Chicago Scholars Program Application

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Application Type

Welcome to the Chicago Scholars application for the Class of 2030!

We're thrilled that you've taken the first step towards joining our amazing community of diverse student leaders from across the city of Chicago.

Please continue to the next page to start your application.

Welcome to the Cubs Scholars application for the Class of 2030!

We're thrilled that you've taken the first step towards joining our amazing community of diverse student leaders from across the city of Chicago.

Please continue to the next page to start your application.

Cubs Status

Program Description
Since 1996, Chicago Scholars has built a legacy of success by investing in our youth and amplifying their leadership through our seven-year college access, college success, and career and leadership development program. We believe our Scholars are the next generation of leaders and we invest in them by equipping them with the tools, resources, and knowledge to be successful as they navigate through the critical transitions of applying to college, succeeding in college, and embarking on their desired career paths.

Program Eligibility

Interested in becoming a Chicago Scholar? Here is what we are looking for:

Juniors in high school who will graduate in 2026
Students who live in and attend high school in Chicago
Students who will be a first-generation college student (neither parent graduated from a four-year college in the US) and/or students who come from a low-income household
Students who are academically-ambitious, motivated, and believe in the possibility of their unique superpowers
Students who are demonstrated leaders in their schools, communities, or homes
Students who are committed to furthering their education and have a strong desire to attend a four-year college
Mature students who can fully commit to a rigorous academic and leadership development program
Students with a minimum GPA of 3.0*

*If you are a student with an academic profile that does not meet this criteria and would like to apply, please continue on with the application. There will be a space in the essay portion of this application that allows you to provide proof of an upward trajectory in your academic performance.*

Program Requirements

Year 1 of Chicago Scholars (the College Access phase) requires Scholars to participate in specific activities to remain in good standing. Please review our program requirements to ensure you understand the commitment required to be a Scholar:

Attend required monthly workshops as scheduled with your cohort of other Scholars and mentors
Attend monthly mentor-led cohort gatherings and actively engage with your mentors as they seek to support your college application and leadership development processes
Attend required monthly 1-hour college counseling sessions with your Chicago Scholars counselor

When completing this application, keep in mind...

We ask that all applicants complete this application in English. We model our application off of college applications, which are required to be written in English. Additionally, Chicago Scholars student programming is conducted in English. We utilize this application as a way to assess readiness to complete our program requirements and college applications in English. Please email join@chicagoscholars.org if you have any questions or concerns.
We expect your application to be written by you, not AI. We want to learn about the unique experiences and qualities that make you YOU.
You can save your work and return to your application at any time! However, please be sure to enter your email address carefully when saving your progress so you can pick up where you left off.
We strongly recommend students to submit their application on a computer desktop/laptop to ensure all of your application responses are received. If you do it from your phone, some of your information may not transfer to our records.
You will need the following information:

Full name and email address of your high school counselor
Full name and email address of the teacher, coach, employer, and/or counselor who will write your recommendation letter
2023 Tax Documents

Congratulations again on taking the first step to join our Chicago Scholars community. If you have any questions, please contact the Community Engagement Team at join@chicagoscholars.org

All applications must be received by February 5, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.

Good luck!

Before you begin this application process, we want to remind you that by applying to Cubs Scholars, you are also applying to Chicago Scholars, which will result in your application being reviewed by both organizations for program consideration.

Program Description
The Cubs Scholars program offers Chicago high school students financial contributions and a team-sponsored mentorship program designed to promote academic achievement and post-secondary educational advancement. Cubs Scholars are high-potential students with demonstrated need. Each recipient receives a $20,000 scholarship upon their enrollment in a four-year college or university and participates in a mentoring program with help from Cubs College Prep. The mentoring program helps prepare scholars for the transition from high school to college. The Cubs College Prep programming and mentoring from Cubs Associates helps each scholar continue toward college graduation. Cubs Scholars are also Chicago Scholars and participate in a combination of both programming. Nominations will be evaluated based on the following criteria: (1) academic achievement and potential; (2) community participation; (3) need; (4) leadership potential; (5) demonstrated ability to be a team player; and, (6) area of residence and community need.

Chicago Scholars

Since 1996, Chicago Scholars has built a legacy of success by investing in our youth and amplifying their leadership. We are a seven-year college access, success, and leadership development program that believes our Scholars are the next generation of leaders. We invest in this development by supporting, coaching, guiding, and connecting our students through the critical transition of applying to college, attending and succeeding in college, and embarking on their desired career paths.

Cubs Scholars are expected to participate in the required Chicago Scholars Workshops and monthly Cubs College Prep workshops, planned social events, and award ceremonies.

