How to Apply

The timeline for those traveling during the 2027-2028 academic year is as follows:

Sept. 3: Sophomore Success: OCS Info Session

Sept. 17: OCS Info Day (Program Discovery Fair)

TBD: Drop-in advising begins in Chalmers Library 

Sept. 21: Advising appointments open in the CGE. Complete Advising Questionnaire in StudioAbroad, then book your advising appointment.

Dec. 4: Last day to complete interview with OCS staff and open applications for Early Deadline programs**

Dec. 10: Applications for Early Deadline programs are due in StudioAbroad**

Jan. 22: Last day to complete interview with OCS staff and open applications for Standard Deadline programs

Feb. 1: Applications for Standard Deadline programs are due in StudioAbroad

Feb. 19: Kenyon approval decisions for your program and term will be sent. The deadline for rewritten applications will be included in this decision notification when necessary.

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

Ongoing: After receiving Kenyon approval, complete post-decision materials in StudioAbroad as you are able to (you must complete the course pre-approval form via etrieve before your semester off-campus starts)

**About the early deadline: Most students will complete their application by Feb. 1, 2027. However, if your program provider has a deadline earlier than Feb. 16, 2027, you are considered an early deadline applicant and must complete your application by Dec. 10, 2026. It is your responsibility to know your program deadline by checking the program provider's website. We cannot accept applications that are not completed by Kenyon deadlines.

In order to participate in OCS, you must apply for Kenyon approval 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 current sophomores will begin on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. Prior to your first appointment, please complete the short Advising Questionnaire.

2. After your advising appointment(s), you will choose a first and second choice program and then you will interview with OCS 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  are: (1) the OCS Proposal Questions, (2) Alternate Program Proposal, (3) Departmental Approval and Advisor Confirmation Form (via Etrieve), (4) Faculty Recommendation, and (5) Transcript Consent. 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). 

4. 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. 

5. 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 or have classes that fill up quickly. 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.

6. 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 must present a very strong case for this lengthier option. Because this process is a competitive one, some year-long applicants may be approved for one semester only. The CGE reserves the right to take disciplinary history into account when making final OCS approval.

Once you have Kenyon approval, you are responsible for completing an application with the program provider. These applications can be accessed on provider websites. 

• Familiarize yourself with the provider website, as this is where application deadlines, academic dates, course availability, and program information can be found. 

• Program deadlines vary, and it is your responsibility to complete your application to the program provider on time. Failure to complete an application with the provider means you will not be admitted into the program. For applications with rolling admissions, apply as soon as possible after your Kenyon approval. 

• If you have received Kenyon approval for a DIS program or Kenyon-Exeter, you do not need complete an online application. OCS staff will share your contact information with these providers, who will then reach out to you directly with next steps to take to register.