STUDENTS: Exchange Program Application Process

Students seeking to participate in the MBA International Exchange Program must submit an application to the Atkinson School International Exchange Program Committee. Selection is competitive. An interview may also be required. Applicants selected by the committee will be invited to participate in an international exchange program.

The exchange application deadline for fall semester 2009 is 11:59 p.m., Sunday, March 29th. The MBA International Exchange Application is available online. The application includes a variety of questions, an essay and a current resume.

Invitations to participate in an international exchange program will be made approximately two weeks after the application deadline (by April 17, 2009). Students selected for the program will have two weeks after the invitation is made to confirm acceptance (by April 30, 2009). The Atkinson School will provide BEM and CBS the names of Atkinson students who will participate in the exchange program by May 1st.

Eligibility Requirements
To participate in the MBA exchange program, students must be selected by the Atkinson School International Exchange Program Committee and meet all of the following requirements at the time of application:

• be enrolled as a full-time student in the Willamette MBA degree program
• be in good academic standing with a minimum Atkinson School cumulative GPA of 3.0
• achieved a grade of "C" or better in all first year courses
• completed the career services section of GSM 508
• be in good standing within the Atkinson School Expectations of Conduct and the Willamette University Standards of Conduct

Eligibility at departure is contingent upon:

• be in good academic standing with a minimum Atkinson School cumulative GPA of 3.0
• be in good standing within the Atkinson School Expectations of Conduct and the Willamette University Standards of Conduct
• completed of a minimum of 30 credits of the first year curriculum
• achieved a grade of "C" or better in all first year courses
• passed spring semester IKEW
• completed any "I" (incomplete) grade received in a core course
• completed an interview with Beth Ursin, Director of Career Services, about your job search plan
• attended required MBA exchange program orientation meetings
• registered for GSM 740 - Bordeaux School of Management Exchange Program or GSM 741 - Copenhagen Business School Exchange Program
• submitted all forms and information required by the exchange institution or the Atkinson School
  

Students who will have completed all MBA degree requirements before the start of their desired exchange program semester are not eligible to participate.

All offers of participation in an exchange program are conditional on the student meeting all eligibility requirements at the time of application and at the time of departure.

Selecting Your Program Preferences
Applicants will identify their exchange program interests in order of preference on their application. To establish your preferences, review the websites of our exchange partner institutions and other information available at the Atkinson School. We can usually send one or two students to each school. Things to consider include:

• Career goals
• Courses offered at the host institution
• Campus location
• Campus culture
• Country culture
• Language skills required
• Location and climate
• Housing
• Local transportation
• Personal, recreational, academic and professional interests
• Cost and standard of living

Atkinson School Selection Process
Selection for participation in the exchange program is competitive and will be determined by the Atkinson School International Exchange Program Committee. Applicants must meet all of the minimum eligibility requirements. Applicants will be evaluated based on their MBA academic record, faculty references, essays and the exchange application process. Criteria includes:

• academic achievement
• benefit to the applicant's academic and career goals
• ability to serve as a positive ambassador for the Willamette MBA program. (The success and future of our exchange relationships depend in part on the good citizenship and professional behavior of our students while on exchange)
• language skills (if necessary)

Applicants selected for the exchange program will be offered a place at their top choice exchange school whenever space is available. However, if demand for a school exceeds space available, students may be offered participation at another exchange institution. Selection for individual exchange programs will be determined according to the eligibility and selection process described in this document.

Applicants not selected for the exchange program may submit a written appeal to the Atkinson School International Exchange Program Committee. Appeals must be received by the committee within five days of notification of non-selection, and must contain additional information for the committee to consider. The right to appeal does not apply if space is not available in the exchange programs.

Exchange Institution Process
The Atkinson School will notify the exchange partner institution of the students who were selected and confirmed their intent to participate in their exchange program. The exchange institution will ask students to complete an application form and provide other supplemental information. All forms and requests for information by the exchange institution should be completed and submitted as soon as possible.

More Information
Questions about international exchange programs should be directed to Judy O'Neill, Director of Admission. Students should not contact the exchange institutions for information. Direct contact with the exchange institutions will be available after the Atkinson School notifies the exchange program of students selected for participation.