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In this section we have the answers to the questions that are frequently asked by students and families.
How long can I study off-campus?
Should I talk with my academic advisor about studying off-campus?
What paperwork will I need to submit?
Are there additional costs associated with off-campus studies?
How early can I petition for approval to study off-campus?
How late can I petition for approval to study off-campus?
When will I find out if I have been approved for off-campus study?
Can I apply to my program before I've been approved by Gettysburg?
Can I be approved to apply to more than one program?
Do I need a visa to study off-campus?
Can I take a course pass/fail while off-campus?
When can I study off-campus? (top)
Students can study off-campus during their junior year or in the first semester of their senior year. There are also special language programs for the first semester sophomores! If you want to study off-campus at a different point in your Gettysburg career, you must petition for special permission through the Office of Off-Campus Studies.
How long can I study off-campus? (top)
Gettysburg College encourages students to study off-campus for an academic year as students can use financial aid for up to two semesters of off-campus study. However, some students choose to do a single semester, or even a summer program, depending on personal goals, and other commitments.
Can I apply for scholarships? (top)
Gettysburg College is pleased to announce that each year the Eisenhower/Hilton Scholarship for Study Abroad is awarded to one outstanding applicant. This is not primarily a need-based award, although need is taken into consideration when reviewing applications. More information about the Eisenhower/Hilton Scholarship can be obtained in the Office of Off-Campus Studies. Also, students applying to Suggested Programs should ask their Program Sponsor if they offer any scholarships for program participants. Please remember that the Gettysburg College financial aid package for students who receive outside scholarships or awards may be altered based on an outside award.
Should I talk with my academic advisor about studying off-campus? (top)
It is a good idea to speak with your academic advisor as well as other professors in your department to hear what they think about your plans to study off-campus. Most departments are not only supportive of off-campus studies, but also know a lot about programs that are particularly suited for their majors!
What if I have special needs? (top)
Are you currently receiving accommodations for a learning disability or for attention deficit disorder? Are you seeing a Counselor for any special needs? Do you have any special physical needs? Please discuss your interest in off-campus studies with those that need to know (the Office of Academic Advising , Counseling and Health Services), and also ask at he Office of Off-Campus Studies if you need help finding a program that will meet your special needs.
What paperwork will I need to submit? (top)
All students need to submit various petitions and applications forms in order to participate in off-campus studies, including a Payment Understanding form stating that they understand the financial obligations associated with their off-campus program. Students participating in study abroad programs are required to sign an Agreement and Release form stating that they are of the risks associated with international travel, as well as various health and insurance forms (depending on their program). Many of these forms are distributed to students at the end of the semester prior to their off-campus semester.
Are there additional costs associated with off-campus studies? (top)
All students participating in a study abroad program are required to purchase Medical Evacuation and Repatriation insurance for their entire off-campus program. Currently, the cost of this insurance is $31.00/month. Other costs vary according to your lifestyle and travel plans. It is a good idea to start planning - and saving money - as soon as you can! The Peer Advising Sheets in the Office of Off-Campus Studies have peer advice about program costs. Check them out!
How early can I petition for approval to study off-campus? (top)
Once you have chosen your program, you may petition for approval for off-campus study. That means that you can even petition for approval a year ahead of time! This is a good idea particularly if the program you have chosen fills up quickly. All students' records are checked at the end of the semester prior to their off-campus study term to determine whether they have maintained good academic and disciplinary standing.
How late can I petition for approval to study off-campus? (top)
October 1st is the petition deadline to study off-campus in the spring. March 1st is the petition deadline to study off-campus in the fall. These are the final dates that you can petition for permission to study off-campus - no extensions are given on these dates. If the scheduled deadline falls during a weekend, or during a college break, all petitions are due before the break, not after. Please note that you must submit your Petition and Course Approval From to Gettysburg by this time. This does not mean that you have to have your actual Program Application in by these dates. Check the program description in this Handbook for the Program Application deadline.
When will I find out if I have been approved for off-campus study? (top)
You will receive an email within 10 days of submission of your completed forms. Please note that improperly completed forms will be returned to you without being submitted to the Academic Standing Committee. Also, please allow time to receive word about your approval from Gettysburg before your program application is due.
Can I apply to my program before I've been approved by Gettysburg? (top)
No. You can complete your application form and submit it to OCS. However, no application forms will be submitted before College approval has been given.
Can I be approved to apply to more than one program? (top)
Yes. Most students do not need to seek approval for more than one program; however, if you are unsure about where you want to study, you simply need to submit an additional Course Approval Form--but just one petition form--to the Academic Standing Committee.
Do I need a visa to study off-campus? (top)
It depends on your citizenship, where you are going, and the duration of your stay. Check with your program provider and your host country's website to determine whether or not you need a visa.
Can I take a course pass/fail while off-campus? (top)
Gettysburg College does not have Pass/Fail we have S/U. It is important for you to first understand Gettysburg College's S/U policy.
"The College offers a satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading option. This option is intended to encourage students to be adventurous intellectually in courses with subject matter or approaches substantially different from their prior academic experience or attainment. An S signifies satisfactory work, and is given if a student performs at the C- level or higher; a U signifies unsatisfactory work, and is given for work below the C- level. Courses graded S/U do not affect a student's quality point average, but a course completed with an S grade will count toward the total number of courses needed for graduation. A student may elect to take a total of six courses on an S/U basis during his or her four years at Gettysburg College; however, no more than two S/U courses may be taken in any one year. This grading option may not be selected for requirements for graduation, or for courses taken in a student's major field. Exceptions may be made with regard to the major in cases where a department specifies that a particular course is available under the S/U grading system only, and in cases where the student declares the major after taking the course. A student must choose the S/U grading option during the first twelve class days of the semester."
Now that you understand Gettysburg College's S/U policy you need to check about your program's policy. Many programs don't have an S/U policy and even if they do it might be different than Gettysburg's. You can only take a course S/U if your program's policy is the same as Gettysburg's. If you plan to take a course S/U, you must get it approved by both Gettysburg College and your program.
Am I done? (top)
If you are worried that you haven't turned all necessary OCS documents in, check with our office. It is also important that you check with your program to see if you've submitted all of their paperwork to them.
Can I stay another semester? (top)
If you are interested in staying abroad on your current program for a second term, or enrolling in a different study abroad program for next semester, you should contact the Office of Off-Campus Studies right away. You will need to make this decision and complete the regular petition and course approval process by October 15th to study abroad in the spring and March 15th to study abroad in the fall. This can be completed by email, fax, or letter. Please note that if you are planning on studying abroad in a different country, Gettysburg will give you the regular airfare credit for that country. If you are planning on extending your stay in the same country, you will not receive an additional airfare credit. This is in keeping with the policy that academic year program students receive one round trip airfare.
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