Is Harvard pretty flexible on extending leave of absence? Forum

[nescafe.coffee]

I just reviewed Harvard's leave of absence policy at

--LinkRemoved--

It states that "a voluntary leave of absence may be taken for a semester or up to three consecutive semesters" and that those wishing to extend a voluntary leave beyond one year should make their request with the Administrative Board.

I may get a once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity sometime in the summer, and may fully concentrate in that activity for 3~5 years before actually beginning my studies at HLS.

Is it realistically possible to extend my leave of absence for 3~5 years? Would my Harvard transcript show "empty" spaces during that duration? And if that is the case (showing that I marticulated in 2013, but actually began taking classes in 2017), would that hurt in my job search later on?

I would appreciate any response. Thanks guys!

[Emma.]

I just reviewed Harvard's leave of absence policy at

--LinkRemoved--

It states that "a voluntary leave of absence may be taken for a semester or up to three consecutive semesters" and that those wishing to extend a voluntary leave beyond one year should make their request with the Administrative Board.

I may get a once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity sometime in the summer, and may fully concentrate in that activity for 3~5 years before actually beginning my studies at HLS.

Is it realistically possible to extend my leave of absence for 3~5 years? Would my Harvard transcript show "empty" spaces during that duration? And if that is the case (showing that I marticulated in 2013, but actually began taking classes in 2017), would that hurt in my job search later on?

I would appreciate any response. Thanks guys!

That's not a leave of absence, it's a deferral. Pretty unlikely that they'll defer you for 3 years. http://www.law.harvard.edu/prospective/ ... l#deferral