<p>I'm doing an informal poll. My D is in her second year at the University of Chicago. Last night she learned that she would not be able to study abroad next year as the number of applicants greatly exceeded the available slots. She had indicated a first choice program as well as 5 others of interest. Four of her friends received the same information.</p>
<p>While I certainly haven't analyzed study abroad programs in any depth, I have never encountered anyone who was shut out of study abroad at any school. I'm sure it's not uncommon for students to be denied their first choice, but until my daughter's experience, I hadn't heard of anyone not being part of at least some program (except in one case where the student's GPA fell below the cutoff). My D is a dean's list student and an active member of the college community, so certainly meets the qualifications.</p>
<p>I just may be naive in thinking that study abroad is part of most undergraduate curriculums so am interested in hearing whether anyone has heard of a similar situation. By the way, the University never indicated that these programs were highly competitive or that some students wouldn't have an opportunity to study abroad, either in their written communications or during any of the parent meetings held during admitted student day.</p>
<p>Before I become too wild, I'd like to get some perspective on whether or not this is something that goes on everywhere. Thanks.</p>
<p>^^^^My D applied for and was accepted to a study abroad program at her school. Until I read your post, I guess I took it for granted and didn’t consider that something like that could happen. Maybe I’m misinformed, but I don’t think this really happens much at her school. But I could be wrong.</p>
<p>I havent heard of complete shutouts but some proograms fill up. At my daughters lAC they had a huge increase to certain locations and said they were only taking 20 out of the 120 who applied to scotland for instance. She did get her second choice. They dont guarantee but usually dont have issues and try to match the students well.
&ometimes they have too any students wanting one location.
My daughter was waitlisted for a summer program and I thought that was odd.
I’m sorry that happened to your daughter</p>
<p>My son got into the summer program he listed as first choice. At his school many programs (semester and summer) fill up but not all. Also, they have a long list of abroad programs not run directly by his university but his university approves the programs and accepts the credits these third party or other university programs offer. Has your daughter looked into that possibility? My niece went on a program offered through a different college than her own because her college didn’t offer the program she desired and it worked out as if it was her own college running the program. I believe that’s a common thing as well and worth looking into if at all possible.</p>
<p>My undergraduate college approved most study abroad applications for the fall term but denied some spring applications. Apparently many more students wanted to study abroad in the spring and they were trying to keep the enrollment steady. </p>
<p>Have you looked at Chicago’s transfer credit policy? It might be possible to take a leave of absence from Chicago, enroll directly at a foreign university abroad, and transfer the credits back. </p>
<p>I never quite understood why students need advance permission to study at a foreign university, when that’s not usually necessary for domestic universities.</p>
<p>My D had to apply for her study abroad program, and not all applicants were selected. Her program was through another university well known for their programs — it was not a US program abroad, but a program in which students attended a foreign school like any other student (no special study abroad student classes). She had to list several choices in case she didn’t get into her top pick(s).</p>
<p>I remember reading this somewhere last year. My reaction and my husband’s was - wow, what a horribly run program, can you even believe they are publishing this? What a bunch of incompetents. You might want to reconsider overseas through them.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the responses. I heard back today from Chicago letting me know that they had an unexpected spike in applications this year. Unfortunately, my daughter and others who don’t have a spot will miss the opportunity to study abroad while they figure it out. I guess the moral is that if anyone’s son or daughter is thinking about studying at the University of Chicago and study abroad is important, ask LOTS of questions before deciding to attend.</p>
<p>Would it be possible for her to study abroad during senior year? Is it possible that the students that were chosen are further along in school? Did the school tout their study abroad opportunities when she was considering them? That would be frustrating.</p>
<p>Never heard of this before - sounds very frustrating! Would they accept her enrollment through a different university’s program? D2 studied abroad through Arcadia’s Program (she attends Bard) and her roommates were all from Northwestern. </p>
<p>I suppose a summer program might at least offer a partial study abroad experience. That’s what D3 is hoping to do at some point, since as a music performance major, study abroad isn’t really available. (My opinion on that is a whole different thread…)</p>
<p>Swamscottsue: there are programs that are outside ones that many students attend; just have to make sure UChicago approves them…</p>
<p>A simple google search should yield a bunch; I know that friends of my daughter’s did programs in Rome and Barcelona that were not sponsored by their schools…</p>
<p>Syracuse University Study Abroad accepts a ton of students from other schools…</p>
<p>My D did study abroad as a Senior - and she loved it. She had taken pretty much all her required courses, so she was into having fun and using the campus as her base of operations to tour the UK. She almost graduated there because she met some kids she clicked with, and they asked her to stay. </p>
<p>Tell your D to sign up now for next quarter.</p>
<p>Bon voyage and bon chance!</p>
<p>BTW - Is that Swampscott MA? My oldest son was born when we lived in Beverly. Small world or something…</p>
<p>Did they let them know that they had a spike? Were her selections very popular spots?
