Chicago Scholars Mentor Application

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Welcome and thank you for your interest in becoming a Chicago Scholars Mentor! We are excited about your decision to join us in our mission! As a Mentor, you will play a pivotal role in the educational success, leadership development, and pursuit of self-actualization of our Scholars.

This is a two-year commitment:

In the first year, Mentors work in cohorts of 2-3 professional adult Mentors to provide hybrid (virtual and in-person) support to a group of 8-10 Scholars.
In the second year, Mentors support 2-4 of the Scholars from their original cohort in a virtual one-on-one relationship.

Chicago Scholars has a set of six core values that guide all of our work:

We Dream Big. We Show Up. We Embrace Our Differences.

We Model the Way. We Care For Each Other. We Keep Our Word.

Core Value 1: We Keep Our Word.

Requirements to become a Chicago Scholars Mentor:

Be over 21 years of age
Have earned at least a Bachelor’s degree
Commit to mentoring for two years (Scholars’ senior year of high school & first year of college): June 2025 - May 2027

Year 1: 3-4 hours per month* (including 6 assigned IN-PERSON workshops) in which Mentors work in cohorts of 2-3 professional adult mentors to provide hybrid (virtual and in-person) support to a group of 8-10 Scholars.

Year 2: 1-2 hours per month of virtual support per 2-4 Scholars from your original cohort* (including 1 IN-PERSON assigned workshop)

Attend required training sessions (2 per year) in both Year 1 and Year 2
Log monthly notes about meetings with Scholars in Year 1 and Year 2
If selected, commit to taking and paying for a background check - $35 *Please note, if this cost would be prohibitive for your participation as a mentor, please email us at getinvolved@chicagoscholars.org.
Commit to Chicago Scholars READI (Racial Justice, Equity, Accessibility, Diversity, Inclusion) values (see READI values here)
Attend your assigned Chicago Scholars' New Scholar Orientation date IN-PERSON taking place Monday, June 10th and Tuesday, June 11th from 5:00-7:30 pm.
Abide by the Chicago Scholars Mentor Code of Conduct

Initial here to confirm that (1) You have reviewed the above requirements and (2) Should you become a Chicago Scholars Mentor, you will commit to adhering to these requirements.

If you have any questions about the mentor application process or any other general questions, please feel free to contact us at getinvolved@chicagoscholars.org.

Personal Information

Core Value 2: We Embrace Our Differences

First Name

Last Name

Preferred Name

Personal Email

Cell Phone

Primary Address

Include apartment, condo, or unit number

City

State

ZIP Code

What is your Chicago community area?

Select "Other" if not applicable

Other:

Attention Applicant!

Living in the Chicagoland area is a requirement for Year 1 of the Mentorship Program due to in-person programming. If this is not the case for you, please stop filling out the application here and email us at getinvolved@chicagoscholars.org if you are still interested in participating in the CS Mentorship Program in a different capacity.

Will you be living in the Chicagoland area between June 2025-May 2026?

YesNo

Driver's License or State ID Number

We will use this information to conduct a background check.

Driver's License or State ID State

Date of Birth

Ethnicity/Race

Gender

Gender Pronouns

Pronoun

Do you speak a language other than English?

NoYes

Please specify other language(s) spoken:

T-Shirt Size

Do you have any plans this summer that might prevent you from participating in our IN-PERSON New Scholar Orientation (Monday, June 10th and Tuesday, June 11th from 5:00-7:30 pm), and mandatory workshops in July and August 2024?

Please describe your plans, including dates:

Are you a first generation college student? (IMPORTANT: Chicago Scholars considers someone a first generation college student if neither of their parents/guardians graduated from a 4 year college/university in the U.S.)

YesNo

Did you grow up in a low-income household?

YesNo

Please stop filling out the application here and email us at getinvolved@chicagoscholars.org if you are still interested in participating in the CS Mentorship Program in a different capacity.

Core Value 4: We Model the Way

Educational Background

What was your highest level of education completed?

4-year degree (Bachelor's)Master's degree (MBA, MPA, MA, MS, etc.)PhD, JD, or MD

From which of the following school(s) have you obtained a degree?

Select "Other" if school is not represented in list. Select "Add School" if obtained degree from multiple schools.

Other Institution:

If multiple, select "Add School"

Employment and Education

Are you currently employed?

YesNo

Are you retired?

Past Employer:

Past Position / Title:

How frequently do you travel for work?

Current Employer

Position/Title

Work Email

Work Phone

LinkedIn Profile URL:

Are you currently enrolled in school?

YesNo

Where are you currently enrolled?

Select "Other" if school is not represented in list. Select "Add School" if obtained degree from multiple schools.

Please share what your time commitment for school will be like in the next academic year?

Are you interested in learning how your company can support Chicago Scholars through volunteering, philanthropic support, internship placement, or other opportunities?

YesNo

We will follow up with you with more information on how your company can get involved with Chicago Scholars. If you have questions before this time, please feel free to contact us at getinvolved@chicagoscholars.org

Core Value 5: We Dream Big

Chicago Scholars' mission is to uniquely select, train, and mentor academically ambitious students from under-resourced communities to complete college and become the next generation of leaders who will transform their neighborhoods and our city.

Our Vision is a vibrant Chicago powered by diverse leaders from every neighborhood.

Why do you want to become a mentor? Why Chicago Scholars, specifically? (300 word limit)

The Chicago Scholars Mentoring program follows a Leadership Coaching Model. This means that we look to our Mentors to share their own personal journey with our Scholars while helping them achieve goals that we have identified as essential to their career and leadership development.

Please give an example of a time when you helped someone accomplish a goal. What actions did you take to help set them up for success? (300 word limit)

References

Core Value 6: We Care for Each Other

Please list three references below: two professional and one family/personal. Upon submission of your application, these references will be contacted via email to provide a brief online recommendation form about your potential as a mentor.

Professional Reference 1

First Name

Last Name

Relationship

Phone

Email:

Remember to double-check for accuracy!

Professional Reference 2

First Name

Last Name

Relationship

Phone

Email:

Remember to double-check for accuracy!

Family/Personal Reference

First Name

Last Name

Relationship

Phone

Email:

Remember to double-check for accuracy!

Emergency Contact

Please share contact information for a person we may reach out to on your behalf in case of emergency.

Name

Phone

Relationship

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