Studying abroad during application season -- Bad idea?

[coralynly]

Just wanted feedback from those of you who have applied and know the process. I am applying next Fall for various grad programs but wanted to study abroad during that time. I will have access to the internet and everything, but don't know whether or not it'll be a good/bad idea to go through the process while overseas. I imagine it would be a bit difficult (i.e. contacting my professors for LORs)... but not impossible (I can do things via interwebs)

Any thoughts? Tips? Thanks

[Gingermick]

I live in Japan, and I have to say, it's been a real pain to try and do everything from overseas. That said, it isn't impossible, and if you plan ahead, you can certainly make it easier for yourself. Request your school transcripts in advance, as far in advance as you can, even if they are incomplete (if you get accepted, you can send the complete transcripts later). If you don't know what schools you will be applying to, just order a bunch for yourself and don't open their official envelopes, then mail them out yourself. Some schools ask for 2 copies of your official transcripts, so order more than you'll think you need. Ask your LOR writers in person, before you leave. Keep in touch with them by email. Find out which schools want things to be sent by snail mail - most require you to directly upload things like your SOP and writing sample onto the online application, but there are some schools who are a behind the times. Send the snail mail things REALLY early - I waited until 10 days before they were due, and the post office had issued a new policy of extra security for any mail going to America, and told me my stuff would be delayed. Take the GRE now, it's much cheaper in America and you won't be worried about the scores arriving late. The only other problem I might warn you about is the time difference - I like to procrastinate and turn everything in at the last second, and I am constantly converting time to different regions to see if I will make the deadline. The other thing is, you can't call and ask when you have a question - it's likely that their office will be closed - but I have found most schools to be very good about answering email inquiries.

Good luck and have fun studying abroad!

[eklavya]

I haven't been in that situation but there was a similar thread created two days ago, take a look:

[Strangefox]

Just wanted feedback from those of you who have applied and know the process. I am applying next Fall for various grad programs but wanted to study abroad during that time. I will have access to the internet and everything, but don't know whether or not it'll be a good/bad idea to go through the process while overseas. I imagine it would be a bit difficult (i.e. contacting my professors for LORs)... but not impossible (I can do things via interwebs)

Any thoughts? Tips? Thanks

Surely you can apply from abroad, I did - I am an international applicant I guess it is easier for me than it will be for you because I have my transcripts and professors here, in my country.

But for you as well it will definetely not be impossible. You schold contact your LORs and request transcripts well in advance and then it'll be fine. Of course you won't be able to visit schools in order to make the right choice. Or will you? That's one thing I really regret not being able to do...

It's good that you have already started to think about these things!

[criscamino]

I'm applying from abroad as an international applicant, but I do have the complication of having transcripts and LORs coming from the US, having done my year abroad there, and really it's been fine. I am Mr. Super Last Minute (I'm sure I'll be working till almost 5am tonight, deadline day) but the fact that everything's online means it doesn't really matter too much.