Applying: Step by Step
FROM THE DECISION PROCESS TO APPLYING: STEP BY STEP GUIDANCE
Learning and development begins from the moment a student applies to an SAI program. Our Admissions Counselors and U.S.-based staff begin the educational process that carries through to the students’ time abroad. In Italy (and London) our on-site Program Coordinators take over, ensuring that every student takes advantage of this life-changing experience.
At SAI we view each student as an individual and as a whole person, with his or her own academic, professional and personal goals and objectives, encouraging students to accept the challenges inherent in study abroad that will allow them to grow. We view it as our responsibility to provide each student with the environment and tools to reach their goals through study abroad. At each step in the process of study abroad, SAI holds true to its mission for providing all students with a cultural immersion learning experience that will allow them to develop a sense of global awareness and responsibility.
| THE DECISION PROCESS |
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1. Request an SAI brochure and review the SAI website: www.saiprograms.com
- Submit a brochure request on the SAI website
2. Begin researching SAI locations and programs.
- Learn about SAI’s cities
- Why do you want to study abroad?
- Where do you want to end up as a result of study abroad?
- What are your academic, professional and personal goals?
- What is your major/minor? Do you have any academic requirements to consider before studying abroad?
- Are there any special situations that need to be considered in planning your program abroad (i.e. academic requirements, sports, job, family, disability)?
- Where do you want to live: in a home stay or student apartment? With students from your home school or other schools?
- What sort of activities do you enjoy (i.e. music, sports, volunteering, newspaper, theater, student government)?
- What concerns do you have, if any, about studying abroad?
3. Meet with your study abroad advisor at your home school (if applicable)
- Is SAI an affiliated program at your school? What does this mean for you? Even if SAI is not an affiliate program your school will nearly always still allow you to attend. How is this done?
- Discuss the courses you wish to take while abroad
- Look at SAI course schedules (these can be found on our website listed under each individual school)
- Discuss credit transfer approval
- What will you need to provide your home school to ensure proper credit transfer?
- Discuss any important due dates
- Your home school may have a study abroad application deadline that differs from SAI deadlines
4. Consider the various options
- Term. Before applying, students should decide when they would like to study abroad: during the summer, for a quarter or semester, or for the entire academic year. SAI offers summer, quarter, semester and short programs throughout the year.
- Courses. Students can access online course descriptions and syllabi as well as a list of courses offered during the selected term of study. You’ll need to provide alternative choices on the application. It is essential to talk with study abroad and academic advisors about credit transfer and to double check with SAI Admissions Counselors as to course availability.
- Application requirements. Each program has its own application requirements. SAI Admissions Counselors can confirm all necessary documentation and information (i.e. transcripts, portfolios).
- Housing. Students may choose what sort of housing they would like to live in and are able to make roommate requests. SAI offers a unique option for students interested in a different living experience: the Health, Wellness and Sustainable Living Community.
5. Research financing options
- Research program costs
- SAI program costs
- Home school costs (some schools have additional fees)
- Consider additional costs while abroad
- Meet with your study abroad and/or financial aid advisor
- Understand your school’s billing procedures for students studying abroad
- Discuss financial aid options (loans, federal aid, etc.), availability and processing
- Will your current financial aid (if applicable) transfer to fund your study abroad program? If so, what does that process involve?
- If you are not eligible to receive funding from your home school, you may contact Study Abroad Italy for loan options.
- Research applicable scholarships and take note of application deadlines
- Information can be found here
- SAI Discounts
- Are you eligible to receive any discounts through SAI?
6. Your eligibility
- Will your home school approve you to study abroad?
- Do you meet SAI requirements?
7. Get to know Study Abroad Italy
- Get to know your Admissions Counselor
- Via Email: admissions@saiprograms.com
- Via Phone: 800.655.8965
- Live Chat
8. Attend a Study Abroad Fair
- The calendar can be found on the SAI website
9. Learn from Alumni
- Read quotes from alumni
- Contact alumni (contact Admissions office for information)
| YOU HAVE DECIDED TO APPLY |
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1. Apply for a passport: http://travel.state.gov/passport/
2. Print course descriptions and/or course syllabi from the SAI website
- Contact Admissions Office for assistance with obtaining syllabi
3. Meet with your study abroad advisor
- Gain approval to study abroad (SAI requires an advisor’s signature on the application)
- Discuss credit transfer eligibility. Present the course descriptions and or/syllabi to your advisor for approval
- Fill out any forms needed from your home school
4. Request a transcript to be sent from your home school to SAI
- Transcripts should be send via post to: Study Abroad Italy, 7160 Keating Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472
5. Complete the SAI application and submit it along with supporting documents
- Applications can be downloaded here
6. Pay the SAI application fee
- This can be paid online
Once SAI has received your completed application, your Admissions Counselor will review it. Upon acceptance, you will receive an email of acceptance detailing the process of confirming your enrollment in the program.
| YOU HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED |
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You have received your email of acceptance from your Admissions Counselor. The email contains instructions for confirming your enrollment.
1. Submit payments and documents
- Submit specific payments outlined in your email
- Submit the necessary documents outlined in your email
2. Financial aid processing
- Will you be using financial aid to fund your study abroad program?
- If so, print and fill out the financial aid documents (these will be sent to you via email and are also available on our website)
Once enrolled in the program, you will begin to communicate more frequently with your Admissions Counselor as you begin to prepare for your upcoming program abroad. You will receive detailed information about obtaining your Student Visa, registering for courses and housing, securing your airfare and much more!