Non-Yale Summer Abroad: Petition Process

Petition Process for a Non-Yale Summer Abroad

We encourage you to begin your program search by reviewing the programs on Yale's designated list. However, if you cannot find a program that is a good match for your goals and interests, you can petition for approval to attend a program not already designated by Yale. If your petition is approved, you will be eligible to earn full credit transfer upon successful completion of the program and, if applicable, use financial aid.

TOC: Petition Process

How do I know if a program is eligible for a petition?

Programs must meet these minimum eligibility requirements:

• ​The program will issue an official transcript with course title(s), grade(s), and credit(s) from an accredited university.
• The location of the study abroad program is not restricted by the Yale Travel Policy.
• Each summer course teaching length is at least 4 weeks and has at least 32.5 contact hours.
• Courses offered by the program meet Yale's credit transfer policies.
  • Yale does not award credit for internships. For this reason, you can only submit a petition for a summer program with an internship component if you will be enrolled in 2 credit-eligible courses. An internship seminar course is not a credit-eligible course. If you are seeking a full-time summer international internship instead, we suggest visiting the Office of Career Strategy website.

Point: Be sure to email or schedule an appointment with a study abroad adviser to discuss a petition before you submit it to determine in advance if it is eligible.

How do I petition?

Note: You must apply for both admission into your program and Yale approval to study abroad. These are separate application processes that are completed simultaneously. 

Apply for admission to your intended Non-Yale program:

• Apply directly to the university or program abroad you would like to attend via their website. 
• It is your responsibility to ensure all application materials are submitted to your desired program by their deadline. Program application deadlines may be earlier or later than Yale’s application deadline.
• You do not need to have already secured Yale's approval for study abroad when you apply for admission to your intended program. 

Apply for Yale's approval to study abroad and transfer credit:

• If you haven't already, review the Non-Yale Summer Abroad eligibility requirements.
• Email or schedule an appointment with a study abroad adviser to discuss your intended petition and receive confirmation that the program is eligible for a petition.
• Access and submit a Non-Yale Summer Abroad Petition via the button in the sidebar. Note: You do not also need to submit the regular Non-Yale Summer Abroad application.
• You may only petition for one new program per application cycle. As we cannot guarantee that your petition will be approved, you can list up to 2 back-up programs from the designated list. All of the programs listed in your petition will be reviewed for approval.
• Late applications cannot be accepted.
• You do not need to have already been admitted to your intended program before submitting the petition.

I'm ready to begin my petition. Where do I access the petition application?

Applications for Non-Yale Summmer Abroad open at the start of the Spring term.

Note: Don't forget to also apply to your intended program for admission into the program.

When is the Yale petition deadline?

Your Non-Yale Summer Abroad Petition is due the spring semester before your summer abroad.  

Link: Review the deadlines for a Non-Yale Summer Abroad application

What does the petition include?

The Non-Yale Summer Abroad Petition consists of:

• Non-Yale Summer Abroad Petition for a Program not on Yale's Designated List: This form includes questions about your intended study abroad program(s) and tentative courses along with a brief personal statement (300-500 words). In addition to listing your first-choice program, you have the option to include up to 2 back-up programs from the designated list.
• Yale Academic Record: We will ask you to upload a copy of your Course History from Yale Degree Audit.
• Credit and Policy Documents: These documents include details about receving Yale transfer credit and important Yale Study Abroad policies. You will be asked to read through the information and confirm your understanding of the policies. 

How can I tell if my application is complete and has been submitted?

• As you submit requirements, you will see them move from the "Items to Complete" section to the "Completed Requirements" section.
• Once all requirements are completed, the progress wheel (in the instructions section) of your application will be full.
• You also will have a pop-up prompt you to submit your application in full. You will see the submit button at the top of the application.
• After you press the submit button at the top of the application, a banner will appear to confirm that your application has been submitted. Additionally, you will receive an email with the subject line "Your Study Abroad application has been submitted."

Please note that, due to the volume of applications received, Yale Study Abroad cannot confirm individually whether your application was submitted successfully. If you did not receive the automated email confirming that your application has been submitted, please log into your Yale Compass account to check your application. You can use the steps outlined above as a guide.

Why am I still getting messages that my application is incomplete if I already submitted it?

If you have submitted an application and still have received the "Study Abroad Application Reminder (Remaining Application Items Incomplete)" email, it is likely because you opened multiple applications and only submitted one of them (e.g., you opened a "Non-Yale Summer Abroad Application" and a "Non-Yale Summer Abroad Petition for a Program not on Yale's Designated List"). Please log into your Yale Compass account to withdraw any applications you do not plan to submit.