2023 HSLP Application

The deadline to submit an application to the 2023 High School Leaders Program is midnight on Monday, March 20.

Please note that there is no way to save the application and return to work on it later. For this reason, we recommend preparing all of the following information in advance in another program so that you can save your responses to the essay questions.

There are a few short essay questions that each require up to a 300 word response. The questions are:

* Why are you interested in attending the High School Leaders Program?
* Why are you interested in government, politics and/or public policy in Virginia?
* Answer ONE of the following two topics:
A. Describe the accomplishment you are most proud of and why. Feel free to address the following questions: What obstacles did you need to overcome to achieve your goal? What did you learn from your experience? What would you have done differently if you had the chance to do it again? How has this affected your goals for the future? How would you be different if you had not had this experience?
B. Briefly outline a public policy issue that you care about and suggest a solution. Address why this issue is important to you. Give the three strongest reasons for your solution, and give the three strongest arguments against the solution you have proposed. What would you say to convince someone who was opposed to your solution that it is the correct path to take?

Please review and electronically sign:
* Statement of Financial Understanding

Once you start the application there is no way to save partial work so make sure you have everything you need to complete the application. Emailed letters, transcripts, and resumes must be received by Friday, March 24th and can be sent to the selection committee, c/o JaVori Warren, at jw3uj@virginia.edu.
Biographical Information

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* 1. First name

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* 2. Middle name

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* 3. Last name

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* 4. Nickname or preferred name

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* 5. Your email address (Please make sure this is an email account you check regularly as this is how we will contact you after you submit your application)

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* 6. Alternate email address/parent or guardian email address

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* 7. PERMANENT/HOME Address
Street:

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* 8. City, State:

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* 9. Zip code

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* 10. Home phone number

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* 11. Cell phone number

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* 12. Will you be at least 16 years old by the start of the HSLP (July 15, 2023)?

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* 13. Current Party Preference

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* 14. Current Political Philosophy

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* 15. Geographic identification where you currently live

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* 16. Based on the map below, in which of the Sorensen Institute's regions do you live?

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* 17. Year in school?

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* 18. High school name

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* 19. High school city

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* 20. The 2023 High School Leaders Program will be held Saturday, July 15 through Saturday, July 29. All students are housed at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville for the duration of the two-week program. Aside from some field trips, the students will spend most of their time on grounds at the University. Students are required the attend the entire program. Please list any major commitments or events that might conflict with the dates of the session(s) that you would like to be considered along with your application.

Please note that there is an attendance policy in place and that there are no "free" days during the HSLP.  If you cannot commit to attending the entire HSLP, you should wait and reapply in a future year.

Please note that for questions 21, 22, and 23, there is a 300-word limit on each question. Although the text boxes do not have a limit on how much can be submitted, this word limit will be strictly enforced when reviewing applications. Please check the word count on your short answer questions carefully before submitting them.

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* 21. Why are you interested in attending the High School Leaders Program?

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* 22. Why are you interested in government, politics and/or public policy in Virginia?

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* 23. Please write a (NO MORE THAN) 300 word essay on ONE of the following two topics:

A. Describe the accomplishment you are most proud of and why. Feel free to address the following questions: What obstacles did you need to overcome to achieve your goal? What did you learn from your experience? What would you have done differently if you had the chance to do it again? How has this affected your goals for the future? How would you be different if you had not had this experience?

B. Briefly outline a public policy issue that you care about and suggest a solution. Address why this issue is important to you. Give the three strongest reasons for your solution, and give the three strongest arguments against the solution you have proposed. What would you say to convince someone who was opposed to your solution that it is the correct path to take?

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* 24. Is there anything else you would like us to know or take into consideration that has not been included on this application form?

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* 25. How did you learn about the High School Leaders Program?

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* 26. Please read the statement of financial understanding below with your parent or guardian. After you have read it and are sure you can comply with the requirements, please type your name in the field provided. This will serve as an electronic signature to signify your understanding.

Statement of Financial Understanding: As an applicant for the Sorensen Institute’s 2023 High School Leaders Program I sign my name electronically below to signify that...
  • Responsibility for paying for participation in the program is my own;
  • The cost to attend the 2023 High School Leaders Program is $3300.00 for a shared room and $3700 for an individual room;
  • I can apply for financial aid. The financial aid process is managed by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service and will take place after acceptance;
  • If I am accepted, payment in full is expected by May 15.
  • My program deposit must be paid by me and is not eligible to be included in financial aid requests;
  • As a form of financial assistance, I can choose a payment plan option, which includes a small convenience and processing fee. The payment plan is four payments of $850 (for a shared room) due May 15, June 5, June 19, July 15 or four payments of $950 (for an individual room) due May 15, June 5, June 19, July 15. Responsibility for paying for participation in the program is my own.
  • According to IRS guidance, the Lifetime Learning tax credit applies to students who are enrolled in one or more courses at an eligible educational institution. The course or courses must be either part of a post-secondary degree program or taken by the student to acquire or improve job skills. There are many other details surrounding the Hope and Lifetime Learning Tax Credits. We suggest that you contact your own tax professional to see if you qualify for these credits. Unfortunately, neither the Sorensen Political Institute nor the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service can provide tax advice. You can also contact the IRS' Office of Public Liaison at 202-622-2970 or view Publication 970 on the IRS website for further information.

Final Reminders:

Supplemental Application Materials
In addition to completing the online application in its entirety, please send:

-A copy of your school transcript (official or unofficial are accepted)
-A resume or activity sheet
-At least one letter of recommendation (but no more than two)

Emailed transcripts, resumes, and letters must be received by Friday, March 24, and can be sent to the selection committee, c/o JaVori Warren, at jw3uj@virginia.edu.

Your application is not complete until we have received these three documents.

Personal Interview
Selected applicants will be contacted in the weeks after the deadline to arrange a personal interview with a panel of board members, staff, and alumni. Interviews are set to take place in late March, April, or early May. Should you be selected for an interview, please take a moment to review the 2023 program dates to make sure you identify any schedule conflicts (July 15-29, 2023).

If you have any questions about the program, please email Sarah Campbell at sc9ef@virginia.edu.

When you click the "Submit my application" button below, you will be taken back to the Sorensen website, which means your application has been successfully submitted. If you are not successfully taken back to the Sorensen website and suspect your application was not submitted successfully, please email jw3uj@virginia.edu.

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