| International Affairs Division | Informational meeting - December 3, 2020 STUDYING IN THE USA 2021-2022
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial, Washington, D.C. Studying in the U.S.A. International Affairs Division Informational meeting - December 3, 2020
UNCERTAINTY
In March 2020, the current period of uncertainty began, and it continues to affect Sciences Po’s 3A in 2021-22. Please keep in mind that everything we discuss or indicate is strictly conditional, for obvious reasons. We and our U.S. university partners are cautiously optimistic--no more, no less--about the resumption of in-person exchanges next year. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding throughout this process and during these challenging times. Studying in the U.S.A. International Affairs Division Informational meeting - December 3, 2020 3A 2021-2022
● Due to the current health crisis, the third year abroad will be transformed into one semester of international academic exchange. This semester will take place in the autumn or in the spring, in person or remotely (according to the teaching modalities of your host university).
● Expressing your wishes: this information is given for indicative purposes by the student.
1\ I am willing to participate in an exchange during either semester;
2\ I have a clear preference for participating in an exchange during the autumn semester, and I am aware that the number of available spots will be smaller for my choices;
3\ I have a clear preference for an exchange during the spring semester, and I am aware that the number of available spots will be smaller for my choices. Studying in the U.S.A. International Affairs Division Informational meeting - December 3, 2020 The U.S.A. and COVID-19 : the situation on December 2, 2020
● The health situation : 13.7 million cases; 270 000 deaths; saturated health care services and crisis management approaches that vary from state to state (absence of a centralized, federal strategy and response to the crisis).
● The immigration situation : delivery of visas is currently suspended ; commercial flights limited in number.
● The border situation : U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico remain closed for non-essential travel.
● U.S. partner universities : most in-person exchange programs either cancelled or 100% online. Studying in the U.S.A. International Affairs Division Informational meeting - December 3, 2020
U.S. immigration policy
In addition to COVID-19-related travel restrictions, there are limits on travel to the U.S. from seven countries: Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen.
There are also travel restrictions on individuals from any country who have spent time in these seven countries. If this applies to you, or if you have any doubt whatsoever, please be sure to check now with the U.S. embassy to ensure you are eligible to travel to the U.S. Studying in the U.S.A. International Affairs Division Informational meeting - December 3, 2020 Financing a semester in the U.S.A.
The total cost of living of a semester in the U.S. is very high, and includes housing, meals, university fees, transportation, health insurance, and travel. It does not include tuition (frais de scolarité), since you will pay Sciences Po tuition during your semester on exchange.
Cost of living U.S.A. 2018-2019 (subject to increase for 2021-22):
Fordham University: 12 101 € per semester University of Michigan: 8 560 € per semester Macalester College: 7 413 € per semester Studying in the U.S.A. International Affairs Division Informational meeting - December 3, 2020 Financing a semester in the U.S.A. (continued) Next February, as part of the U.S. student visa process, you must obtain an official letter in English from a bank stating that you have the required cost of living amount (actual money) at your disposal.
For up-to-date cost information, see partner university websites (go to « Cost of Attendance », then subtract « Tuition ») and rapports de séjour (Budget section); don’t forget to add health insurance and airfare to the total. Remember to calculate for one semester only.
Student mobility financial aid : see the Sciences Po Scholarships and Financial Aid website.
Be careful: Sciences Po financial aid will generally not cover all expenses! Beware of going into debt during your exchange! Studying in the U.S.A. International Affairs Division Informational meeting - December 3, 2020
Health insurance
Please note that some universities require that exchange students obtain host university insurance coverage, even if courses are taught remotely. Example: the University of California, where health insurance is mandatory, even if exchange is virtual. It is possible to obtain a waiver, but coverage equivalent to UC's must be justified and waiver deadline absolutely respected. It is the student's responsibility to be aware of any such requirement and of waiver possibilities and deadlines. Studying in the U.S.A. International Affairs Division Informational meeting - December 3, 2020
Partnership agreements
Because of the pandemic, as of December 2, 2020, there are currently 23 available destinations in the U.S. Please check the DAI search engine frequently for newly re-opened (or closed) partnerships. It will be updated regularly until Friday, December 18.
Please note: for any number of reasons, the following list of available destinations is subject to change during the current campaign. Studying in the U.S.A. International Affairs Division Informational meeting - December 3, 2020
Currently open U.S. partner universities ✓ American University ✓ DePaul University ✓ Fordham University ✓ George Washington University ✓ Johns Hopkins University ✓ Middlebury College ✓ NYU-Stern School of business ✓ Northeastern University ✓ Northwestern University ✓ Ohio State University ✓ San Diego State University: ATTENTION: not open to U.S. citizens or Green Card holders Studying in the U.S.A. International Affairs Division Informational meeting - December 3, 2020
Currently open U.S. partner universities (continued)
✓ San Francisco State University ✓ Smith College ✓ Trinity College ✓ Tulane University ✓ Tulane University-Freeman School of Business ✓ University of California (9 campuses) ✓ University of Chicago ✓ University of Missouri ✓ University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill ✓ Vassar College ✓ Wellesley College ✓ Wesleyan University Studying in the U.S.A. International Affairs Division Informational meeting - December 3, 2020
The nature of our agreements
All are university-wide agreements, allowing students from all three Sciences Po majors to satisfy their major requirements.
