Today marks the priority deadline for fall 2007 education abroad program applications for those considering traveling abroad next fall.

This deadline is recommended for a greater chance of entry into some of the more popular programs, said Anthony Ogden, associate director of education abroad.

Former education abroad students agreed.

"A lot of more popular programs fill up before regular deadline," said Heidi Johnston (senior-math), who is now an education abroad peer adviser after studying in Austria during fall 2005.

Johnston said Italy, Australia, Spain and England are the most popular programs.

Ogden said he expects 500 to 600 students to apply by the priority deadline.

To apply for education abroad, Ogden said students must fill out an application online. The process also requires an official transcript and a letter of recommendation, he said.

Johnston said for her, getting all the pieces of the application together was the hardest part.

Heather Wnorowski (senior-biology), who studied abroad in Australia last spring, said the hardest part for her was the waiting game.

Ogden said the process takes around six weeks to hear about the decision.

"Most of this time is us waiting to hear from the partner institution," he said.

Ogden also said the acceptance rate for education abroad is usually high.

"If students meet the application requirements, most will get accepted," he said.

For students interested in studying abroad, Ogden recommends doing initial research through their college because each college has evaluated and picked the best programs for each major.

"Don't determine where you want to study, but what," he said.

Students are encouraged to pick a program that allows them to meet course requirements for their major, Ogden said.

While Wnorowski, another peer adviser, took biology courses abroad, Johnston chose not to take math courses overseas.

She said she took courses to complete a German minor as well as general education requirements.

"I took German for many years and wanted to use skills in everyday life," Johnston said, adding that her education abroad was an "invaluable experience." For more information on education abroad programs at Penn State or to apply, log onto www.international.psu. edu.