Education Abroad Application Process

Overview

Faculty-led Program Application Process

The information on the page below pertains only to semester and summer programs. If you are interested in applying to a faculty-led short-term program, please use the following link: Faculty-led Programs for details, program deadlines, etc.

Semester and Summer Application Process

Please review the full page below for complete details on the application process.

Notice: Bentley students are not permitted to submit an application directly to any Bentley partner university or affiliate organization. To earn Bentley credit, you must apply for admission through the Cronin Office of International Education by the stated deadlines. There are no exceptions.

Application Deadlines

Summer Programs 2012: February 6, 2012, 4:00 p.m.
Semester Programs (Fall 2012 and Spring 2013): February 13, 2012, 4:00 p.m.

Early Bird Application Incentive: Submit your semester application by January 9, 2012 and waive your $50 application fee!

Please note that there is only one application deadline for both fall and spring semester programs. All students interested in studying abroad in either semester must submit their application by the February deadline.

 

Eligibility and Evaluation Criteria

Applicant and Application Review

The education abroad selection process is competitive. The benefits of education abroad, such as understanding of new cultures, academic systems, and even oneself, will only be realized by students who make significant effort to observe, learn, and adapt. Ideal candidates will demonstrate a willingness to "go beyond tourism" toward true participation in the host culture. Success factors include:

  • maturity
  • responsibility
  • independence
  • adaptability
  • academic initiative
  • intellectual and cultural curiosity

With this in mind, applications will be evaluated using the following criteria:

  • demonstration of interest in host country and host university through essays and interview
  • demonstration of high academic achievement through faculty reference and grades from prior coursework
  • demonstration of maturity and responsibility through judicial history and interview
  • program fit with academic and personal goals
  • program-specific criteria as outlined on specific pages

 

The Cronin Office of International Education strongly recommends that students study abroad for a semester during the junior or senior year. The General Business core, which applies to the class of 2013 and later, is specifically designed to facilitate a semester abroad in the junior year. If you have a strong desire to study abroad during your sophomore year, you must visit the Cronin Office of International Education to discuss this with an adviser before proceeding with your application. Please call 781.891.3474 to schedule an appointment or visit during drop-in hours.

GPA Requirement

A GPA of 3.0 or higher is strongly recommended for all programs. Since acceptance decisions are not based solely on GPA, the Cronin Office of International Education will consider applications from students with a GPA of 2.7 or higher. Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 should meet with an education abroad adviser to discuss program options prior to submitting an application.

Course Prerequisite

If you plan to study abroad on a semester program, you must have taken and passed, or be currently enrolled in, any one of the following courses by the application deadline:

GLOBAL STUDIES: 101, 102, 110, 114, 116

Or, for students planning to study in a country whose language is taught at Bentley, you may select instead:

MODERN LANGUAGES: Any elementary, intermediate, or advanced course

Notes:

Students applying to study in a non-English speaking country are strongly encouraged to choose a course in the target language if possible.

Students who have already taken an International Studies (INT) 100 level course are not required to take any additional GLS course to fulfill the prerequisite. INT 100 level courses remain eligible to fulfill the prerequisite although they are no longer on offer at Bentley.

There is no course prerequisite for summer or faculty-led programs.

 

Submitting an Application

Semester Preference

Students must be flexible regarding the specific semester during which they wish to study abroad. Applicants will be given the option to mark on their application if their first preference is the fall semester or spring semester. We ask that students explain why the preferred semester would be best. We will do our best to accommodate the semester of preference for each student; however, no semester is guaranteed.

 

Information Session

As part of the application, students are required to attend one of the many Education Abroad Information Sessions offered throughout the fall and beginning of the spring semester. A list of dates and topics for the info sessions can be found on the events page of our website.

Submitting an Application

Students can access the Education Abroad Application by first selecting a program through the "Semester, Summer and Internship Programs" tab. Once you select your first choice program, click "Apply Now" to begin an application. Subsequent logins can be completed from the StudioAbroad website, after you have already begun an application. Students are encouraged to submit the application early. An application will not be considered complete unless ALL parts of the application have been submitted. The major components of the application are:

Essays:   Students will be required to write 6 essays of 100-150 or 200 to 250 words each. The essay questions are as follows:

- Please write a brief autobiographical statement of approximately 200-250 words to help us form a more complete impression of you. 
- What is the most appealing part of this institution for you personally? (100-150 words)
- Describe why you want to live in this destination. (100-150 words)
- Describe how the course offerings at the host university fit with your interests and/or major. (100-150 words)
- Describe how the housing arrangements on this program suits your needs. (100-150 words)
- Please describe a challenge you have faced in approximately 150-200 words, and how it has prepared you for some challenges you might face in your upcoming international experience.

Faculty Reference: Students should extend the courtesy of asking a faculty member to serve as a reference prior to submitting their on-line application. The faculty member will have access to the reference form in StudioAbroad only once the completed application is submitted by the student. Please make sure you select "Request Electronic Recommendation." The reference form asks the professor to comment on the student's academic performance, maturity, and preparedness for education abroad. The faculty member is NOT required to submit the reference by the application deadline, but rather by later deadline given specifically to the faculty. 

Supplemental Forms: Students are also required to submit supplemental forms as part of the online application. These forms include:

After submitting all parts of the application online, students are also required to submit:

- $50 non-refundable application fee (paid online ONLY through link the StudioAbroad application)

Academic Planning for Semester Programs

To stay on track for graduation, it is important that students carefully consider their course plans before, during, and after a semester education abroad program. After submitting your semester education abroad application, all semester applicants are REQUIRED to submit a Plan of Study to the Academic Advising Center. Applicants must meet with an Academic Adviser to review the plan and receive academic approval.

You may meet with an Academic Adviser any time after submitting your education abroad online application. An initial meeting may take place at any time, but you must complete the required Plan of Study form after your acceptance notification (March 1) but before the deposit deadline (March 19).

The documents you create during the planning process will be valuable tools for you as you plot out your academic program at Bentley, including your major and any additional program you are pursuing (Honors program, Liberal Studies Major [LSM], minor, or certificate). To learn more, visit the Office of Academic Services website.

Acceptance Notification and Enrollment Deposit

  • Acceptance decisions will be announced by email February 15, 2012 (summer 2012 programs) and March 1, 2012 (fall 2012 and spring 2013 programs).

  • Accepted students must submit a non-refundable $500 enrollment deposit to enroll in the program. Enrollment deadlines are:
    - Summer 2012 Programs: February 22, 2012
    - Fall 2012 Programs: March 19, 2012 
    - Spring 2013 Programs: March 19, 2012 ($250) and August 31, 2012 ($250)

  • All accepted students will be required to attend MANDATORY pre-departure orientations. Check the orientation calendar for specific dates.