International Programs 101 Weingart Tel: (323) 259-2533 Fax: (323) 341-4976 ipo@oxy.edu

Off-Campus Study is a program available to all qualified Occidental students subject to a competitive selection process.    For 2005-06, forty-five percent of the sophomore class applied to study off-campus.  Of the applications that were submitted, sixty-eight percent were approved.  Off-Campus Study is a privilege, rather than a right and the application is the opportunity for the student to present a compelling and persuasive case.   Selection focuses on three areas:  Appropriateness of Selected Program/Country Academic Preparation Personal Readiness Appropriateness of Selected Program/Country Appropriateness of Selected Program and Country is demonstrated through the student’s personal essay and letters of recommendation.   The essay is the place to discuss the country or culture in which the applicant proposes to study, as well as the specific academic program.  Successful personal essays tend to focus on one aspect of a country/culture in depth, in contrast to in breadth, citing background sources.  Examples of topics through which students may demonstrate depth include current or historical events and notable individuals.  In addition to demonstrating a depth of understanding about a particular country/culture, successful personal essays enumerate links between a student’s academic program here at Oxy and the proposed academic program abroad and describe how the semester off-campus fits with the student’s academic program upon return.  Persuasive letters of recommendation tend to provide specific examples of a student’s preparation for their proposed program.  This may include comments that demonstrate an acquaintance with the student’s academic work and support for the academic plan that a student proposes in the application.   Also, this may include assessment of a student’s personal maturity and ability to work independently and/or as part of a program.  Back to top Academic Preparation Academic preparation is evidenced by the student’s transcript.   It is expected that applicants meet or exceed all prerequisites for their proposed program.  The application is the opportunity to address any concerns pertaining to adequate preparation.  Transfer students applying for Off-Campus Study should include an official transcript from previous institutions with their application.  Appropriate academic preparation may be demonstrated through: Successful Completion of Courses in a Student’s Major or Relevant Subjects Pertaining to Off-Campus Study In many off-campus study programs students are admitted by a particular academic department at a university, rather than by the institution as a whole.  To present a competitive application, students are expected to demonstrate significant academic background within their major or proposed area of study off-campus.  “Significant academic background” is generally construed as a minimum of two to five courses within a particular academic department.   Students should insure that they have the academic background necessary to pursue the course of study that they propose in the Off-Campus Study application.   In addition, preparatory courses that pertain directly to the country/culture in which the student proposes to study strengthen a student’s application. Successful Completion of Foreign Language Prerequisites Students must meet the foreign language prerequisites required by the program prior to the semester of study abroad.  If students do not meet these requirements at the time of application, a detailed and specific explanation of how, where and when the language prerequisite will be satisfied prior to the semester of participation should be included in the application.  Students are strongly encouraged by Oxy to enroll in a course in the appropriate foreign language during the semester preceding study abroad even if they meet or exceed the language requirement, however students should note that this is a requirement for admission to some programs.  Students should consult the individual program information for details.   Students are expected to meet all program requirements in order to qualify. GPA The Occidental GPA requirement to apply for Off-Campus Study is 2.70, however individual programs may require a GPA higher than this.  To qualify for Off-Campus Study, students are expected to meet both Occidental’s requirement and that of their proposed program. Back to top Personal Readiness Personal Readiness is demonstrated through the student’s essay and letters of recommendation.   In addition, the student’s disciplinary record may be accessed and considered as part of the application.