decisions, or for general academic policies or their deadlines. Petitions are special requests, so students must present compelling, exceptional, and (sometimes) documented circumstances in making their request.
University policy and deadlines are established by the Faculty Senate to protect the integrity of the academic experience. Decisions about petitions will be evaluated according to the standards and principles of university policies along with considerations of fairness and equity for all students. Petitions will only be granted upon a demonstration of good cause. For official wording of Stanford's academic policies, refer to Stanford Bulletin: Academic Policies and Statements.
Petitions Process
- Inform yourself thoroughly by reading the academic policy in the bulletin and the actual petition form.
- Meet with an advisor in the office of Undergraduate Advising and Research or your Academic Advising Director to discuss your situation. If applicable, you will be asked to proceed with filing a petition.
- Write your request describing the exceptional circumstances that you are facing. Your explanation should be clear, factual and answer the writing prompt on the petition form.
- Depending on the petition, written support from an instructor, advisor, or other university official may be beneficial or required. Compile documentation to submit with your petition.
- Submit your petition, paying attention to deadlines. Submission offices are indicated in the List of Petitions below. Any Petition received after its deadline may not be considered.
- When petitions are denied, students are urged to speak with an advisor to discuss plans for moving forward. Note that undergraduate advisors cannot reverse decisions, but they can help you address the consequences.
Petitions Administered by the Office of Undergraduate Advising and Research (UAR)
Repeat a course a second time
Petition: Petition to Change Course Enrollment [Fillable PDF]
Steps: Contact a UAR Advisor or your Academic Advising Director
Deadline: Add deadline
Enroll in more than 20 units
Petition: Petition to Exceed Maximum Units [Fillable PDF]
Steps: Contact a UAR Advisor or your Academic Advising Director
Deadline: Add deadline
Notes: 1) Must be registered for 20 units at time of submission
2) If request is approved, the course will be added to your study list.
Add a course after the published deadline
Petition: Petition to Change Course Enrollment [Fillable PDF]
Steps: Contact a UAR Advisor or your Academic Advising Director
Deadline: End of week 4
Change the number of units in a course offered for variable units (e.g. 3-5) after the published deadline
Petition: Petition to Change Course Enrollment [Fillable PDF]
Steps: Contact a UAR Advisor or your Academic Advising Director
Deadline: End of week 4
Submit a study list after the published deadline
Petition: Petition to Change Course Enrollment [Fillable PDF]
Steps: Contact a UAR Advisor or your Academic Advising Director
Deadline: End of week 4
Notes: A $200 fee will be assessed
Withdraw from a course after the published deadline
Petition: Petition to Change Course Enrollment [Fillable PDF]
Steps: Contact a UAR Advisor or your Academic Advising Director
Deadline: End of week 8
Return from an unfiled or expired Leave of Absence (also known as "Discontinued Status")
Petition: Request to Return and Register in Undergraduate Study [Fillable PDF]
Steps: Contact a UAR Advisor or your Academic Advising Director
Deadline: Must file 12-8 weeks prior to intended quarter of enrollment
Notes: See Returning to Stanford
Return from an active Leave of Absence at a time different from that indicated on original form
Petition: Request to Return and Register in Undergraduate Study [Fillable PDF]
Steps: Contact a UAR Advisor or your Academic Advising Director
Deadline: Must file 12-8 weeks prior to intended quarter of enrollment
Notes: See Returning to Stanford
Return from a completed Academic Suspension
Petition: Request to Return and Register in Undergraduate Study [Fillable PDF]
Steps: Contact a UAR Advisor or your Academic Advising Director
Deadline: Must file 12-8 weeks prior to intended quarter of enrollment
Notes: See Returning to Stanford
Extend a Leave of Absence
Petition: Leave of Absence [Fillable PDF]
Steps: 1) Contact a UAR Advisor or your Academic Advising Director
2) Contact your Residence Dean or Off-campus Residence Dean
Deadline: Must file before current leave period expires
Notes: See Leave of Absence
Register for a minimum of 8 units (if registered with the Office of Accessible Education)
Petition: Request for Reduced Course Load [Fillable PDF]
Steps: 1) Contact OAE to determine eligibilty
2) Contact a UAR Advisor or your Academic Advising Director
Deadline: Must file before the course withdrawal deadline of current quarter
Notes: 1) Must be registered with the Office of Accessible Education
2) Retroactive requests will not be considered
Appeal an Academic Suspension
Petition: Petition to Appeal Academic Suspension [Fillable PDF]
Steps: Contact a UAR Advisor or your Academic Advising Director or the Student Services Officer listed in the Academic Standing letter
Deadline: Must file by the date indicated in the Suspension letter
Notes: Requests after the deadline will not be considered
For more information about the above petitions, contact:
Undergraduate Advising and Research
Sweet Hall, First Floor
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-3085
advising@stanford.edu
Phone 650-723-2426
Fax 650-725-1436
Make an appointment with a UAR Advisor
Petitions administered by the Office of the University Registrar
- Graduation Quarter Petition
- Last Units Out-of-Residence
- Leave of Absence
- Procedures and Application for Coterminal Status
- Request for Transfer Credit Evaluation
- Permit to Attend for Services Only
- 13th Quarter Petition
