Frequently Asked
Questions
Here are answers
to some of the questions we’re asked most frequently.
If you’re having trouble finding
the information that you need, please
send us an e-mail at info@lead-america.org or call our Admissions Office at 1.866.FYI.LEAD
(394.5323). We’ll be happy to
help you in any way we can.
Q: What is LeadAmerica?
A: LeadAmerica
is a non-partisan educational organization
that sponsors academic-based leadership
programs for outstanding high school
and middle school students.
Q: What is Lead America's
mission?
A: LeadAmerica's
mission is to transform our next generation
of leaders by inspiring, educating
and instilling ethical and principled
leadership values, attitudes, and skills. LeadAmerica
was founded on the belief that we can
change the world through our youth:
that we can foster a world in which
people - their ideas and their personal
and cultural differences - are valued.
We believe that we can effect change
by creating a generation of dedicated,
courageous, visionary and inspirational
leaders. It is not a question of whether these
young people will lead. Rather
it is a question of how they
will lead - and what values and principles
they will call upon to make important
decisions and choices.
Q: What programs does LeadAmerica
sponsor?
A: LeadAmerica
sponsors high-quality academic programs
that provide students with unmatched
leadership training. These include:
- Congressional
Student Leadership Conference
(CSLC ): LeadAmerica's
flagship college accredited,
leadership immersion and career-focused
programs for outstanding
high school students. Students
delve into a specific field
of study, attend special briefings
and lectures by prominent leaders
and professionals in the field,
and participate in realistic
simulations. Learn
more
- National
Junior Leaders Conference (NJLC): Academic-based
leadership conferences for
middle and junior high school
students. While
learning about a specific field
of study, students explore
potential careers, attend briefings
and lectures by prominent professionals,
and participate in hands-on
simulations designed to give
them a realistic sense of the
topic they are studying. Learn
more
Q: What is LeadAmerica's experience
in running youth programs?
A: LeadAmerica's
management team has over 40
years of experience working
with students. Our founder
and Executive Director has
been administrating youth leadership
programs for over 21 years
and nearly 80,000 students
from more than 51 countries
have attended those programs.
Q: Who
attends LeadAmerica conferences?
A: LeadAmerica
seeks outstanding high school, middle
school and junior high school students
who have demonstrated academic excellence,
extracurricular or civic involvement
and leadership potential. LeadAmerica
conferences attract students from many
different backgrounds and cultures
from across the country and around
the world. The one thing they all have
in common is that they come to LeadAmerica
to learn, have fun and make lifelong
friendships.
Q: How do students benefit
from attending a LeadAmerica
conference?
A: Students who
attend LeadAmerica conferences
benefit in many ways. In
surveys, students and parents tell
us that a LeadAmerica conference
is an experience of a lifetime and
that students:
- have greater self-confidence
and a sense of purpose
- hold themselves to
a higher standard and believe that
the status quo is no longer acceptable
- have an enhanced understanding
of their particular field of study
and the opportunities available
to them, giving them a sense of direction
for their careers and for their
lives
- develop
a network of friends and mentors
- people from all walks of life,
from places and cultures that they
have likely not encountered before
- gain new perspectives,
an appreciation and respect for
diversity, and the need for global
understanding and cooperation
- have
earned college credit, successfully
met new challenges, and received
an important head start on college
admissions and college studies
Q: Are LeadAmerica's
conferences college-accredited?
A: Yes. All
LeadAmerica
high school conferences are
college-accredited. The conference
curriculum itself is
accredited, so when students
successfully complete a high
school conference, they have
completed all requirements
for college credit. No additional
outside reading, research or
papers are required in order
to receive credit. CSLC ten-day
programs
are each accredited for 2 college
credits. Six-day conferences
are accredited for 1 college
credit. Learn
more
Q: Can middle school and junior
high school students earn credit?
A: College credit
is not available to junior high and
middle school students who attend our
National Junior Leaders Conference.
