How to Apply

The timeline for those traveling during the 2026-2027 academic year is as follows:

Sept. 9: Sophomore Info Session

Sept. 16: OCS Info Day (Program Discovery Fair)

Sept. 17: Drop-in advising begins in Chalmers Library 216 on Wednesday afternoons (1 - 4:30 p.m.); open during the fall semester when classes are in session.

Sept. 22: Advising appointments open up Advising Questionnaire in StudioAbroad — book appointments throughout the fall

Dec. 5: Last day to complete interview with OCS staff and open applications for Early Deadline programs**

Dec. 11: Applications (pre-decision) for Early Deadline programs are due in StudioAbroad**

Jan. 23: Last day to complete interview with OCS staff and open applications for Standard Deadline programs

Feb. 2: Applications (pre-decision) for Standard Deadline programs are due in StudioAbroad

Feb. 20: OCS will notify you of official acceptance to program and term by this date

Ongoing: Apply on provider website ASAP (check provider website for dates and deadlines and be aware of rolling admissions)

Ongoing: Complete OCS application (post-decision) in StudioAbroad

**About the early deadline: Normally, all students must complete their application by Feb. 2, 2026. However, if your program provider has a deadline of Feb. 15, 2026, or earlier, you are considered an early deadline applicant and must complete your application by Dec. 11, 2025. It is your responsibility to note your program deadline by checking the program provider's website. We will not accept applications that are not completed by Kenyon deadlines, and we cannot accommodate students who do not plan ahead. Kenyon-Exeter and Kenyon-Rome are not considered early deadline programs.

Kenyon’s application process, completed through StudioAbroad.  See below for a timeline of requirements and deadlines:

1. The CGE offers advising appointments throughout the year in order to help answer your questions about off-campus study. Please make an appointment through Google Calendar. OCS advising appointments for the Class of 2028 will begin on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. Prior to your first appointment, please complete the short Advising Questionnaire in StudioAbroad.

2. After your advising appointment(s), you will choose a first and second choice program and then you will interview with CGE staff. You also must have declared your major by this point. These appointments should also be scheduled through Google Calendar. 

3. After a successful interview, OCS staff will open your application for you and you will be able to begin working on your OCS application in StudioAbroad. Materials needed to fully submit an OCS Application (Pre-Decision) are: (1) The OCS Proposal Questions,  (2) Alternate Program Proposal, (3) Advisor Confirmation form (this is a physical form) , (4) Faculty recommendation, and  (4) Unofficial transcript Use your research to build a convincing academic rationale in your application. Explain how the program aligns with your academic, personal and professional goals, your major, and Kenyon's liberal arts education. Prepare essays in advance and copy into Studio Abroad carefully — you have limited session time (59 minutes per entry). 

5. Final decisions for OCS participation are made by the Faculty Subcommittee on Global Engagement. You will be notified of the decision by email to your Kenyon email address. 

6. Apply on your desired program provider's website (see below). Be aware of provider application deadlines, deposits, and be sure to apply early. Many providers have competitive applications/have classes that fill up quickly for those that apply early. Some providers are also on "rolling" admissions and process applications as they receive them. Program deposits are usually due within two weeks after acceptance of your program, but will vary. You are responsible for obtaining these deadlines directly from the provider.

7. Complete OCS application (post-decision) in Study Abroad as you are able to (passport scan, Course Pre-Approval Form, OCS Program Deposit Confirmation, etc. and attend OCS Pre-Departure Orientations.

The process for approval to study off-campus is competitive. You are responsible for compiling the strongest possible application. The number of spaces available for off-campus study is limited.  Still, in most cases students who qualify are ultimately granted permission to study off-campus. Students applying for OCS for an academic year or a split-year (two programs in one year) must present a very strong case for this lengthier option. Because this process is a competitive one, some year-long or split-year applicants may be approved for one semester only. The CGE reserves the right to take disciplinary history into account when making final OCS approval.

Apply to the program(s) for which you have been approved through the program provider website (not through Kenyon).

• Program deadlines vary, so be aware of your program’s deadline requirements. For applications with rolling deadlines, apply as soon as possible after your Kenyon approval. IMPORTANT: The deadline listed in StudioAbroad is the Kenyon application deadline; you must check your program deadline on the specific program website.

Kenyon is committed to providing equal access to off-campus study for qualified students with disabilities. Not all OCS program accommodations are equal to those provided at Kenyon for students with disabilities. The CGE is confident that there is an appropriate program for every student and works with all students to find the programs that best fit their needs. Students are encouraged to self-disclose regarding any disabilities, so that the CGE can assist in finding a program with reasonable accommodations.

With approval to participate in OCS as a Kenyon student comes the obligation to complete the full cycle of programming that supports your experience: pre-departure orientation, the OCS program, re-entry debriefing and evaluation.