Program Requirements and Study Abroad Admissions
Semester at Sea requires college students to meet our standards to cultivate a learning experience worthy of traveling the world. We welcome students of any sex, gender identity, race, disability status, veteran status, nationality, or ethnicity, to apply for admission. Please take a moment to review what we are looking for in a college student.
Traditional Undergraduate College Student
Admission Requirements:
- Enrolled full-time in a degree-granting institution
- At least a 2.5 cumulative GPA
- If below a 2.5, additional evidence of academic support may be requested to review an application holistically, such as an academic explanation and an academic letter of recommendation
- Completed at least 12 credits at the post-secondary level
- In good academic standing and not on disciplinary probation at time of embarkation
Application Requirements:
- Unofficial Transcript
- Copy of university transcripts from current or most recent institution
- Must be saved as a PDF and include the following information: Full Name, Institution Name, Term GPA & Cumulative GPA
- Student Essay (optional)
- 300-500 word essay on the following question:
- How will your Semester at Sea voyage develop your personal global perspective? Highlight your discussion by focusing on how the overall experience of exploring multiple countries will further develop your awareness
- 300-500 word essay on the following question:
Please contact the Admissions Team for support along the way.
International Students
Semester at Sea welcomes students who attend international universities to apply for the program and international students can apply as any of the following:
- Undergraduate Student
- Gap Year Student
- Post-Graduate Student
Gap Year Students
A gap year is typically a semester or a year after high school graduation where a student defers college admission to travel, study, volunteer, or work. On Semester at Sea you have the opportunity to do all of these things with your gap year by traveling on one of our semester voyages.
The Gap Year Program is only open to recent high school graduates, who have not been previously enrolled at an undergraduate college or university. If you have previous college credit, and you took a “gap” in your education, you will need to apply as a traditional undergraduate student.
Post-Graduate Students
While the Semester at Sea voyages are designed for undergraduate study, and the vast majority of participants will be in that undergraduate population, we do look at post-baccalaureate students on a case-by-case basis. Applicants are held to a higher standard of admission and should display exceptional academic records.
Students who are post-baccalaureate are eligible to participate, however we do not offer graduate level courses. You will participate full-time in the academic program alongside your undergraduate peers.
Before you apply...
SAS Enrollment in 5 Steps!
Traditional Undergraduate College students can earn Semester at Sea Admission in 5 easy steps!
Step 1: Apply Online Here.
SAS operates on a rolling admission basis; therefore, there are no set application deadlines. However, we recommend applying as early as possible. A completed application includes an unofficial transcript, an optional 300-500 word essay and a non-refundable application fee of $75.
Step 2: Submit your Supplemental Documents.
In order to learn more about our future voyagers, we need a few extra documents to review your application.
- All college-level transcripts
- A disciplinary clearance form completed by your school’s judicial affairs office (may be submitted post-acceptance)
- An academic letter of recommendation (optional)
Step 3: Get Accepted and Pay your Deposit!
Whohooo! Once’e you’ve been officially accepted to Semester at Sea, you’ll need to pay your $1,000 deposit in order to secure your cabin for the voyage. The deposit is considered the first payment towards your voyage and will be applied to your program fees. A full refund of the deposit is available up until the posted final payment deadline (~90 days) for your voyage.
Step 4: Get Funded.
About 60% of Semester at Sea student received some form of financial aid. As a non-profit, we rely on donations from generous alumni and friends in order to provide grants and scholarships for eligible students. Explore here.
Step 5: Meet your Shipmates and Start Packing!
Official voyage prep begins 5 months prior to your voyage set-sail sail date. Until then, you can start connecting with future voyagers and with SAS alumni on social media! Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter using #semesteratsea.
