Is a CET Program for you?
Are you a globally-minded, culturally curious, and academically-driven high school student interested in an immersive, engaging educational program? Have you always been intrigued by Japan? Maybe you’re looking for ways to learn about climate change around the world. Or perhaps you want to experience living away from home for the first time.
On a CET program, you will:
- Step out of your comfort zone and gain confidence in a new setting
- Meet other students who share your interests and make lasting friendships and connections
- Explore potential careers and build skills in a world language
- Experience program themes in and out of the classroom while earning college credit and preparing for your future
- Engage with local residents and learn to collaborate with others respectfully and empathetically
Spend four weeks of your summer with CET in one of six destinations in the U.S. and around the world. Want to go for even longer? Spend an entire spring semester with CET in rural Xizhou, China. And no matter where you are in the process, CET advisors are available to help you find a program that suits you and your interests.

Application Process
To apply to a CET program, click the “Apply Now” button on the page of the program you’ve selected. You’ll then create a CET account and receive access to the application materials.
A typical CET application includes:
This form asks for basic academic information and a few short statements about your goals for the program.
An official high school transcript is required. You also submit a transcript for any college-level coursework taken. Official transcripts may be scanned and uploaded, e-transcripts may be submitted, or hard copy official transcripts may be sent in a sealed, signed envelope.
Use the link in your online account to send a recommendation request to one of your current or previous high school teachers.
Family members are an important part of the study abroad process. You’ll be asked to provide your parent/guardian’s contact information as part of your application.
After you apply, you may be asked to provide a visa application, course selections, proof of COVID-19 vaccination, and/or other program-specific elements. If you are a non-native English speaker AND attend high school in a language other than English, you will be required to include an English proficiency exam (eg. TOEFL, IELTS, etc.) score in your application.
See individual program pages for more details.
Eligibility & Inclusion
To be eligible for a CET program*, you must:
- Be between the ages of 15 and 18 at the program start date
- Be a rising sophomore, junior, or senior in high school, or a recent graduate, but not yet enrolled in a college or university degree program
*CET Global Perspectives: Spain has a minimum age requirement of 16.
*The age range eligibility for CET Global Perspectives: Japan is between 15 and 19.
Is there a GPA requirement? Competitive applicants are motivated high school students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. However, admissions decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, so students with lower GPAs are still encouraged to apply.
We believe in making study abroad accessible to all students. We recruit and actively support academically qualified students of all races, religions, origins, abilities, gender identities, and sexual orientations.

Application Deadlines
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until each program’s final deadline. When each item in your online account has been checked off, congratulations, your application is complete! For most programs, you will receive an admissions decision within 2 weeks of receipt of your completed application. Financial assistance applications will be reviewed after February 1.
Summer
Priority & Financial Assistance Deadline — February 1
Final deadline for summer programs — April 1
Spring
China Fieldwork Semester — October 15
Early Application Discount: Students who complete their CET applications by December 1 will be eligible to receive a $250 discount off of their final program fee. This discount will be applied on their invoice if they are accepted to the program, and will be added to any other financial assistance or scholarships also awarded. Scholarship and Financial Assistance portions of the application are due February 1 and do not have to be completed by December 1 in order to receive the early application discount.
Questions? Get in touch!

Brian Wiehr
Marketing & Outreach Manager,
High School & Pre-College Programs
202.650.7521
[email protected]