2008-09 Online Application Procedure

Applicants are encouraged to use the online application procedure for submitting their personal data, personal statement and faculty recommendations. Additional materials must be submitted to the AKP Campus Representative or AKP Office (for non-consortium applicants). Applicants should not submit both paper and online copies of any material.

Online Application Materials and Procedures

Applicants must register below to start an online application. Within 24 hours, applicants will receive an email from an AKP Campus Representative notifying them of their user ID and password. By logging in with this user ID and password at the top of this page, applicants will be able to to return to and modify the content of their applications until they submit their final application. Upon final submission, copies of the student's online application materials will be sent electronically to their AKP Campus Representative for preliminary screening.

Online Application Materials:

1. Personal Data Form
2. Personal Statement
3. Faculty Recommendations: Applicants will be prompted to enter the contact information of three faculty members who have agreed to write recommendations on their behalf. Once completed, the faculty members will receive an email with instructions for adding their recommendations to the applicant's online file. Recommendations must also be received by January 18, 2008, so applicants should complete this section well in advance of the deadline.

Hard Copy Materials:

Online applicants are required to submit the following hard-copy items by January 18, 2008 to the AKP Campus Representative at their home institution. Non-consortium applicants should send these materials directly to the AKP Office. Applicants should download PDF forms from the AKP website. Form fields have been created so that you can type directly into the documents when using Adobe Reader.

1. Transcript showing all work completed through the Fall Semester or Term 2007, submitted by the Registrar's Office to the AKP Campus Representative.
2. Parent's Agreement Form and Insurance Form, Dean's Approval and Advisor's Approval Form.
   Click the link above to download the PDF.
3. Copy of applicant's passport valid through September 2009. Applications without proof of a valid passport will not be considered.
4. A friendly, one-page letter in English to a prospective host family. The applicant should tell the family about him or herself as well as his or her community, school, interests, tastes, habits, friends, and family. The letter should be typed and signed. The applicant should also attach a recent photograph of his or her family. (While the setting photo need not be formal, the production of the print should be high quality.)
5. A check for $10 ($50 for non-consortium applicants) made out to the "Associated Kyoto Program - Smith College" to cover administrative costs and postage for visa applications and the mailing of passports and airline tickets. Late applications are subject to an additional $50 fee.

Register to Apply Online

Registering to use the online application will notify your AKP campus representative of your intent to apply to AKP. Depending on the school and representative's pre-screening process you may receive a password to access the application via email or you may be required to visit the campus representative to conduct a face-to-face pre-screening interview before you receive your password. Either way you will generally have a response from your campus representative via email within 24 hours of making the request.

If you are already registered and have received your password, you may continue your application by entering your email address and password at the top of the page.