Application Process
Washington College Application: Washington College has a two-tiered application process to study abroad.
1. Students first complete a Washington College Application. This ensures that applicants have the necessary qualifications for the institution to which they are applying, and that they are not on academic or disciplinary probation at the time of application or when they will be abroad. Approval by Washington College to apply to a host institution is a very strong endorsement to the host institution/partner program. A completed Washington College Application includes:
- The Applicant Profile, Emergency Contact Information, Health and Wellness Information sheets.
- Two Faculty Recommendation Forms.
- A $200 deposit. This deposit goes towards the off-campus study fee charged by the College towards the administration of your overseas studies.
- An Official Transcript which can be requested through the Registrar’s Office.
- A small photo (which does NOT have to be a passport photo).
2. Host Institution Application: Students then complete an application to their future host institution. The host applications are posted on a secure Blackboard site available to students once they have been approved to study abroad by Washington College.
Components from the Washington College application (i.e. transcript and letters of recommendation) are used in the host institution application to ensure that there is not duplicate work. The host applications are posted on a secure Blackboard site available to students once they have been approved to study abroad.
Basic Requirements
1. GPA Requirements: Students must meet the GPA requirement of the host institution. Most institutions require a 3.0 GPA. St. Andrews University in Scotland requires a 3.2 GPA. Royal Holloway in England requires a GPA of 3.2 for English majors and 3.0 for other departments. University College Cork in Ireland will review applicants with a GPA of 2.8. Bond University will review applicants with a 2.5 GPA. Students with a GPA below the host institutions’ requirements, but above a 2.0, are encouraged to study on a faculty-led study abroad program or outside summer program.
2. Language Requirements: If the language of instruction at the host university is not English, students are advised to meet with faculty in the Modern Language Department to discuss their preparedness to study in the language of instruction. Spanish, French, and German speaking universities typically require a 300-level language proficiency. Study at Meiji Gakuin in Japan requires one year of college-level Japanese. Please note that study in Brazil, Denmark, Hong Kong Morocco, South Korea, and Turkey is in English. Non-native English speakers studying abroad at an institution where English is the language of instruction must provide TOEFL scores during the application process.
3. Class standing: Students are eligible to study abroad their third semester as a Washington College student. For students without transfer credit this is the second semester of their sophomore year. Transfer students should meet with the Director of International Programs and their academic advisor to discuss study abroad opportunities.
4. Not on probation: Study abroad applicants on disciplinary and/or academic probation must meet with the Director of the Global Education Office (formerly Office of International Programs) and the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs. Approval to study when on disciplinary and/or academic probation is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and is not guaranteed.
