How to Apply
The Smiling Camel, unofficial mascot of
Study Abroad.
The 2 Step Process—Procedure for Applying to Approved Programs
Step 1: The Haverford Application
All students are required to submit Haverford's Declaration of Intent to Study Abroad. This form must be submitted online no later than October 5th for spring programs and no later than February 5th for fall and year programs. This is the only way to request permission to study abroad and get into the study abroad database.
Please note that the popular programs fill up very quickly on a first come, first served basis and the agreements with partner institutions specify that Haverford students will apply early. Upon the receipt of the Haverford's Declaration of Intent to Study Abroad, The Office of International Academic Programs will notify partner institutions that permission to study abroad has been granted.
Step 2: Program Application
In addition to the Haverford Declaration of Intent to Study Abroad, students must complete the program application required by our partner institutions. (e.g. IES, Sweet Briar College, London School of Economics, etc.). Most applications are available online, but hard copies are available in Chase 213. Please contact Joan Schram during business hours.
It is the student's responsibility to complete the program application, including obtaining letters of reference, official transcript, Dean's Report and any other required forms set by the individual programs. There are over 50 approved programs on the list and not all of them have the same application requirements. Students are expected to mail the completed applications directly to the program by Haverford's deadline dates.
If your program will accept an unofficial transcript, it can be obtained here. The Registrar will sign and seal your unofficial transcript if that is required by the program.
Qualified applicants are admitted to many of our partner programs and universities on a rolling admissions basis, so students must apply by Haverford's deadline dates, not the program's dates. If students wait until the final deadline, the program will probably be full. Programs have requested that all materials be sent in one mailing rather than in bits and pieces. Incomplete applications will take longer to process. Students should check carefully that the applications are mailed to the correct address—for example, Sweet Briar Junior Year in France applications should be mailed to Virginia, not Paris. Every year applications go astray so using U.S. Priority or Certified Mail is highly recommended. Label your envelope AIRMAIL if it is going overseas. Students must keep copies of all application materials.
Nota Bene: Unless otherwise directed by Dean Mancini, Haverford students may apply to only one approved program. Exceptions: Students applying to Oxford or Cambridge partner colleges should follow the instructions on this website. Students applying to the London School of Economics cannot do so until fall grades have been recorded on the transcript.
References
The letters of academic reference should be from members of the faculty who have taught the student within the last academic year. It is preferable that the faculty member be from the four college community. Some programs require recommendations from members of the faculty who have taught them in specific subjects such as a language or in the subject the student intends to study while abroad.
Some programs also require non academic recommendations and/or letters of good academic and disciplinary standing from their Haverford Dean. Students should discuss their plans with the recommenders well in advance and provide them with a transcript, resume, program information and a self addressed envelope. Students should give the recommenders ample time (at least two full weeks) to write the letters. It is best if students stop by the professor's office to pick up the letters so they are not delayed in transit. Programs expect the letters to be in sealed envelopes with the professor's signature on the seal.
Alternatively some professors may choose to mail the recommendation directly to the program. You must provide the professors with a stamped envelope addressed to the program director. If it is going overseas, remember that it should go via airmail. Please note that some programs (LSE) require the professors to submit the recommendations online.
Some programs no longer require academic references or require them only in specific cases. Students are cautioned to read the application requirements carefully. If the program does not require a recommendation, neither does Haverford. The only exception is for students with GPAs below 3.0. See Prerequisites >
Transcript
- To request a free official transcript, students must use the Study Abroad Transcript Request Form and make the request in person at the Registrar's office, located in Chase 103.
- For a nominal fee, students can request their official transcript through the National Clearinghouse. Be sure to indicate it is for a Study Abroad application. The Registrar's Office will waive the fee and you can pick up a sealed transcript from that office, usually the same day.
- Students can access and print their unofficial Haverford transcript here: Unofficial Transcript and Degree Audit
Direct Admit: IES and DIS
Haverford College is a full member of the Institute for the International Education of Students (IES). This means that Dean Mancini and the International Study Abroad Faculty Committee can directly admit students to their programs.
- Apply to IES Online
- Download the Authorization and Evaluation Form
and bring it, along with your official transcript, to Joan Schram ( Chase 213) during business hours.
Students with GPAs below 3.0 cannot be directly admitted and must follow the instructions under Minimum GPA Requirement. Students applying to a program with a language requirement must have completed or be completing the appropriate number/level of courses in the target language. This requirement must be met within one year of the program start date. (see Black Binder for more information)
The IES application fee of $50 is waived for Haverford students applying to any IES program.
Nota Bene: Students on any academic warning or probation may not be directly admitted. Students applying after the deadline will not be directly admitted and must apply on their own.
Dean Manciini can also directly admit students to the DIS Copenhagen program. Follow the instructions for the Preliminary Application. Within a couple days, you will be sent the DIS Registration instructions via email.
Notification of Acceptance and Confirmation of Plans
Once notified by the program of their status, student must inform the Study Abroad Office of their plans, by submitting the Confirmation form within 10 days of receipt of their letters.
Students must also confirm their plans directly with the program as only the applicant can accept or reject an offer.