The Application Process

Ok so in this blog post, I'm basically just going to go through a sort of timeline on the application process for study abroad (and also a little bit about post-acceptance stuff, too).  I'm sure its different for every school or program, but it might at least be somewhat like how it was for me.  And just a warning, this is probably going to be very long, and probably not interesting to anyone who is not applying for study abroad. 

It started off about a year ago (September 2010).  I knew I wanted to study abroad, and so I went to the International Education office at my school, got a few brochures, and the application.  I basically knew where I wanted to go (somewhere in the UK), but I just wanted to see what else might be out there, and also to narrow down my choice a little bit.

The application process didn't start until December or January.  Because I had just transferred to that school, I didn't have a GPA yet and I needed to wait until grades came out.  Most programs will have a GPA requirement, and I've seen anywhere from 2.5 to 3.5 (although once again, I'm sure it can be different for every program).

I had to fill out a little generic application form and get two letters of recommendation.  I asked my French professor, and the TA for one of my history courses for the letters ( I asked around January and I believe I had them both by mid-February.  I did provide stamped envelopes, and they mailed them directly to the Internation Education Office)   I also had to write a little blurb of a personal statement (for me, the "prompt" was about why I wanted to study abroad and how it would fit into my degree program).  Transcripts from my current and previous schools were also required.

Then there was an application for the actual university, but that wasn't too difficult, and they used the letters I had already turned in as part of that. 

The last part of the application was a preliminary course approval sheet.  I had to have my advisor look over classes I thought I might take abroad, and say whether or not he thought they should apply to my major.  A note about this:  All the classes I take will obviously transfer as credit towards my degree, but 'special permission' has to be received from an advisor to make sure that a course is applied towards the actual major requirements.  Meaning that if I don't get them approved, any history course I take would count as an elective, even though I am a History major.  So its important to do this, but I'm told it can be done after you get back too (I hope so because my advisor only approved two history classes).

Then I waited.  The deadline for my school was April 1st, and I had everything turned in by mid March.  I found out on April 8th that I had been accepted by the Study Abroad program at my school, but then I still had to get accepted by the University of Glasgow.  I filled out a sheet saying that I wanted to go (Duh!), and paid a $300 deposit (I had two weeks to do this or they said my spot would be given away *gulp*).  The University of Glasgow's deadline was April 30th.  I found out their decision in early/mid May, right as I was going in to one of my final exams.  On a side note, that may have been one of the hardest exams I've taken, simply because I wanted to tell somebody that I had been accepted, and couldn't.  I even had the desire to scrawl "I'm going to Scotland!!!!" across the top of my exam paper.  And so that was it.  I had been accepted by both the Study Abroad program and by the University of Glasgow.

After I was accepted, I had to turn in to Financial Aid my acceptance letter and a Cost of Estimates for the program.  I also had to send a few more papers to the International Education office (Copy of my passport, reports of my health from both my doctor and myself, and responses to insurance information). 

I know, I know, that seems like a lot... but honestly it wasn't really that bad.  Time consuming, yes, but surprisingly not very difficult.  I think the hardest part for me was getting the letters of recommendations, but mainly because I was a transfer student, and had only had four classes (and three of them were in Lecture Centers and the professor probably didn't know my name).  Once I had figured out who would be good to ask and asked, it was fine.

  I hope this isn't too incredibly long, but also answers any questions about the application process or what happens after. 

Tip:  The thing that helped me the most while I was doing this was having a folder that was specifically for all of my Study Abroad/Application papers.  And to have it in my bag at all times (incase a professor emailed me back saying they could meet me, or I decided to go down to the International Education office).  I highly recommend doing this, as it really decreases stress and obviously increases the chances that you'll stay organized, won't lose anything, and won't forget to do anything.

                  :)