Frequently Asked Questions
Outgoing Students
Undergraduate Exchange and Study Abroad Program
Requirements and Application Process
1. I am interested in studying abroad. When should I begin the application process?
Students should begin the application process at least two semesters before their intended date of travel. For example, if you want to study overseas in the fall semester or for an entire academic year, you should start the application process at the beginning of the previous fall. In case you plan to study abroad in the spring semester, you should start the application process during the previous spring semester.
2. What is the difference between exchange and study abroad?
The Office of International Programs and Services (IPSO) offers both exchange and study abroad opportunities at more than 60 partner institutions. If you are selected for an exchange opportunity, you would pay your AUC tuition fees for the duration of your exchange program, and your AUC financial aid and most scholarships would apply. If you travel on a study abroad basis, you pay host university tuition fees for the duration of your program, where your AUC financial aid and scholarships will NOT apply.
3. How long can I study abroad?
You can study abroad for a semester or a year based on the program type.
4. Can I take my last semester abroad?
No, you have to spend your last semester at AUC.
5. I am not declared yet, can I still apply?
No, you can’t. To apply, you have to be declared by the semester during which you are applying, or your declaration result should be out before the AUC online application deadline.
6. I am taking my last RHET course during the semester I am applying to, can I still apply?
Yes, you can apply. It will show on your unofficial transcript that you are already enrolled in the course.
7. How can I apply to the program?
You have to complete the AUC online application and submit it along with the required documents mentioned in the application to the IPSO before the designated deadline. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
8. What are the universities I can apply to?
The list of universities is updated every semester on the IPSO website. Click here to find out more about available universities, terms of stay, and available slots.
9. How many universities should I add while completing my AUC online application?
You can add up to three exchange universities, and up to two study abroad universities (if you are willing to take the study abroad option). You can only choose from the list in the application; if a university is not on the list, this means that there are no available slots at such a university.
10. Do I have to add both the exchange and study abroad university choices while completing my AUC application?
No, you can only put the list of universities you are interested in, so if you are only interested in exchange opportunities, you don’t have to list the study abroad university choices, and vice versa.
11. How can I choose the host university?
First, you have to check the comment column on the list of universities page to make sure that your major is not restricted at the host university.
Second, you have to make sure that your major is both available and strong on the host university's website. You can refer to your academic adviser for such information.
12. Can I travel to a non-affiliated university? Will IPSO help me with the procedures?
Yes, you can travel to a non-affiliated university, but it will only be on a study-abroad basis. IPSO will not support any applications to non-affiliated universities. Furthermore, IPSO will not support applications to partner universities that do not go through the IPSO application process.
13. What if I miss the AUC application deadline?
There are two application cycles, one at the beginning of the fall semester and the other one at the beginning of the spring semester, so if you miss the fall cycle deadline, you can apply to the spring cycle.
14. In case my host institution goes totally online, will I be able to obtain a visa to the host country?
Currently only the United States requires the student be enrolled in at least one partial F2F course as one of the qualifications for a visa. Check the website of the embassy of the country you are traveling to for updated information on its specific requirements. Note that acceptance to a university in a foreign country does not guarantee the issuance of a visa.
Application Screening and Selection
1. How do I know if my application was accepted?
Once your application goes through eligibility screening for GPA, a complete application and a general evaluation of your resume and personal statement, IPSO will send you the first acceptance email with the next steps.
2. Who will review my dossier?
A panel of IPSO staff and a faculty member from your school review your dossier.
3. How will the panel evaluate me?
The panel will evaluate your academic performance, your extracurricular activities, your resume, and your work experience/internships.
4. How do I know that I passed the review?
You will receive a final acceptance email from IPSO that includes your awarded program and university.
5. Can I change my awarded program and university?
No, you can’t. Placements are final and are based on the panel decision.
6. After acceptance, what are the next steps?
You will be invited to the Post Nomination Orientation (PNO), this session is mandatory. Information about the time and the date of the session will be sent to you in the final acceptance email. Failure to attend the PNO will result in reviewing your nomination.
7. If I am accepted but I cannot travel, can I withdraw?
Yes, you have a chance to withdraw two weeks before the deadline for application of the host institution completing the host university application. Otherwise, you cannot apply to any exchange/study abroad program administered by IPSO during the next academic year. You may request an exemption from this rule if you had declined due to an emergency situation. While you must provide proof of the emergency situation that hindered your travel abroad, the decision to give you an exemption from this rule is at the discretion of IPSO
8. I applied but I got rejected, can I apply next semester?
Yes, you can apply to the next cycle given that you will not be spending your last semester abroad.
Graduate Exchange and Study Abroad Program
Application and Selection Questions
1. Can I join the exchange program? How can I choose a university?
Exchange slots are available for specific disciplines, not university-wide. Check the list of universities on the IPSO website to find out if your major is available, and at which universities.
2. I am interested in the exchange program. When do you suggest I should begin the application process?
Students should begin the application process at least two semesters before their intended date of travel. For example, if you want to study overseas in the fall/spring semesters, you should start the application process during the beginning of the previous fall/spring.
3. What is the application process like?
You will receive a link for “AUC Graduate Interest Form” from your program advisor to fill out and submit by a specific deadline. It is recommended that you discuss your university options with your advisor before filling out the form.
4. How competitive is the selection of exchange programs?
The selection process for the exchange opportunity is highly selective. It is carried out by graduate program advisors for their students who have completed the “AUC Graduate Interest Form”.
Educational Component Questions
1. How do I choose my university?
You will have to check the list of universities and make sure that your major is available at the host institution. Make a shortlist of your top three universities, after discussing your choices with your advisor.
2. What types of courses can I take while overseas?
At the host institution, courses will vary depending upon the program you select. Some programs allow students to enrol in any course for which they are qualified, whereas others limit the selection. On another note, some AUC departments of major allow their students to take core courses only, while others might allow taking electives. It is necessary to check what is required in your program. Your program advisor is the one who will approve the courses that you will take abroad to be transferred back.
3. How will the exchange/study-abroad program affect my GPA at AUC?
The courses taken during an exchange/study-abroad program are transferred as AUC credit if the grade scored in the course is a B or above for graduate students. However, this is without changing your GPA.
