Find your way here

Spring Arbor University Chicago Semester Application Information

CS Campus Representative:   Dr. Bob Eells,
                                           Professor of History
                                           reells@arbor.edu
                                           (517) 750-6318

Spring Arbor University 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. IMPORTANT: SAU requires an application and references for consideration for Semester Off Campus Opportunity Fund (SOCSOF) which are to be submitted to the SAU financial aid office before the last Friday in February 2010 for the Fall 2010 and Spring 2011 semesters. All students must attend an SAU off campus semester workshop held monthly to receive application instructions, the SOCSOF application, and other pertinent instructions for planning an off campus semester. Not all students are awarded SOCSOF grants. No SAU institutional aid applies to off campus semesters. All state and federal financial aid can apply to off campus semesters. An awarded student can decline SOCSOF funds later if plans change.


  2. Semester Off Campus workshops are scheduled through the Cross Cultural Studies Office. Students interested in attending a workshop should contact Joyce Allison, student services secretary in the CCS office at jallison@arbor.edu. Workshop dates are posted in the campus general email announcements.


  3. Contact your CS campus representative and inform them of your interest in attending the program to receive any necessary information about on campus application procedure.


  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. Transcript
    • Request an official transcript from the registrar to include with your application packet.
    • Include official transcripts from all colleges attended.

  8. 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.


  9. 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)

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

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


  12. Once accepted, work through the task list given to you at the SAU semester off campus workshop in order to register at SAU and do all the necessary things to make this semester a success!


  13. SAU students who want to receive CCS credit for Chicago Semester need to enroll in CORE 274 Chicago at SAU offered spring semesters only. Follow the guidelines for CCS credit as explained to you by the CCS Director. Planning far in advance is crucial for students who plan to participate in Chicago Semester during a spring term. Those students should apply to Chicago Semester well in advance and enroll for CORE 274 through the SAU CCS office before spring term of the previous year begins. No CORE 274 Chicago sections are offered in fall terms.

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