Study abroad Q&A: What families should know before students apply
In this Issue: important info for families of students applying to study abroad in 2027-28.
If your student is considering studying abroad for a semester during the 2027–28 academic year, there are some important things families should understand before the December 13 application deadline.
The Single Application process was created by University leadership this summer. I sat down with Jessica Francis, Executive Director of Global Abroad, to talk about what students – and families – need to understand about the process if they are applying for Fall 2027 or Spring 2028 programs, especially for those students who say that they only want fall programs.
Q: What has changed about the study abroad application process?
A: Students who want to study abroad during Fall 2027 or Spring 2028 will apply once using the Single Application by December 13. They may rank up to five program choices across those two semesters. This allows us to consider the full academic year at one time rather than filling fall and spring programs through separate application processes.
One thing that has not changed – but is vitally important – is that students have a study abroad advising appointment. Students can use the appointment request page to schedule an individual meeting with a study abroad advisor. Walk-in advising meetings are also available on a first-come, first-served basis from 1:30–4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Walk-in meetings last 10-15 minutes and are for quick questions.
Q: Why is Wake Forest making this change?
A: There are several reasons. Perhaps the biggest reason for this change is to address the feeling of overcrowding on campus during the spring semester. The University is responding to the voices of students and families about the impact on classes, residences, dining facilities, parking, etc. when the vast majority of students choose to go abroad in the fall. As such, University leadership created a plan to distribute study abroad applications, with no more than 80% of applicants to a semester abroad program placed in the fall.
This change also has benefits for students. In the old process, students applied to multiple programs and managed waitlists, which made planning stressful and difficult.
Q: So if students want fall, why can’t everyone just go in the fall?
A: For the past several years, campus has had a very different feel between fall and spring semesters. This year, more than 90% of the students studying abroad are doing so in the fall. A more balanced distribution of students studying abroad across the fall and spring semesters will help alleviate campus congestion, such as that experienced in housing and parking, and increase course availability. So no more than 80% of applicants for the 2027-2028 academic year will be placed in fall programs.
As such, if student demand continues to be overwhelmingly concentrated in fall, there will simply be more students who want fall placements than fall opportunities available. What that means is some students who will only consider fall study abroad programs may not receive a placement in a fall program.
Students not placed in the initial round of applications may be considered for our Second Round of applications, which are for spring programs that still have openings. Students can apply in the Second Round as individuals or in groups of up to 10 students.
Q: Students seem to understand that in theory they might not get a fall placement. Do you think they understand that it could actually happen to them?
A: That’s the concern.
Students may hear that not everyone who wants fall will be placed and still assume that someone else will be affected — another group of students, another major, another fraternity/sorority/student organization, another friend group.
But if most students make that same assumption and apply only for fall, some of those same students will not receive a placement.
We want students and families alike to hear this: there is no category of students who can safely assume that the capacity issue will apply to someone else.
Q: What happens if my student lists only fall programs?
A: Students are allowed to do that. But they need to understand the tradeoff they are making.
Students will not automatically be moved into a spring program they did not select.
If a student lists only fall programs and we are unable to place them into one of those choices, they may receive no study abroad placement in the initial round. Once placement decisions are released, they are final and cannot be appealed.
Because we will not be able to talk to students individually (or their families) in January in the event the student/group was not placed, we want people to think about this fall as the ‘appeal’ process, if you will. In other words, we want students to have truly thought out what their reaction would be if they only list fall programs and are not placed.
If their reaction would be “I need to talk to GPS and try to get this appealed because I want to go abroad my junior year,” I would say to them, “You should strongly consider having at least one spring program on your list, or consider applying in the Second Round [for spring programs that still have availability].” So at least you are not cut out of an abroad experience next year.
And remember, we try to place students in programs in the order they list them: we look at the #1 program on a student’s/group’s application and try to place you in your first choice program first, then move on to your second choice if your first choice was full, etc.
Listing a spring program as #5/last on your list would be a good strategic choice if you would be upset at the potential of not going abroad at all in 2027-28.
Q: So listing a spring program matters?
A: Yes — assuming it is a spring program the student would genuinely be willing to attend.
Including spring choices gives us more possibilities when we are trying to place a student. A student whose application includes only fall choices has limited our ability to find an alternative if those programs are full.
It’s important to note that we don’t want students listing a spring program they have no intention of attending simply as a strategy. But if studying abroad is a high priority for a student, we strongly encourage them to seriously consider whether there are spring options they would be excited about.
Q: What happens when placement decisions come out in January?
A: The initial placement process is complete at that point. Initial placement decisions are final and are not subject to appeal.
Students who are not placed in the initial round may apply during a Second Round for spring programs that still have availability. They could apply individually or in groups of up to 10 students.
Q: Why are you emphasizing this now?
A: Because now students still have choices. And we want to make sure they have thought through their strategy intentionally so there are not unhappy surprises in January.
Before applications are due (December 13), they can explore additional programs, talk with a study abroad adviser, consider the advantages and disadvantages of each semester and build an application that reflects what matters most to their individual or group application.
Once placement decisions are released in January, they are final and cannot be appealed.
So we would much rather have a student think carefully about this in October or November than learn in January that the risk they understood in theory has become their actual outcome.
Q: What are the most important things families should take away?
A: Students should ask themselves a very simple question:
Is my priority studying abroad, or studying abroad specifically in the fall?
Either can be a legitimate answer. But students should make their application choices intentionally, understanding the potential outcomes.
If a student decides that only fall will work for them, they can make that choice — but they also need to be prepared for the possibility that they may not study abroad for a semester during the 2027–28 academic year, as only 80% of applicants will go abroad in the fall.
We also want to challenge students to think beyond the status quo. Spring abroad isn’t just a backup plan. There are some great benefits: students can apply with groups of up to 10 friends for spring programs, stay on campus for fall recruiting and career fairs, and experience their destinations as winter turns to spring.
In fact, research shows that having a global abroad experience is hugely beneficial to students’ eventual careers: everything from having developed skills employers value (such as adaptability, cultural intelligence, problem-solving, and more) to actual salary impact. So we really do want students to think about what they can gain career-wise from having a semester abroad. Going fall or spring gives the chance to build those skills!
And with social media, FaceTime, Zoom, etc., students have ways to stay in touch with their peers who go abroad in the fall while maintaining those friendships and close ties. It isn’t like when we were in college and all you had were postcards and the telephone!
Finally, families, please encourage your students to make an appointment to talk to our study abroad advisors. That is a required part of the application process, so we need all students to have an appointment. But most of all we want to talk to all of our students so we understand their goals for studying abroad, how that fits into their academic plan, and to ensure they understand how the Single Application process works. That way, students can go into their application making intentional choices and being fully aware that if they only submit fall applications, they may not get placed.
Many thanks to Jessica for sharing this important context!