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To qualify for the Cubs Scholarship program, all applicants must be in the 11th grade and attend an application workshop hosted by Chicago Scholars and Cubs Charities. To register for a workshop, please click HERE

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Program Eligibility

Interested in becoming a Cubs Scholar? Here is what we are looking for:

Juniors in high school who will graduate in 2026
Students who live in and attend high school in Chicago
Students who will be a first-generation college student (neither parent graduated from a four-year college in the US) and/or students who come from a low-income household
Students who are US Citizens (While you are not eligible for the Cubs Scholarship if you are not a US Citizen, you are still welcome to apply to Chicago Scholars! Please apply through our general application link here: https://chicagoscholars.tfaforms.net/4618172)
Students who are academically-ambitious, motivated, and believe in the possibility of their unique superpowers
Students who are demonstrated leaders in their schools, communities, or homes
Students who are committed to furthering their education and have a strong desire to attend a four-year college
Mature students who can fully commit to a rigorous academic and leadership development program
Students with a minimum GPA of 3.0*

Program Requirements

Attend required monthly workshops as scheduled with your cohort of other Scholars and mentors
Attend monthly mentor-led cohort gatherings and actively engage with your mentors as they seek to support your college application and leadership development processes
Attend required monthly 1-hour college counseling sessions with your Chicago Scholars counselor

When completing this application, keep in mind...

We ask that all applicants complete this application in English. We model our application off of college applications, which are required to be written in English. Additionally, Chicago Scholars student programming is conducted in English. We utilize this application as a way to assess readiness to complete our program requirements and college applications in English. Please email join@chicagoscholars.org if you have any questions or concerns.
We expect your application to be written by you, not AI. We want to learn about the unique experiences and qualities that make you YOU.
You can save your work and return to your application at any time! However, please be sure to enter your email address carefully when saving your progress so you can pick up where you left off.
You can save your work and return to your application at any time! However, please be sure to enter your email address carefully when saving your progress so you can pick up where you left off.
We strongly recommend students to submit their application on a computer desktop/laptop to ensure all of your application responses are received. If you do it from your phone, some of your information may not transfer to our records.
You will need the following information:

Full name and email address of your high school counselor
Full name and email address of the teacher, coach, employer, and/or counselor who will write your recommendation letter
2023 Tax Documents

Congratulations again on taking the first step to join our community. If you have any questions, please contact the Community Engagement Team at join@chicagoscholars.org

All applications must be received by Thursday, February 5th, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.

Good luck!

Basic Information

First Name

Middle Name

Last Name

Suffix

Jr. etc

Chosen Name

The name you preferred to be called

Gender

Pronoun(s)

Date of Birth

Ethnicity

Do you identify as Hispanic or Latinx? (We ask this question two ways so that we can better connect all eligible participants to scholarships and other opportunities while still matching our internal data with school and funder categories)

YesNo

What is your primary language?

Address

Include apartment, unit, or floor, if applicable

City

State

ZIP Code

Chicago Neighborhood

Cell Phone

Do you authorize Chicago Scholars to send you text message communications?

YesNo

Do you authorize Cubs Scholars and its affiliate Chicago Scholars to send you text message communications?

YesNo

WARNING: FAILURE TO RECORD EMAIL ADDRESS ACCURATELY WILL RESULT IN APPLICATION NOT GETTING SUBMITTED TO CHICAGO SCHOLARS

School Email

Make sure you DO NOT put any spaces in your email address. DO NOT forget to include your email service provider in full (example: "@gmail.com", "@cps.edu", etc.). If you enter your email address incorrectly by failing to follow these directions your application will NOT get submitted to Chicago Scholars.

Personal Email

At which email address do you prefer to be contacted?

SchoolPersonalPlease note that this will be the email address where all future Chicago Scholars communications will be sent.

Re-enter School Email for accuracy confirmation:

Re-enter Personal Email for accuracy confirmation:

High School:

Please note this list contains the full name of Chicago high schools (ex. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr College Prep vs King College Prep).

High School Student ID Number

If your school is not listed, please contact join@chicagoscholars.org.

High School Year

At this time only current Juniors may apply to Chicago Scholars. Please complete our interest form to be notified when the application for your class opens: https://chicagoscholars.tfaforms.net/393617

At this time only current juniors may apply to Chicago Scholars.

Anticipated High School Graduation Year:

Year:

What is the name of the organization that recommended you for the Cubs Scholarship?

What is the name of the person who recommended you for the Cubs Scholarship?

Will you be the first in your family (not counting siblings) to obtain a degree from a four-year college or university in the United States?

