I’m pursuing a BSME and about to enter my junior year at uni and I really want to study abroad in Italy for a semester. My school has a campus in Rome and offers an amazing program there for Mechanical Engineers that would help them earn credits to graduate. I’ve had a pretty decent academic reputation so far, from doing well in certain classes and participating in so many extracurriculars. However, they have a GPA requirement, and I don’t meet that requirement because I failed a course which dropped my cumulative GPA below. Since I failed that course, I have to retake it next semester but the application deadline to study abroad is due during the semester I’d be retaking the course so unfortunately I’d have to show them my GPA which is below the requirement, and would not be able to show them the more improved GPA I’d earn if I pass the class next semester. Retaking a class and scoring higher replaces the older grade in your gpa.
Of course, since I don’t meet the requirement I have to fill out a petition but even after petitioning, I am worried that I would not get selected for this program. I’ve honestly always wanted to participate in this and since this would be my junior year, I’d be taking certain courses that juniors take so really this is my ONLY chance to participate in a study abroad program.
It would be helpful to know from people who have experience in this how selective certain programs like these are, and really what I can do to be selected. Information would be great.