Attention:
• New York University-Stern School of Business • Tulane University-Freeman School of Business
→ On an exceptional basis, these two partnerships will be open to all majors. For hybrid students, only Economy & Society majors may put these on their list. Studying in the U.S.A. International Affairs Division Informational meeting - December 3, 2020
U.S. university culture
● Universities vs. liberal arts colleges
● More theoretical academic approach compared to Sciences Po’s practical, professional academic approach
● An average of 15 hours of class per week but significant reading work
● Students must be independent (and organize their time well)
● Easier access to instructors at end of class and during office hours Studying in the U.S.A. International Affairs Division Informational meeting - December 3, 2020
Selection criteria ✓ Academic Results
✓ Personal Statement/Lettre de Motivation
✓ English Level Studying in the U.S.A. International Affairs Division Informational meeting - December 3, 2020
Selection criteria: academic results Due to the disruption caused by COVID-19, your S2 results will not be taken into consideration. All other available academic results will be. Academic requirements for U.S. partners (only 2 of these are currently open):
✓ UCalifornia : 12,75/20 ✓ UMichigan: 12,75/20 ✓ Barnard, Columbia, Cornell, Georgetown, MIT, Princeton, UChicago, Penn : 14,75/20 ✓ All other universities: no official required average; however, U.S. universities require a solid academic profile Studying in the U.S.A. International Affairs Division Informational meeting - December 3, 2020
Selection criteria: academic results (continued)
✓ Note : Latin honors such as cum laude, magna cum laude or summa cum laude do not guarantee a first choice! There is a limited number of spots at the most popular destinations. Studying in the U.S.A. International Affairs Division Informational meeting - December 3, 2020
Selection criteria: personal statement/lettre de motivation
✓ For suggestions on how to write an effective statement, as well as a special note on the University of California :
http://www.sciencespo.fr/international/en/content/personal -statement-3d-year-usa-application Studying in the U.S.A. International Affairs Division Informational meeting - December 3, 2020
Selection criteria: English level
✓ TOEFL/IELTS : results must be uploaded (by you) to your 3A application dossier January 5-11, 2021.
✓ Waiver/exemption rule: all four years of study in a high school where English was the primary language of instruction.
✓ TOEFL/IELTS requirements: see Sciences Po International website and university search engine; requirements are non-negotiable; two U.S. universities do not accept IELTS: Georgetown and Howard. Studying in the U.S.A. International Affairs Division Informational meeting - December 3, 2020
Selection criteria: English level (continued)
For accurate IELTS and TOEFL requirements, do not refer to any advising documents from past years or to partner university websites. Refer only to the search engine on the Sciences Po International website.
ATTENTION: George Washington University: IELTS/TOEFL results must be dated no earlier than January, 2020. Studying in the U.S.A. International Affairs Division Informational meeting - December 3, 2020
Researching universities
✓ Sciences Po International website : use search engine to find universities, TOEFL/IELTS requirements, corresponding majors, minimum average requirements, rapports de séjour: http://www.sciencespo.fr/international/fr/universites- partenaires
✓ University partner websites Studying in the U.S.A. International Affairs Division Informational meeting - December 3, 2020
YOUR DAI APPLICATION FILE: CONTENT AND SUBMISSION
What goes into it : - 6 choices - Sciences Po transcript (inserted by DAI) - High School transcript (in French or English) - CV in English or French (no advantage if in English) - Personal statement in English or French (idem) - TOEFL or IELTS results (dating from December 2018 at earliest, except for George Washington University)
→ Upload 3A dossier via your Espace Etudiant → Deadline : January 5-11, 2021 Studying in the U.S.A. International Affairs Division Informational meeting - December 3, 2020
FINAL DECISION
✓ Announcement : February 16, 2021
✓ All 3A placement decisions are final and non-negotiable. Studying in the U.S.A. International Affairs Division Informational meeting - December 3, 2020
Summary of important steps
• December 2020 : elaboration of your project, organization of your 3A file • January 2021 : submission of 3A file to DAI (January 5-11) • February : nomination commission meeting; announcement of results (Feb 16) • February-May: submission of official exchange application to partner university • May-July : acceptance packages arrive Studying in the U.S.A. International Affairs Division Informational meeting - December 3, 2020
Sciences Po 3A academic requirements
Validate the equivalent of 30 ECTS in one semester, of which 40% in your Sciences Po major. Use the Discipline/Major equivalency chart
Equivalents of 30 ECTS at each university will be explained in due time
Note that these requirements are the result of the reform of the undergraduate college and the third year; past 3A requirements no longer apply Studying in the U.S.A. International Affairs Division Informational meeting - December 3, 2020
Advising meetings ✓ December 4-17
✓ Each student is limited to one meeting
✓ Due to the pandemic and the shortened 3A campaign, these will be Zoom meetings for up to 15 students
✓ Access to sign-up sheet: https://www.sciencespo.fr/international/fr/content/rendez-vous- pour-la-preparation-de-lechange-universitaire-en-3eme-annee.html
✓ Don’t forget to complete and send the advising information sheet back to [email protected] before your meeting! Studying in the U.S.A. International Affairs Division Informational meeting - December 3, 2020
Passport
Your passport must be valid until at least November 30, 2022!
Renew your passport NOW, not later! Studying in the U.S.A. International Affairs Division Informational meeting - December 3, 2020
Contacts
DAI-Center for the Americas, 13, rue de l’Université, 2nd Floor (left staircase)
To send completed 3A USA advising sheets: [email protected]
United States: Matthew THOMAS : [email protected]
Administrative assistant: Agnès CHARPENTIER : [email protected]
Pôle mobilité étudiante: [email protected]
Sciences Po Scholarships and Financial Aid Service: [email protected] Studying in the U.S.A. International Affairs Division Informational meeting - December 3, 2020
Stay safe and healthy, and see you soon for an advising meeting!