France » Poitiers » Admission & Preparation

Application Deadlines

The application deadlines are as follows:

February 15 for year-long and fall semester programs
October 15 for spring semester

Eligibility Requirements

The Poitiers program is open to students from all fields of study. To be eligible, students must meet the following minimum requirements before departure:

• 45 credits or more (sophomore standing)
• An overall GPA of 2.75 or above (3.25 for graduate students)
• For the full-year program, a minimum of two years of college-level French with a GPA of 3.00 or higher is required. For semester students, a minimum of three years of college-level French or the equivalent is required.

Students must also make satisfactory academic progress throughout the application process and during their study abroad program, and otherwise comply with policies and procedures of the host university, the OUS International Programs Office, and their home university International Programs Office.
If you do not meet the minimum eligibility requirements, please consult with your home campus contact person before applying.

Special Notice for UO Students

Students who are hoping to enroll in direct exchange courses in the fall semester are strongly advised to take FR 320 Intensive Grammar Review (4 credits) in the year prior to the start of the program.

Application Process

OUS International Programs uses an online application and data management system called Studio Abroad. To submit an application you must create a student account within this system. Once you have created this account, you may begin the application process. Early application is advised.

To create an account and apply for an OUS study abroad program, go to the OUS Application page. Here you can access the OUS Studio Abroad online application system which will take you through all the necessary steps to initiate and complete an application. Be sure to complete all required documents by the application deadline. (We advise you to get an early start since it will take you some time to prepare/gather all the necessary documents.) A $50 application fee is due at the time the application is submitted and is non-refundable under any circumstances.

If you would like additional assistance regarding the application process, we have provided “Step-by-Step Instructions” and “Frequently Asked Questions” at the link above. As you go through the online application process, please consult these documents if you have questions.

Selection and Participation

Selection for the program is based on a review of the student's online application (application form, essays, transcripts, and recommendations) as well as the results of the student’s campus interview and language evaluation.

Participants must meet the eligibility requirements for their chosen program, and be prepared linguistically, academically, and socially to succeed abroad. Overseas study participants must satisfactorily complete the following:

• Well-written program application
• Personal interview and language evaluation
• Timely submission of all required paperwork
• Attendance at pre-departure orientation sessions
• Payment of program fees

Program participants must also demonstrate the ability to be successful overseas through evidence of maturity, motivation, and flexibility. Participation in any program is subject to the approval of the OUS International Programs Office, and its partner institutions, which may grant or withhold such approval in their sole discretion.

Acceptance to all study abroad programs involves a significant amount of paperwork for legal, financial, academic and safety reasons. Your Campus Contact and our office are ready to help explain and guide you through the paperwork process; however, it is your responsibility to complete the paperwork in a timely and professional manner.

Visa Information

Students (except for EU and Swiss citizens) who are admitted into the Poitiers program will need to apply for a French student visa. The visa is a supplement to the U.S. passport, authorized by the French government, which gives students the right to enter France as a student and to live there for the program period. Americans cannot remain in France for more than ninety (90) days without some type of visa.

Due to heightened security procedures adopted in recent years and the creation of a European Union immigration database, students will need to apply for their visas in person at the French Consulate in San Francisco if their home address is within the San Francisco jurisdiction. The OUS International Programs office will provide detailed instructions, application forms, and supporting documentation to admitted students. If there is enough interest, arrangements may be made for carpool or a group trip to San Francisco.

Orientations

All students are required to complete a pre-departure orientation that will cover academic, logistical, and financial matters. For detailed information, including dates and locations, please click here. In addition to the Oregon orientation, students participate in stage upon arrival in Poitiers which is a linguistic and cultural orientation for which students receive academic credit.