The Application Process
The Center for Global Programs and Studies team is happy to help you with your study abroad planning and application process.
Schedule an appointment with a study abroad advisor
Visit the appointment request page to schedule an individual meeting with a study abroad advisor via the online scheduling system. You can also take advantage of daily afternoon walk-in appointments for quick questions and shorter meetings. If you prefer to schedule a group appointment, call 336.758.5938 or stop by Reynolda Hall 116.
During your meeting, a study abroad advisor will help you find study abroad options that meet your needs, answer your questions about programs, and explain the application process to you. In preparation for this meeting, you should read the Study Abroad Getting Started Handbook and review the Selecting a Program for key factors to consider when choosing a program.
Complete a study abroad advising form
Prior to your appointment, you will be asked to fill out a study abroad advising form. This form will help you reflect on what you are looking for and serves as the basis for your conversation with a study abroad advisor.
Start your application
After meeting with a study abroad advisor and discussing your plans for studying abroad/away, you will start your application. Applications vary based on the type of program and will not be accepted after the deadline.
- All students hoping to study away for a semester or academic year must complete the Single Application in WakeAbroad. The deadline to submit the Single Application will be listed in your WakeAbroad file, typically it is in early- to mid-December.
- The Single Application process will allow you to apply for up to five programs (Wake Forest and/or Affiliate) for the Fall and/or Spring semesters in the upcoming academic year. You can research all available programs by visiting the approved program page.
- These include: Casa Artom (Venice), Flow House (Vienna), Worrell House (London), Chile: Across South America; Dijon, France; Salamanca, Spain and Salamanca: Neuroscience.
- All WFU programs require students to meet with the Resident Professor before submitting their application. Students who do not complete this requirement will not be considered for the program.
Students applying for study away programs such as WFU/Charlotte: Undergraduate Internship Semester or Wake Washington (aka WFU/Washington (D.C.): Internships will create an application directly on the program’s website (look for the “Apply” link).
Summer abroad programs
On the approved program page, choose Summer in the Term field of the search bar, then visit the program(s) of interest for application details.
Short-term abroad programs
On the main approved program page, choose Fall Short-Term or Spring Short-Term in the Term field of the search bar, then visit the program(s) of interest for application details.
Check your passport expiration date
Your passport must be valid for at least one year after your planned return home. If your passport does not meet this requirement, you must renew it immediately. A study abroad advisor can help you with the renewal process (or to apply for your first passport). We encourage you to be proactive and check your passport expiration date early because it can take several months to renew your passport.
Additionally, most semester abroad programs require students to complete a visa application, so it is important to renew your passport in time for your visa process.
For more information visit the Passports and Visas page.
Prepare to embark on your program
If accepted to a program, the Center for Global Programs and Studies will notify you by email. The email will include all deadlines for submitting your deposit and confirming your space.
Visit the Accepted Students Guide for more information.
Deadlines
Make sure you familiarize yourself with the following important dates and deadlines, and what’s due, for the Semester Abroad Single Application process.
Semester Abroad (Fall and/or Spring) Single Application process
Fall 2027 and Spring 2028
| Date or Deadline | What Happens |
|---|---|
| August 15, 2026 | Application System Opens |
| December 13, 2026 | Initial Application Deadline All materials must be submitted in WakeAbroad by 11:59 p.m. Note: This includes completing any required meetings prior to December 13, 2026. |
| Mid-December 2026 – Mid-January 2027 | Committee Review |
| January 15, 2027 | Decision Notification Not all students may receive a placement; some students may receive notification that they could not be placed in any of their ranked programs. |
| January 15 – February 1, 2027 | Secure Your Spot All steps must be submitted through your WakeAbroad portal by 2 p.m. Failure to commit during this window results in forfeiting your roster spot. |
Second Round Consideration: Spring Abroad Application
If you are no longer interested in participating in the program in which you were placed or you did not receive a placement during the initial round, you may request to be considered for Second Round Review.
Before opting into this process, please carefully consider the following:
- Spring Semester Only: The second round review focuses exclusively on placements for the Spring semester.
- Limited Availability: Many of our most popular programs may already be at capacity following the first round.
- No Guarantee of Placement: Transitioning to the second round does not guarantee a placement. Decisions will be based on remaining program availability and the strength of the application.
If you would like to move forward with a second round review, please be aware that this is a final decision regarding your current placement status. If you have already received a placement for the academic year, proceeding with this process will forfeit your placement (regardless if a deposit has been made). If you are not placed during the second round then you are still eligible to apply for any open summer/short term programs or in the next semester application cycle.
Second Round Important Dates
| Date or Deadline | What’s Happening |
|---|---|
| Late January 2027 | Second Round Applications Open (Spring 2028 programs only) In the event you do not get placed in any program, you can submit a second round application for openings in spring programs (if space is available). These would be individual (not group) applications. |
| February 14, 2027 | Second Round Application Deadline All materials must be submitted in WakeAbroad by 11:59 p.m. |
| February 15-21, 2027 | Second Round Committee Review |
| February 22, 2027 | Second Round Decision Notification Not all students may receive a placement; some students may receive notification that they could not be placed in any of their ranked programs. |
| February 22–March 1, 2027 | Second Round: Secure Your Spot All steps must be submitted through your WakeAbroad portal by 2 p.m. Failure to commit during this window results in forfeiting your roster spot. |
WFU Study Abroad Programs: WFU/Charlotte and Wake Washington
Visit the WFU/Charlotte: Undergraduate Internship Semester or the WFU/Washington (D.C.): Internships (aka Wake Washington) for application deadlines.
Summer Abroad Programs
Wake Forest Summer Programs
Individual program deadlines can be found on the program pages of this website. Typically, deadlines are in mid-February but many programs will accept students as early as November.
Affiliate Summer Programs
Individual program deadlines can be found on the affiliate program provider’s website. Typically, deadlines are in mid-February/early March.
Short-Term Abroad Programs
Wake Forest Short-Term programs typically have deadlines in November but can occasionally take applicants as late as February.
Eligibility
Academic requirements
All Wake Forest undergraduate students are eligible to participate in any study abroad program for which they meet the prerequisite course and GPA requirements.
Students must have a GPA of 2.0 to earn credit on affiliate programs.
Most affiliate programs require a GPA of at least 2.5; many require a higher GPA.
Language requirements
Students studying in a non-English speaking country are required to take one course in the country’s native language.
Some Wake Forest programs require students to have completed specific language courses to be eligible for consideration.
We encourage students seeking language immersion programs to have 4-5 semesters of prior language study.
University probation
Students on suspension or social or academic probation during the study abroad application process, as well as anytime leading up to departure, may not be able to participate in a study abroad program and have coursework transferred to Wake Forest for credit.
It is important that students in these situations speak to their abroad advisor as soon as possible.
Non-WFU Students
Non-WFU students interested in participating on a WFU sponsored abroad program should reach out to the advising team by emailing with the program and term they are interested in applying for.
- Non-WFU students who plan to apply to the WFU/Cambridge: INSTEP or WFU/London: INSTEP programs do not need to complete the visiting student application and should apply directly through the program site. Please contact Steve Seaworth () with questions about the INSTEP application.
Academic credit
You are responsible for finding out how your college or university will post Wake Forest credits. The number of credits you can earn depends on the program you choose.
Financial aid
Non-Wake Forest students are not eligible for financial aid or scholarships through Wake Forest. Contact your university’s financial aid office about transferring your financial aid to a Wake Forest program.
Schedule an Appointment
If you have questions or need assistance, schedule an appointment with a study abroad advisor.