How To Apply

Russian Flagship Program

HOW TO APPLY

APPLICATION PROCESS

All applicants, in addition to applying to Portland State University, must also apply directly to the Russian Flagship Program. Follow the steps below to start your application.

Apply for Admission to PSU

Acceptance in the Russian Flagship Program is contingent on admission to Portland State University. You must apply separately for admission to PSU.

APPLY TO PSU

Choose your Track

We offer an introductory track and an advanced track:

Introductory Track: Students must demonstrate good academic potential and an aptitude for learning foreign languages. They must agree to take intensive beginning Russian and to participate in a summer study abroad program.
Advanced Track: Students must be able to read, write and speak Russian well enough to participate in discussion of academic subjects of general interest.

Track Details

Apply to the Flagship Program

Application materials can come to us on a piecemeal basis. Email them to russianflagship@pdx.edu.

We will let you know when your application packet is complete and under review.

While there is no set deadline, early applications are encouraged.

Apply to Flagship

Solicit Recommendation Forms

On your application, you will be asked to supply the names and email addresses of two teachers who can tell us about your academic work. If possible, at least one of your recommenders should be a foreign language teacher.

Once you’ve submitted your application, the Flagship Program will send your recommenders an electronic recommendation form directly. Please let your recommenders know to expect this form.

If you or your recommenders have any questions or concerns or would like a pdf/editable version of the form, please email us at russflag@pdx.edu.

View recommender questions

Statement of Purpose in English

Please write an essay (500-750 words) describing your previous experiences learning foreign languages. Describe any experiences that you have had living or studying in foreign countries. Explain how the Russian Flagship Program fits into your future plans, and why it is important to you.

Statement of Purpose in Russian (Advanced Track)

Please note that this is only required for those applying to the advanced track.

Please attach a short essay in Russian explaining why you want to join the Russian Flagship Program at PSU and what Russian means to your future career plans (250 words). This essay is for placement purposes only. Please write it by yourself without help from another person.

Placement in the Advanced Track

Placement in the advanced track may involve a brief interview in Russian to assess your speaking ability, conducted via telephone or Zoom, and a reading and writing assessment. On the reading and writing assessment, there will be some reading passages in Russian and related questions, which you will answer in English. You will also be asked to write some short essays in Russian. These assessments will help us to determine your placement in the program.

Questions

Please contact us if you have any questions or need additional information.

Contact Us

Be a part of our community

Funded by The Language Flagship, an initiative of the National Security Education Program, PSU’s Russian Flagship Program (RFP) is committed to preparing students for exciting careers that use critical language and culture skills in a globalized world.

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