The Semester/Year Planning Process
Listed below are the major steps in planning for off-campus study for the semester or year. Consult the planning timeline for a complete list.
Start your Global Bobcats account! Go to this link and follow the instructions for first time or returning users.
This system will be your go to location for all your off-campus study requirements and process. Keep in mind that this is your Bates registration and that you will need to apply to your program through their systems.
Helpful instructions:
- Start your Global Bobcats account! Go to this link to start your Pre-Registration Phase steps by following the instructions for first time users. (Use your Bates login credentials.)
- Complete the initial advising steps (7 you can do and 1 for your advisor to complete).
- Search for programs and click “add to programs of interest” on any programs you want to come back to this will share them with an advisor until you open your registration.
- At this point you can make an appointment with Jen Hyde or Darren Gallant on BatesReach.
- After your advising appointment, your advisor will open your Bates Off-Campus Study Registration for one of your programs of interest. You can switch your top choice program at any time before the registration deadline.
- Complete those new additional steps by the Off-Campus Study Registration deadline.
In your Global Bobcats account you will be able to:
- Watch the online Off-Campus Study Information Session
- See announcements, the Center for Global Education calendar, and our Instagram account.
- Make an Appointment – To schedule an off-campus study advising appointment, please login to BatesReach.
- Browse and “favorite” programs that interest you.
- Complete your Bates Off-Campus Study Registration Application.
Prepare for your first advising appointment
- Consult the Important Questions & Policies and Choosing a Program web pages
- Consult with a faculty member about how off-campus study fits into your four-year plan of study at Bates.
- Review over the approved off-campus study opportunities and explore the links to the program web sites.
- Read the student evaluations of programs on the program pages.
- RELAX! You are not expected to have a complete plan at your meeting.
- You may decide to remain at Bates — that is fine, too.
At your first meeting, we’ll discuss
- your academic plans and ideas
- your non-academic plans and ideas
- Bates’ semester balance enrollment policy
- the range of off-campus study possibilities
- financing off-campus study
- and all of your questions and concerns
By Mid-January:
- declare your major
- obtain signature of major department chair/major advisor on the Off-Campus Study Registration Form
By February 9, 2023 by 11:59 PM EST:
- submit the Off-Campus Study Registration in the Global Bobcats portal
- The registration requires a major department chair review and signature
By end of March or earlier:
- apply for Fall or Academic Year programs by March 15 or earlier
- apply for any eligible study abroad scholarships
By end of Summer:
- apply for Winter programs by September 1
- apply for any eligible study abroad scholarships