The RPI Study Abroad application should be completed on-line through the Education Abroad portal. Once you have decided on a program, click “Apply Now” on the program’s information page. You will be prompted to log-in using your RCS ID and password. You will be able to save and return to your application.
Applications are reviewed within two weeks of the application deadline. Nominated applicants will be directed to complete the application materials of the host institution.
Application Periods and Deadlines
Applications for fall semester/full year affiliated programs and summer exchanges open early in the spring semester of the program year with February/March deadlines.
Applications for affiliated spring semester abroad open in June/July with a September deadline.
Non-affiliated program deadlines vary by provider. The RPI deadline is April 1 for fall/summer and October 15 for spring.
See application deadlines for the current application cycle within each program here.
Study Abroad/Exchange Application Instructions
Please read all sections before starting an application.
Eligibility
- First semester sophomore standing unless otherwise indicated.
- 3. 0 minimum GPA (minimum 3.3 for DTU, NTU, UCL and some Global E3).
- Students may apply to only one program per cycle.
- International students are encouraged to study abroad outside of their home country. Some programs will not accept host-country citizens.
- A limited number of places are available for each exchange, and a nomination is not guaranteed. Students who do not receive a nomination for their first choice will be invited to select an alternative option whenever possible.
Selecting a Program – Things to Consider
- Academics
- Review the program options carefully, paying particular attention to the courses that are typically available.
- Map out your 4-year undergraduate plan and contact your academic advisor to discuss how a study abroad experience will work with this plan.
- All classes must be approved on a Study Abroad Transfer Credit Approval Form in order for credit to transfer. Study abroad classes must have an RPI equivalent, either named or elective. Approval forms must be submitted within 2 weeks of the start of the semester abroad.
- See Study Abroad Transfer Credit Approval Process section for details.
- Class availability is not guaranteed, and students must be flexible with their course selections.
- Language
- The working language at many partner institutions is English, with most or all classes offered in English.
- At some schools, a select group of courses are offered in English to accommodate international students.
- Check each program website carefully and considering your level of comfort living in an environment where English may not be the primary language spoken.
- Academic Calendar
- Some fall Global E3 programs end in January, with final exams taking place after the holidays. Check each program calendar carefully to make sure that you will be able to return to RPI in time to begin the spring semester.
- Southern Hemisphere programs typically run February through June (southern hemisphere semester 1) and July through November (southern hemisphere semester 2).
- Make sure that the dates of the program that you select do not interfere with internships or summer plans.
- Students are expected to remain at the host institution for all regularly scheduled exams and should not plan to leave early for another commitment.
- Support Services
- Assess how much support you will need to be comfortable while abroad. Visit the websites of the universities that interest you to read about the support services they offer. Many programs do not offer the same level of support as RPI and will expect students to act independently with both academic and personal matters.
- All programs offer an arrival orientation program, and some sponsor activities for international students throughout the semester.
- Accommodation and Meals
- Housing is not always guaranteed. Students should review the housing information for the programs that interest them and make sure to meet all housing application deadlines.
- When university housing is not available, students will need to consider homestays or other private accommodations.
- Most programs do not offer a meal plan, and students are expected to take care of their own meals.
- Students will apply for study abroad housing only once they have been accepted by the partner institution.
- Cost and Finances
- Students pay regular RPI tuition for semester and full year exchanges and are eligible for all of their financial aid.
- Summer affiliated exchanges do not charge RPI tuition but may have a program fee.
- Students who participate in non-affiliated study abroad will pay the tuition and fees of the program. RPI tuition is not charged for non-affiliated study abroad, and students are not eligible for RPI aid for these programs.
- Visa expenses vary by country. Visa costs range from a nominal expense to several hundred dollars or more. Students will not apply for a visa until after they have been accepted to the partner institution.
- It is often necessary to show proof of funding for living expenses when applying for a visa for the host country. For most countries, this is between $1000-$2000 per month.
- Estimated expenses are available on the info page for each affiliated program in the study abroad application portal.
- Location
- Consider the academic logistics – which programs offer the classes that you need to stay on track for graduation?
- Would you like to be immersed in a foreign university with students from the host country, or would you prefer to be on a program designed for study abroad students?
- Will you be ok if you are the only RPI student on the program, or would you rather be on a program with RPI and other study abroad students?
- Consider culture, language, weather, food, and other lifestyle factors.
- If you plan to travel while, consider the proximity of your program site to destinations that interest you.
- Cost – consider airfare to destination, housing, visa, and other living expenses.
- Submit an online RPI study abroad application by logging into the Study Abroad Application Portal with your RCS ID and password. Once you have reviewed the program options and selected a program, click “Apply Now” on the program’s information page. You will be able to save and return to your application.
- Application requirements:
- Copy of the ID page of your passport
- RPI transcript (official or unofficial)
- A brief personal statement that answers the following questions:
- What is your motivation for studying abroad?
- How will this experience complement your academic and personal interests?
- Why did you select the program to which you are applying?
- Letter(s) of recommendation are not required as part of the RPI application submissions, but will be required by the following partner institutions:
- Some Global E3; refer to the guidance posted for each individual university
- UCL requires the name and contact information of an academic reference.
- Some programs may require a letter from students who do not meet the minimum GPA requirement.
