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The application process for study abroad begins during your sophomore fall. Academic and semester abroad programs are open to juniors and first semester seniors only, but summer programs are open to all students (see Summer Abroad). Students are reminded that all study abroad for credit during an academic year at Boston College must be approved by the Office of Global Education. Independent study outside of approval from OGE will not count for credit.
Read along for further information.
Important Considerations
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Fall and Spring Abroad Enrollments
Boston College seeks to balance study abroad enrollment between the fall and spring semesters. This applies to all abroad programs approved by Boston College. The balancing of semesters helps to stem over enrollment in any one semester. Part of balancing semesters means that there are enrollment caps on all programs offered by Boston College. Students will learn more by attending a Study Abroad 101, by reviewing program pages, and speaking to a study abroad advisor.
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A Note about GPA
If you have a 3.0 GPA, are in good academic and disciplinary standing, you will likely be able to go abroad. However, OGE cannot guarantee your program or term selection. Based on the high demand for spring semester spots, the average GPA for a spring applicant has consistently been a 3.6 or higher. This is especially true for in-demand locations such as London, Madrid, Dublin, etc. (please note: this is not an inclusive list). Students should carefully consider their choices during the application stage.
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Advice on selecting programs
OGE recommends students carefully review their program selections. Are there particular GPA or language requirements? How many students are generally approved for my program choices? Students are strongly encouraged to select some fall programs amongst their six program choices; OGE discourages students from selecting all spring options. If a student selects all spring programs and cannot be placed, OGE reserves the right to place the student into a fall program. Finally, OGE will only consider academic rationales when placing a student into a program and term. Internships, extra-curricular activities, etc., are not considered.
Deadlines
- Deadline for fall 2023, spring 2024 and AY 2023-2024 programs
- January 5
1: Questionnaire
With your academic goals and personal interests in mind, research different types of programs.
Complete the Initial Advising Questionnaire in MyOGE. The Initial Questionnaire must be completed in order to proceed.
2: Study Abroad 101
Schedule your Study Abroad 101 Meeting. Students will learn about general OGE policies, programs, and procedures and begin thinking critically about their intended abroad experience. The Study Abroad 101 meeting is an application requirement and must be completed in order to schedule a meeting with an OGE advisor.
3: Research & advising
Continue to research programs after the Study Abroad 101 meeting and note any questions or concerns for your next meeting with an OGE Advisor. Students should consider how going abroad fits their academic plans and speak to their academic department about what courses may count.
Meeting with an OGE Advisor is strongly recommended and required for select programs. OGE Advisors are experts in their abroad regions, who can explain BC partner and external programs, academic culture abroad, and help students decide which program may be the best fit for them. Ask your advisor about application strategy and what programs to list on your application.
Students wanting to study abroad for a full year or attend a program not approved by BC must meet with an advisor. Certain programs, as indicated, require that students meet with an advisor in order to submit an application.
Montserrat students are encouraged to schedule a meeting with the Montserrat Advisor next.
Learn about scholarships and grants.
4: Application
Submit the BC Study Abroad Application on MyOGE. The application will only be available to students who have completed both an Initial Advising Questionnaire (Step 1) and attended a Study Abroad 101 Presentation (Step 2). Please plan accordingly as both are mandatory requirements.
All students hoping to study abroad for a semester or academic year on any program (BC or Approved External) must complete the BC Study Abroad Application. The deadline to submit the BC Study Abroad Application on MyOGE is January 5. Students who submit later than January 5 will not be considered.
By submitting the application, all students agree that changes to programs or program terms will not be allowed after the deadline and agree that OGE’s decision regarding program and term placement is final.
5: Review process
After the January 5 application deadline, the OGE will review students’ academic and disciplinary records against specific BC policies as well any program specific requirements. Programs may have space restrictions. After the review, OGE will notify students of their abroad status.
The most important criterion OGE considers in making decisions for high demand programs is a student's academic record, including their GPA, previous courses taken, and degree. Inevitably, there are more qualified candidates than there are available positions for these programs.
If the OGE is unable to grant you one of your six choices, you will be placed in a program which most closely resembles your prior selections, in either the fall or spring semester. Students who wish to add their name to a waitlist will be able to beginning February 25.
If approved, students will apply to their chosen host program. Information regarding applying to the host program will be made available via MyOGE.
6: Host application
Once approved, students complete the application for the host institution. An Application Instructions PDF will be available in MyOGE under "Learning Content."
If students have questions about the host university/program application, they can contact the OGE Applications Team at: ogeapplications@bc.edu
7: Acceptance
Students usually receive official acceptance from their host institution as listed below:
- Fall & academic year acceptances are typically sent in late April-June
- Spring acceptances are typically sent in November
Students with questions regarding the status of their application should contact the OGE Applications Team (ogeapplications@bc.edu), not the host institution.
8: Orientation
Students will be given access to an online pre-departure module on Google Sites. Access will be granted the semester prior to their time abroad.
Students are also expected to attend an in-person orientation prior to departing for abroad. OGE Advisors will provide details directly to the students.
