International Education

Application Components and Evaluation Criteria

Study Abroad 101

Semester applicants are required to complete a short quiz as part of their study abroad application. In preparation for taking this quiz, students are advised to review Study Abroad 101, a slideshow that provides students with information on the following:

  • types of semester abroad programs
  • financing a semester abroad
  • academics, course approval and grades abroad
  • eligibility and acceptance criteria
  • housing process
  • deadlines

The major components of the semester and summer application are:

Essays and short answer questions

  • Semester preference (100-150 words): While we aim to accommodate the semester preference for each student, semester preference is NOT guaranteed. A student’s semester preference reasons are weighed against the other applicants’ reasons within that particular program only. This means that competition for spaces on a particular program is dependent on the number of applications received. Your explanation below will help us determine which students will be offered the limited available spots. We look for compelling reasons that would make study abroad in the alternate semester impossible or extremely unlikely. Please list your primary reason for why you prefer to go abroad during this particular semester.
  • Second and third choice programs: Many programs have limited spaces, which means there is no guarantee that all qualified applicants can be placed in their first choice program. Programs in Australia, Italy and Spain are unlikely to be viable second and third choices for most students unless their first choice program is also in the same country and their application clearly articulates how the specific program and destination aligns with their study abroad goals.
  • Personal Statement (200-250 words): Please tell us about yourself and your study abroad goals.
  • Program appeal (100-150 words): What is the most appealing part about this institution for you personally? Internship applicants: Why have you chosen an internship, and why does this program appeal to you?
  • Destination (100-150 words): Describe why you want to live in this destination.
  • Class offerings (100-150 words): Describe how the class offerings at the host university fit with your interests and/or major.  Internship applicants: Please describe the field(s) in which you are interested in interning and why.
  • Housing (100-150 words): Describe how the program's housing arrangements suit your needs.
  • Challenge (150-200 words): Please describe a challenge you have faced and how it has prepared you for the some of the challenges you may face in your upcoming international experience.
  • Housing at Bentley (Y/N): Do you plan to live on campus during the semester when you are not abroad?  

Application Fee

Students are required to submit a $50 non-refundable application fee (paid online ONLY through the BentleyAbroad system). This fee is waived for semester applicants who complete their application by the fee-waiver deadline.

Application Review and Evaluation

The study abroad application process can be very competitive, especially for programs with limited spaces and for programs in typically popular countries. The benefits of study abroad are most likely to be realized by students who make significant effort to observe, adapt, and learn from differences. Ideal candidates will demonstrate flexibility and preparedness for serving as ambassadors of Bentley. Success factors include:

  • independence
  • adaptability
  • maturity
  • responsibility
  • academic initiative and ability to adapt to new teaching styles
  • intellectual and cultural curiosity to "go beyond tourism" toward participation in the host culture

Applications are evaluated according to the following methodology:

  • We review each student’s individual application components to determine eligibility to study abroad.  We ensure that any program-specific requirements are met (for example, some programs mandate a specific GPA or level of language ability). This step in the review is informed by application essays, GPA, faculty recommendation, judicial history review; and academic integrity review.  Students must be in good standing to be eligible to study abroad.
  • Once all qualified applicants are identified we must then determine if there are enough available spaces in the preferred program and semester. We identify the programs where we do not have sufficient spaces to accommodate all qualified applicants. These are typically fall semester programs in popular countries such as Australia, Italy, Spain, UK, for which we typically receive large numbers of applications.
  • On a program-by-program basis, we identify which students will be offered the limited available spots. The semester preference essay is a factor in this decision.  We look for compelling reasons that would make study abroad in a particular semester impossible or extremely unlikely for the applicants. We prioritize reasons in the following order:
  1. Academics: Are specific major, honors, or other courses required in a particular semester at Bentley? Will studying abroad in a particular semester make it difficult to meet graduation requirements on schedule?
  2. Athletics: Is the student a varsity athlete and required to be on campus in a particular season?
  3. Commitments: Is the student already committed to a job, internship, or campus organization leadership role that requires student to be on campus in a particular semester?
  4. Personal: Is there any other significantly compelling case for a particular semester?

Program and Semester Preference Tips

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 CIEE 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.  

It is important to note that a student’s program and semester preference reasons are weighed against the other applicants’ reasons within that particular program only. This means that competition for spaces in a particular program is dependent on the number of applications received. Although we make every effort to ensure that every qualified applicant can participate in their first choice study abroad program, in some cases even very high achieving applicants may not be approved to study abroad in their preferred semester.

Many students cite the summer internship search as their motivation to prefer fall semester study abroad.  However, the internship search is highly personalized, so intent to be on campus in spring semester to search for an internship is not a significantly compelling justification for fall semester study abroad. Bentley students successfully secure summer internships before, during, and after study abroad in both fall and spring semesters. To conduct a successful internship search, planning and persistence are far more effective tools than mere presence on campus. Applicants are strongly advised to discuss their study abroad goals with advisors in Career Services for guidance on conducting a successful internship search before, during, and after study abroad.