I know they warned my daughter St. Andrew’s after Prince William’s wedding, was VERY popular this year. They normally had 25 apply, they had 120 this year. I don’t know if that was why or not, but it made a “shoo-in” for some, not so much. </p>
<p>I had a coworker who’s daughter took a year off from Smith to go to Scotland (was cheaper too) and they took her credits. This was 10 years a go, but it worked for her. </p>
<p>I hope a semester in her senior year might be an option or summer abroad.</p>
<p>I would urge her to look into other programs, as several previous posters have suggested. My D did a program through CIEE in Brussels that she thoroughly enjoyed. She had to arrange to take her finals early, as they were usually given in January there, and she came back before Christmas so she could start school on time in january.</p>
<p>My daughter’s college has limits on the number of students in the study abroad programs they run. However they also have an extensive list of outside programs which they have approved and will accept credits from, and I don’t know that there are any limits on those. </p>
<p>My son’s college only ran one program of its own, so the vast majority of students at his LAC went abroad through outside programs that his college was affiliated with. He did a semester in Barcelona through ISM.</p>
<p>My D1 studied abroad her first semester senior year. No problem unless your D has to take a required class only offered in the fall. </p>
<p>D2 studied abroad 1st semester junior year–much less common. Her program involved students from all across the US. For one student, from Harvard, this was his last semester and he had already essentially graduated. My point being, there are ways to study abroad other than the usual route.</p>
<p>I agree with Lafalum. Was your D shut out of a UC program or was she shut out of study abroad period. Lots of people study abroad on programs not run by their Uni–Butler University runs a ton of these. Most schools offer credit for that kind of thing.</p>
<p>Nugraddad - Yes, I am referring to Swampscott, MA. It’s where I grew up, although I moved away after college. It’s still a really nice area and I feel lucky to have grown up there.</p>
<p>Thanks again to everyone who responded. I was a crazy person for a few days and everyone’s suggestions and stories helped. Chicago seems to have regrouped after the first few days - I think they heard from a lot of surprised/angry students and parents. They do appear to be trying to accomodate more students so I promised my daughter I would lay low for a week or two. The programs many of you suggested sound good, although I’m told Chicago is very wed to their own programs and doesn’t easily grant credit for outside ones. I hope my D winds up being able to study abroad through one of the Chicago programs and I don’t have to investigate!</p>
<p>Chicago parent here. For others – Chicago has their own programs at a few locations in other countries. If you attend a Chicago program, you’ll get FA. If not, you won’t. S1 looked at attending a math program not sponsored by Chicago, and he would have had to take a leave of absence to do so. (It was not a big deal. Fill out a couple forms, talk to one’s advisor and a dean, and it’s done.) The cost of the non-Chicago program was still less than the cost had he taken Chicago’s math courses in Paris. At least in the math dept., they would accept credits from the program he planned to attend.</p>
<p>One might have a little more difficulty if one is trying to complete <em>Core</em> requirements overseas (i.e., Civ or language) in a non-Chicago program.</p>
<p>In fairness, Tufts has the same policy about overseas programs – if it’s one of theirs, FA will apply. If not, then no. Depending on where one goes, it could still be cheaper to attend a non-sponsored program without FA than going to a school sponsored program with FA. In our case, both my kids were looking at Eastern European programs. If one is in London and Paris, housing costs and COL in general will be higher.</p>
<p>Advice to students: find out how much credit you’ll get BEFORE you go. Schools will tell the kids they “strongly recommend” that, but it is important.</p>