However, these programs are designed
to the highest academic standards.
The fact the LeadAmerica's
high school conferences are college-accredited
is a testament to the quality of all LeadAmerica
programs. All NJLC programs are approved
activities of the National Association
of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).
Q: Who supports and endorses LeadAmerica?
A: LeadAmerica
is honored to have the support,
endorsement and recognition
of many outstanding and respected
organizations, such as the
National Association of Secondary
School Principals, the American
Mock Trial Association, and
many more. Learn
More
In addition, nearly 400 Members of
Congress, Ambassadors and state Governors
support our educational mission and
serve on LeadAmerica's
Honorary Advisory Board. Learn
more
Q: Are LeadAmerica conferences
approved by the National Association
of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)?
A: Yes. LeadAmerica
programs are approved activities of
the NASSP. Learn
More
Q: What does the LeadAmerica
conference tuition include?
A: Tuition to LeadAmerica
covers a full schedule of classes,
briefings, lectures, discussions, simulations,
and includes:
- One
College Credit ($475 value) for
all CSLC (10 day programs)
- Certificate
of Completion
- Housing
accommodations at a University/College
dormitory (summer) or Conference
Center (spring only)
- All
on-campus meals*
- Course
materials and lab fees
- Transportation
as needed for off-site activities,
briefings and events
- Field
trips and social events
- Program
Faculty and on-site staff for supervision
- LeadAmerica
T-shirt
* Students will need spending
money for several off-site meals,
souvenirs and incidentals.
Q: Does the tuition include college
credit?
A: The
tuition for all CSLC ten-day
programs
includes the fee for one college
credit, which every student
earns upon successful completion
of the program. This college
credit normally costs $475
but is included in our tuition
and is earned through Loras
College. The second credit
for these conferences is available
at a reduced rate. Learn
more
College credit
for Leadership
University and other six-day
conferences are optional and
is available at a reduced rate
of $299.
Learn
more
Q: What is
the cost of additional college credit?
A: CSLC
ten-day programs are each
accredited for 2 college credits. Six-day
conferences are accredited
for 1 college credit. Students
may elect to receive the second
at a reduced fee of $299 (normally
$475).
Q: Is transportation
covered in the tuition?
A: Transportation
to and from the NJLC and CSLC is the responsibility
of each student.
Q: Does LeadAmerica
provide airport pick-up and drop-off?
A: During
certain designated times, LeadAmerica
provides an airport shuttle
between the designated airport
and the program location for
a fee of $35 each way. Complete
information on the airport
shuttle is included in the
student's Pre-conference Handbook
that is provided after registration.
Q: What types of assistance
does LeadAmerica
offer to students with financial
need?
A: LeadAmerica
provides substantial financial assistance
to students and their families. A
substantial percentage of our students
receive financial support to assist
them with conference tuition. Through
a combination of family contributions,
scholarships and fundraising virtually
all students who are eligible and desire
to attend a LeadAmerica conference
are able to do so. Lead America
offers a range of assistance for students
and their families:
Fundraising: LeadAmerica
offers an online fundraising
program that gives students
a simple means of communicating
with potential donors and
monitoring their fundraising
progress. We also provides
students with a Fundraising
Guide (pdf) to assist
them in raising tuition through
contributions from local
businesses and civic organizations.
This guide offers step-by-step
instructions on how students
can create and execute a
fundraising plan. We have
found that students have
great success in securing
funds through their local
community.
Financial assistance: For
students who have demonstrated financial
need, the LeadAmerica
Foundation provides need-based financial
aid. Each year, the Foundation awards
hundreds of thousands of dollars
in financial aid. Students
must submit a Financial
Aid Application (pdf) along
with their enrollment application.
Q: What is LeadAmerica's
cancellation and refund policy?
A: Because
the operation of LeadAmerica
programs requires extensive advanced
planning, costs are incurred long before
the start of the conference. Accordingly
the following Cancellation & Refund
Policy will apply.
