OCS Petition for Non-Carleton Programs

You must complete an OCS petition before you study off-campus. OCS petitions will not be considered after you have started the program or upon your return to Carleton.

Your program application deadline will probably be different and may be later than the OCS petition deadline. Do not wait to hear about the outcome of your application before you complete and submit your OCS petition. Submit your completed petition to the OCS Office by the 3rd Thursday of the term prior to the off-campus term. Even earlier submissions of petitions are encouraged.

The OCS Petition must be approved by the College in order for financial aid to be applied toward the program bill. Financial aid will be released only after the Student Financial Services Office has been notified by the OCS Office that your petition has been approved.

The OCS petition may be a two-part document, depending on whether you are applying to an affiliated or an unaffiliated program. Currently, the petitions process is still an all paper process. The program review forms are available online, however you must stop by the OCS office to pick up a copy of the OCS Petition form. If you are unable to do so, email lvanderw@carleton.edu to request a copy of the petition.

Students applying to All Non-Carleton Programs

The OCS Petition form must be completed by all students applying to all non-Carleton programs, affiliated and unaffiliated. You must stop by the OCS Office to pick up a copy of this form. To be considered complete, the OCS Petition form must have:

1. Your signature
2. Your academic adviser's signature
3. Your current degree audit, which you can download from the Registrar's website or the Hub
4. The signature of the department chair of your intended major, if you submit your petition as a sophomore
5. Completed Budget Worksheet and supporting information from sponsor (website or catalogue) regarding itemized costs.

Students applying to Unaffiliated Programs

In addition to the form mentioned above, the Program Review form must be completed by students applying to unaffiliated programs, that is, non-Carleton programs which do not have standing approval by the College. This form is different depending on whether the program is through Butler or Arcadia, or another program provider. To be considered complete, that form must have:

1. A completed original and three photocopies of the petition, your degree audit, your unofficial transcript, and application essay
2. Your signature
3. Program information (catalog, brochure, web print-out)
4. Completed original faculty program evaluation with the faculty member's signature and three copies
5. Completed Budget Worksheet and supporting information from sponsor (website or catalogue) regarding itemized costs.

If you are applying to an unaffiliated program, you must complete both the OCS Petition and the Program Review as your complete OCS Petition.

Deadlines for OCS Petitions

Your OCS Petition, consisting of either the OCS Petition form or both the OCS Petition and the Program Review forms (see above), must be submitted to the OCS Office by 4:30 PM on the third Thursday prior to the off-campus term. In the fall, the deadline is October 1, 2009. In the Winter, the deadline is January 21, 2010. In the Spring, the deadline is April 15th, 2010.

Late Off-Campus Studies Petitions

If your OCS petition is not complete, it will not be received by the OCS Office. Only completed petitions will be considered. LATE PETITIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Notification About Off-Campus Studies Petitions Approval or Denial

You will receive a letter about approval or denial for participation in your proposed off-campus program from the OCS Office.

If your petition is approved and you are accepted into the program, you must confirm your participation with the program. If your petition is denied, you may not participate in the program for Carleton credit. You may inquire in the Dean of Students Office about taking a leave of absence to participate in the program without earning Carleton credit. If your petition is approved, but you are not accepted into the program, you must notify the OCS Office that you will return to campus. You will be able to register for classes as usual, and you will be guaranteed campus housing.

Summer Programs

Students wishing to do a non-Carleton summer study program for credit must petition the Off-Campus Studies Committee as described above. The maximum number of credits available for a summer program is 14. There is no required leave of absence in the following academic year (as is the case with Carleton summer programs). In general, financial aid is not available for summer programs, but exceptions can be made (see financial aid section).