Eligibility
The university reserves the opportunity to participate in the Rome program for students who are most likely both to excel academically through the curriculum of liberal arts study and behave responsibly in the environment of the close-knit Rome campus community and during their individual travels in Europe. Since the Rome Semester is more demanding for many people than a semester on the Irving campus, it would be ill-advised to accept students who are not adequately prepared to succeed in the program. Students demonstrate their qualifications for consideration for the program by maintaining a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 and behaving with a high level of maturity toward their peers and others. These are minimum requirements for consideration for acceptance. Students on disciplinary probation will be subject to review by the Rome Committee. Other considerations include but are not limited to:
The Rome Program exists in large part to help deepen the students’ understanding of issues raised in the Core Curriculum, so it is important that applicants have made appropriate progress in their Core Courses. The following are minimum requirements for consideration, but not a guarantee of admission to the Rome Program: sophomore standing at the commencement of the Rome semester; at least one full-time semester spent on the main campus prior to participation (including the semester immediately preceding Rome participation); successful completion of Literary Tradition I and Philosophy and the Ethical Life; preferable completion of Literary Tradition II and Understanding the Bible; a cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.5; and good academic standing at the university.
Since the academic program of the Rome Semester is heavily weighted in the direction of courses that stress careful reading, cogent writing and the disciplines of history, literature and philosophy, applicants who are weak in these areas may be required to wait until their records demonstrate competence. Preference is given to students who have demonstrated the ability to succeed academically while carrying a full five-course (15 hour) load in Irving. Academic achievement the semester before Rome is especially important in determining eligibility. Students with incompletes are automatically excluded from participation in the Rome Program. Students may not go to Rome while on academic probation.
Applicants who are denied for failure to meet the minimum requirements have the option to appeal to the Rome Committee.
It is a privilege, not a right, to study abroad during a student's time at the University. Student Conduct records are reviewed for every student applying to the Rome program and other foreign study programs. Significant student conduct issues including probation status will affect a student’s eligibility for Rome. Students are directed to the University Student Handbook for further information.
While participating in the Rome program, students must still abide by the Code, and furthermore must also abide by the policies and procedures outlined in the Rome Program’s Student Handbook.
Student health and discipline records are evaluated by the Rome Office Director, in cooperation with the Office of Student Affairs, for the health and maturity necessary to meet the challenges of close community life, demanding schedules and independent travel. As this is a community of traditional full-time residential undergraduates, students who do not meet this profile may find that the living facilities cannot meet their residential needs and that the campus life, schedule and structure will not be appropriate to their social needs. Due to Italian legal requirements, all participants in the Rome program must be 18 years of age by the start of their program. The program is not suited for married students, students with families, or students accustomed to living as independent self-supporting adults. Careful scrutiny will be given to students who, for health reasons, do not live on the Irving campus for two reasons: 1) the same health concerns which prevent living on the Irving campus may also affect a student’s ability to live on the Rome campus; 2) we are less able to evaluate students’ ability to live in community if they are not in residence in Irving.
Students denied for disciplinary reasons have the option to appeal to the Rome Committee.
Students with health concerns considering Rome should be aware of the following challenges: limited access to care; language barrier; lack of mental health services; limited availability of medications commonly prescribed in the US (especially psychoactive medications); difficulty with having prescription medications shipped to Italy. Due to these challenges, health clearance for Rome requires that the condition has been stable and under current treatment for four months prior to the Rome semester, including at least one complete semester on the Irving campus, and is expected to remain stable under current treatment for the next five months. Ability to travel, carry a heavy backpack, accommodate diet to available resources and adjust to rigorous academic and physical activity are also important. Ongoing treatment must require minimal intervention, such that it can be administered on the Rome campus and during travel periods. Clearance by a physician, proof of enough medication for the full semester and other documentation may be required.
Previously resolved problems may resurface, especially asthma and conditions associated with fatigue, change in schedule, change in diet and distance from home. Students must be prepared to pay physicians and hospitals out-of-pocket for any illnesses.
Failure to inform and update the Rome Office and the Rome Program regarding health, discipline, and academic status may result in denial of admission to or dismissal from the program. Clearance to go to Rome can be revoked at the discretion of the Rome Office Director. Those denied acceptance for failure to meet admissions criteria may appeal to the Rome Committee and the Dean of Constantin College.