Applying to an Independent Program

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 IO. Submit your approval packet to the International Office by February 20 for fall programs or by September 20 for spring programs. The Allegheny approval deadline is independent from the application deadline of the particular program you are applying to. The minimum requirements for Allegheny approval are:

• VERY IMPORTANT: 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 must meet the February 20 filing deadline for fall programs or the September 20 filing deadline for all spring programs. If you are denied approval for studying abroad or off-campus, and you wish to appeal, you must file the appeal by March 5/October 5 respectively.
• 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.

If you do not meet any one of the requirements for Allegheny approval for off-campus study, or if you have any other issues that necessitate an exception, you must petition the Dean's Exemption Committee to be released from that requirement. To petition this committee, you must submit the above approval packet as usual to IO and address in your essay why you should be released from the requirement(s) that you do not meet. Discuss how you will benefit from participating, how studying off campus will enhance your degree, etc. Write your essay carefully; it is a very important part of your exemption petition!

• If you do not meet the GPA requirement, please provide a second letter of recommendation from a faculty member at Allegheny whose course you have taken.
• The last day to file an appeal if you missed the Sept 20/Feb 20 approval packet deadline is Nov 1 and April 1, respectively. This is NOT the deadline for filing an appeal for a denied approval packet.

The Allegheny approval packet includes:

• 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.

Note: Printed versions of both Approval Packet forms are available at IO (Reis 200).

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