Applications & recommendations

Competitiveness varies a lot between individual programs and program types and is difficult to predict. Students can apply to up to 3 programs within a given term and most students will get into one of these programs. Please note that application questions are often similar, if not entirely the same, so students can often make adjustments to essays and can use the same recommender across applications. If you would like an already submitted recommendation survey copied to multiple applications, please contact studyabroad@uw.edu.

Students applying to a Faculty-led Program should apply to more than one program so that they have a back-up plan.

For exchanges, students will fill out one application and within the application will list the top three exchange universities they are interested in attending.

Competitiveness for UW Partner Programs is more nuanced. Please email studyabroad@uw.edu or schedule a Program-Specific Advising appointment.

Yes. However, you must submit a separate application for each program unless the online system provides the option to designate a second or third choice as part of a single application (as is the case for University wide exchanges and some UW Partner Program options). You will be limited to a maximum of three program applications per program type (Faculty-led Program, UW Partner Program and Exchanges) in a single academic term. Additionally, we recommend that students apply to one UW Partner Program at a time. If you are not accepted, you can work with the provider to identify a second option. Please email studyabroad@uw.edu if you are considering applying multiple UW Partner Programs.

Please note that application questions are often similar, if not entirely the same, so students can often make adjustments to essays and can use the same recommender across applications. If you would like an already submitted recommendation survey copied to multiple applications, please contact studyabroad@uw.edu.

If you are not a UW student, you may participate in UW Faculty-led Programs as a non-matriculated student. Priority for admission to Faculty-led Programs is given to matriculating UW students, but you may be admitted if space is available and if you meet the qualifications for the program. You may apply to a Faculty-led program clicking “Apply Now” on a given program’s site. You will then be asked to create a MyGlobal account with the UW Study Abroad website. If you are accepted to the program, you will receive a UW student number, UW NetID, and MyUW personal account. As a non-matriculated student, you are expected to participate in all aspects of the program.  At the end of the program, you will receive numeric grades and can request a UW transcript, regardless of your need for credit.

If you are graduating in the spring and you would like to participate in a program during summer or Early Fall, there are two options:

You can work with your academic adviser to determine if it is possible for you to postpone graduation. This extension of your graduation date would be contingent on your acceptance to the program.
You can apply to the program as a non-matriculated student. If you are accepted to the program, you need to contact UW Study Abroad to let us know that your status will change to non-matriculated. As a non-matriculated student, you are expected to participate in all aspects of the program. At the end of the program, you will receive numeric grades and can request a UW transcript, regardless of your need for credit.

No. However, some UW partners charge application fees as part of their process or require a program deposit before confirming acceptance.

Your statement of purpose should be 750 to 1,000 words in length and clearly articulate your qualifications for studying and living abroad, your reasons for choosing a particular program, and the projected benefits for your course of study.

Write a strong personal statement that highlights your reasons for wanting to study abroad, your academic and personal goals, and what you hope to gain from the experience. Explain why you are excited about the opportunity and how it fits into your overall academic and personal journey. Be authentic and sincere in your writing.

• A request to the recommender can be sent within your online study abroad application.
• The request must be sent by the application deadline, but the general recommendation itself does not have a strict deadline.

Application cycles open three to six months prior to the application deadline listed on the program website and close immediately after the application deadline has passed for a given academic term. If there are currently no open application cycles for your program, you are probably applying too early or too late.

To place yourself in the best possible position for consideration and selection to a particular program or exchange, you should meet the published deadline. However, application extensions are granted when enrollment in a particular program or exchange is low. If you wish to apply for a program after the deadline, you should contact the UW study abroad adviser responsible for that program or exchange.

If you are applying to FRILA – Independent Learning Abroad, we typically accept late applications. Please choose the next available term, and we will adjust your term based on your itinerary.

Not necessarily. When considering your GPA, study abroad advisers and program faculty often look at GPA trends in addition to cumulative marks. If you have a couple quarters of sub-par performance that pull you below the required GPA but, otherwise, your academic record demonstrates academic consistency or steady improvement, you may still be considered. The type of coursework completed is also factored in by application reviewers.

The decision date is the earliest date that you may receive an update about your application and participation status. Changes to your status can also be viewed on your study abroad account. If you do not receive a status update by the decision date, it means your application is still being considered.

Once your application status changes to “Accepted”, you will receive an email prompting you to log into MyGlobal. There are three status possibilities: accepted, not accepted, and waitlisted.