Next Steps

Before signing your IP contract, it is very important that you understand your responsibilities as an IP Student. Before committing to your program, please do the following:

Attend the Conditionally Approved Student Virtual Information Session

Students are required to attend a Conditionally Approved Student Information Session in order to learn more about the requirements and responsibilities for students studying abroad. Students accepted into a program on Oct. 10, 2025 must attend the following Zoom session:

Conditionally Approved Student Virtual Information Session - Tues., Oct. 14, 2025 - 6 p.m.

The Zoom link will be included in your conditional approval notification.

If you are unable to attend the Conditionally Approved Students Information Session due to illness, academics, or work, (or if you were accepted to a program after the Priority Round) you must review the contract information here and review the recording, which will be available on our website. 

It is extremely important that you READ your IP contract before signing it. Remember that this is a binding legal document, and if you break your contract, penalties apply. Please read the sample contracts below and contact us with questions:

Academic Year 2025-2026 and Summer 2025

Academic Year 2025-26, Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 Sample International Programs Contract (All programs except D.C.+)

D.C.+ Academic Year 2025-26 Sample International Programs Contract

Sample International Programs Internship Contract 2025-26

Summer 2025 Sample International Programs Contract

Academic Year 2025-2026 programs and Summer 2026 (coming soon)

Before signing your contract, you must consult with the following:

1. Academic Advisor

Create an academic plan on Navigate and ask for approval from at least one of the following Academic Advisors to ensure that you can take the minimum number of units required for your program:

• One Stop

  • Contact their office for same day academic advising. Best for general advice.

• IP Academic Advising

  • Book an advising appointment with our academic advising team here.

• Major Advisor

  • Check your Wavenet and/or Navigate account to find their contact details, and set up an appointment. Best for major specific advice, especially for majors with heavier or highly sequential requirements.

• Course Sheets

  • Compare your DAR with the Course Sheets for your program to determine which classes you can take abroad. Course sheets are available on the "IP Academics" page.

Suggested Questions to Ask:

• Which courses are offered in my program?
• Which courses should I take to stay on track with my four-year-plan?
• Which courses should I plan to take before going abroad?
• How will I meet my language requirement (if applicable)?
  • If you are accepted to an Academic Year, Fall or Spring term for Buenos Aires, Florence, Heidelberg, or Switzerland, you are required to complete the 151-level language course prior to studying abroad. 
• What are the minimum academic requirements I must meet to go abroad?

2. Financial Advising

Connect with your Financial Aid Advisor to ensure that you understand your study abroad costs. If you are receiving financial aid, it is important to understand how your financial aid and/or scholarships will apply while you are abroad. Refer to the Financial Assistance website to answer your general questions and to make an appointment with an advisor.

• The Office of Student Accounts

  • Contact the Office of Student Accounts for information on payment plans and payment due dates.

• Departmental, Arts and Athletic Scholarships

  • If you are receiving departmental, arts or athletic scholarships, visit the department or office awarding your scholarship to understand if you will be eligible to receive your scholarship while abroad.

• IP Scholarship Information page

  • The IP Scholarship Information page page provides resources on potential internal and outside scholarship opportunities. 

Suggested Questions to Ask:

• How much will my program cost?
• Will my scholarships and/or financial aid apply while I am abroad?
• Am I eligible for additional scholarships or financial aid?
• What should I do to prepare financially before going abroad?

3. Family and Friends

It's important to talk through your decision to study abroad with your parents or guardians. Parents should refer to our Parent Resources page for more information, and contact us with questions. Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to review the sample IP contracts to ensure full understanding.

If you are under 18 at the time you are accepted to an International Program, your parent or guardian will need to sign your IP contract. If you will be under 18 at the time you go abroad, you will need to complete an additional clearance process before going abroad.

Suggested Questions for Parents and Guardians to Discuss with Your Student:

• What courses will you take abroad? Will you stay on track to graduate?
• Who is responsible for covering the extra cost of studying abroad? How will we cover this cost? What will we do to prepare financially before you go abroad? Will you be eligible for additional scholarships or financial aid?
• Where do you plan to travel while abroad? What kind of activities will you participate in while abroad?
• How will you get to your abroad location?
• Will we visit you while you are abroad? Will you come home during winter break?
• Is a visa required for your program?
• Do you have other special accommodations that will need to be met while you are abroad?
• How will we stay in touch while you are away?
• How will you take care of your mental and physical health needs while you are abroad?

4. For additional consultation in the following areas, please consult with the offices below:

• Mental Health

  • Pepperdine Counseling Center: 310-506-4210 or student.counseling.center@pepperdine.edu

• Physical Health

  • Pepperdine Student Health Center: 310-506-4316

  • Office of Student Accessibility: 310-506-6500 or student.accessibility@pepperdine.edu

• Health Insurance

  • Visit our Health and Safety page and contact international.programs@pepperdine.edu if you have further questions.

• Prescriptions

  • Check with your provider, insurance and relevant customs department.

  • Contact our health and safety concierge service, International SOS, about transporting prescriptions or availability of obtaining needed prescriptions abroad.

• Learning and Other Ability Accommodations

  • Office of Student Accessibility: 310-506-6500 or student.accessibility@pepperdine.edu

• Spiritual or Cultural Adaptation:

  • Hub for Spiritual Life: 310-506-4545 or chaplain@pepperdine.edu

For additional questions, please come to the IP Office or contact us at 310-506-4230 or international.programs@pepperdine.edu. 

