Getting Started

Start by defining your objectives:

Academic goals: What courses or fields are you exploring? Want language immersion? Internships? Research opportunities?

Personal goals: New cultural experiences? Community engagement? Adventure or familiarity?

Professional goals: Building career-relevant skills? Expand professional networks? Kenyon encourages using SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, timely) as a framework for planning your off‑campus study experience.

StudioAbroad Platform

Use StudioAbroad to browse over 190 approved programs across 50 countries. You can filter by location, academic discipline, language, and duration. Save favorites, review alumni comments and find alternate options

Kenyon-Managed Programs

Consider programs like Kenyon‑Rome or Kenyon‑Exeter, which offer structured Kenyon faculty support and familiar credit integration

Major-Specific Guidance

If you’re in a language or area studies major (e.g., international studies, modern languages and literatures), consult your department’s recommended program lists and meet with faculty to identify top fits.

For each program of interest, dig into:

Prerequisites and language requirements: Do you meet them? Can you safely enroll?

Academic structure: Are courses taught by host institution faculty or third-party providers?

Credit transfer: Will courses fit your major or distribution requirements?

Housing and living arrangements: Dormitory? Homestay? Independent living?

Meet with a CGE advisor to review your program shortlist and confirm eligibility requirements (GPA minimum: 2.75 for most programs; some majors require higher).

Talk with your major advisor or department faculty about how specific courses will count toward your degree requirements.

Connect with returned OCS students for firsthand feedback — either through CGE or informal networks.

Use your research to build a convincing academic rationale in your application.

Explain how the program aligns with your goals, major, and Kenyon’s liberal-artseducation.

Prepare essays in advance and copy into StudioAbroad carefully — you have limited session time (59 minutes per entry).

Grade transfer policies: Kenyon faculty‑taught courses count in GPA; other courses post as transfer credit, not factored into GPA.

Language requirement: If you go to a non-English speaking country, you'll need to take and pass a local language course.

Insurance and housing: You may not opt out of housing or insurance fees. Exceptions are limited and require petitions.

Create a table or spreadsheet to track:

• Program 

• Academic Fit

• Language Required

• Housing

• Estimated Cost

• Returned Student Feedback

• Notes

For example:

• INTL courses, major credit

• Spanish required

• Dorm and host food

• Comparable to Kenyon

• “Challenging but rewarding”

• Pros: intensive language; cons: competitive

Schedule CGE advising appointment and open your application only after discussing your first and backup program.

Submit your full application by advertised deadlines; these are firm with no exceptions.

Off-Campus Study Advising

Start by completing an Advising Questionnaire in StudioAbroad, then schedule an Advising Appointment. OCS advising for the class of 2027 will begin on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024.

If you have a quick question, come to our drop-in advising in Chalmers 215, Wednesday afternoons (1 - 5 p.m.) during the fall semester when classes are in session.

OCS Interviews

We conduct OCS interviews and open applications for early-deadline students beginning Monday, Oct. 28, 2024. All standard-deadline students can begin interviews starting Monday, Nov. 4, 2024.

Early-Deadline Programs Applications Due

Application will close for all early-deadline programs at 11:59 p.m. EST on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. 

Standard-Deadline Programs 

Last day for all applicants to complete advising: Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.

Last day for all applicants to complete interview: Friday, Jan. 24, 2025.

Standard-Deadline Programs Application Deadline

Application will close for standard deadline programs at 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. This deadline will not be extended.

The requirements to participate in off-campus study are:

The minimum cumulative GPA for participation in an OCS program is 2.75. This GPA is a requirement but not a guarantee for OCS approval. Academic performance across the semesters will also be a factor in the OCS advising process and the evaluation of the application. Please note: individual OCS programs may have a higher GPA requirement for approval.

Be in good standing during the semesters preceding your proposed period of off-campus study. Good standing means:

• you are currently not subject to or under academic restriction or sanction;

• you have no pending academic or judicial proceedings; 

• you have not engaged in conduct for which the College would initiate academic or judicial proceedings 

If approval for your OCS program is rescinded by the College for any of the reasons stated above, you may not be entitled to any refund of deposits or payment.

Obtain the support of your major advisor, and your major department — proving that you understand what other requirements must be fulfilled for both your major and distribution requirements.

Meet with a CGE staff member to open your application and complete your application by the OCS program deadline. These are firm deadlines with no option for extensions.

Submit a convincing presentation of the compelling academic reasons for the OCS program of your choice, well-articulated in your OCS proposal.