How Do I Apply?

Students may only have three open OIP applications, and those applications must be ranked. If you are applying to a Brown program in a country that has more than one institution or site, you may apply to a maximum of two institutions or sites.

Brown Programs

For some Brown Programs, selection is carried out by a faculty committee here on campus; in other cases, the host institution reviews the faculty committee’s recommendation before making a final decision.

Please review the information on your program page to make sure you meet the basic requirements for admission, such as language level, GPA, and course prerequisites.

Apply for Brown Programs

Alternative Programs

To apply to an Alternative Program you will be completing two applications.

Apply directly to the host institution or program provider

You should be able to obtain applications for Approved and Petition Alternative programs on the host institution’s/program provider’s website or by contacting them directly. It is best to apply early, because many programs accept applications on a rolling admissions basis. Apply to the Alternative Program as soon as possible, even if you have not yet received approval from Brown.

Fill out the OIP online application

To guarantee that credit is properly transferred to your Brown transcript, the OIP must also approve your study abroad plans. The application process requires that you consult with Brown faculty members to assure that your program of study will receive credit.

Apply for Approved Alternative Programs

Petition Alternative Programs

If your program is not on the list of Approved Alternative Programs, you must petition for approval. You are limited to one petition program application per semester.

No student is approved to begin an online application for a Petition Alternative Program without first having an interview with a study abroad advisor to specifically discuss the intended program. Before setting up your interview appointment, please download the Petition Alternative Program Form (PDF).

Prior to meeting with a Study Abroad Advisor, you should:

1. Review the Brown and Approved Alternative Programs
2. Download, print and complete the Petition Alternative Program Form (PDF)
3. Download and print an internal transcript for your study abroad advisor.
4. Meet with your concentration advisor or a faculty member in the same department and obtain a written letter of support from him/her indicating that the department fully supports your petition and that the intended program adequately correlates with your coursework and concentration. Note: You must complete this step even if you have not formally declared your concentration. In order to do so, you should schedule an appointment with a representative from the department as soon as possible.
5. Prepare a rationale as to why the program you have chosen fits your academic needs better than other approved programs
6. Be prepared to provide the advisor with printed program materials
7. Confirm that the program meets Brown Language Requirements
8. Confirm that the program meets Brown Foreign Study Guidelines
9. Meet with a study abroad advisor and hand in the petition form, the rationale and the program information