Welcome
SFS welcomes a diverse student body and students come to us with a broad spectrum of backgrounds and experiences. In keeping with our interdisciplinary approach to environmental problem solving, we strive to build teams that represent a cross-section of the global student body, including liberal arts, science, and economics majors.

Application Deadlines
Applications are reviewed under rolling admissions as qualified candidates are considered on a first-come, first-served basis. It is therefore to your advantage to submit a completed application as early as possible. Programs may fill quickly, so we encourage you to apply early to ensure admission into the program of your choice. Applicants for semester programs should keep in mind that their home institutions likely have a study abroad application deadline. Waiting lists are maintained for courses that fill early.

To apply for admission, please review and follow the Applicant Procedures below. We recommend that you save a link to (or print) this page for your future reference. Please contact the SFS Admissions Office if you have any questions. Call 800.989.4418 or e-mail admissions@fieldstudies.org.

Applicant Procedures:
1. Review the following admission pre-requisites and policies to confirm eligibility:

- Semester Program Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, in good academic standing and have completed at least one college-level ecology or biology course, and at least one semester of college prior to the start of the program.

*Applicants for the semester program in Costa Rica must have completed a college-level course in ecology or environmental studies, and are encouraged to have taken coursework in international development, economics or anthropology. Students must have one college-level course in Spanish prior to participation.

- Summer Program Applicants must be at least 16 years of age, in good academic standing and have completed at least the junior year of high school prior to the start of the program.

*Applicants for the summer Field Practicum in Public Health and Environment in Kenya are graduates with MPH/Nursing or other health sciences program with related coursework. Junior or Senior year undergraduates with relevant coursework as well as public health and/or international experience are encouraged to apply

2. Check with your home school for their requirements and deadlines.

3. Before you begin filling out your application, we suggest that you collect the following information. If you are under 18 years of age, you must have a parent or guardian sign your application.

-Names of the individuals who will complete your SFS reference forms
-Courses you intend to use to fulfill SFS prerequisite requirements (if applicable)
-Credit card information (for application fee)

4. Complete online application or download the .pdf of the application for printing

 
5. Pay non-refundable application fee of $45 (credit card number required for online application). If paying by check please send to:

Rosalind Slawson
The School Field Studies
10 Federal Street, Suite 24
Salem, MA 01970-3876

6. Current, Official Transcripts from all schools attended. It is not necessary for college students to submit high school transcripts after a full academic year of college coursework has been completed.

7. Submit two references (hardcopies only - not part of online process):
- SFS Academic Reference completed by a teacher, professor or academic advisor who is well acquainted with your current academic performance.
- SFS Character Reference completed by someone who knows you well, such as an academic source, a job supervisor, volunteer advisor, athletic coach, etc.

8. Participation Approval Form (hardcopy only - not part of online process): obtain approval from your institution's study abroad office (not required for Public Health program applicants.)

Once an application is received by SFS, an admissions counselor will contact you confirming the receipt of your application. If your application is incomplete, the counselor will indicate which materials are needed. SFS only reviews complete applications. Once complete, review takes 2-4 weeks. You will also be sent information on completing the Medical Approval Process and the Financial Aid Application after acceptance.

Send supporting documents (References, Transcripts, Particpation Approval Form) to:
Admissions
The School for Field Studies
10 Federal Street, Suite 24
Salem, MA 01970-3876
P: 800.989.4418
F: 978.741.3551

Important: SFS requires students to have a valid passport for travel to all program locations. Your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months following completion of your program. If you do not currently have a valid passport or if your passport will expire before the required time, you should immediately begin to apply for a passport through the U.S. Department of State at http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html. Passport processing times can be lengthy so you should begin this process as early as possible, even if you have not yet been admitted to an SFS program.