Please begin by reading the Finding the Right Site page before researching programs in order to determine your needs in a study abroad destination.
It is important to understand that universities in the U.S. can only accept a certain number of ISEP-Exchange students based on the number of U.S. students sent to ISEP members abroad. You will need to carefully consider sites with the best chance of placement.
Additional qualifications for placements will depend on your transcript, references, personal essay and your language test score. Chances of placement also depend on the number of other international students applying for that institution.
Your application will be reviewed by an ISEP program officer, who will place you at an institution that matches your needs and interests. Your application will then be sent to that institution for review and confirmation. 95% of international applicants are placed, and 95% of students placed are confirmed by their host institution. Your home coordinator will be able to tell you when and where you have been placed and confirmed.
Three Easy Steps to help get the placement you want- Research carefully on the ISEP Directory for each institution that interests you. • Pay special attention to academic notes and language requirements.
- Select 10 sites of interest to list on your application in the order of preference. Read the Anticipated Openings to see where you have the best chance of being accepted. • One of your top three choices should be an institution that is in Category A or B on the Anticipated Openings list.
- You will need to research courses offered at each university of interest and list these on separate Course Request forms for the ISEP application. A carefully prepared site request increases your chances of placement.
• If you need courses at the graduate level, be sure the institution accepts graduate-level students.
• If interested in a Restricted site, it must be listed as your FIRST CHOICE on your application. You may only apply to ONE Restricted site.
• Be sure that you do not apply to any Closed sites.
Keep in mind that if you aren't "accepted" to your first choice, it is not a personal reflection of your abilities. It only means that enough spaces were not available at that university, or perhaps it wasn't the best academic fit for your needs.