Penn Abroad implemented changes to the study abroad application process this week, imposing program-specific caps and advancing the timeline.
The changes were announced in a March 31 email, which explained that they were made to ensure a “clear, efficient, and student-centered application process."
Effective immediately, each Penn Abroad program will have a cap on the number of applications that can be opened per advising cycle. Once a program reaches its cap, no more applications will be accepted for that program, even if the application deadline hasn't passed. There will also be no waitlists for programs that have reached their cap.
“By instituting a cap on our applications, students who do not have a space in the program will find out much earlier and then will have weeks or even months to consider an alternate choice,” Penn Abroad Associate Director Greta Kazenski wrote to The Daily Pennsylvanian.
The cap is on the programs, not necessarily the cities themselves. While some cities have multiple programs, others only have one.
Opening an application also does not guarantee placement since some programs may have fewer spots than the cap.
Students can only have one application open at a time, where a backup program must also be selected. The Penn Abroad office encourages students to thoughtfully consider their second-choice option, and plan accordingly with their academic advisors.
“We also anticipate that more options will be available to students as backups because we will not be pushing so close to external host university deadlines and visa application timelines,” Kazenski wrote.
According to a DP analysis, almost 3 times more students chose to study abroad in the spring semester rather than the fall.
Kazenski said that this imbalance can create natural issues for each host university, such as housing capacity and space available in classes, which can ultimately affect students’ experiences. For certain programs, caps have always been in place because the number of students Penn can send relies on partnerships with exchange universities.
The final day to request to open a Spring 2026 study abroad application is September 5. Given that programs fill up quickly, the Penn Abroad office encourages students to open an application early.
The application deadline for all programs is September 15, except for those at King’s College London and the London School of Economics, which have a deadline of May 15.
Students must attend a group advising session before opening a study abroad application.
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