Semester study abroad applications are now first-come, first-served

Photo collage by Easton Clark, Photo Editor

The Center for Global Education (CGE) has recently implemented a first-come, first-served policy for study abroad applications. 

With fall 2026 semester abroad applications opening on Oct. 15, submissions will be prioritized based on the time they are received. This means that applications will not be reviewed based on a structured rubric like they were in past years. 

Each semester abroad program will have a publicly displayed capacity and waitlist determined by program-specific criteria. 

Additionally, students must list two backup programs that will be reviewed in the case that they are waitlisted for their first choice. 

Daniel Garcia, assistant director of CGE, said in previous years that study abroad applications were reviewed without regard to submission timing.

“This new process provides transparency, clarity and fairness,” Garcia told The Panther.

Students have praised Chapman’s previous policies of application deadlines and structure because they allowed flexibility to complete the application.

“I think there needs to be a different way of how they’re doing all this, because so many people have gotten declined,” said Jaden Beno, a junior strategic communication major who is studying abroad in London next spring. 

There are a number of things students can do to prepare for the application window in advance. For each application, students must list six courses in their program that they wish to take abroad and explain how they intend for these to count for Chapman credit. 

Other new requirements due at the beginning of the application process are proof of a valid passport, health history, advising questionnaires and a 100% on the Global First Steps (GFS) quiz. 

The quiz has unlimited attempts, and it will cover material from the GFS presentations, which will also be available as recordings within the application. Students still have the option to RSVP and attend GFS sessions in person. 

“I think this will be hard for a lot of people, especially if they have a lot going on with classes and don’t have the time to submit it right when applications open,” said Beno. 

The center’s goal is to “make global education accessible to every student, no matter their field of study,” as expressed in its mission statement. 

In concurrence with this mission, CGE will be having a Study Abroad Fair on Sept. 15 in the Attallah Piazza from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Interested students should attend a Global First Steps presentation as soon as possible by clicking here to RSVP.