- When a letter is required it should be written by a professor or another individual who is familiar with your academic work (e.g., research supervisor) and should comment on your preparation for a successful period of study abroad.
- Nomination letters will be issued within two weeks of the application deadline, and nominated students will be invited to submit an application to the host institution.
Affiliated Exchange
- Students who are nominated for affiliated exchange programs will be invited to complete the application materials of the host institution and will receive detailed instructions with their nomination letter.
Non-Affiliated Study Abroad
- A RPI nomination means that a program has been evaluated and the applicant may move forward with their application.
- Students must apply directly to their selected program and should follow the instructions and deadlines of the program provider.
Upon acceptance by host institution, applicants will take the following steps:
- Follow host university instructions to confirm acceptance
- Apply for a visa or residence permit if applicable
- Apply for overseas housing, following the guidance of the host institution
- Make travel arrangements
- Complete all paperwork as required by RPI Education Abroad and the host institution and meet all submission deadlines
- Attend the mandatory RPI pre-departure orientation (April for fall/summer and November for spring)
- Register for overseas classes per host university instructions
Housing, visa, orientation, and other relevant information will be included in the nomination letters and/or acceptance materials issued by Education Abroad and host institutions.
Study Abroad Transfer Credit Approval Process
All classes taken abroad must be approved by RPI for the transfer of credit. Each school has a designated Study Abroad Transfer Credit Approval Evaluator.
For detailed guidance, expand the appropriate section below based on your program type.
- Determine which courses you will need to take while abroad in order to remain on track for graduation.
- No more than 8 credit hours may be transferred toward the HASS/Science cores without permission.
- The Communication Intensive Requirement cannot be fulfilled abroad.
- Make sure to check your academic program template for any additional restrictions on the transfer of credit towards major requirements.
- All courses taken abroad must be transferrable to the RPI degree, even if this is as elective credit.
- Familiarize yourself with the course offerings at the overseas institution and confirm that sufficient courses are offered so that your academic progress will not be delayed.
- Pay attention to the semester timetables, as not all courses are offered each semester.
- Links to the course catalogues and timetables of all affiliated programs are available on each program page in the application portal.
- You will not receive more credit for an RPI course than it is worth at RPI. Credit conversions can be found in each program brochure.
- Check the Transfer Course Guide in SIS to determine if any of the courses you wish to take have already been evaluated. Courses that appear in SIS are not necessarily offered each semester and should be used only as a reference. All courses taken abroad must be evaluated and approved even if they are listed in the Transfer Course Guide.
- Complete as many Study Abroad Transfer Credit Approval Forms as you need to have the necessary number of courses approved.
- Include the name, course number and number of credits (according to the overseas credit system) of each study abroad course that you would like to have approved. Do not fill in the RPI equivalency – the evaluator will make that determination.
- For course approval, provide the appropriate Study Abroad Transfer Credit Approval Evaluator with a link to course content.
- Study abroad course approvals must be submitted within two weeks of the start of your semester abroad.
- Course approval does not guarantee that a course will be available, it simply indicates how it will transfer back.
- The transfer of credit does not occur until an official transcript is received from the host institution and the course(s) have a completed Study Abroad Transfer Credit Form received by Education Abroad.
- Determine which courses you will need to take while abroad in order to remain on track for graduation.
- No more than 8 credit hours may be transferred toward the HASS/Science cores without permission.
- The Communication Intensive Requirement cannot be fulfilled abroad.
- Make sure to check your academic program template for any additional restrictions on the transfer of credit towards major requirements.
- All courses taken abroad must be transferrable to the RPI degree, even if this is as elective credit.
- Familiarize yourself with the course offerings at the overseas institution and confirm that sufficient courses are offered so that your academic progress will not be delayed.
- Pay attention to the semester timetables, as not all courses are offered each semester.
- Links to the course catalogues and timetables of all affiliated programs are available on each program page in the application portal.
- You will not receive more credit for an RPI course than it is worth at RPI. Credit conversions can be found in each program brochure.
- Check the Transfer Course Guide in SIS to determine if any of the courses you wish to take have already been evaluated. Courses that appear in SIS are not necessarily offered each semester and should be used only as a reference. All courses taken abroad must be evaluated and approved even if they are listed in the Transfer Course Guide.
- Complete as many Study Abroad Transfer Credit Approval Forms as you need to have the necessary number of courses approved.
- Include the name, course number and number of credits (according to the overseas credit system) of each study abroad course that you would like to have approved. Do not fill in the RPI equivalency – the evaluator will make that determination.
- For course approval, provide the appropriate Study Abroad Transfer Credit Approval Evaluator with a link to course content.
- Study abroad course approvals must be submitted within two weeks of the start of your semester abroad.
- Course approval does not guarantee that a course will be available, it simply indicates how it will transfer back.
- The transfer of credit does not occur until an official transcript is received from the host institution and the course(s) have a completed Study Abroad Transfer Credit Form received by Education Abroad.
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR NON-AFFILIATED PROGRAM APPLICANTS
- A maximum of 16 of the total 32 allowable transfer credits can be used from non-affiliated study abroad.
- A maximum of 2 classes/8 credits within the last 30 of a student’s degree completion can be transferred from non-affiliated study abroad, and only with permission of the Office of Undergraduate Education
