Salesian Studies and Sabbatical Application
This application process is for those who seek to participate in the various study / formation programs / renewal programs:
- Salesian Studies applicants (certificate programs, and Masters of Arts program)
- Ongoing formation applicants (Salesian Studies + formation program)
- Salesian renewal / updating / sabbatical applicants
These applicants do not need to fill out a separate community application.
However, if the above doesn’t describe your situation, perhaps you are looking for the Community Application.
1. Discern
Discern if you are called to live in community at Don Bosco Hall. An applicant must recognize that Don Bosco Hall is a religious community of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and is not merely a boarding house. Since it is a religious community with a particular spirit and life, upon arrival, community members are expected to strive to actively participate in the life of the community. This prayerful process ought to include some sort of dialogue with the director: 510-204-0801
If you are a member of a religious congregation, this ought to be a mutual discernment between your superior(s) and yourself.
2. Submit application forms
All study programs require two applications:
- Application to the Institute of Salesian Studies (ISS) Please do not fill out this PDF form online. Save it on your computer first (with a different name).
- Application to the Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology
Notes:
- DSPT Application submission options: Applicants may either (1) submit their DSPT portion of their application to us (PDF form), or (2) apply online. If you prefer the first option, you may submit your DSPT application to us via email or fax, and we could assist you through the process, and submit your application on your behalf. However, if you choose the online application option, follow the directions provided on the DSPT website. Either way, the ISS part of the application is submitted to us, and NOT DSPT.
- Separate recommendations: Each of these applications ask for specific recommendations, and must be submitted separately. However, you are permitted to use the same persons for both applications.
- “Program” checkbox: on the DSPT application, applicants who desire to take one or two semesters of studies, ought to mark the “special student” box. If you plan on applying for a Masters degree, you will mark the “MA Theology” checkbox
- “Proposed area of concentration” checkbox: All applicants should mark the box labeled “Salesian Studies”
3. Obtain recommendations
- For DSPT: If you choose to apply to DSPT through us, please send this recommendation form to those whom you have asked to recommend you. If you choose to apply online, follow the recommendation process indicated on the DSPT website
- For ISS: notify your recommenders that we will send them a recommendation form via email. If they do not receive the recommendation form within 3 business days, please contact info@salesianstudies.org. If your recommender prefers a faxed form, please let us know.
5. Obtain a visa
Most international applicants who do not plan to study, or plan to merely audit courses without receiving credit (including applicants for English courses) should apply for a Visitor Visa (B-2) or Religious Worker Visa (R-1).
Applicants who intend to study at institutions other than the Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology, and who wish to do so for credit, ought to apply for a Student Visa (F-1 or M-1). After an applicant is accepted into the educational institution, (s)he will receive an I-20 form, and will then be able to apply online. For more details about this process, please visit the website of the Bureau of Consular Affairs.
7. Obtain a letter of good standing
Once accepted, ordained applicants who desire to obtain faculties in the Diocese of Oakland should contact us in order to start the process. We will contact their superior (provincial for religious, and bishop for diocesan clergy), and request a letter of good standing. This will expedite the process upon arrival.