Once you have chosen your first choice program based on your academic goal, confirmed eligibility, and reviewed courses abroad, you are ready to apply!
- The application is online, free, and just takes a little bit of your time.
- Begin by creating an account on the SF State Abroad Database and once logged in click apply on the program page.
🧭 Need Help Getting Started?
For a previous or step-by-step guide, follow the videos and instructions below based on your program type.
Step 1: Create an Account:
Begin by creating an account in the Study Abroad Database. Top right corner, click on Sign In/Sign Up. It is recommended that you use the Go to Portal button. This will direct you to log in using your SFSU credentials. If you do not have an SFSU ID number, then use the Sign Up at the bottom. Please be consistent with which way you access the portal each time you login.
Step 2: Go to the Program:
Once logged in, find your program again using the subject area or keywords search. On the program page, click Apply at the top right corner of the page.
Step 3: Fill Out the Application:
Begin filling out one application on the Study Abroad Database only. Enter basic information, e.g. name, date of birth, contact details, etc.
Below we will show you how to answer all questions in the study abroad application.
Based on whether you are applying for an SFSU Exchange or CSU IP Program there will be a lot of similarities but a few key differences.
How do I know if I am applying to a CSU IP Program? You can tell if a program is a CSU IP program because on the SF State Abroad Database under eligibility CSU IP programs will direct you to the CSU IP portal for complete details. Additionally, in the application on the SF State Abroad Database, if you are applying to a CSU IP program it will direct you to the CSU IP portal as well.
SFSU Exchange Program
Check a box or boxes next to the academic goals for the program.
List Remaining SFSU Degree Requirements Left
- Feel free to copy and paste from your Degree Progress Report.
- It is not required to speak an advisor to complete this section, but if you are unsure what you have left, then you should speak with your academic advisors.
List Potential Courses You Might Take Abroad
- Please list at least 6 to 8 potential courses you would like to take abroad. You are not enrolling in them. This just shows the Selection Committee that you understand the structure of the program and will be academically happy with it should you be selected.
- If you have trouble navigating the course page of the university abroad, please sign in for drop-in advising.
- It is not required to speak with your department, but if you plan on taking major or minor classes abroad, it is highly recommended that you share your list of potential classes.
You will need to write a short statement (500 words or 2-3 paragraphs). This is a statement about your academic goals connected to a specific program. This is not a general study abroad statement, but a program-specific one.
0:00 - 1:24: Covers structure and length of the Statement of Purpose
1:25 - 3:08: Question 1 (first paragraph)
3:09 - 4:07: Question 2 (second paragraph)
4:08 - 5:29: Question 3 (third paragraph)
5:30: Additional Information (if applicable)
You will need two additional things:
- Additional paragraph.
- If your GPA is below the requirement or you do not completely meet all of the program requirements, please briefly address this.
- Include 1-2 sentences about why you are below the requirement. For example, if the program requires a 2.75, but you GPA is 2.60 because you worked too many hours while going to school your first semester at SF State. If you have a personal story, such as a death in the family, then you may want to take a few more sentences to explain. The level of detail you provide is up to you, but try to be specific and direct about what happened.
- Then, include 2-4 sentences show why you would be successful abroad based upon your recent semester. Be specific. If it was because you worked too many hours, then you could talk about cutting back your work hours, finding a better work/school balance, purchasing a calendar, and seeking out professors during office hours when you do not understand the material. It is always best if you can point to two academic successes in the last two semesters. Maybe you were on the Dean’s List last semester.
- Faculty Recommendation.
- This is only required if you are below the GPA requirement.
- If you are below, please request at least 1 faculty to recommend you who can speak to your ability to do well in the classroom.
Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the need of your program. If it will expire anytime before then or you do not have one, please apply right away as it takes 4-6 weeks to obtain a U.S. passport.
You do not have to have your passport by the application deadline. You only need to show proof that you have applied or begun the renewal process by then.
Begin applying for or renewing your U.S. passport here.
Please add all unofficial transcripts by the deadline. Official transcripts may be needed later so recent transfer students should acquire them now and hold onto them. Please do not mail them to the Study Abroad Office. Please note that the Study Abroad Office does not have access to any transcripts from other institutions submitted to the Registrar’s Office.
The Selection Committee will never deny you based upon your budget. They just want to know that you have thought about it and have a reasonable understanding of the cost. The Budget Workshop [link] page can help you complete this section of the application.
Once you have created your budget, you will want to consider how to fund your study abroad program.
Please list at least one emergency contact with a phone number and email address that we can reach if necessary.
If you feel comfortable, please share your demographic data. This is optional and will not be used by the selection committee. It is only for the university to track overall participation in study abroad.
You are welcome to have a second-choice program, but in most cases, it is not needed and even if one is not listed you may be offered a second choice if your first choice does not work out. You will note your second choice in the application on the very last page right before you click submit.
The Selection Committee will first review your first choice and if they are able to place you there, they will not look at your second choice.
A second choice is only needed if you are below any of the program requirements or if the program is competitive (e.g. all programs in Australia). If a second choice is needed and you do not have one, a Study Abroad Advisor will let you know.