Spring
Conferences:
For cancellations prior to
and including February 15,
2010 there is a cancellation
fee of $500; after February
15, 2010 there are no refunds.
Summer Conferences:
For cancellations prior to
and including April 1, 2010
there is a cancellation fee
of $350; after April 1, 2010
and prior to and including
May 15, 2010 there is a cancellation
fee of $500; after May 15,
2010 there are no refunds.
- Any
cancellation and refund request
must be submitted either through
the LeadAmerica website
(requires PIN) or by written notice
to the Admissions Office in Boca
Raton, Florida received by email,
fax, U.S. Postal Service, or overnight
delivery signed by the Parent/Guardian
who signed the enrollment application.
Additionally, if you have the Payment
Protection Plan you must also immediately
notify the Plan Administrator at
BerkelyCare of your cancellation.
- Optional Tuition & Travel
Insurance premiums are non-refundable.
- Tuition
payments will be refunded in full
in the event the Student's application
is not accepted or if space is
not available in the selected program.
- In the event that LeadAmerica
cancels a program, all tuition will
be refunded. LeadAmerica
shall not be responsible for any
expenses incurred by student other
than tuition paid.
- There
is a $50 administrative fee if
the Student transfers to another
LeadAmerica session or program
after enrollment. Transfers within
60 days of the start date of the
session the student is registered
to attend will be subject to other
terms and conditions.
- Students
who are dismissed from the program
for disciplinary reasons or leave
the program early for any reason
are not eligible for a refund.
Parents are responsible for any expenses
incurred for housing or transportation
after dismissal.
Q: Does LeadAmerica
offer Tuition & Travel insurance?
A: Yes. Tuition & Travel
Insurance must be purchased at the
time of enrollment and non-refundable
payment submitted with the tuition
deposit. The Tuition & Travel
Insurance provides
cancellation protection that safeguards
the Student's tuition and other covered
expenses while traveling. Students
who cancel for covered reasons, as
set forth in the Description of Coverage,
will be reimbursed for non-refundable
tuition and airfare cancellation charges
associated with the program. The Plan
also includes coverage for Medical
Protection, Baggage Protection, Trip
Interruption and Delay and Emergency
Assistance Services. Learn
more
Q: How are students
selected to attend LeadAmerica conferences?
A: Admission
to LeadAmerica conferences
is selective. LeadAmerica
seeks outstanding students from across
the United States and internationally
who have demonstrated leadership potential,
academic promise and will contribute
to the quality and diversity of the
Conference. There are several
ways in which students are selected:
Student Talent Identification Programs & Surveys,
Student Surveys & Listings, Educator
Nominations, Alumni Nominations, and
Clubs & Activities. Students
who are not pre-selected may apply
through the Merit Application process
(see below).
- Student Talent
Identification Programs & Surveys: National
Student Talent Identification Programs & Surveys
identify students based on their
academic achievements, school and
extracurricular activities and
future ambitions. Qualified students
are pre-approved for admission and
receive an invitation to enroll in
the LeadAmerica session of their
choice.
- Student Surveys & Listings: National student surveys and listings
identify students based on one or
more of the following criteria including
grade level, academic achievements
or interests, school and extracurricular
activities and future ambitions.
Students identified through these
programs or surveys receive an invitation
to enroll in the LeadAmerica session
of their choice.
- Educator
Nominations:
Schools from across the United
States and 51 countries internationally
participate in our Educator Nomination
Program. Teachers, guidance counselors
and school administrators who participate
submit nominations of students
who meet LeadAmerica's
admissions requirements: scholastic
achievement, involvement in community
or extra-curricular activities
and leadership potential. Nominated
students are pre-approved for admission
and receive an invitation to enroll
in the LeadAmerica session
of their choice.
