Off-Campus Studies

Step 1: Complete the Student Interest Form

Your answers on the Student Interest Form will let us know who you are and what you want to do. Completing the form will also add you to our electronic mailing list so you are aware of new Allegheny programs, scholarship deadlines and other relevant information.

You can complete and submit the Student Interest Form electronically. A print version of the form is also available at International Programs and Services, Reis Hall 200.

Step 2: Get Program Information

The IO can help you review different programs and help you determine which one best fits your needs. That is, in order for us to assist you, you need to know what your goals are for studying abroad, what your financial parameters are, and of course, what country you want to study in! Bring information for the program(s) you are interested in reviewing and meet with the Director of IO.

Useful websites to explore for programs not sponsored by Allegheny are www.studyabroad.com, or www.iiepassport.org. For guidelines to assist in comparing different programs, check here: http://sites.allegheny.edu/accel/international/studies/guidelines/.

IMPORTANT: You are responsible for getting all the necessary application and information forms from the program you choose.

As soon as possible, contact Linda Litzinger at International Programs and Services (332-4891) to schedule an appointment with Jenny Kawata, director of International Programs and Services.

Step 3: Obtaining Allegheny Approval to Study Off-Campus

Regardless of whether you are applying to participate in an Allegheny-sponsored program OR an independent program, you must first be approved by your academic advisor and by the International Programs and Services Office. Submit your approval packet to the International Office by 5PM on February 20 for fall programs or by September 20 for spring programs. (Note: The deadline for the Oxford Junior Year Abroad is September 20th of your Sophmore year)  The Allegheny approval deadline is independent from the application deadline of the particular program you are applying to. If you are approved to study off campus, The IO will assist you with your host school application. The minimum requirements for Allegheny approval are:

• As of Spring 2011, applicants must have a 2.75 GPA to be considered for off campus study.
• VERY IMPORTANT: The application process is competitive. As such, your statement of purpose is an extremely important part of your approval packet. In it, please describe in detail how study abroad or U.S.-based off-campus study is related to your major, minor or other clear academic/ professional goals at Allegheny; include why it is important for you to participate in the particular semester you are applying for, and why you cannot accomplish these academic goals on campus. Please make sure you have read the program description on the program homepages before you write your essay so that you are aware of the program structure, goals, and philosophy, or program parameters and restrictions.
• You must meet the requirements of the program(s) to which you apply (e.g., GPA, language requirement, class standing).
• You must be approved by your academic advisor for the program to which you are applying. (If you are double majoring, both advisors will need to approve your plans to study off-campus (therefore you need two separate approval forms). If you have not declared a major yet, or do not have an advisor in your major yet, you must discuss with the department chair of your intended major how studying off-campus will affect your graduation requirements; the chair must complete the second page of the academic approval form in addition to the approval from completed by your current academic advisor. If you plan to complete a minor on the program, we strongly recommend that you meet with the director of the minor to review program materials.
• With the exception of the program in Cologne, sophomores are generally not approved for off-campus study. You must be in residence during the last semester of your senior year.
• You may study off campus for one semester, with Allegheny financial aid. Allegheny aid may not be applied to a second semester except for the following academic year programs: Oxford; MSID India, Ecuador, Kenya, Senegal; Tübingen; Angers-Paris sequence; Cologne-Tübingen sequence; an approved Spanish language sequence. If you intend to be away for two semesters, you must obtain approval for both semesters in advance. If you decide to stay away for an additional semester without advance approval, you will take the additional semester as a Leave of Absence. This means you do not qualify for any financial aid, and the College will not facilitate the transfer of student loans to the off-campus program.
• You must meet the February 20th filing deadline for fall programs or the September 20th filing deadline for all spring programs. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered. All decisions by the Admissions Committee are final and not eligible for appeal.
• Please note we reserve the right to review academic records as well as all relevant behavioral issues by reviewing student files in the Dean of Students office. Our intention is to insure that you adhere to appropriate Allegheny and program standards until your departure for your program. Applicants on disciplinary probation or who have been suspended from Allegheny College will be required to show improved behavior prior to final approval.

A completed application includes the following:

• Completed Allegheny Application Form submitted to the IO by you (print or on-line version).
• Completed Academic Approval Form to be completed and returned to the IO by your academic advisor.
• Current resume (Please visit the Career Services Office in ACCEL for assistance with your resume. Upload your resume together with your essay as an attachment to the online application.)
• A copy of your unofficial transcript printed from Webadvisor which includes a listing of all of the courses that you have completed to date and your grades in those courses.

Step 4: Attend Predeparture Meetings

International Programs and Services will hold three predeparture meetings at which attendance is mandatory. At the meetings, you will:

• receive the program application if you are studying on an Allegheny sponsored program,
• receive a checklist of things to do prior to departure,
• read materials and participate in activities for EXL 300, the required (one-credit) pre-departure/re-entry course dealing with cross-cultural learning, communication and experiential learning,
• meet students who participated in the programs,
• review travel logistics, including passport and visa information, immunizations, health and safety information
• and much, much more.

Step 5: Get your ticket, passport, toothbrush and GO!

That is it. Enjoy your semester away.