Non-Yale Summer Abroad: Eligibility

Yale Eligibility Requirements for a Non-Yale Summer Abroad

If you are interested in studying abroad through a Non-Yale summer program, you must meet these minimum requirements to be approved to study abroad. If you don't meet a particular requirement, see below for additional information.

• Have completed your first year at Yale
  • Students can apply to study abroad for summer after their first, sophomore, or junior year
  • Seniors who will graduate in December are also eligible to apply to study abroad the summer prior to graduation
• Not be on disciplinary probation at the time of enrollment abroad
• Have not already transferred in the maximum of two transfer credits from outside of Yale for courses taken during the summer or on a leave of absence

Pin: In addition to Yale's eligibility requirements, you must meet the eligibility requirements and academic prerequisites of your intended study abroad program, including any language prerequisite, if applicable.

What if I don't meet the eligibility requirements listed above?

FAQ: Already Transferred in 2 Outside Credits

You may look into a Yale program as an option for a summer study abroad experience such as a Yale Summer Session Programs Abroad or Yale in London.

FAQ: Disciplinary probation

If your probation ends at the end of the spring term, then you are eligible to apply. If your probation carries through the following fall term, you are not eligible.

Additional Considerations based on your Student Enrollment Status

FAQ: Transfer Students

• It is important to discuss your study abroad plans with your Residential College Dean and Dean Risa Sodi to review your specific academic plan and credits needed for graduation.
• For Non-Yale Summer Abroad programs, you may receive up to 2 transfer credits for work completed outside Yale after matriculation.

FAQ: Eli Whitney Students

It is important to discuss your study abroad plans with your Residential College Dean and Dean Risa Sodi to review your specific academic plan and credits needed for graduation. You are eligible to study abroad as long as you enroll in Yale College for at least 4 terms, earning by attendance at Yale a minimum of 18 course credits, and meet the following conditions:

• Before enrolling abroad: have accumulated at least 12 course credits but no more than 22 course credits toward the 36-course-credit requirement
• While abroad: enroll in full-time work at the university level
• Upon return: enroll for at least 2 terms in Yale College

FAQ: Students on a Leave of Absence or Medical Leave of Absence

If you are currently taking a Leave of Absence and wish to participate in a Non-Yale Summer Abroad Program, you are eligible to apply even if your leave will continue in the fall term. All study abroad deadlines apply.

If you are currently taking a Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA) and wish to participate in a Non-Yale Summer Abroad Program, you are eligible to apply even if your MLOA will continue in the fall term. Your approval for a Non-Yale Summer Abroad Program is contingent on being medically cleared successfully prior to your time abroad. All study abroad and medical clearance deadlines apply. Please note that medical clearance is not the same as reinstatement. The medical clearance process is outlined below, and you must begin this process between February 1 and March 1 prior to your intended summer abroad:

1. Notify Study Abroad Administrators of MLOA Status: You are asked to write to studyabroad@yale.edu to share that you will be pursuing the medical clearance process. Please include any questions you may have.
    
2. Medical Letter: You must request a letter that your clinician will send directly to the appropriate chief in Yale Health, either the Chief of Student Medicine (studentmed@yale.edu) or  the Chief of Mental Health and Counseling (paul.hoffman@yale.edu). That letter ordinarily should include:
   • ​the clinician’s credentials and clinical setting;
   • the nature of their work with you (i.e., the student), including the duration and frequency of their contact;
   • any observed progress in your (i.e., the student's) recovery from the medical condition that led to the leave of absence;
   • the clinician’s assessment of your (i.e., the student’s) clinical status and readiness to participate successfully in the proposed study abroad program, considering both academic and environmental components, as well as the potential lack of access to routine medical care in the study abroad program location;
   • the justification for their assessment of your (i.e., the student’s) readiness.
      
3. Meeting: Once the medical letter has been requested, you must contact the appropriate chief in Yale Health, either the Chief of Student Medicine (studentmed@yale.edu) or  the Chief of Mental Health and Counseling (paul.hoffman@yale.edu), to confirm that the letter has been received and find a time to meet with the appropriate chief in Yale Health or their official designee. The Chief of Student Health or the Chief of Mental Health and Counseling, or their official designee, will provide a recommendation to the Dean of Students as to whether the student is ready to participate successfully in the proposed study abroad program.
    
4. Evaluation of Conditions of the Program Abroad: Yale Study Abroad will provide general information to the Dean of Students, upon the Dean's request, regarding the program’s structure and access to health services in the program abroad location, as available.  
    
5. Individual Assessment of Request: The Dean of Student Affairs will review all the information provided, make an individualized determination as to whether you (i.e., the student) has met the criteria to be cleared for summer study abroad, and notify you (i.e., the student) and study abroad administrators accordingly. If you (i.e., the student) is not cleared for summer study abroad, the Dean of Students will provide a written explanation to help you (i.e., the student) understand the reasons behind their decision.

Please note that, if you are planning to transfer two credits from your leave of absence, you cannot bring in an additional two credits from a Non-Yale Summer Abroad Program.

FAQ: Withdrawn Students

If you have withdrawn from Yale College for any reason, you are ineligible to participate in any programs abroad for credit. If you are reinstated, the first semester back must be done on the Yale campus.