2018 Emerging Leaders Program Application

YOU HAVE UNTIL 11:59 PM ON MONDAY, MAY 21, 2018 TO COMPLETE THIS APPLICATION

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 essays questions.

There are several short essay questions that each require up to a 500 word response. The questions are:

* Describe your recent leadership activities. What do you consider to be your highest leadership achievement so far?
* What academic, community, governmental, political, professional or other activity are you most proud of? What barriers have you encountered while pursuing this activity?
* What are your long-range political goals?
* What does state or local government in Virginia do well?
* What would you like to change about government in Virginia?
* What specific skills, knowledge or resources do you hope to acquire as a result of participating in the Sorensen Institute Emerging Leaders Program?

As well as a short response to:

* How did you learn about the Sorensen Institute?

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.

Applicants may also submit up to two letters of recommendation. These are not required, and we will not review more than two. To be considered, letters can be either emailed to Lauren.Gilbert@virginia.edu by 11:59pm on Monday, May 21nd, or postmarked by May 21, 2018, addressed to:

Lauren Gilbert
Sorensen Institute
P.O. Box 400206
Charlottesville, VA 22904

When submitting your application, please do not type in all capital letters.
Biographical Information

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* 1. First name

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* 2. Middle Name/Initial

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* 3. Last name

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* 4. Preferred name/nickname

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* 5. Home address

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* 6. Cell phone number

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* 7. Other phone number

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* 8. E-mail

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

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Sorensen Institute Regions

Sorensen Institute Regions
Current Work Information

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* 10. Employer

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* 11. Title

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* 12. Supervisor

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* 13. Work address

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* 14. Work phone

Education
Start with your most recent educational experience and work backwards to high school. You may include non-degree training programs that you think are significant. You do not have to use all five spaces.

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* 15. Educational History

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* 16. Educational History

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* 17. Educational History

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* 18. Educational History

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* 19. Educational History

Employment Information
List any past employers.

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* 20. Employer

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* 21. Employer

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* 22. Employer

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* 23. Employer

Organizations and Activities
Tell us about your most important community involvement and volunteer activities. You do not have to use all four spaces.

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* 24. Organization

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* 25. Organization

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* 26. Organization

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* 27. Organization

Short answer questions
Please write 250 to 500 word answers for each of the following questions.

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* 28. Describe your recent leadership activities. What do you consider to be your highest leadership achievement so far?

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* 29. What academic, community, governmental, political, professional, or other, activity are you most proud of? What barriers have you encountered while pursuing this activity?

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* 30. What are your long-range political goals?

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* 31. What does state or local government in Virginia do well?

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* 32. What would you like to change about government in Virginia?

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* 33. What specific skills, knowledge or resources do you hope to acquire as a result of participating in the Sorensen Institute Emerging Leaders Program?

The Emerging Leaders Program meets three times in July, August, and September.  Classes meet the opening and closing weekends at Carter Hall in Millwood, Virginia and for one two-day session in Richmond.  Sessions generally run from 9:00 am on the starting day of the session to 5:00 pm on the closing day of the session. 

The overall success of the program depends on the attendance of all students at all sessions. The absence of one person negatively affects the learning experience for everyone else. Therefore we have a strict attendance policy.  Attendance during the entirety of the July and September sessions is mandatory.  During the August session, one half-day absence may be requested.  The staff reserves the right to deny any absence requests to protect the integrity of the program.  Absences require prior approval from staff.

Dates for the Emerging Leaders Program Class of 2018 are as follows:

July 27-28: First Session (Carter Hall)
August 16-17: Second Session (Richmond)
September 6, 7, 8: Third Session (Carter Hall)

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* 34. Are there any potential schedule conflicts that might prevent you from participating fully in all sessions?

2018 Emerging Leaders Program Statement of Financial Understanding:
As an applicant for the Sorensen Institute’s 2018 Emerging Leaders Program I sign my name electronically below to signify that….
• Responsibility for paying for participation in the program is my own;
• I can apply for financial aid;
• To be eligible for financial aid, I must submit my application for financial aid by Friday, May 25;
• My program deposit must be paid by me and is not eligible to be included in financial aid requests;
• Financial aid applications will be reviewed by the Weldon Cooper Center Associate Director and decisions will be provided to me if I am selected to attend the program to which I am applying;
• If I seek financial aid, I may be required to fundraise to help offset my cost of attending the program;
• If I am accepted, I must comply with the following payment dates: $400 non-refundable deposit due on Friday, June 29 (not eligible for financial aid), $700 due Friday, July 27th;
• 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 postsecondary 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.

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* 35. Please type your name to signify you understand the financial requirements for the ELP

Also, please share with us:

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* 36. How did you learn about the Sorensen Institute?

When you click "Submit my application," you will be taken to the Sorensen Institute's website. If you do not reach this page, your application has not been received.

In the week after the deadline, you will hear from us in terms of arranging a personal interview with a panel of staff and alumni. Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to email Lauren.Gilbert@virginia.edu or call (434) 243-2844.

Applicants may also submit up to two letters of recommendation. These are not required, and we will not review more than two. To be considered, letters can be either emailed to Lauren.Gilbert@virginia.edu by 11:59pm on Friday, May 25th, or postmarked by May 25, 2018, addressed to:

Lauren Gilbert
Sorensen Institute
P.O. Box 400206
Charlottesville, VA 22904

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