Application Procedures and Policies

Wesleyan Students:

1. Create a profile on our ViaTRM application system which is found in your Wesportal under Academics and Study Abroad Information and Application. 
2. After creating your profile, attend a First Steps meeting in the Office of Study Abroad (201 Fisk Hall). First Steps meetings last 15-20 minutes and take place during advising hours (MWF 10am-12pm and TuTh 2-4pm; no appointment necessary). If you still have questions after attending First Steps, you may also schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Office of Study Abroad.
3. Complete the appropriate application for your chosen program in the ViaTRM application system.
4. Students applying to a non-Wesleyan program must also complete the program’s own application. Please note that deadlines may be earlier or later for outside program applications, and that students applying to Wesleyan’s programs and DIS will not have a separate application.

Deadlines for completing the Wesleyan permission application process are as follows*:

• Wesleyan and exchange programs:
  • Spring: October 1
  • Fall/full year: February 22
• All other pre-approved programs:
  • Spring: October 15
  • Fall/full year: March 1 (February 22 for certain exchange programs)

Petitions for ad hoc approval of any other program must be submitted by Oct 1/Feb 22.

Please keep in mind that deadlines for pre-approved program applications will vary and may be earlier than the Wesleyan deadlines.

In addition to submitting Wesleyan’s own online application, students applying elsewhere must contact the sponsoring institution regarding its own application form and procedures. Wesleyan students must satisfy all requirements and comply with the policies, regulations, and application procedures set by both Wesleyan’s FCGS and the program itself.

The OSA cannot request transcripts. If an outside program requires a transcript, please visit the Registrar's Office in North College or make an online request. Note that there is a cost associated with requesting a transcript.

Non-Wesleyan Students:

Wesleyan University welcomes applications from qualified students from other institutions interested in a semester or year-long experience on the following programs:

• ECCO: Eastern College Consortium in Bologna (Italy)
• VWM: Vassar-Wesleyan Program in Madrid (Spain)
• VWP: Vassar-Wesleyan Program in Paris (France)

Outside students will apply online through the Via application system (coming soon).

Eligibility

Students planning to apply must be in good academic and disciplinary standing when applying and at the time of departure. All Wesleyan academic regulations apply to students studying for Wesleyan credit abroad.

Permission to study abroad will be denied or revoked in the following circumstances:

• Disciplinary proceedings filed after the approval to study abroad has been granted;
• Failure to resolve any incomplete or any grade of X or AB by two weeks prior to the beginning of the program;
• Failure to resolve a delinquent balance in the student’s Wesleyan account the semester prior to studying abroad.

Students wishing to study abroad following a medical leave must petition for permission to do so.

Application for permission to study abroad includes a Standards of Conduct Pledge. This pledge holds students accountable to Wesleyan’s Honor System and Code of Non-Academic Conduct. Infractions abroad may result in Honor Board or Student Judicial Board charges and potentially expulsion from the program.

Students required to resign from Wesleyan may not use study abroad as a way of gathering the credit needed to return, unless they are citizens of the country in which they wish to study. In that case, their credit taken abroad is processed as if it were domestic transfer credit through the Registrar’s office, and not through the OSA.

Students who accept positions as head residents for a particular academic year are not eligible to study abroad during that time, due to the commitments of that position.

Health, Safety, & Medical Insurance

As part of the permission application applicants will seek clearance to study abroad from Wesleyan’s Davison Health Center and CAPS (Counseling & Psychological Services). Confidentiality laws prohibit OSA staff or program staff abroad from accessing students’ private medical history. For your own well-being, you are strongly encouraged to discuss any health-related concerns or disabilities with your health care professionals prior to departure.  You should also consider discussing your health care needs with the program director upon arrival abroad.

Health insurance is provided for all students studying abroad, by either your program or Wesleyan. This coverage may not be waived, regardless of outside health insurance coverage. Please note that the insurance covers you only while abroad, and only during your program dates. You should retain a U.S. policy while abroad in order to avoid a lapse in coverage.

CRUCIAL NOTIFICATIONS FOR NON-WESLEYAN PROGRAMS

Students intending to participate on a non-Wesleyan program must submit a copy of their acceptance letter and of their written affirmation of intention to attend. Failure to do so may result in the permission to study abroad being revoked.

Upon arriving at your destination, students must forward their contact information (address and telephone number) to the OSA. The OSA will use Wesleyan email addresses to keep students abroad informed about campus life and to address any and all study abroad issues that may arise.

Students who decide last minute to withdraw from study abroad must notify the OSA promptly in order to facilitate arrangements for your return to campus.

Accessibility Services 

Wesleyan University is committed to ensuring that qualified students with disabilities are afforded an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from its programs and services. To receive accommodations, a student must have a documented disability as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, and provide documentation of the disability. Since accommodations may require early planning and generally are not provided retroactively, please contact Accessibility Services as soon as possible.

If you believe that you need accommodations for a disability, please contact Dean Patey in Accessibility Services, located in North College, Room 021, or call 860/685-5581 for an appointment to discuss your needs and the process for requesting accommodations.