How to Apply
Ready to apply to UPCES? You can choose one of our programs by clicking on the buttons below. Check out our brand new Summer Program! Follow the step-by-step instructions to complete your online application. Please check with your study abroad office to learn about their specific application procedures.
Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply as early as possible. There is no application fee!
Admission Requirements
UPCES seeks undergraduate students, currently enrolled at a university or college, with strong academic abilities. UPCES also values personal experiences outside of college, as well as future aspirations.
UPCES students should have at least three semesters of university-level education completed by the start of their study abroad term.
GPA Requirement
A GPA level of 3.0 is a minimum for admission to the UPCES program. Under certain circumstances the UPCES admissions committee may decide to accept students with GPAs below the 3.0 minimum.
UPCES recognizes that the pandemic era has presented students with unprecedented challenges and level of stress. Consequently, we believe that the traditional metrics of evaluating student preparedness, including GPA, are now more difficult to interpret. In order to maximize chances for students to experience study abroad, UPCES will evaluate each application holistically and rely on the broader recommendations of our study abroad partners in addition to the GPA.
Application Deadlines
We encourage students to apply as early as possible, as decisions are made on a rolling basis. The semester application deadlines are as follows:
Fall Semester 2024: May 26, 2024
Spring Semester 2025: October 15, 2024
Students must submit the online application form and submit all supporting materials by the application deadline.
Step-by-step Application Instructions
Step 1: Register to begin the UPCES Application
Prospective students will first register an account on the UPCES Online Application.
Step 2: Complete the UPCES Application Form
Step 3: Prepare a copy of your résumé
Applicants should submit a standard résumé with details of relevant education, work, and extracurricular experiences.
You may submit your résumé by e-mail.
Step 4: Prepare a scan of your main passport page
If your passport is not available when you apply, you may send a scanned copy by e-mail at a later date. For visa purposes, UPCES needs your passport information by the application deadline.
You may submit your passport copy by e-mail.
Step 5: Arrange to have your official transcript sent to UPCES
All applicants should arrange to have an official transcript sent directly to UPCES. Your official transcript can be sent:
A. As an e-mail from a university staff member, or
B. Via a secure electronic transcript service (only available at some universities)
Step 6 (optional): Send an "unofficial" university transcript
While your official transcript is in transit, you can save time by e-mailing us your university grades (i.e. your “unofficial” transcript), which qualifies you for early UPCES admission review and a conditional admission decision. However, your official transcript also needs to be received by UPCES before the deadline (see Step 6).
You may submit your unofficial transcript by e-mail as a scan or screen shot.
Step 7: Click Submit!
Be sure to click submit once you've entered all of your required information. Please wait until you see the confirmation page. If you followed this step correctly, you will also receive a confirmation e-mail shortly.
Step 8: E-mail additional items
Any missing required items should be received by UPCES before the application deadline.
- To e-mail items, please send to
Questions?
If you have any questions about the application process, or if you are experiencing any technical difficulties, please contact us right away at
Dates
The Fall Semester typically runs from early September through mid-December. The Spring Semester typically runs from early February through mid-May, with a one-week semester break. Please check our Academic Calendar for the actual dates of each upcoming semester.