- Alumni
Nominations: LeadAmerica
Alumni may submit nominations of
outstanding students based on the
same criteria as educator nominations.
These students are pre-approved for
admission and receive an invitation
to enroll in the LeadAmerica
session of their choice.
- Clubs & Activities: Invitations
are also sent to students who participate
in certain clubs or activities (e.g.
Academic Honor Societies, Mock Trial,
Debate, Model UN, Boy Scouts, Girls
Scouts, Student Government, Athletics,
etc.)
- Merit
Applications:
Students with a minimum "B" average,
a record of involvement
in community and extra-curricular
activities, or demonstrated
leadership potential may
apply directly to LeadAmerica.
A written recommendation
from a teacher or counselor
is also required.
Q: Where
are LeadAmerica
programs held?
A: All
summer programs are held on college
campuses. Living and learning on
a college campus contributes to the
students' conference experience.
(Spring conferences are held at a
hotel/conference center.) Depending
upon the conference and session,
conferences are held at one of the
following college campuses:
- Bentley
University - Boston,
MA
- Columbia
University - New
York, NY
- DePaul University - Chicago, IL
- Fordham
University - New
York, NY
- Georgetown
University - Washington,
DC
- Johns
Hopkins University - Baltimore,
MD/Washington, DC
- Frank
W. Olin College of Engineering
- Boston, MA
- Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
- University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
- University of California at Los Angeles, CA
Learn more
Q: How are students
housed?
A: Students reside
in dormitories on the campus of the
college at which the conference is
held. Students are housed 1, 2, 3,
or 4 to a room depending on the program
and location. LeadAmerica
encourages students to accept roommate
assignments as meeting and living with
students from different parts of the
country and the world contributes to
the overall conference experience.
Q: How are students
supervised?
A: The safety and
supervision of our students is of paramount
importance. Students are carefully
supervised throughout the program by LeadAmerica
faculty and staff. Resident Advisors
and administrative staff reside on-site
and are available to students at any
time. Students are not permitted to
leave campus on their own. Transportation
during the program is by air-conditioned
chartered motor coach. During certain
field trips and off-site activities
students may have limited supervision.
This means students have freedom to
visit specific sites within designated
areas without direct supervision, utilizing
designated check-in and check-out procedures
(e.g. - Capitol Hill visits, Faneuil
Hall, Miracle Mile, etc.).
Q: How does LeadAmerica
ensure the safety of its students?
A: The safety and
security of our students is of the
utmost importance to us. We recognize
that the first step to safety is prevention,
and we ensure that safety plans are
ready to be implemented if the need
arises. LeadAmerica
has comprehensive security and emergency
communications plans in place. Our
plans are regularly reviewed and updated.
Our staff is trained and experienced.
They each carry a 2-way radio that
allows them to remain in constant contact
with one another and with our on-site
office. The on-site administrative
staff is available 24-hours a day and
regularly monitors local, national
and world events. Students wear
identification badges at all times.
Most of the time our students are under
our direct supervision. This is true
even when they are on field trips.
Occasionally, when students are on
their own for a short time, we utilize
strict check-in and check-out procedures
to ensure that students are properly
accounted for. Learn more
Q: Do you have rules
regarding student conduct?
A: Yes. All
students and their parents agree to
comply with LeadAmerica's
Code of Conduct. LeadAmerica
expects its students to act responsibly
and respectfully at all times and conduct
themselves in compliance with the Code
of Conduct. In addition, LeadAmerica
follows a "zero tolerance" policy with
respect to its Code of Conduct. Certain
violations will result in immediate
dismissal without refund. These include
the use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs.
Q: Is there a dress code?
A: Yes.
Business attire is required for certain
events during each conference. At other
times, students may wear business casual
attire. During free time and in the
evenings, students may wear casual
clothing. Certain
types of inappropriate clothing are
not permitted. Complete information
on the dress code is included in the
student's pre-conference handbook that
is provided after registration. |
