Application Procedure

Letters of Recommendation

The following letters of recommendation are required for DePauw's Off-Campus Study Application:

1. Major Advisor: must certify the student is making progress towards graduation and indicate what courses the individual would need to take while off campus to complete the major.
2. Faculty Recommendation: can be any member of the faculty except the student's Major Advisor
3. Language Recommendation: required for students applying to programs that have a language requirement where DePauw teaches the language in question. This recommendation can also be the student's Major Advisor if applicable.

The off-campus study program will, in most cases, require letters of recommendation, typically on their own forms.  When asking for recommendations for the DePauw application, it would be wise to ask the professors to save a copy of what they have written on the DePauw form so they can more easily complete the program's recommendation forms. See also these guidelines for requesting letters of recommendation.

Application Review Process

The Off-Campus Study Program reviews on-time applications.  The International Education Committee (IEC), which represents the DePauw faculty, has the charge of establishing the criteria students must demonstrate to be approved for off-campus study.

The Off-Campus Study Program may approve or deny the application, or it may request a revision of the application based on questions posed by the committee, but only one revision will be allowed.  The application implies the release of the applicant’s grades and transcript to the the committee for study in the decision-making process. Approval indicates that the student may expect to receive credit for work done with a minimum grade of C and that the student may expect financial aid to be applied as for study on campus.

The application process for off-campus study is competitive.  The University strives to provide a variety of programs with curricular and geographic diversity and to support all students wishing to study off campus.  Because the cost of educating students off campus is significantly more than educating them on campus, the University may not be able to accomodate every student's stated first choice program. Therefore, students should consider second and third choice programs as well as alternative timelines and opportunities that meet their interests in the event they do not receive approval for their first choice program.

In the rare instance where a student's needs cannot be met by one of the approved programs, the student may appeal to the International Education Committee (IEC) for an exception to apply to a non-approved program.  Please refer to Off Campus Study Costs & Financial Support page for details.

Applying to Approved Off Campus Study Programs

Once DePauw has approved the application students apply directly to their approved program. Each program has its own deadlines, application forms, and eligibility requirements. Students will need to follow the procedures outlined by the program in order to be accepted into the specific program for which they have been approved to apply. 

Approval by the Off-Campus Study Program does not imply approval by your chosen off-campus study program.  While DePauw has an excellent track record of students being accepted by the programs for which they are approved, some students may have their application rejected from off-campus programs, most often due to the early filling of the program. In the event that a student is not accepted by the program but is still interested in studying off campus and has an alternative program in mind, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the Off-Campus Study Program to gain permission to study on the alternate program.  Students must have approval of the International Education Committee to receive academic credit and financial aid.

DePauw will supply off-campus programs with the names of students applying so the programs know to expect the students’ applications in advance of their deadline. Applicants will then begin working with the program's representative, usually via e-mail or telephone, when they have specific questions about the program or the program's application. Many program representatives visit campus when students can meet with them and ask questions. The staff of the Off-Campus Study Program is also available to help fill out the program application. 

The off-campus study program will, in most cases, require letters of recommendation, typically on their own forms. 

Students will also need to include an official DePauw transcript when applying to the off-campus study program (not to DePauw).  A transcript can be requested from the Office of the Registrar by completing the Transcript Release Form.  Transcripts may be sent directly to the off-campus study program (by providing the correct address) or submitted with the rest of the application.  A print-out of the e-services transcript is not acceptable.

Semester or Academic Year Off Campus

On rare occations students may apply for up to two semesters off campus, but must have a clear academic reason for participating in two semesters off campus. Availability of two semester spots off campus depends heavily on limited budgetary resources and program enrollment limits established by Civic, Global & Professional Opportunities. Approval to spend one semester off campus does not automatically guarantee approval for two semesters.  Students interested in foreign language programs may consider applying to spend both semesters in the same place to improve language and cultural skills.  Students may also consider meeting two different academic or professional interests by spending two semesters in different places; those applying for two semesters in different locations must submit a clear rationale in how both semesters equally address academic interests.