Applying for Off-Campus Study

Each fall, the Office of Off-Campus Study offers an information session for the sophomore class in early September with additional general information sessions throughout the semester. These sessions are for students who are just getting started with their plans, and focus on understanding your options and the process as well as how to find the best off-campus study opportunity for you.

Additional information sessions for specific study groups, often led by their faculty directors, take place throughout the first half of the fall semester.

For details about information session times and locations, monitor the campus calendar.
 

After attending an information session, schedule an advising appointment to develop a short list of programs in which you are interested. Learn more about scheduling a consultation with an adviser

It is important to know all the implications of participating in an off-campus study program, from financial costs to graduation credits. Learn more about:

• Costs and financial aid 
• Policies, including academic credit 
   

Review the study groups that will be offered in the coming year. Log onto the Off-Campus Study portal to see detailed information on each study group: faculty director, course offerings, and a link to the application (when open).

An application is not complete until the student has submitted all application questionnaires/documents, including:

• Language proficiency
• Passport information
• Uploaded an unofficial transcript
• Study Abroad Personal Statement
• Personal references

Interviews

Some faculty directors may require study group applicants to participate in an interview. Directors will contact applicants directly to coordinate any interviews.

Once the faculty director has reviewed applications, conducted any desired interviews, and made acceptance decisions, applicants will receive a notification from the application system.

Students may expect to hear a decision by late December or early January.

Students who are accepted into a study group must log onto the Off-Campus Study portal to Commit or Decline their offer and to complete post-decision requirements.

A student’s acceptance is not official until they have submitted all post-decision requirements in the OCS portal. These include:

• Study Group Student Information Letter
• Study Group Participant Agreement
• Study Group Family Information Letter
• Off-Campus Study Policies
• Confidential Medical Report
• Emergency Contacts
• HIPAA Authorization
• Non-Directory Information Release Form
• Program Deposit
   

The off-campus study application system contains the most up-to-date listings of upcoming extended study courses. Explore the listings and select the extended study to which you would like to apply in the upcoming semester.

Via the same application system, students may apply online to a single extended study course per semester.

Students will receive notification that they are accepted to an extended study prior to course registration for the approaching semester. During course registration, students accepted to an extended study course should register for that course as they would for any other course.

Each fall, the Office of Off-Campus Study offers several information sessions for the sophomore class  These sessions are for students who are just getting started with their plans, and sessions focus on understanding your options and the process as well as how to find the best off-campus study opportunity for you.

For details about information session times and locations, monitor the campus calendar.

After attending an information session, schedule an advising appointment to develop a short list of programs in which you are interested. Learn more about scheduling a consultation with an advisor

Students must submit this Colgate application for approved programs prior to submitting an application to the approved program provider. This application can be completed online via the Off-Campus Study portal.

NOTE:  Students may participate in only one semester-long approved program.  Petitions for two different approved programs will not be allowed.

This application requires:

• An academic plan outlining the courses/credits the student will pursue while abroad. This should be created in consultation with the student’s academic faculty adviser.
• Faculty advisor approval. The student will enter the name and email address of their faculty advisor. The advisor will then receive an email requesting confirmation that they have consulted with the student applicant. No formal recommendation is required.
   

The Office of Off-Campus Study will review applications and notify students of their acceptance to enroll in an approved program. Students should not apply to the approved program provider until they receive notification of Colgate’s acceptance.

After receiving acceptance from Colgate, students may complete their application to the approved program provider by their stated deadline (sooner is better!). These applications are typically through the program provider’s website.

Students accepted by Colgate for participation in an approved program will complete several post-decision questionnaires via the Off-Campus Study portal by April 15 (for fall approved programs) or November 15 (for spring approved programs).

After being admitted by the approved program provider, students must confirm that acceptance on the Off-Campus  Study portal.

About two to four weeks prior to Colgate’s deadline for predeparture forms, all students must attend an information session regarding approved program transfer credit and other preparations for a semester of off-campus study.