• The SACS application is entirely online. No paper application form exists, and none will be accepted.
• Once you have started the SACS application, you can save your work and continue working on your application at a later time. You are neither required nor encouraged to complete the application in one sitting.
• Read over your application and make all corrections before clicking the SUBMIT button. Once the application is submitted, changes cannot be made; however, if you have made an error that MUST be corrected, please contact the SACS Coordinator for assistance.
• The SACS Application is NOT a Study Abroad Application. You must apply separately to your study abroad program.

The Statement of Purpose is a short essay (approximately 500 words) that helps the SACS Awards Committee to assess the potential positive impact of your study abroad experience. This part of the application accounts for 25% of your final SACS score. In order to help the committee understand your motivation for studying abroad, you are encouraged to address the following:

• For what reason(s) did you decide on this particular study abroad program? Describe the intentionallity behind your choice to select this program specifically. What does it offer you?
• What will you be studying during this period abroad, and how does your study abroad program relate to your chosen degree program?
• How will your study abroad program help you achieve future educational and career goals? Describe the connection between your participation in this program and the long-term impact that you expect this international experience to have on your life.
• Are there any personal or unique life circumstances that influenced your decision to study abroad?

• Members of the SACS Awards Committee consider your cumulative GPA and look at your transcript(s) for patterns of improvement as well as non-representative semesters. This part of the application accounts for 25% of your final SACS score. A lower GPA will not remove you from the competition; however, you must have the required minimum GPA in order to be considered for the scholarship (2.7 for undergraduate students; 3.0 for graduate students; and 2.0 for School of Law students).

• All SACS applicants must request a minimum of two recommendations. Recommendations accounts for a combined total of 20% of your final SACS score. If your application does not contain two completed recommendations, it will not be reviewed by the Awards Committee.
• Recommendations must be submitted to the online application by 5 p.m. on the deadline date. If two recommendations are not received by 5 p.m. on the deadline date, then your entire application will be considered incomplete. Incomplete applications will not be forwarded to the SACS Awards Committee for consideration.
• Show your recommenders the advice page for Writing Recommendations for SACS.

Be sure to select your recommenders carefully! You will want to request a positive recommendation from someone who:

• Knows your professional and academic career
  • Avoid requesting a recommendation from people who fall into one of the categories listed in the application instructions as inappropriate recommenders.
• Knows your recent accomplishments
  • A recommendation from someone who knew you prior to your enrollment at Texas Tech may be valid, but it will not convey the same sense of current knowledge as a recommendation from someone who works with you now.
• Knows you well
  • Your recommender should be prepared to speak positively and in detail about your suitability for this study abroad program.
  • It is a good idea to make sure that your recommender knows the nature and location of your study abroad experience.
• Is conscientious
  • You want recommenders who will write detailed, thoughtful, and positive recommendations and then submit those recommendations in a timely manner!
  • Do not select recommenders who will write a cursory recommendation, submit your recommendation late, or fail to complete your recommendation.

Remember that it is your responsibility to make smart choices in selecting your recommenders. Make your recommendation requests early – AT LEAST ONE WEEK before the application deadline – and think hard about who would be an appropriate, reliable recommender.

Paper recommendations and letters of recommendation will NOT be accepted. All recommendations must be submitting using the electronic recommender form.

All students are encouraged to follow up by sending a thank you note to their recommenders and, if awarded, provide an update of the successful outcome.