Full Application Checklist

• Upload a cover photo of your choice.
• Please keep in mind that your cover photo is the first photograph your host family will see of you. The photo should be a picture of you from the shoulders up, similar to a school portrait.
• This photo will be used to make an International Student ID Card for you.

• Make sure that all fields are accurate and complete. If you do not yet have a valid passport, you should apply for one now. You can submit your AFS application without this and provide a copy at a later date, as long as you provide proof that you have applied for a passport at the time of submitting your application.
• Section 4 refers to your primary residence. If your parents have joint custody or if you reside at two addresses, please choose a primary residence and include all residing household members in this section. If you have siblings that do not live at home, include them in the list as well. Section 6 should reflect your secondary residence.
• In Section 9 please list any countries you've visited. If you have never traveled abroad, please write "No".
In Section 10 please indicate your program and country preference. Refer to our Study Abroad page to verify your eligibility and availability of your first-choice program.

• This form is an important part of the host family placement process. Please answer each question carefully and make sure your answers are consistent with the rest of your application. It's best to provide more information than you think may be necessary and show flexibility in any placement requirements.
• Section 2: Make sure this section matches up with the information you submit on Form 3 (3A #4 and 3B #10). If you have allergies, please describe what you are allergic to, the severity, and whether you take any medication (providing the name of medication if applicable).
• Section 3: Dietary restrictions are challenging to accommodate and might hinder you from participating in some programs. You must submit a Dietary Restriction Addendum Form, which your Application Advisor will provide after reviewing your application. Many countries cannot accept students with dietary restrictions. Call 1800-AFS-INFO to speak with an advisor for details.

These forms must be completed by a physician or nurse practitioner and dated within one year of program departure.

The physician who completes the form cannot be related to the candidate. Please note that you will also be asked to provide an updated health report within 6 weeks of departure.

• Question 1: All items in this line must be completed. You do not need your blood type to submit your application, but the partner country may need to know the result before accepting your application.
• Questions 2-9: Make sure all boxes are checked and that your information is clear and detailed. Include additional allergy or asthma information where indicated.

• Question 10-15: All questions must be answered. Don't forget to list any medications or restrictions in activity.
• Question 16: Immunizations must be written on this form and cannot be provided in an attached document.
• All signatures are required on this form.
• Please have your doctor's office stamp this form where indicated.

• In addition to the form, you must provide a statement regarding your condition, your treatment history, and how you plan to deal with the stress and challenges of studying abroad. A similar statement from your parents is also required. Please refer to our Medical Evaluation Policy to determine if you are in accordance with our standards for mental, physical and emotional health.

• Take special care when composing your letter to the host family. This is the first impression that your host family (and AFS staff and volunteers) will have of you so you want to put your best foot forward. Stay positive while being authentic.
• Be sure to format this as a letter, using the questions below as a guide for topics to address, and proofread your letter carefully for spelling and grammar.

• Upload 8-12 photos of you spending time with your family, your friends, and taking part in your favorite activities. Be sure to include short captions that clearly identify you in the photo. Please provide a description of the photograph in the caption as well.

• Please answer the questions below by typing at least 2-3 sentences per question on a separate page. Upload both the typed statement and the Parent Statement Form.
• Make sure the appropriate custody boxes are checked. Note that we may require additional documentation based on custodial status; see our Signature Guidelines for details.

• In the sections that refer to the Permission to use Photographs and Kaleidoscope Project - please make sure your parent(s)/guardian(s) do NOT initial in the box if they are comfortable with you participating.

• All sections must be completed including school information, your cumulative GPA, class rank or quartile, and the foreign language assessment.
• Please provide your three most recent years of classes and grades. This includes middle school classes and grades if you are currently a Freshman or Sophomore. If you do not have grades for the current semester, please provide a list of classes you are taking.
• This form must be filled out, signed, and stamped by a school official.
• If the form is given to you in a sealed envelope you should open it in order to verify that the Academic Record Form is signed and stamped. Please inform your guidance counselor that you will be looking at this document. You may provide an unofficial transcript as a supplementary document.
• If you will be a high school graduate when your AFS program begins, you must submit an Academic Commitment Form. Some high school programs cannot accept graduates. Refer to the Gap Year page for a list of programs for graduates.

• An in-home interview with a local AFS volunteer is an important part of the application process. This is a time for you and your parents to meet with a local volunteer, learn more about the program, and ask any questions you may have about the experience.
• You should contact the volunteer as you begin to work on your application and arrange for an interview around the time you will submit your application.
• The contact information of your local volunteer Interview Coordinator is sent to you once you begin working on your full application.

• Learn about covering your AFS tuition and the need-based scholarships we offer.

• This is a legally binding document. Please read it carefully before completing the top of page one and signing and dating page five. Only the completed first and last pages need to be uploaded to this section.
• Note that we may require additional documentation based on custodial status, see our Signature Guidelines for details.

• Please read the form carefully.
• Be sure everybody prints, signs, and dates the form.

• A letter of recommendation from an academic teacher or guidance counselor is required for all high school and academic programs.
• Give the form below to the person who will be writing your letter so they can use it as a guide. The letter should be typed on school stationary or certified with a school stamp. If the letter is given to you in a sealed envelope you should open it and upload the signed statement. Please inform the person who writes your letter that you will be reading the recommendation in order to upload it to your application.

• You must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months past the end date of your AFS program. If you do not yet have a valid passport, you should apply for a new passport or renew your current passport now. The process takes 4-6 weeks, unless you expedite your passport for an additional fee.
• You can submit your AFS application without this, and provide a copy at a later date, as long as you provide proof that you have applied for a passport at the time of submitting your application in the form of a receipt or passport application forms.
• Upload a scanned copy of your passport photo and signature pages. Don't forget to sign your passport.
• Some countries have lengthy and complicated visa processes, so we recommend avoiding any travel in the 2-3 months prior to your program.

These forms will only be released to you as needed:

• Academic Commitment Form for High School Graduates - Please complete this form if you will have graduated from high school before participating on an AFS Academic Program.

• This form is required if you have any dietary restrictions; including for medical, religious or self-imposed reasons.
• Please include a detailed typed statement outlining what you will and will not eat. Be specific (e.g. if you can eat foods made with meat broth, or foods cooked with meat, etc.) and show flexibility in your requirements.
• Upload both the form and your typed statement explaining in detail the reasons for your dietary restrictions.