How to sign your contract:

1. Login to your ViaTRM account (using your Pepperdine credentials). Click on the program tile for which you've been "conditionally approved". Under the "My Forms" heading, click on the "Contract" form.

2. Read the contract! Seriously. Read it. For more information about what is included, see "Understand Your Responsibilities as an IP Student" above. Remember that you can always click "Save" and come back later if you're not yet ready to sign. Use special care when reviewing the following sections:

• Flights: Do not book flights on your own! All students are required to book and pay for their travel through Pepperdine's approved travel partner, Corniche Travel. Students will arrange their flights with help from Corniche based on their own unique travel needs. Consult the IP Flight Policy for details.
• In the "Additional Information" section you will find information about the process for registered accommodations while abroad. Please note that all accommodation requests (including dietary restrictions) must be approved by OSA and communicated to International Programs personnel no later than 15 May for the fall semester and no later than 15 September for the spring semester and no later than 15 March for the summer term. This information will be shared with the program staff abroad. Abroad staff will do their utmost to honor all registered accommodations but cannot guarantee that every accommodation is possible. Please contact the Office of Student Accessibility and/or the program staff for your program for more information before signing your contract.
• While there is no application fee or deposit required, signing your contract is officially committing to your exact program (location and term). If you have to withdraw after signing your contract for ANY reason, withdrawal penalties as outlined in your contract will apply (minimum of $1,000).

3. Work through each section of the contract form, answering the required questions as needed and signing where indicated. Click "Submit." 

4. If you have been accepted to an internship program, follow the above instructions for your "Internship Contract" form, as well.

5. If you have been accepted to a DC+ program: DC+ students are asked to sign contracts using a different method from other IP students. An individualized contract (listing the specific locations and semesters unique to you) will be sent to you via your Pepperdine email address. You may esign the contract and send it back to international.programs@pepperdine.edu by the contract-signing deadline listed in your acceptance notification.

6. If you are under 18 years of age, you will need to open the "Minor Contract" form in your ViaTRM program tile dashboard and complete it, then download a copy and send it to your parents to co-sign and return (email it back to international.programs@pepperdine.edu) by the deadline stated in your acceptance notification. Contact IP if you have any quesitons about this step. 

7. You did it! Please print a copy of the contract for your records.

You did it! We are so excited to begin this journey with you. Now that you have signed your contract, we encourage you to connect with your IP Faculty-in-Residence, Ambassador and the other students in your group. They will be great resources for you as you prepare to go abroad. We will host several events to welcome you to the IP family - please visit our Calendar page and join the International Programs Peppervine to see what's coming up soon. Also, check out what student job opportunities are available!

Preparing to go abroad starts now! Watch your email for lots of information, and in the meantime, check out our Preparation page and read about what you can be doing next.

We know that being placed on the waitlist can be disappointing, but remember that it does not mean you are not a qualified candidate, and it does not mean you will not be able to study abroad. Our programs are competitive with limited space available, and we cannot accommodate all applicants at every location. Being placed on the waitlist means you could be admitted at a later date if space opens up in the program. You could also consider applying for an alternate program to increase your chances of an expedited acceptance. You can review the programs and terms that are currently accepting applications on this page.

Waitlisted students are strongly encouraged to attend the Waitlisted Student Virtual Information Session which will take place Tues., Oct. 14, 2025 at 5 p.m. via zoom. Waitlisted students will receive a zoom invitation via email.  

Please do not hesitate to contact the IP Office or connect with us virtually to get information on your next steps. We may also reach out to you directly as opportunities arise. Remember that the IP Ambassadors are a great resource if you have questions or need a listening ear.

As a student on the waitlist, you may choose to remain on the waitlist for your program. You may also consider reapplying to another program that currently is accepting new applications.

Since we know all of our programs are amazing, we encourage you to consider reapplying to another program - it may not be what you initially envisioned, but if you are open to new possibilities we are confident that you will have a great experience no matter where you go. 

As you consider other programs, we encourage you to seek advice from your Academic Advisor, Financial Aid Advisor, healthcare professionals, and family. The IP Ambassadors are also a great resource to help you learn more about alternate programs.

As always, we are available to meet with you and answer your questions. Our goal is to help you go abroad!

Now that you have considered your options, decide how to proceed. You can choose to:

Apply to an Alternate Program

If you were placed on the waitlist, we strongly encourage you to reapply for a program that is currently accepting applications. To reapply, go to your ViaTRM account and withdraw your waitlisted application for your current program by clicking "withdraw." Then open an application for an alternate program. If you need additional assistance reapplying, please contact us. You will not be able to apply for another program in the same term without first withdrawing from the program you are on the waitlist for.

Or, you may choose to:

Remain on the Waitlist

If you choose to remain on the waitlist for your program, it is important that you begin preparing to go abroad while you are waiting to be admitted. This includes registering and taking any necessary course and language prerequisites, renewing or applying for a passport, and attending IP events. While you are on the waitlist, we encourage you to attend IP Orientation and Preparation and Visa Workshops to ensure you are prepared. Keep in mind that being on the waitlist is not a guarantee of eventual admission, although taking these steps does increase your chances of being the most qualified candidate should a space become available.

Students are admitted from the waitlist throughout the year. If you are on the waitlist and it is no longer possible for you to be admitted based on visa or other restrictions, we will manually close your application. If you are on the waitlist and later decide that you would like to reapply to an alternate program, we encourage you to come to the IP Office to discuss your options.