4 Tips to Complete Your Summer Abroad Application on Time
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So you're ready to apply for a CIEE High School Summer Abroad experience? This is an exciting step, and you want to make sure that there are no kinks in the study abroad application process so you can submit everything on time.
Check out these four tips to help you stay organized and on track.
1. Decide on Your Top 3 Summer Abroad Programs
It's decision time! As part of the application process, you won’t just be selecting a single program to apply to; You'll need to rank your top 3 summer abroad program choices.
If you're applying for a Global Navigator Scholarship (GNS) (based on financial need and academic merit), here's a pro tip: Make sure at least TWO (2) of your three (3) choices are Language & Culture programs. Why? 90% of scholarship funding is awarded to students in these programs, making your application more competitive.
Here's the breakdown of language requirements for the Language & Culture programs:
- No previous language experience needed for Arabic, Chinese, French (for the programs in Rabat and Rennes), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish (for the programs in Alicante, Seville, and Yucatan).
- A 1-year high school course (or equivalent) is required for French (for the programs in Paris and Toulouse) and Spanish (for the programs in Barcelona, Madrid, Palma, and Buenos Aires).
- A 2-year high school course (or equivalent) is needed for Honors programs in French (for the program in Rennes) and Spanish (for the programs in Madrid and Seville).
| Good to know: If you've learned Spanish or French outside of a high school course (for example, you are a heritage speaker), contact CIEE at hsabroad@ciee.org or schedule a call to check eligibility. |
2. Gather Documents Needed to Apply for Scholarships and Awards!
CIEE manages the largest study abroad scholarship fund in the U.S. dedicated to study abroad programs for high school students.
To apply for a Global Navigator Scholarship (GNS), you'll need to complete the study abroad scholarship application tasks (this will pop-up for you when you select that you’re interested in a scholarship at the beginning of your application).
The scholarship application process has three parts and requires supporting documentation:
- Academic Information: You are required to upload your most recent official or unofficial transcript containing your cumulative GPA. If it's an unofficial transcript, it must include your name, school, and all your courses and grades. You can only use a report card if you are a freshman who began high school this year.
- Teacher Recommendation: A teacher recommendation is required. You must get this recommendation from a teacher who knows you well academically. Read on to learn more about this important step!
- Essay: The scholarship application includes three short study abroad application essays (300-600 words). This is your chance to stand out! Make sure to answer each part of the prompts, proofread carefully, and ask someone, like a teacher or counselor, to review it before submitting it. Read our blog on How to Write a Great Scholarship Application Essay for guidance and application essay tips.
- Financial Information: Since the Global Navigator Scholarship (GNS) is awarded based on financial need and academic merit, you are required to provide financial information from your parent(s) or legal guardian(s). This includes uploading an IRS Form 1040 from the previous tax year and completing a financial need evaluation. Additionally, you MUST select language programs among your program choices.
To apply for an Academic Merit Award (AMA), there are fewer requirements because this award is based solely on your academic record.
Keep these scholarship and award eligibility requirements in mind:
| High School Seniors | As a current senior, you can apply for the Academic Merit Award but are not eligible for the Global Navigator Scholarship. |
| Previous Scholarship Recipients | If you received a Global Navigator Scholarship for a previous high school summer abroad program, you're only eligible for the Academic Merit Award this time. |
| International High School Applicants | You're eligible for the Academic Merit Award, but only U.S. citizens and permanent residents can apply for the Global Navigator Scholarship. |
If you plan on applying for a Global Navigator Scholarship (GNS), you'll receive notification of acceptance to the program and your scholarship award about a month after our annual high school summer abroad scholarship deadline. Once accepted, you'll have 7 days to claim your spot.
3. Follow Up on Your Teacher Recommendation!
A teacher recommendation is key for your scholarship application.
It’s only a few lines from a teacher that knows you well and should only take about 15 minutes to complete.
However, teachers are so busy that you may need to follow up with them a few times. If you’ve already asked your teacher for their recommendation but they have yet to complete it, kindly remind them of the scholarship deadline!
| Good to know: When asking for a teacher recommendation, be sure to tell them why you're applying, which program you're excited about, and why this experience matters to you. Read our blog on 4 Simple Tips for Getting a Great Teacher Recommendation. |
4. Double Check That You’ve Completed All Your Application Tasks
Before hitting that "submit" button, make sure you've got everything in place. Here's what you'll need to review:
- Your standard application tasks: Your contact information, personal details, photo upload, passport details, CIEE Terms & Conditions, application fee, etc.).
- Your scholarship application tasks (if applying for a scholarship or award): Transcript upload, essays, teacher recommendation.
- Your financial need + academic merit tasks (if applying specifically for a Global Navigator Scholarship (GNS)): Selection of top 3 program choices that include 2 Language & Culture programs and your parent(s)'s or legal guardian(s)'s financial information.
| Good to know: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your program end date. For example, if your program ends in July, your passport should be valid through January of the following year. If you don't have a passport yet but can get one in time, mark "yes" on the application. |
Looking for more high school study abroad application tips? Check out our Application Support page.
Finalize Your High School Summer Abroad Application
CIEE has 70+ high school summer abroad programs, focused on languages, creative writing, cooking, environmental sustainability, the arts, STEM and more. Explore our programs, submit your application, and get ready for an incredible experience abroad.
If you need help deciding on your program choices or have any questions about your application requirements, schedule a call with a CIEE Enrollment Coordinator for personalized help!