Two applications are required in order to study off-campus.

A. The first application is to the Wabash Off-Campus Study (OCS) Committee.  The application consists of several parts, most of which must be submitted via this web site. 

Sophomores must have created their online applications, selected faculty recommenders and completed the Course Approval Sheet by November 18, 2011. 

The final deadline to submit the entire application is November 30, 2012.

B. The second application is to the actual program sponsor for admission to their program.   Please contact the program sponsor for their actual deadline.  Once you are approved by the OCS committee, immediately contact your program and begin the application process.

          (Please see  section B below for further details)

If you intend to study outside the USA, you will need a passport (apply now) and most likely a visa for which you must apply far in advance.  The program sponsor must guide you and supply you with a letter or letters of authorization.

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A.     THE APPLICATION TO THE OCS COMMITTEE

You must be accepted by the Wabash committee first; then, soon after, apply to the program.  Be aware that all programs have deadlines and they are different. 

Beginning the on-line application.  Follow directions carefully, and save your work.  The first information requested includes such items as your name, address, e-mail, program chosen, etc.  The on-line application also requires an essay, two faculty recommendations, and several other approvals.  The faculty OCS Committee will carefully review the total application to determine if the program chosen will yield sufficient credits in needed areas, allowing you to graduate on time.

Upon completion, the on-line application is submitted to the OCS Committee electronically

PRIOR TO 4:00 pm ON Friday, November 30, 2012.

1.     Application Form (name, address, program selected, etc.) 

2.    Four (4) year Graduation Plan (print horizontally on one page)

3.    Advisor/Chair Program Approval Form (staple to the graduation plan, obtain approval signatures, then turn in to Center Hall 112)

4.    Essay     Expremely Important!

       Instructions for writing the essay are included in the application.  But, since the emphasis in off-campus study must be on academic needs, bear in mind as you choose your program that you must compose an essay as an integral part of your application explaining the academic reasons for choosing the program. Without a good essay, you will not likely be approved.

5.    One Faculty Recommendation

       You will be able to choose onefaculty recommender from pull-down menus.  Before doing this, you must talk with the faculty recommender and ask if s/he is willing to recommend you.  When you select the faculty on line and click submit, each faculty member will receive an automated e-mail message from David Clapp.  The faculty will respond, filling in the blanks and submit the response.  The OCS committee will be able to read their responses on-line.

Once you have done your part described above, no further action is required from you; the date you requested, and the date they responded, are recorded for the committee to review.

B.     THE APPLICATION TO THE PROGRAM

From your program's sponsor, obtain an application and all instructions for that application.  They may be contained in literature that you have, or most likely on the program web site.  Call them!  Early in the process, establish a relationship with the coordinator in charge of your program.  This is extremely important if you want to be accepted, obtain a visa, obtain credit, utilize financial aid, etc. 

NEVER WRITE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER ON THE APPLICATION FORM!

There are always things for David Clapp to sign, and usually, faculty must write letters.  The OCS Office will mail your program application for you; do not submit the on-line version, but you may wish to download, fill out, and print the application forms. 

Make sure you provide complete contact information to the program including e-mails you use, cell phones, home and campus addresses and phone numbers.  Answer all questions completely and accurately.  Be honest in all aspects; if you have any medical condition, learning or physical disabilities, TELL THEM.  Include a physician’s letter if requested.  Study abroad programs are usually able to assist with many types of situations, but they will be able to help you best if they know ahead of time and can prepare.

After you have filled-out the application as well as you can, bring everything to Center Hall 112 for assistance, review, advice, signatures, and mailing.  DO NOT DELAY because you don’t understand something, are waiting on a professor, or anything else.  You must get in line for your program ASAP.  Our OCS web site includes rather complete information concerning the financing of off-campus study, billing and financial aid.  Parents are encouraged to read all of this information carefully.

Admission/acceptance:  Once you are admitted to your program, quite often, a deposit will be required.  You must pay this on time to save your spot.  This is the program’s way of determining your commitment.  They must plan for orientation, class sizes, flights, etc. so they need to know for sure how many will be participating.  Ordinarily,the deposit is applied toward your account and is subtracted from your invoice.

Wabash Transcript:  If the program organization requests a transcript, go to the Registrar's Office, Center 115, fill out the request slip with the sponsor's address and turn it in for processing. Do NOT mail it yourself. An official transcript goes directly from the Registrar's Office to your program. Make sure that you request from your program a final transcript sent to the Wabash Registrar upon completion.

Faculty Recommendation:  This should always be from teaching faculty who know you, and have experienced your performance in their class.  Look over the questions to be addressed to help you decide who would be best.  If there is a recommendation form, or instructions, fill out your part (name, address, program, etc.) then hand it to the professor with a stamped envelope addressed to the program.  Ask the professor to send it directly.

Photographs:  If they request photos, go to CVS, tell them you are a Wabash College student.  Attach the photos to the application form after writing your name and Wabash College lightly on the back.  Do NOT right your social security number on the photograph or on the application form.

Application fee:  This is your obligation; write a check or provide appropriate credit card info.

Communicate with your program:  About a week after your application is mailed to the program, call them.  Ask if it was received and how it looks.  This is a good way to put your mind at ease, determine your likelihood of acceptance, and what will happen next.  Communicate!  When you call, ask to speak with the person who works with your specific program or school.  Establish a working relationship with this person.  This is where you will want to ask about housing questions, flights, orientation, specific packing suggestions, special needs, etc.  If the program offers additional scholarship assistance, this person can advise you about the application process.  Usually, any program scholarship will be subtracted from your invoice before you are billed.