Studying abroad is a great way to expand your understanding of the world and deepen your knowledge of your major. You can choose to study abroad in the summer or to spend an academic year or semester overseas.
Choosing to go abroad during all or part of the academic year requires careful planning. You will need to make sure that you have satisfied any prerequisites for the program in which you’re interested. You will need to satisfy the eligibility requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, including a minimum 3.00 GPA (for some programs, the GPA requirement is much higher). You should meet with the study abroad advisor(s) in the department(s) you’re considering for your major. You will need to plot out how you will satisfy the requirements for your major, as well as distribution requirements, with study abroad credits and in your remaining semesters on campus. And you will need at least two letters of recommendation for your application. Start planning now.
Approved Programs
You can receive academic credit only for Washington University sponsored and/or approved programs, preferably at one of the sites selected by the department in which you are a major. Applications for fall semester and academic year programs are generally due February 1, though some programs have an earlier deadline. Applications for spring semester programs are due May 1.
Non-Wash U Programs
If you wish to have a non-Washington University program approved, you must file a petition for approval. Petitions for alternative fall and academic year programs must be submitted no later than February 1, and preferably before December 1, of the sophomore year to the Study Abroad Advisory Board. Petitions for alternative spring programs are due May 1. Details on how to go about the petition process are given at the website noted below. The petition will need to state a convincing academic reason for the selection of that program over an already-approved program, and must be endorsed by the appropriate academic department.
If you do not need academic credit from a study abroad program you may, alternatively, decide to take a Leave of Absence from Washington University to participate in a program. If you elect this option, you will not need special approval and you will pay only the direct program cost rather than one based on Washington University tuition.
Cost of Study Abroad for Approved Programs; Financial Aid
Semester and year-long program fees are based on Washington University tuition and financial assistance is applicable to those fees. Summer program fees are charged at cost and financial assistance may not be available. More details about financial aid are available at the website noted below. You should also contact your financial aid advisor in the Office of Student Financial Services at 935-5900.
Effect on Transcript
In the case of most programs, grades for courses taken abroad do not affect the student's GPA at Washington University and do not appear on the Washington University transcript. There are, however, a few programs that are graded on our transcript, or have individual courses that receive Washington University grades. In the majority of cases, where the Washington University transcript does not reflect grades earned abroad, the grades issued by the program or foreign institution remain on the program transcript, which becomes part of the student's academic portfolio.
Summer, Fall or Spring?
Students have tended to go abroad spring of their junior year. If spring is what works best with your schedule, that’s fine, but there are advantages to going abroad in the summer, which gives you the most flexibility in planning the rest of your academic schedule, or fall, when program sizes tend to be smaller, making for better housing options and more individualized attention. In addition, fall programs, unlike spring programs, don’t conflict with starting dates for desired internships and jobs, and with the spring or summer dates for professional school standardized tests or review courses (LSAT, MCAT).
Who to Contact
“It’s important to look beyond your classes and schoolwork to find out what your true passions are, especially as a freshman, you should take advantage of opportunities to join extracurricular groups. You can use these experiences to choose a major, to choose classes, and to guide your career choices.”
