YSS Programs Abroad: Eligibility

Yale Summer Session (YSS) Programs Abroad are intensive, highly structured programs for Yale College credit. A full semester of coursework is condensed into a portion of the summer, leaving participants with limited free time during the program. The Study Abroad Committee selects applicants who are mature and motivated to participate fully in all aspects of the program, both in the classroom as well as during scheduled trips or activities.

Eligibility Requirements for YSS Abroad Admission:

• You must be 18 years of age or older by the start of the program and have completed at least one year of college (programs are not open to high school students).
• You must be pursuing a Bachelor's degree and have at least one fall or spring term of enrollment remaining after the summer program abroad. (Note: If you plan to accelerate, please see the note below about acceleration.)
• If you are not enrolled in an institution where you are working towards an undergraduate degree, you must have a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree
• 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.
• You must meet academic prerequisites as listed on the program page.
• For programs with a language prerequisite, your academic record should show evidence of previous language study or a valid placement exam result.
  • For elementary language programs (L1-L2), you must take both the L1 and L2 course components. Students who have already taken or are taking L1 (equivalent to one semester of college-level language study) at the time of application—or placed into L2—or higher are ineligible.
  • For intermediate language programs (L3-L4), you must take both the L3 and L4 course components. Students who have already taken or are taking L3 (equivalent to three semesters of college-level language study) at the time of application—or placed into L4—or higher are ineligible.

FAQ: Transfer and Eli Whitney students

You are eligible to apply. 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.

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 Yale Summer Session Program Abroad, 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 Yale Summer Session Program Abroad, you are eligible to apply even if your MLOA will continue in the fall term. Your approval for a Yale Summer Session Program Abroad is contingent on being medically cleared 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.

FAQ: Withdrawn Students

If you have withdrawn from Yale College for any reason you are ineligible to participate in any programs abroad for credit. Please contact the Director of Study Abroad if you have any questions.

FAQ: Students Who Plan to Accelerate

If you are accelerating, you will need to provide written confirmation from your Residential College Dean of your ability to participate in a Yale Summer Session Program Abroad. Email the letter to studyabroad@yale.edu by the application deadline. The letter from your Dean must confirm: 

1.     that you have started the acceleration process 
2.     what (if any) changes might occur to your class standing
3.     how many Yale credits you are permitted to take