How to Apply

APPLICATIONS ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED. APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2025-2026 CYCLE WILL OPEN IN JANUARY 2025.

Application Requirements

Complete applications will include:

Personal statement
Transcript (Unofficial will suffice)
Resume

Eligibility

To be eligible to participate in the Global Scholars Program, you must be in at least your sophomore year at W&M (social class). All majors and areas of interest are welcome.

You must be in good judicial and academic standing with the university. Students on academic probation during the time they are abroad are not eligible to participate in the Global Scholars Program. If you are on academic probation or on a medical withdrawal or underload, you must receive approval from the Dean of Students in order to participate in the Global Scholars Program.

Students who are on Disciplinary Probation or Deferred Suspension status are ineligible to participate in the Global Scholars Program during their first full semester in such status. If a sanction endures beyond one full semester (15 academic weeks), the student may petition the Director of Community Values & Restorative Practices for an exception. The Director, or designee, will make the final decision in consultation with the Global Scholars Program staff, and that decision will be final and is not appealable.

If you do not get approval, you may NOT participate in the Global Scholars Program. Students are required to report to the Global Research Institute and Washington Center any changes in academic or judicial status, even after acceptance into a program, which may affect their eligibility to participate in their accepted program, even if such a change results in a financial loss.

Graduating Seniors

As a graduating senior, you have two options:

August diploma:
- Use the Registrar's Notice of Candidacy for Graduation form (pdf) to indicate that you will receive your diploma in August instead of May.
- Walk through the graduation ceremony in May.
- Successfully complete the DC Summer Institute courses.
- Receive your diploma in August.
- You can apply for financial aid to cover the cost of the Institute.
Post Baccalaureate Status:
- Use the Registrar's Non-Degree Seeking (pdf) form to indicate that you plan to take W&M courses after graduation.
- Use the Registrar's Notice of Candidacy for Graduation (pdf) form to indicate that you will receive your diploma in May.
- Walk through the graduation ceremony in May and receive your diploma.
- Successfully complete the DC Summer Institute courses.
- Financial aid does not apply in this scenario.
- (Find more detailed instructions)