If you are anything like me, you love to travel. Even before I started college, I knew I wanted to study abroad to experience different cultures and to have the experience to travel and make memories with my friends. Currently, I am applying to study abroad in London, which also includes an internship. I’ll be honest with you; the application is NOT easy, but it will be well worth it to know that I could be starting my first semester of junior year in London. Now, if you are hesitant about applying to study abroad, don’t hesitate. It is the opportunity of a lifetime, and applying will give you more time to really think about whether or not it is something that you want. You can always decline your acceptance if you so choose. If you are currently applying or considering opening an application, here are some tips or things that I have learned on what the process is truly like.
I am a procrastinator at heart, but for the study abroad application, I knew I wanted to start working on it, especially since I know what program I want to apply for. With the midterm season quickly approaching, it can be hard to find the time to work on a study abroad application, so I encourage you to start as soon as you can. The application is due on March 2nd, which will be here before we know it. Starting the application early gives lots of time to thoroughly write personal statements and fill out all of the necessary information required. I opened my application as soon as I could, and I feel like it has benefitted me. I got a head start on all of the requirements and as I am close to being done, I work on the application every now and then to finish up the last of my requirements.
2. There are two applications
I know for me personally, I have two applications for the London program. Not only do I have to worry about LMU’s application, but I also have to apply to the host program in London. They have their own set of requirements and personal statements to answer, which means double the work that I assumed I would have. Luckily, I opened the application early and worked heavily on it when I knew that my homework load was fairly light. I have multiple homework assignments coming up, so I am thankful that I can ignore my application for a few days while I complete any assignments I may have for my classes without worrying about the looming deadline approaching. The host application may have a later due date, but LMU asks that it be submitted by the LMU application date, mainly because a portion of LMU’s application asks for the date that the host program application was submitted.
3. Recommendations and meetings
Requirements on the LMU application are attending a meeting for the specific program you are interested in, meeting with your academic advisor, and finding two professors to give you a recommendation. The specific program meetings run at about an hour long and must be attended in order for your application to be considered complete. The program advisor will sit with those at the meeting and discuss the program in great detail. They will be going abroad with you, so they have experience in the program and can provide information that the application cannot. I already attended mine, and it made me even more excited for what I hope is to come. In addition to a program meeting, you must also meet with your academic advisor to make sure you will still be on the right track to graduate on time with the classes you will be taking abroad. The two recommendations will come from professors you have had in the past. I would recommend asking professors you took a class with more recently, as they will remember you better and be able to give the best possible recommendation. The recommendation is not a letter, but a form with a list of questions that your chosen professor will answer on a scale of either 1 to 5 or 1 to 10.
4. Be careful before you hit the submit button
My final tip is to make sure the answers you wrote are the answers you are happy with. Once you press the submit button, you cannot go back and change your answers unless it is your passport information. I wish I really knew this before clicking the submit button. While I was happy with my answers, there is a certain feeling of relief to know you can go back and edit your personal statements or any other information you wish to change. There is another button to save your answers without submitting, and I encourage you to use this tool until you are fully ready to submit your application. Later on, you might want to add something to your personal statement, or even change your second choice program.
With these tips in mind, I wish you well on your study abroad application journey. If you weren’t planning to study abroad, I hope this article will encourage you to at least apply. If you do plan to apply or are currently applying, I hope these tips will benefit your process and overall application.