How to Apply: 4-Step Procedure
Planning a successful study abroad experience is always the responsibility of the student. Students who are interested in studying abroad must follow the 4-step process of researching options, petitioning to study abroad, applying to an approved program, and preparing for the experience.
Step 1: RESEARCH
Timeline: September - November - SELF-ASSESSMENT GUIDE: (Recommended) Use this guide to gauge your readiness to study abroad. It is your responsibility to understand how studying abroad fits into your personal, career, and academic goals.
- ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: (Required) Review SCU's eligibility requirements for studying abroad. You must also fulfill the particular program's minimum requirements including GPA, language proficiency, pre-requisites, etc.
- DECLARE A MAJOR: (Required) Use the official University protocol to declare an undergraduate major. Students will not be approved to apply to a study abroad program unless they have officially declared major and it is verifiable on their ecampus.
- SEARCH PROGRAM OPTIONS: (Required) Review the official list of approved study abroad program locations to find the program in which you qualify (GPA, language, etc) and suitable for you in terms of language of instructions, housing options, cost, etc. Only programs listed on the SCU list of approved programs are open to SCU students.
- REVIEW SCU DEADLINES: (Required) Check the study abroad deadlines to petition and apply to a program.
- REVIEW STUDY ABROAD FEES: (Required) Review Santa Clara's standard study abroad fees which are different from the published fees of our affiliated program providers.
- REVIEW PRE-APPROVED COURSES: (Recommended) Want to know which abroad courses have already been pre-approved by Departments to fulfill SCU's major, minor, core requirements?
- ATTEND STUDY ABROAD WEEK EVENTS: (Recommended) Participate in the events including workshops, information sessions, forums, and one-one-one advising with the visiting program representatives at their tables in Benson.
- TALK TO PEERS: (Recommended) Contact study abroad alumni including the the Peer Advisers who work at the office and or International Ambassadors to get their feedback.
- TALK WITH STUDY ABROAD ADVISOR: (Recommended) Call the office (554-6940) to set up an advising appointments with Vid Raatior who advises all prospective study abroad students.
- DISCUSS WITH PARENTS: (Recommended) Use our talking points to discuss your top 3 choices of program locations with your parents especially during the Thanksgiving Break.
- FINALIZE (Required): Make a final decision on the ONE program location in which you would like petition to study. Then go on to Step #2.
Tips: Students are not permitted to apply to more than one program provider per term.
Step 2: PETITION
Timeline: November - December
- PETITION TO STUDY ABROAD FORM: (Required) All students must complete the petition to study abroad form by the priority deadlines:
- October 30, 2008 (Winter 2009 & Spring 2009)
- December 5, 2008 (Summer 2009, Fall 2009, Year-long)
- June 5, 2009 (Winter 2010, Spring 2010)
Tips: Once you've submitted your online petition form, we recommend you review our "Tips on Completing Program-Specific Applications" to prepare for the next step.
Step 3: APPLY
Timeline: December - February
Only students who have completed Step #2 and have been cleared and notified by email may proceed to this Step #3. This is the crucial part when you have to fill out and gather all program-specific application requirements and submit to the International Programs Office for review, approval, and mailing.
- PROGRAM-SPECIFIC ONLINE APPLICATION: (Required) Complete and submit the program-specific Online Application Form. Be sure to print a copy of it to bring to our office along with all other required documents as found on their checklist (e.g. photos, transcript, faculty recommendations, etc).
- REQUEST TRANSCRIPT: (Required) Follow the Registrar's Office instructions on requesting your official transcript which is required by all program providers. Be sure to have it sent directly to your local address as you will be required to bring it in the sealed envelope to the International Programs Office with your application packet. You may request your transcript as soon as Fall grades are posted on your ecampus to avoid delays in processing.
- ACADEMIC ADVISOR PLANNING / APPROVAL: (Required) It is important to have a full understanding of how studying abroad courses will fit into your overall academic / graduation plans. Download this form and bring it to your academic adviser to use as basis of your discussion. The faculty adviser will need to sign it.
TIPS: Incomplete applications will not be processed. To avoid delays in the processing of your application, you must submit your completed program-specific documents the following ways: - Group Apply: (Preferred) Check our Workshop Series site to see if your program-location has a Group Apply Session. RSVP to it online and bring your documents to the session OR
- Appointment: Call the office at 408-554-6940 to set up a 15-minute appointment with Vid Raatior to review your application with you OR
- Walk-In: Come to the office during normal office hours 9:00 - 5:00 and a the Peer Adviser on duty will review your application with you.
Step 4: PREPARE
Timeline: March - departure Now that you have officially applied to the specific study abroad program of your choice, you are now ready to prepare for your experience.
- WHAT'S NEXT: (Required) A checklist of policies and procedures, responsibilities and forms, you must fulfill before leaving on your program.
- COURSE APPROVAL FORM: (Required) Complete this form and drop it off at the Drahmann Center before leaving campus for your program (Note: Drahmann Center is now located on the first floor of Kenna Hall).
- STUDY ABROAD WORKSHOPS: (Recommended) Prepare for your time abroad by participating in as many of the study abroad workshops as you want.
- PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION: (Required) All students are required to attend the pre-departure orientation.
TIPS: Do you need a U.S. Passport? Sign up for the On-Campus Passport Application Day - November 11, 2008, 9:00 - 3:00, Kennedy Commons. You must RSVP for an appointment. 
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