Single Application Semester Abroad FAQ

Below you’ll find answers to many of the questions students commonly ask about the Single Application semester abroad application process. If you still have questions after reviewing the information, please email us at —we’re happy to assist you.

Application Evaluations

How are individuals/groups evaluated for admittance to semester abroad programs?

Applications are evaluated by GPS using a standardized rubric, with each category scored on a scale of 1–5. Scores are weighted based on the importance of each criterion to determine an overall application score.

• Academic Necessity (30%) – Evaluates whether the program provides courses or academic opportunities that are essential for the student’s major, degree requirements, or timely graduation.
• Program Match (20%) – Assesses how well the program’s unique features—such as internships, research opportunities, specialized coursework, or faculty expertise—align with the student’s academic, professional, or personal goals.
• GPA and Academic Preparation (20%) – Considers the student’s academic performance, including GPA, and how it compares to the program’s admission requirements and expectations.
• Language Proficiency (15%) – Evaluates whether the student meets or exceeds the program’s language prerequisites or has completed relevant language coursework.
• Special Considerations (15%, if applicable)* – Takes into account financial circumstances or other significant factors that may make a particular program the student’s only practical or appropriate option.

*The Special Considerations category is evaluated only when applicable. Applicants who do not have qualifying special circumstances are not penalized. For those applicants, the final score is calculated using only the first four rubric categories, and the total is converted to a percentage. This means all applicants are compared on the same 100-point scale regardless of whether four or five rubric categories are used.

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Are placements random/luck of the draw?

No. Individual or group applications are evaluated on a 1-5 scale using a rubric for the following categories:

• Academic Necessity (30% weight)
• Program Match (20% weight)
• GPA and Preparation (20% weight)
• Language (15% weight)
• Special Considerations (15% weight)

Each application will receive an application score. Scores are ranked, and programs assigned in rank order (using considerations like program size/capacity and academic necessity).

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Application Considerations

What is the deadline to submit an individual or group application?

Students have until December 13, 2026, to submit an application for Fall 2027 and/or Spring 2028.

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How should I/we prioritize where I/we want to go abroad?

If your top priority is simply to study abroad anywhere for a semester, build a flexible list. If your top priority is a specific city/country, you would be wise to consider spring semester applications for some of them to maximize your chances.

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What’s the best way to approach my application (individual or group)?

To give yourself the best options for studying abroad:

• Rank more than one program (you can rank up to five)
• Rank programs honestly
• Have at least one spring semester option
• Stay open to different locations or experiences, not just the most popular ones

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Are some programs harder to get into than others?

The following cities are currently the most popular study abroad destinations for Wake Forest students, listed from most to least competitive for placement.

1. Barcelona
2. Florence
3. Sydney
4. Vienna
5. Copenhagen
6. London

Not all students can go to the same cities/programs. If you are only interested in the most popular cities, you would be wise to consider spring applications for some of them to maximize your chances.

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Should I only apply to my top program? 

Competitive programs can fill quickly. If you only list one or two options, you reduce your chances of being accepted to an abroad program. 

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What happens if I cannot choose a spring abroad program because I am deeply involved in a student organization in the spring? 

Students always have the option to study abroad, and they can choose whether they want to apply to a semester, summer, or short term program. 

Fraternities and sororities cannot prevent a student from participating in a study abroad experience. Many organizations have a study abroad status that can be used for reporting purposes, including grade reports. However, some organizations may still require members studying abroad to pay dues in full or meet other membership obligations. 

For any student organization where you have a leadership role or there are major activities you are expected to attend (e.g., club sports tournaments, debate tournaments, recruitment, etc.) students should communicate their plans with their organization leadership and advisors as early as possible. Having those conversations in advance allows everyone to prepare.

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Placement Process

Is the process rolling admission?

No. All decisions will be announced in January, whether you have applied to fall and/or spring semester programs.

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If there are multiple groups applying to the same programs (and they are all pretty similar in application quality), how does GPS decide who gets which program?

Individual or group applications are evaluated on a 1-5 scale using a rubric and will receive an application score. Application scores are ranked, and study abroad programs will be assigned in rank order, starting with the highest-ranked application score (whether individual or group), using considerations like program size/capacity and academic necessity to ensure fit, then moving on to the second-highest ranked application, etc. In the event of multiple programs being ranked the same and competing for final spots in a program, a random lottery will be used.

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What happens if I/my group doesn’t get our first choice?

GPS will try to place you/your group in the program that you have ranked the highest and for which you/your group are best qualified. If your first choice is not possible, GPS will move down your ranked list and try your next choice. 

Depending on the flexibility of your choices and your individual/group qualifications, you/your group may or may not be placed. It is always advantageous to include at least one spring program in your top five choices.

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What happens if I/my group doesn’t get placed at all?

GPS makes every attempt to place individuals/groups in a program that you ranked and for which you/your group are qualified. If you only include fall semester programs and/or certain programs are very popular, it is possible not to get placed at all. Having at least one spring semester program in your top five choices will improve your chances of being placed. 