If your first and second choices are SF State Exchange Programs, then you should only submit one application for your first choice and then note under “program selection” that you want a second choice. By selecting yes to a second choice and writing the name of your Everything (including recommendations) will be shared by the two choices.
If your first choice is an SF State Exchange Program, your second choice cannot be a CSU IP program. If a CSU IP program is your first choice, then your second choice should be another CSU IP program.
CSU IP Program
Your application will be considered incomplete unless you complete both the CSU IP & SFSU application for your program.
- SFSU Study Abroad Database – Short Intake Form
- CSU IP Portal – Longer Application Reviewed by the Selection Committee
The SFSU Study Abroad Advisors will certify your CSU IP application in the CSU IP Portal, which is required for your application to be reviewed by the Selection Committee, but only when they see both applications are complete.
To apply on the CSU IP Portal, you will need to log in with your SFSU credentials and password.
- Subjects of Study: Write in sentence format whether you plan on making degree progress towards your major, minor, general education, and/or language study abroad. The selection committee is looking to see whether this matches what is available on the program.
- Proposed Courses While Abroad
- They will count so be sure to list at least 5!
- You are not enrolling in them. This just shows the Selection Committee that you understand the structure of the program and will be academically happy with it should you be selected.
- If you have trouble navigating the course page of the university abroad, please sign in for drop-in advising.
- It is not required to speak with your department, but if you plan on taking major or minor classes abroad, it is highly recommended that you share your list of potential classes.
- Academic Statement of Purpose
- Again, they will count! Be sure to write only 4-7 sentences.
- Be as specific and detailed as possible.
- This should be putting into sentence format explaining the potential classes you listed above and connecting it to staying on track for graduation at SFSU.
Be sure to include 4-7 sentences for each question. They count them! Be specific and detailed as possible for each question.
- Why did you select this study abroad program and location?
- In other words, what other academic reasons besides classes, have your chosen this program? Avoid talking about the location, wanting to travel, or just being abroad as this will make you less competitive. Focus on academic reasons.
- How has your educational and personal experiences prepared you to study abroad?
- Feel free to include any previous classes you took related to the country area and what you learned.
- Discuss what you learned from speaking with study abroad alumni and/or international students.
- Any language study, even independently using an app like Duolingo.
- How will study abroad impact your personally and academically?
- In other words, how will this help you stay on track for graduation, achieve any professional goals, and/or learn.
- Key is to be specific, and not generic. Avoid this like expending my horizons, which will be true if you go abroad on any program. What are you specifically gaining with this program that would not be true on another program?
If you meet the requirement, you will simply state yes. Otherwise, you will need to complete two additional steps. It is better to complete them than to skip this step as it could be the difference between getting into the program or not.
- GPA Statement
- Include 1-2 sentences about why you are below the requirement. For example, if the program requires a 2.75, but you GPA is 2.60 because you worked too many hours while going to school your first semester at SF State. If you have a personal story, such as a death in the family, then you may want to take a few more sentences to explain. The level of detail you provide is up to you, but try to be specific and direct about what happened.
- Then, include 2-4 sentences show why you would be successful abroad based upon your recent semester. Be specific. If it was because you worked too many hours, then you could talk about cutting back your work hours, finding a better work/school balance, purchasing a calendar, and seeking out professors during office hours when you do not understand the material. It is always best if you can point to two academic successes in the last two semesters. Maybe you were on the Dean’s List last semester.
- Faculty Recommendation. Please request at least 1 faculty to recommend you who can speak to your ability to do well in the classroom.
If you would like a second choice program, please list it in your CSU IP application only. Please note that your second choice must be another CSU IP program. The selection committee will first try to place you with your first choice. If they are unable, then they will consider your second choice. Students who are below program requirements are encouraged to have a second choice. Even if you do not list a second choice, one may be offered to you should it become necessary.
Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the need of your program. If it will expire anytime before then or you do not have one, please apply right away as it takes 4-6 weeks to obtain a U.S. passport.
You do not have to have your passport by the application deadline. You only need to show proof that you have applied or begun the renewal process by then.
Begin applying for or renewing your U.S. passport here.
Please upload all previous and current transcripts. Even if you only took one class at a community college over summer in high school, please submit an unofficial transcript. For your SFSU transcript, please download it from Gateway.
CSU IP lists budgets for all their programs on the CSU IP Portal. Click on your specific program and then go to program costs. The top part is required. The second half of the budget will vary depending on your spending habits and how much you travel. It is recommended that you put together your own budget.
Don’t forget to consider your fun travel in your budget!
If you feel comfortable, please share your demographic data. This is optional and will not be used by the selection committee. It is only for the university to track overall participation in study abroad.
Step 4: Submit!
For now, no news is good news! If we need anything further, a Study Abroad Advisor will follow up with you via email before sending your application to the selection committee. Notifications will be sent via email on a rolling basis.
Should I submit early? Yes, this will give the Study Abroad Team more time to look over your application and follow up with you if needed before sending it to the selection committee. The selection committee will review all applications for the program together regardless.
Still have questions or concerns? Email studyabroad@sfsu.edu.