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Sophomore Fall --
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December 2, 2008
Dear Sophomores,
I'm sending you a message from the Center for International Programs that I hope will help lower your stress levels while you finalize your choice about where to study abroad.
And while I'm at it, may I wish you the best of luck on exams and a happy, healthy, and restful break!
Alyce
Alyce Brady
Professor and Computer Science Program Director
Dean of the Sophomore Class
From the CIP: Study Abroad Myths DEBUNKED
Hello, Sophomores.
This is the time you start making decisions about your major, your future career, and, for many of you, about where you want to study abroad. We in the Center for International Programs know that this is a stressful time in your life and for that reason we would like to debunk some of the myths surrounding your study abroad application.
Myth #1:
"My friend told me that the program I want to apply for is really
competitive."
FACT: Unless your friend works in the Center for
International Programs,
your best bet is to go straight to the experts. Before you get
panic-stricken, come to the CIP and ask a staff member to make sure that
you get the most accurate and up-to-date information. Rumors abound,
particularly in this time of high stress. Even if you think your friend
is "in the know," always double check their "facts" with
the CIP.
Myth #2:
"My study abroad program is really competitive and I will never get
in."
FACT: While certain programs typically receive more
applications than space available (so far for 2009-10 those programs
include: Denmark, Egypt, London School of Economics, Hungary- Cognitive
Science, India, Japan-Doshisha, Scotland, and Thailand), most of the
programs are not as competitive as that. Every year over 90% of
applicants are admitted into their first choice program. If your program
becomes oversubscribed, we will send you an email letting you know and
asking you to contact us with any questions you may have.
Myth #3:
"If I don't get into my first choice, I can't go on study
abroad."
FACT: If you are not accepted into your first choice
program, the CIP will work with you to identify programs that are still
available and that you are eligible for and interested in. So if your
first choice IS a competitive program, we recommend that you continue
with your plans to apply for the program, but that you also identify a
second and possibly third choice program that you would be interested
in. We would be happy to talk with you about second choice program
options.
Myth #4:
"My study abroad application will be reviewed solely on the basis of
my GPA."
FACT: There is no question, your GPA is an important
part of the review criteria. If your GPA is below the minimum required
for your desired program, set up a meeting with the program manager for
your study abroad site to discuss your options. However, your study
abroad application will also be reviewed based on your personal
statement and application essays as well as your letters of
recommendation. These components are very important because they are how
we learn about you as a person, as a learner, and as a future
international representative. Lastly, your student development file will
be reviewed as part of the process. Typically, one minor incident will
not keep you from studying abroad, but since this can differ from case
to case, please talk with us if you're concerned about your student
development file. As with all applicants, the program manager for your
study abroad site reads your application and bases their admission
decision on your completed application file. If you are applying to an
oversubscribed program, your application is read by two program
managers and you may be asked to come in for an interview.
These are the myths that we in the CIP are aware of; if you hear of any other ones, let us know so that we can clear those up too. We recognize that the application process itself is pretty stressful, so we want to eliminate any unnecessary stress. The CIP is located on the first floor of Dewing in the Fishbowl (along with the Center for Career Development) — the entrance is next to the elevator. We are open Monday through Friday from 8AM to 5PM until December 23rd and beginning again January 2nd. You can call us at (269) 337-7133, email us at cip@kzoo.edu, or stop by anytime for more information and a piece of candy.
Kate
Kathryn Krezoski K'08
Kalamazoo College
Center for International Programs
Operations Assistant
(269) 337-5799
krezoski {at} kzoo {dot} edu
You can find more information for sophomores on the Sophomore Year web page. Go to the Sophomore Calendar for the fall quarter to see the various study abroad and major declaration activities in calendar format.