Apply for Semester and Year
Life-Shaping Semester or Year Abroad
Fall, spring, and academic year study abroad programs are open to all Cornell undergraduates. We hope you'll apply! Wherever you study, your time abroad will be a memorable and academically enriching experience.
Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to apply. The application requires your thoughtful consideration and openness to unexpected programs and destinations. Our goal is to help each student find a study abroad opportunity that's a great match.
On this page: Find out about the two-round process and how to apply for semester and full-year programs.
Two Chances to Apply
Cornell students apply for study abroad through the Experience Cornell platform. You submit an application to your preferred program and one alternate program, if desired. Consult study abroad deadlines to stay on track when you're ready to apply.
Education Abroad reviews applications in two rounds. We encourage you to apply in the first round. After the first-round deadline, you'll be notified if you've secured a space in your preferred or alternate program.
For many reasons, space across study abroad programs varies in a given semester or year. If you miss the first-round deadline or don't secure a space, you have another opportunity in the second round to apply for select programs with space available. Second-round applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Why is there a second round? Should I wait to apply?
Offering two application rounds helps Education Abroad balance student interest and program space, allowing the greatest number of Cornellians to find an excellent study abroad match.
We expect most students to apply in the first round. First-round applications are reviewed as a group and decisions announced on the specified decision date. If you don't secure a space, you can apply for another program in the second round. Second-round applications are reviewed and decisions announced on a rolling basis, so it's wise to apply as soon as possible during the second round.
Will the program I want to attend have enough space?
We encourage you to identify one or two programs that interest you and then apply! Space varies across study abroad programs for many reasons, including the following:
- Education Abroad prevents overcrowding in order to preserve a quality educational experience for Cornell students and balance distribution across programs.
- Exchange programs (two-way partnerships with other universities) maintain an equitable exchange by opening a predetermined number of spaces to Cornell's outgoing students.
- Some programs that admit students from several U.S. universities set a cap on Cornell admissions.
How to Apply
Start your first- or second-round application in Experience. You are permitted to submit two applications per round. When Education Abroad has reviewed your materials, you'll receive a decision and invitation to commit to secure your space. After you commit, your college will review your course plan, and you'll apply externally for admission to your program. Read on to learn more about the steps in the application process.
- Plan Academics
- Apply: Experience
- Commit
- Get Approval
- Apply: Program
1 Define your academic and program objectives.
Congratulations! You've identified a study abroad program that's a great fit. What's next?
Your first stop is your college study abroad or academic advisor to discuss how study abroad fits into your path to graduation. Share as much information as you can about possible courses to create a flexible study abroad course plan, a required part of your Experience application (step 2).
We also invite you to meet with an Education Abroad advisor to compare programs and discuss program-specific details, such as academic offerings, housing options, and the on-site experience.
What are the eligibility requirements for study abroad?
- Be an enrolled Cornell student in good academic standing.
- Meet college requirements for approval.
- Meet the requirements of the program for admission (GPA, prerequisites, etc.) as described on your selected program’s Experience page.
- Have no outstanding sanctions related to student conduct or pending hearings.
2 Apply in Experience and secure a space.
When you're ready to apply, initiate your application in Experience. You may submit two applications per round.
- Locate the program and click the apply button at the bottom of the page.
- Use the dropdown menu in the first question to indicate "preferred" or "alternate."
- Seek college approval following the steps outlined in the application.
- Complete a second application if you're interested in an alternate program.
- Apply by the deadline in the Snapshot section of the program’s Experience page. Meet this deadline even if the program’s external application deadline is later.
Applications are reviewed by Education Abroad after the Experience deadline in the first round and on a rolling basis in the second round. After reviewing your materials, we'll email you with next steps—whether you secure a space on your preferred program, alternate program, or neither.
A secured space does not indicate university approval (step 4) or admission to the program (step 5).
Should I apply to more than one program?
Students are encouraged to apply for two programs. You should select your alternate program carefully. Make sure it's a program you want to participate in if you secure a space in this program instead of your preferred program. Some high-interest programs are not eligible to be alternates. If you do not apply for an alternate, our office will assume you intend to stay at Cornell if you do not secure a space in your preferred program.
What does the Experience application include?
A detailed application preview is available at the bottom of your program’s Experience page. All Experience applications require these items:
- Program, academic, and personal information
- Course approval form
- Academic and personal statements of purpose
- Permission to release student conduct records
- Attestations for academic policies and financial information
Some programs require additional application materials.
Are there advantages to applying early?
In the first round, there is no advantage to rushing to complete your application. You can submit your application any time before the first-round deadline. Early submission will not impact the review or give you a better chance of securing a space. In the second round, it is wise to apply early as second-round applications are reviewed and spaces filled on a rolling basis.