Students should keep in mind that they may need to complete additional post-acceptance paperwork for their abroad program. This may include housing applications, visa documentation, vaccinations, etc. Each program is different and students will be advised accordingly.
For more information about preparing to go abroad please review our Pre-Departure page.
- Students must be in good academic standing, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Students must have made good progress toward meeting core and major requirements.
- A&S students must also have completed the equivalent of one year of the language proficiency requirement.
- Some programs have additional requirements. Students should consult with their OGE Advisor and the program pages for specific information.
- Summer programs have different academic requirements you should review before applying.
- All Boston College students must pass a disciplinary clearance to determine whether they will be approved for an education abroad program (all BC programs, external programs and BC summer programs).
- The disciplinary clearance will occur after students have applied. Students who have minor to moderate records may receive a precautionary e-mail by the OGE. The e-mail will remind students that further violations may result in a revised disciplinary review and possible withdrawal from a program.
- Students who have a significant status such as university probation, university suspension, deferred university suspension, housing dismissal and/or housing suspension will be reviewed by the OGE and the Office of the Dean of Students.
- Students may review their disciplinary standing with the Office of the Dean of Students.
- Students can also read the full study abroad disciplinary policy.
- In line with the OGE's mission and learning outcomes, education abroad is designed to expose students to new cultures and languages. For this reason, international students are not permitted to study abroad in their home country through the OGE for semester and academic-year programs. This policy pertains to any non-U.S. student, permanent resident, or dual citizen who completed the equivalent of high school in the intended host country. For any questions about eligibility, students are encouraged to reach out to the OGE.
- Students who transfer to BC in the fall of their sophomore year are eligible to study abroad starting the fall of their junior year. Since they will only have one semester’s worth of grades at BC at the time of application, it is the student's responsibility to email their previous institution transcript to ogeapplications@bc.edu before the January 5th semester application deadline.
- Students who transfer to BC in the spring of their sophomore year are not eligible to study abroad in their junior year, as they will not have had a full semester’s worth of grades at BC before the January 5th application deadline. They are instead encouraged to consider studying abroad in their senior year or on a summer program.
- Transfer students are encouraged to meet with an OGE advisor, as well as to be in contact with their academic advisor/dean.
By the Numbers
59%
students with approved first-choice program
AY 2022-23
84%
students with approved first-choice fall program
AY 2022-23
3.6
average GPA of students approved for spring
AY 2022-23
99%
of applicants received a program placement
AY 2022-23
Africa, Asia, Middle East, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, the Ocean
Australia & New Zealand, Austria, Czechia, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Switzerland
Funding your Overseas Experience
Affording a study abroad experience is possible. Studying abroad is not necessarily more expensive than a semester at Boston College. While some programs in large metropolitan areas may cost more than a semester in Chestnut Hill, expenditures for many other programs may be the same or less than at BC.
Scholarships
Students seeking guidance in applying for prestigious merit awards for study abroad, as well as need-based scholarships and grants for the academic year or summer, are encouraged to meet with the Scholarships Advisor. To prepare for this meeting, students are asked to review scholarships information on the OIP website and arrive with specific questions.
Montserrat
Montserrat students are encouraged to meet with the Montserrat Advisor early on in the process of selecting programs. Students receive guidance with long-term financial planning and scholarship/grant applications. The advisor will go over the estimated student budget for BC semester, year, and summer programs, and refer students to meeting with their Financial Aid Advisor.
Our Philosophy
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Take Responsibility for Your Experience
Going abroad is a big change from life at Boston College. Students learn new things about the world and about themselves by studying, volunteering, conducting research, or interning in another country. While the OGE is here to help, please keep in mind that the abroad process is ultimately your responsibility--it is up to you to research program options, turn in study abroad materials on time, keep in contact with the OGE, and make your experience meaningful. What you get out of your time abroad depends on what you put into it. This is your experience, not your friend’s, roommate’s, parent’s, sibling’s or anyone else's.
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Find a Good Fit
Academics are a critical component of your experience abroad, and it is important that you choose a school or program that will best complement your coursework at BC. Choose where you would like to spend an academic year, semester or summer and make that choice for the reasons that make the most sense for you. You should weigh the pros and cons of each of your options, but remember that we cannot guarantee that you will be approved to apply for your first choice program or term.
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The Temptation of Travel
It is easy to catch the travel bug and spend every weekend in a different place, but remember: you are choosing to live in a new city for a reason. Traveling is only a small part of your time abroad. Take time to explore the local areas: get to know the neighborhoods, the food, the people, and the rest of your host country. Anyone can be a tourist and travel to dozens of cities, but very few have an opportunity to live in a different country for an extended period of time.
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So Now What?
With all of this in mind, the prospect of going abroad can make you feel both excited and anxious. Selecting a program may seem daunting. However, you should not be too concerned with choosing the one “right” program, as there are a variety of options that will fit your academic goals, personal needs, and interests. All BC and approved external programs have their merits. Instead, you can begin by determining your goals for going abroad and we at the OGE can help you find a program that will help you achieve them.
“This experience helped me grow in a way that I feel like I understand the world better and I understand my place in the world better. I feel a sense of ownership and security in myself that I didn’t feel a year ago.”