Study Abroad—Applying

For UR students, applying to study abroad is a two-stage process. First, you submit a Study Abroad Proposal. Second, you complete applications for the specific programs in which you hope to participate. Proposals are due September 15 for spring programs, and February 15 for fall or full-year programs.

Step 1—Study Abroad Proposal

The Proposal for Study Abroad must be submitted electronically by all students planning to study abroad during the academic year. The Proposal is not an application to a study abroad program. It is a formal declaration to that you intend to spend a semester or a year studying overseas. NOTE: If you are applying for a summer study abroad program, you do not need to submit a proposal.

The Study Abroad Proposal is then evaluated to ensure that you have established yourself academically prior to studying overseas. Students who are on academic probation may not study abroad.

You must officially declare a major prior to studying abroad, and you should be making satisfactory progress toward completing your degree. During the semester prior to studying abroad, you cannot receive any grades of I (incomplete). Poor academic performance in the semester prior to study abroad may jeopardize your eligibility. In order to apply to a UR-sponsored program, you must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.80. Students who are on disciplinary probation, or who have disciplinary action pending against them, are not eligible to study abroad.

Step 2—Program Application

Once your proposal is approved, the second step in applying to study abroad is to submit applications to specific programs in which you hope to participate. Each program has its own requirements; sometimes these requirements differ from those of the UR. In all such cases, the UR requirements override the program guidelines.

How do I decide on a program?
Using the descriptions on our program pages, make a list of the programs that interest you. Catalogues and applications for UR-sponsored programs are available at the Center for Study Abroad. For programs sponsored by other colleges and universities, you may request catalogues and applications by phone or online.

You may wish to consider as many as ten to twelve programs, and make your final choice on where to apply once you have examined them all. Unless you have special circumstances, don't apply to more than three programs. Depending on your GPA and the admission requirements of the programs you choose, you may be able to apply to just one program. Talk this over with a study abroad adviser.

Application Instructions for IES Programs

Application Instructions for CIEE Programs

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines vary. For fall semester or full-year programs, deadlines typically range from February 15 through April 15. For spring semester programs, deadlines are usually between September 15 and November 15. Summer programs may have deadlines as early as February 1 or as late as April 1. Some programs, such as the IES centers in Japan, require applications as far as nine months in advance. Expect to begin preparing your application at least four to six weeks in advance of the deadline. While it should not take long to write essays and fill out the application itself, allow plenty of time to obtain recommendations, transcripts, medical clearance and security reports.

Application Requirements

Some applications are more involved than others. All require that you submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended (including UR). Some require a personal statement; others require essays. Most programs require that you submit a form or letter indicating the approval of your academic dean or study abroad office. You may request this from the Center for Study Abroad, which provides the authorization on the basis of your Study Abroad Proposal. You may have to submit signed course approval forms before your application can be authorized.

Programs often require the approval of a departmental adviser, or a confidential faculty recommendation. If you are applying to several programs, ask the professor to write just one general recommendation on departmental letterhead and attach a copy to each form. This allows the professor to write one rather than several recommendations. It is courteous (and common sense) to request these letters of recommendation well in advance of program deadlines; two weeks is the minimum.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, anticipate visa or passport complications. Look into this as early as possible in order to avoid problems at Immigration. Visas can take anywhere from six weeks to six months to obtain, depending on your circumstances. Consult with an advisor in the UR International Services Office in order to ensure that you remain in status, and may re-enter the U.S. without difficulty.

Application Tips

  • Pick up applications for UR programs from the Center for Study Abroad;
    likewise, submit all application materials for UR study abroad programs to Lattimore 206.
  • Be sure to keep a photocopy of all parts of your application materials. If your essay is submitted online, keep a backup as well as a hard copy.
  • Use the Study Abroad Checklist for a handy list of steps to take when applying to study abroad.

Applying for Passports & Visas

This page will give you information on applying for your passport or visa.

Applying to a non-UR program

Staff in the Center for Study Abroad work with students interested in any study abroad program regardless of whether it is sponsored by UR or not. If you apply to a non-UR program, you are responsible for determining the program's requirements and deadlines. Send applications directly to the program sponsor. GPA requirements may be lower or higher than those of UR-sponsored programs. Not all study abroad programs are accredited: check with a study abroad adviser to make sure that the credits will transfer back toward your UR degree. You will need to obtain course approvals before leaving campus to ensure that all credits will transfer.