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Calvin College Chicago Semester Application Information

CS Campus Representative:   David Ellens,
                                           Off-Campus Programs Assistant
                                           Hiemenga Hall 332
                                           dellen52@calvin.edu
                                           (616) 526-6382

Calvin College CS Application Due Dates

Fall 2010 Semester February 15, 2010
Spring 2011 Semester April 15, 2010

CS Application Checklist

(For a printer-friendly version of the checklist click here)

  1. To begin the Chicago Semester application process at Calvin, please stop by the Off-Campus Programs Office, located in Hiemenga Hall 322 to pick up a pre-application or print one from the Calvin website here. The preliminary application is due at least 2 weeks prior to the CS application.
    • All students wishing to study for a semester off-campus are required to complete a pre-application in order to ensure that they meet the social (no major student life violations; not on probation for the last 12-18 months) and academic (at least a 2.5 GPA) requirements that Calvin has established. Once approved, they are free to apply to the off-campus semester of their choosing. Students are notified of the status of their pre-application within two weeks of turning it in to the Off-Campus Programs Office.

  2. CS Application
    • Download application at link below and complete in Microsoft Word. Do not handwrite your answers.
    • Save as a Microsoft Word document. (File name example: Doe, John-Fall10-College.doc)
    • Print a hard copy for your application packet.
    • Visit your academic advisor and CS campus representative for signatures on your application.

  3. Recommendation Forms
    • Direct two references (preferably one professor and one work supervisor) to download the recommendation form at link below and complete in Microsoft Word.
    • References will submit hard copies of the recommendation forms to your campus representative and email electronic copies to silvian@chicagosemester.org per directions on the recommendation form.

  4. Resume
    • Review our Resume Resources page for guidelines to follow when putting together your resume and consult your career services office on campus for help.
    • Save resume as a Microsoft Word document. (File name example: Doe, John-Fall10-Resume.doc)
    • Print a hard copy for your application packet.

  5. Transcript
    • Request an official transcript from the registrar (lower level Hruby Hall) to include with your application packet. Request early, this process can take a week and your student account must be paid up to date. (Please double check with the Student Accounts office that you have no outstanding bills.)
    • Include official transcripts from all colleges attended.

  6. Follow-up with references to confirm they have submitted hard copies of the recommendation forms to your campus representative and emailed electronic copies to silvian@chicagosemester.org.


  7. Submit hard copies of the following items in your application packet to your campus representative:
    • CS Application – with signatures
    • Two Recommendation Forms
    • Resume
    • Official Transcript
    • Application Fee – nonrefundable $40 check to Chicago Semester
    • Photograph – 2x2” (passport photos preferred)

  8. After submitting your application packet email the following items to silvian@chicagosemester.org.
    • CS Application
    • Resume

  9. Meet with the Financial Aid office to get more information about how your financial aid package will apply to Chicago Semester.

Questions about the application process? Contact Annie Bjustrom at annieb@chicagosemester.org.

Admittance to Program

Once you have submitted your application packet, and have been approved by your college, the campus representative will send your application packet to the Chicago Semester office. Applications will not be processed unless complete. The Chicago Semester staff will review the applications and you will be sent a letter regarding acceptance by May 1 for the fall semester and July 1 for the spring semester. Your college’s approval to apply to the program does not guarantee acceptance to the program.

Enrollment Deposit

Within 30 days of the date of your acceptance letter, you must submit a nonrefundable $225 enrollment deposit to reserve your place. The deposit will be applied to your public transit card for the semester and ticket fee for the fine art events. If you withdraw from the program after submitting the enrollment deposit, it cannot be refunded. If upon class registration you decide not to attend the fine art events, you will be refunded $125 once the semester begins. Payments may be made by check to Chicago Semester or cash.

Application Forms