Recommended Timing of a Semester Abroad
The Office of International Education recommends that students interested in a semester or academic year abroad plan for junior year. First year students should focus on taking foundation courses, consider majors, and begin to research study abroad options. First year students are not permitted to study abroad for a semester or academic year. Sophomores should declare their major(s), continue to research study abroad programs, and begin their application for the following academic year. It is not advised for students to study abroad in either their sophomore year, or final semester senior year. Study abroad is possible for first semester seniors.
Semester and Program Preferences
The study abroad application process is competitive. In addition to the requirements to meet baseline eligibility to study abroad, each program’s competitiveness is determined by the number of applications received per program. The higher the number of applicants for a particular program, the more competition is created for that program’s limited spaces. High application numbers are typically driven more by word of mouth and trends among friends than by any objective measure of program quality.
The following countries and programs typically receive high numbers of applicants:
- Australia
- Italy
- Spain
- London School of Economics and Political Science
- Multi-destination programs such as Semester at Sea and Open Campus
Students applying to these countries/programs must carefully identify second and third choice programs. This is essential to increase the likelihood that a student’s preference can be met. We are committed to offering all qualified applicants alternative programs when demand exceeds capacity, but there is no guarantee that preferences can be met.
Major Declaration Requirement
Students must declare a major prior to submitting an application for semester study abroad.
GPA Requirement
A GPA of 3.0 or higher is strongly recommended for all programs. Many of our partner institutions require a minimum 3.0 GPA for acceptance. Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 should meet with a study abroad advisor to discuss program options prior to submitting an application. A GPA of 2.5 is the minimum for consideration.
Passport Requirement
In order to obtain necessary travel documents, students are required to have valid passport information prior to submitting an application for study abroad.
Recommended Courses
Effective Fall 2023, there is no longer a course prerequisite to apply to study abroad, however, coursework in Global Studies (GLS) and Modern Languages (ML) is encouraged prior to study abroad and can fulfill Context and Perspective requirements.
There are no course prerequisites for summer or faculty-led programs.