For students who are not placed in the first round, they can opt to participate in the second round application process. The second round process is for spring-only opportunities that still have space available. 

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What if I don’t like my/our placement?

Theoretically you ranked programs that you were interested in attending, so that should not happen. If you don’t like your placement, then you could 1) apply for an available spring semester program during the second round, 2) consider a short-term or summer program, or 3) apply again next year. 

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If not enough students apply for spring programs, will some individuals/groups be force-placed in spring programs?

No. Students will not be placed in a spring semester program if they did not list one among their top choices. But if all spaces fill in the fall abroad programs (based on the individual and group applications with the highest application scores), students who applied only to fall semester programs might not receive a placement. If you are not placed, then you can apply individually in the second round for spring only-programs that still have availability.  

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Will I definitely get to study abroad?

For students who meet the basic requirements to study abroad (e.g., GPA requirements, not on probation, etc.), if you maximize your options by ranking a variety of programs (including spring programs), your chances of studying abroad are very good. Because we manage the majority of program capacities directly, there are no waitlists, and GPS will work to place individuals/groups in a program that they have ranked the highest and for which they are best qualified. 

In the event you do not get placed in any program, you can submit a second round application in January for openings in spring programs (if space is available). These would be individual (not group) applications.

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Individual and Group Applications

Do I have to apply with a group?

No. You can apply individually or with a group. Both are equally valid options.

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Is applying as a group better?

There are no advantages to applying as a group. If you choose to apply as a group for competitive programs, the group will be evaluated collectively—so differences in GPA, coursework, or preparation can affect the outcome. GPAs are reviewed individually, not as a group average. 

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What happens if someone in my group isn’t as strong academically?

Programs consider the overall academic readiness of the group. In some cases, applying individually may improve your chances. If applying as a group, each student’s GPA will be considered; we do not create an average GPA for the whole group. Note that an individual won’t be split from their group.

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What if I don’t have a group?

That’s completely normal. Many students apply individually and have great experiences abroad. Students who apply individually are not disadvantaged in the application process: applications (individual or group) are placed in programs in order, starting with those with the highest application scores.

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What if my group falls apart?

The rest of the members of a group can still proceed with their application even if a student(s) leaves the group. If a student leaves the group, they cannot submit a second application as an individual during the initial review of applications. 

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Fall vs. Spring Applications

Can I apply only for fall semester programs?

Yes—but you will not be guaranteed to be accepted into a program. If you are not placed, then you can apply individually in the second round for spring only-programs that still have availability.  

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Can I apply to a mix of fall and spring semester programs?

If you are applying as an individual, yes you can apply to both fall and spring semester programs (and we encourage you to include a spring option).

If you are applying as a group of up to four people, you can apply to both fall and spring semester programs (and we encourage you to include a spring option).

If you are applying as a group of five to ten people, you may only apply to spring programs (four people is the limit to applying for fall programs).

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Why should I consider a spring semester study abroad program?

Spring study abroad has a wide variety of benefits:

• The ability to go in a group of up to 10 friends if you wish
• Preferred housing: Residence Life and Housing is developing options for students who commit to spring abroad programs to select among highly desirable housing locations; more information will be available later this fall
• You may choose your roommate at Wake Forest rather than being placed in a room with an existing roommate you don’t know (as often happens when fall abroad students return to campus for the spring semester)
• Less competition for fall classes on campus 
• Favorable weather transition as winter turns into spring, bringing warmer temperatures, longer daylight hours, and outdoor festivals
• In-person access to fall recruiting, ensuring you are on campus during the peak hiring season for corporate networking, career fairs, and summer internship interviews 

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Rebalancing Our Study Abroad Percentages

Is the distribution of 80% of students studying abroad in the fall and 20% in the spring going to be the distribution going forward?

The percentage of students going abroad in fall 2025 and 2026 was exceptionally high. We heard from students, faculty and staff that this imbalance impacted the campus experience in many ways. We want to move back to a more balanced distribution.  It is unlikely that we can accommodate the same number of students going abroad in future fall semesters as we had in fall 2026.

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Additional Questions

Does this new process cover study abroad for both Wake Forest abroad programs and affiliate programs (e.g., other universities’ abroad programs)? 

Yes. You will submit one application that covers both Wake Forest and/or Affiliate semester abroad programs. 

Note: There is a separate application process for Wake Forest’s domestic study away programs in Washington, DC and Charlotte, NC. 

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Does this new process cover study away at Wake Washington or Wake Charlotte?

No. There is a separate application process for Wake Forest’s domestic study away programs (i.e., Wake Washington and Wake Charlotte). 

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Does this new process cover study abroad for summer or short-term programs?

No. The Single Application process is only used for semester-long programs. Students who wish to do short-term or summer study abroad programs apply through the specific program page. Application deadlines vary by program and students are encouraged to apply early.

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How does this application process impact students who have just been accepted to the Business School?

School of Business programs are structured to accommodate study abroad experiences. Students are encouraged to select abroad programs that fulfill requirements for both their intended business major and alternative major(s). Once admitted to a program, students should contact their School of Business advisor to discuss how their abroad experience may impact their program of study.