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.
  • Students must be pursuing a Bachelor's degree and have at least one fall or spring term of enrollment remaining after the summer program abroad. This means that December graduates must enroll at Yale the semester following their summer abroad. (Note: If you plan to accelerate, please see the note below about acceleration.)
  • Other Yale College students should consult closely with their residential college dean.
• You cannot be on disciplinary probation or supsension at the time of enrollment abroad. If your probation or supsension ends at the end of the spring term, then you are eligible to apply. If your probation or supsension carries through the following fall term, you are not eligible.
• 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 from the Summer or on a Leave of Absence

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 to review your specific academic plan and credits needed for graduation.

• Transfer students must earn a minimum of 18 Yale credits. If the transfer credit from your Non-Yale Summer Abroad program causes you to accrue more than 18 total transfer credits, you would not be eligible for Non-Yale Summer Abroad.
• See Section M (Transfer Students) and Section Q (Credit from Other Universities) of the Yale College Programs of Study for more details.

FAQ: Eli Whitney Students

It is important to discuss your study abroad plans with your Residential College Dean to review your specific academic plan and credits needed for graduation.

• Eli Whitney students must earn a minimum of 18 Yale credits. If the transfer credit from your Non-Yale Summer Abroad program causes you to accrue more than 18 total transfer credits, you would not be eligible for Non-Yale Summer Abroad.
• See Section N (Eli Whitney Students Program) and Section Q (Credit from Other Universities) of the Yale College Programs of Study for more details.

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 Health (studenthealth.chief@yale.edu) or the Chief of Mental Health and Counseling (mhc.chief@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 schedule a meeting with the Chief of Student Health  (studenthealth.chief@yale.edu), the Chief of Mental Health and Counseling (mhc.chief@yale.edu), or their official designee. The Chief of Student Health or the Chief of Mental Health and Counseling, or their official designee, will inform the Dean of Students of the result of the medial clearance process, including a recommendation of the health services, if any, that might be required during the time abroad..
    
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 Students will review all the information provided, make an individualized determination as to whether you have been cleared for the proposed summer study abroad and notify you and study abroad administrators accordingly. If you are not cleared for summer study abroad, the Dean of Students will provide a written explanation to help you understand the reasons behind the decision.

If you take a Medical Leave of Absence after being approved to study abroad in the summer, your continued approval is contingent on being medically cleared successfully prior to your program’s start date. You must follow the steps outlined above to be medically cleared in advance. Please allow a minimum of two weeks processing time. If you do not receive medical clearance to participate in your summer program, your study abroad approval will be rescinded, and you will no longer be able to transfer the credit(s) or receive Yale funding for the experience.

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.

FAQ: Students Who Plan to Accelerate

If you are approved for acceleration, you are not eligible to study abroad on a Non-Yale Summer program. You can apply to study abroad on a Yale Summer Session Program Abroad or Yale in London.