After attending a First Steps Meeting, researching programs, and meeting with advisors, hopefully you have determined which study abroad program is the right fit for your academic and personal goals. Be sure you have completed these steps before you start your application. In most cases, we recommend you apply for only one international experience at a time. If the program is extremely selective, you may want to apply for two programs. Check with your study abroad advisor whether this is necessary.

Complete an Application
Recommendations
Essays
Transcripts
Application Fee
Additional Items
Submitting Applications

Academic Planning Form

Complete an Application

It is important that you fill out the correct application for your international experience. Please visit the program specific information for your study abroad site to determine which application you need to submit. You can use the program search option to find your program.

The information you provide on your application form is extremely important. If you are completing a paper form, please be sure your handwriting is legible. If any of the questions on the application are unclear, be sure to ask your study abroad advisor.

If there is a place to sign the application, be sure to do so. Often by signing the application, you are giving the International Programs Office the authority to check with the university to determine if you are in good standing.

OSU Application Instructions
AHA Application Instructions
OUS Application Instructions
Co-sponsored Program - Supplemental Form

Recommendations

You will need to obtain recommendations as part of your application. Each program requires different types of recommendations, so please read the application carefully.

Most likely you will need at least one recommendation from a faculty member or advisor on campus. Determine whether the advisor needs to fill out a form or write a letter on your behalf. If you feel you do not know anyone well enough, this is an important lesson to learn. You will need more recommendation in your future, for jobs or graduate school, so this is a good time to cultivate a relationship. Visit one of your professors during office hours. Talk with your academic advisor about your career and study abroad plans. In most cases, you will faculty to be welcoming and encouraging. Be conscientious that faculty have very busy schedules, so give them plenty of time to complete the recommendation. Also be very clear about what you would like them to do with the recommendation. We suggest you provide a stamped and addressed envelope.

If the application asks for a character reference, you will need to identify someone that knows you well. Family and friends are not appropriate choices. You may want to ask your job supervisor, volunteer supervisor, athletic coach, club advisor, greek advisor, or church youth group advisor. There are many options, but again you need to be courteous with their time and be clear about what you are asking them to do for you.

Essays

The essays you need to write for your application help the advisor learn more about you and your goals for the program. It is important that you give these essays careful thought and consideration. The more research about the program you have done, the more compelling your essays will be. Talk to a past participant. Read the website and brochure materials. The essays ask you why you would like to go on this program and it is important to show you are well informed. The essays often give you page guidelines (1 page or 2 paragraphs), but it is more important that your essay is written well than to complete a certain page limit. Before submitting your essays, be sure you have proof read them for spelling and grammatical errors. You may also want to visit the Center for Writing and Learning on campus.

Transcripts

All applications will require your current OSU transcript. You can access your OSU transcript online through OSU Online Services. Determine whether your program needs an official or unofficial transcript. If an unofficial transcript is needed, you can print it from the web. If an official transcript is needed, you can request one to be mailed or you can pick it up at the Registrar's office. If you decide to have the transcript mailed, you can have it sent to directly to the Study Abroad Advisor/Program Administrator or you can have it mailed to yourself. Allow one week for this process.

If you have attended another college or university besides OSU, you will need to request a transcript from that college or university as well.

Application Fee

When submitting your application, be sure to submit the application fee as well. Check to determine how the organization would like to receive your fee. Be sure to make the checks payable to the appropriate people. Cash is usually unacceptable. If you are turning in your application to OSU, the office can not take cash, debit or credit cards. Personal checks and money orders are suggested.

Additional Items

Some applications require passport photos, resumes, copies of your passport, and other items. Be sure to read the application instructions carefully and submit all the items.

Submitting Applications

When submitting your application package, make sure you have labeled all your documents. If a transcript or reference will be coming directly, make a note in your package so the advisor is aware.

OSU
Application can be dropped off or mailed to:
International Education and Outreach
444 Snell Hall
Corvallis, OR 97331

AHA
Application package is mailed to:
AHA International
221 NW 2nd Ave. Suite 200
Portland, OR 97209

OUS
Application package can be dropped off or mailed to:
OUS International Programs (specify country)
444 Snell Hall
Corvallis, OR 97331

Co-sponsored Program

IFSA-Butler
1100 W. 42nd Street, Suite 305
Indianapolis, IN 46208-3345

CIEE
7 Custom House Street, 3rd Floor
Portland, ME 04101

AUIP
P.O. Box 8105
Athens, GA 30603

Academic Programs International (API)
107 E. Hopkins
San Marcos, Texas 78666

The School for Field Studies (SFS)
10 Federal Street, Suite 24
Salem, MA 01970-3876 USA

School for International Training (SIT)
Kipling Road, PO Box 676
Brattleboro, VT 05302-0676 USA

Academic Planning Form

Fill out the academic planning form after completing the application process. Submit both sides of the form to Snell Hall 444 and to your academic advisor. Please keep a copy for yourself as well.