Information for Host Institutions
Thank you for working with Bowdoin and familiarizing yourself with our policies and practices.
This page is designed for the programs and universities who work with visiting Bowdoin students to understand Bowdoin’s process, policies, and values in sending our students to study with you. If you have a question that is not answered on this page, contact us!
Off-Campus Study at Bowdoin
Each year approximately 50% of the junior class, or about 250-300 students, participates in off-campus study for a semester or year, plus a smaller number of students who study abroad in the summer. Bowdoin values off-campus study and supports student participants in a variety of ways, including allowing financial aid to be transferred, transferring back credit, and creating opportunities for international experiences to live on. Bowdoin does not have a limit/quota of students allowed to study-away.
Our Process
Students may choose to study away from Bowdoin for a semester or year from an approved options list (more about our list below) and in exceptional cases may petition to attend a program off the list. Students submit two applications: a registration of intent to study away in November (typically of their sophomore year), and an OCS “full” application in late February. By this February date, students should have talked with us and their academic advisor, chosen one program (rarely student will apply to a back up), and have declared their major. Here is a summary of that process. Bowdoin does not have a limit/quota of students allowed to study-away.