Contact the student's academic adviser, a department representative, the dean of students or the dean of a student's academic school to inform her of the student's interest in returning to the college. In many instances, deans set guidelines for a student's return during the withdrawal process, which includes who to directly contact to discuss reinstatement. If a student is uncertain who to speak to regarding reinstatement, the student's adviser or department chairperson is a good place to start. It is to this college representative that the reinstatement letter should be directly addressed.
Remind the college representative of reasons for the student's withdrawing. While a student may only leave for a semester, often students seek reinstatement after years of withdrawing from the college. In these instances, college staff familiar with the student's situation may have left the institution without leaving relevant documentation to explain student's withdrawal. While it may be difficult to revisit the issues for withdrawing, it is imperative to reacquaint everyone involved with the details.
Inform the college representative of steps taken by the student to address the reasons for withdrawal. Colleges are highly concerned with student retention. Consequently, a college wants to ascertain if a student will face any difficulties prior to reinstatement. For instance, if a student withdrew to work full time to afford off-campus room and board, it is unlikely a college would reinstate the student until his finances were in order.
Provide a detailed academic plan of what resources a student has and plans to use to be successful in future semesters. A student who outlines a plan, setting aside time for classes, studying, counseling and tutoring, will show college representatives she seriously considered the requirements of gaining academic success. For students that left for issues of mental distress, it is important to identify mental health services they plan to utilize even after reinstatement.
Thank the college for its continued support and provide updated contact information for the student. Granting a leave of absence is often done only in emergencies. Thanking a college for its understanding of a student's circumstances is a thoughtful gesture to include. As for the updated contact information, students want to always make certain the college has the most recent telephone number on record. Imagine the college reaching out to discuss the issue of reinstatement only to call a number the student changed five years prior.