A transcript must be submitted by each ISA applicant so that we can assess the prospective participant's eligibility. If the student has attended multiple universities he/she should submit a transcript from each university attended.

First of all, we look at grade point average. The minimum GPA requirements for programs range from 2.50 to 3.00. Please refer to individual programs' eligibility section for specific GPA requirements.

For all ISA programs other than those at the Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Spain, students with a GPA that falls below the requirement must submit at least one letter of recommendation (from an academic reference) and a statement of purpose for consideration. The statement of purpose should be one page, written by the prospective student, explaining why he or she wants to study abroad, and how it will affect his or her academic and professional career. It is also a great opportunity to explain the lower GPA, for example, if there were certain uncontrollable circumstances affecting the student's coursework.

Secondly, on the transcript, we look at a prospective participant's language background because certain programs require certain levels of foreign language fluency. However, ISA offers programs to accommodate a full range of levels. Therefore, there is something for everyone, ranging from those who have had zero language background to students fluent in a second language.

Please refer to the eligibility information pertaining specifically to your program to verify if your language background is suitable. Each program section on this website or in the ISA catalog denotes how many, if any, semesters of a college-level foreign language class are required for the ISA program. Also, please do not hesitate to call ISA with any questions!