Apply to the Advocacy Institute for High School Students

Program Requirements

In order to successfully complete this program, students are required to attend: (1) an information session and interview, (2) the mandatory orientation, (3) all program meetings, and (4) the Advocacy Institute celebration.

1. Attend Institute meetings weekly Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9am-1pm PT / 10am-2pm MT / 11am-3pm CT /- 12pm-4pm ET plus additional optional social, professional, and educational events throughout each month. During these weekly meetings, we will discuss the readings, participate in workshops, listen to guest speakers, and share progress on project work.
2. Attend 2 elective hours each week (16 minimum, over the term) from a calendar offering a variety of options including educational hours, social hours, skill-building hours, team learning meetings with FFAC staff, and monthly CultureShift book club meetings. Note: educational hours, social hours, and skill-building hours take place during the meeting time block above.
3. Each high school student will be mentored by a college student through pre-planned goal-setting and advocacy skill-building activities. FFAC will provide support and instructions for college mentors on how to lead mentor group meetings. Mentor meetings will take place during our regularly-scheduled weekly meeting times.

High school advocates will spend approximately 2 hours per week completing an advocacy project of their choosing (See Advocacy Project section on the previous page for sample project options.)  During the final week of the Advocacy Institute, all high school advocates will share about their experience and advocacy project during a virtual showcase.

Application Process

Admissions are competitive. Above all, we look for commitment to our mission and values. We look for candidates who will actively engage in our community and, later on, the Leadership Collective. There are no specific experience or GPA requirements.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis!**

1. Complete the online application below.
2. In addition to submitting an application through this website, please upload your resume and a project sample. Your project sample should be any project you have done that displays your skills and ideas, e.g., an academic essay, personal writing, creative project, art, video, or anything else. We will accept a sample of any size or length—quality over quantity.
3. After submitting your application, we will email you the recording of the information session to watch.
4. After watching the information session, if you think the program is a good fit for you, we will assess your application further and select the applicants who will be invited to an interview.
5. Within two weeks after your interview, we will let you know if you are accepted into the program.

**Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. You are welcome to submit an application now for a future term. Please note which term you are applying for on the application.

Please reach out with additional questions to Leo Balik at leo@ffacoalition.org.

Decided not to apply? If after reviewing this program, you have decided not to apply, please let us know why by completing this short survey.