Single Application Semester Abroad Announcement

We’ve made improvements to the study abroad application process.

We’re introducing a new way to apply to study abroad—and it’s designed around what students tell us matters most.

Here are our key takeaways:

Studying abroad should be exciting—not stressful or uncertain.

• Instead of applying to multiple programs and managing waitlists, you’ll now submit a Single Application covering both fall and spring semester abroad programs; you’ll rank up to five programs in priority order.

You can now apply with your friends or apply as an individual.

• If you want to go abroad together, you can submit a group application (up to four people for fall-semester programs and up to 10 people for spring-semester programs).
• Individuals/groups will rank their top five desired abroad programs for fall and/or spring.

Global Programs and Studies manages the acceptance process for you.

• GPS will try to place you/your group in a program based on your eligibility and rankings, prioritizing your top choice if you are eligible, then moving to your second choice, etc.
  • Note: You/your group are not guaranteed to get your top choice.
  • If you choose only fall semester programs, there is a chance you may not be placed at all.

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Why did Wake Forest make this change?

During the 2025-26 academic year, the Provost’s Office convened task forces of students, faculty, staff, and administrators to analyze Wake Forest’s study abroad process and to create a plan to address the disparity caused when 90% of students who study abroad do so in the fall semester.  

Students told us:

• Managing multiple applications was stressful
• Waitlists made planning difficult
• Going abroad with friends matters a lot
• There was congestion on campus in the spring, such as housing and parking

Faculty and administrators told us:

• The proportion of students who want to go abroad in the fall has grown significantly: in fall 2026, around 90% of students going abroad chose to do so then
• Creating a more balanced distribution of students studying abroad in the fall and spring semesters, with a goal for the fall of 2027 of 80% studying abroad in the fall and 20% in the spring, will alleviate congestion on campus, such as housing and parking, and increase course availability   
• The domino effect of waitlist acceptances and cancellations makes it difficult for our Affiliate partners to plan well

This new Single Application process is built to ease these pressures.

What stays the same

• You choose which semester-long programs to apply to
• You prioritize your top choices
• You have great options across locations and academics

What’s new

• A Single Application (instead of many) for semester study abroad programs
• The option to apply with a group (up to four in fall, up to 10 in spring) if you wish
• No waitlists: GPS will work to place you/your group in the program that you have ranked the highest and for which you/your group are qualified. Note:
  • Individual and group applications are reviewed based on eligibility and evaluated with a standardized rubric to aid GPS in program placement 
    • While GPS can directly place students in most full-semester programs, some Affiliate programs still require students to apply directly. Though acceptance is not guaranteed, if GPS approves you to apply to that program, there is a high likelihood that the application will be successful.
• A clearer, more predictable timeline, with decisions released in January
• Preferred housing: Residence Life & Housing is developing options for students who commit to spring abroad programs, allowing them to select among highly desirable housing locations for the fall semester preceding the spring study abroad semester; more information will be available later this fall

Bottom line: You’ll spend less time applying—and more time planning an experience you’re excited about.

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