Can I apply later if my program is still accepting applications after the Experience deadline?
No. You must meet the Experience deadline for Cornell approval. Internal deadlines are set before most program deadlines to allow time for application review and required college and university approvals. The deadline also gives the Education Abroad team time to prepare your program-specific budget, so you and your family will fully understand your financial obligations. I didn't secure a space in round one. Now what do I do?
If you didn't secure a space in the first round, you still have options! Visit
Deadlines to find out the timing of the second round and
explore programs with space available. Then return to step 1 and initiate your application to a new preferred program.
3 Commit to your program.
This step is mandatory! As soon as we notify you by email that you've secured a program space, commit through your Experience dashboard. By clicking commit, you hold your spot and affirm your intention to study abroad on this program.
You must commit to your program within two weeks of the email notification date. Your commitment allows Education Abroad and other Cornell offices to prepare for your time abroad. Failure to commit by the deadline will result in withdrawal of your application.
What does it mean to secure a space?
If your application is successful (step 2), you will "secure a space" in your preferred or alternate program. A secured space means that Education Abroad and your college intend to review and support your participation in this program. You must commit to your program within two weeks to hold your space. A secured space does not indicate university approval (step 4) or admission to the program (step 5).
What if I need more time to decide?
Students are given two weeks to commit to their program. Spaces are not secured beyond the commitment deadline, and the deadline cannot be extended. If you miss the commitment deadline, you lose your secured space.
We review your application with the assumption that you are confident in your decision to study abroad on your preferred or alternate program. If you have questions or concerns about your program, please contact the program's advisor for the program before you commit.
Can I switch programs after I've secured a space?
You cannot switch programs or swap your preferred and alternate choices after the Experience deadline. Once you have secured a space in one program, your second application will be withdrawn by Education Abroad.
My friend withdrew from the program I want. Does that automatically open a space for me?
No. If a program opens in the second round, it means 1) that program has remaining space, and 2) Education Abroad has made the decision to reopen it. Not all programs are open for second-round applications. Education Abroad has the sole authority to determine which programs are open in the second round.
Is there a wait-list for my preferred program?
We do not offer wait-lists for any programs. If you're offered a space and choose not to commit in the first round, you may apply to open programs in the second round. However, we strongly encourage you to commit in the first round if you are offered a space in your preferred or alternate program.
4 Receive your college's approval and complete onboarding.
You have already requested college approval as part of your Experience application (step 2), when your college required you to complete a college-specific form for course approval, a Canvas course, or another action. (Refer to the college and course approval sections of the application for a reminder of what your college required.)
Once you receive college approval, you will gain access to onboarding materials. Complete all onboarding requirements through your Experience dashboard by the onboarding deadline in your approval email.
Can I withdraw my application after I commit?
It's possible to withdraw from your study abroad program before departure. In your application, you agree to study abroad financial policies governing withdrawal. You are responsible for any nonrecoverable program costs. Financial responsibility will depend on your withdrawal timing and program deadlines. If you intend to withdraw after committing to your program, please notify your Education Abroad advisor.
Why does approval come after I've already committed?
Committing to a program confirms your intent to participate and holds your space. Approval is a next step, ensuring your intended program fits your degree plan and follows college policies.
5 Apply for admission to your program.
Most study abroad programs require an external application for admission. These applications open at different times and may require a nomination from Cornell. Contact your program advisor if you're not sure what's required.
- Find the external application link on the program's Experience page.
- Some programs require a nomination before you can access the external application. Your Education Abroad advisor can only nominate you or sign approval forms after you have committed to your program and generally after you have college approval (steps 3 and 4).
- Meet your program’s application deadline. Applying early is wise if your program has limited capacity or rolling admissions. Your program advisor will tell you if this applies to your program.
You'll receive your admission decision directly from the program. Respond to your program to accept the offer and follow the program's procedures.
If I am approved by Cornell, does that mean I'm accepted by my program?
No, you must apply to and be accepted by your program separately. Each program has its own admissions process and reserves the right to admit its own students. That said, Cornell students tend to be admitted to programs when they apply early and meet or exceed the requirements.
How long does it take to hear back from programs?
It varies. About three weeks is an average time frame, but programs vary greatly. Some offer rolling admissions, while others publish dates for providing admission decisions.
What are my chances of admission?
Admission to a program is never guaranteed, but Cornell students tend to be admitted to programs when they apply early and meet or exceed the requirements. If you are not admitted by your program, please reach out to your Education Abroad advisor to share this news and plan your next steps.