YesNo

What is your citizenship status? (Citizenship status will not impact your eligibility for the Chicago Scholars program, but does help us direct students to appropriate resources, including for DACA and undocumented students.)

What is your citizenship status?

Unfortunately US Citizenship is a requirement for the Cubs Scholarship. However you are still eligible to be a Chicago Scholar! Please instead complete the general Chicago Scholars application here: https://chicagoscholars.tfaforms.net/4618172

Academic Profile

Unweighted GPA (as reported on your transcript)

Optional: If your unweighted GPA is below a 3.0, please share what has contributed to you having a lower GPA and how you plan to improve it. (250 word limit).

Testing Information

Which of the following tests have you taken? If you have not yet taken or received scores from the PSAT, SAT, or ACT as a junior, please provide your PSAT 10 score at this time. We will ask for your updated testing information at a later date.

PSATSATACTI have not taken any of these tests

Composite ACT Score

Select a number between 0-36

ACT Test Date

Use most recent if taken more than once.

SAT Score

SAT Test Date

Use most recent if taken more than once.

PSAT Score

Enter number between 320 and 1520. Please enter your total score (reading/writing + math).

PSAT Test Date

Use most recent if taken more than once.

Testing Information

Which of the following tests have you taken? If you have not yet taken or received scores from the PSAT, SAT, or ACT as a junior, please provide your PSAT 10 score at this time. We will ask you for your updated testing information at a later date.

PSATSATACTI have not taken any of these tests

Composite ACT Score

Select a number between 0-36

ACT Test Date

Use most recent if taken more than once.

SAT Score

SAT Test Date

Use most recent if taken more than once.

PSAT Score

Enter number between 320 and 1520. Please enter your total score (reading/writing + math).

PSAT Test Date

Use most recent if taken more than once.

Transcripts and Recommendations

Transcript

Please provide the name and email address of your high school counselor. Once provided, we will ask this person to submit a copy of your transcript that includes first semester grades from your junior year to complete your application.

IMPORTANT: This request will not be sent until January 16, 2025

**Please note that by identifying these individuals, you grant us permission to communicate with them on your behalf and share limited details about your application and status.**

Your High School Counselor

First Name

Last Name

Please verify that you are entering the correct email address for this individual

Letter of Recommendation

Who knows you best? Please provide the name and email address for an adult who can provide a letter of recommendation on your behalf. This can come from a teacher, employer, mentor, coach, etc.

IMPORTANT: This request will not be sent until January 16, 2025

**Please note that by identifying these individuals, you grant us permission to communicate with them on your behalf and share limited details about your application and status.**

Recommender

First Name

Last Name

Please verify that you are entering the correct email address for this individual

Recommender #2

First Name

Last Name

Please verify that you are entering the correct email address for this individual

Leadership and Extracurricular Activities

What do you enjoy doing? Please provide details about your leadership and extracurricular activities.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? (150 word limit)

Please identify something you've learned about yourself (non-academically) while in high school? (150 word limit)

Leadership Statement Sentence Stems
Using 2-4 sentences, please complete the following sentence stems:

I am an emerging student leader because...

What are you currently doing or involved in that connects with you being a leader?

I give back to my community (Home neighborhood, school) by...

How are you contributing and/or adding value to the various communities that you are a part of?

I will make a difference in the world by...

What do you aspire to do that will make an impact within the world we live in?

Extracurriculars

Using the list below, please select the extracurricular activities you've participated in while in high school:

Art	Band	Baseball	Basketball
Bowling	Cheerleading	Choir	Cross Country
Dance	Debate Team	Drama Club	Ethnic/Identity Club
Football	Golf	Gymnastics	Intramural Sports
Lacrosse	Math Club	Mock Trial	Model UN
National Honors Society	Newspaper/Yearbook	Photography	Robotics
ROTC	Science Club	Soccer	Softball
Student Ambassador	Student Government/Council	Swimming & Diving	Tennis
Track & Field	Tutoring	Volleyball	Water Polo
Wrestling	I did not participate in extracurricular activities

Not able to participate in extracurricular activities? Please describe the circumstances that prevented your involvement or other activities; including but not limited to household responsibilities such as caring for your younger siblings or having other interest. (100 word limit)

Other:

Other Program Involvement

Please indicate whether you have participated or currently participate in any other programs. Check all that apply.

Other Organization Affiliations

100 Black Men	After School Matters	AVID
Big Brothers Big Sisters	CASE (Careers as Sports Executives)	CHAMPS
Chicago Housing Authority	City Colleges of Chicago	College Advising Corps
College Bound Opportunities	College Possible	Collegiate Scholars Programs
Common Ground Foundation	Cubs RBI	Daniel Murphy Scholarship
HFS Chicago Scholars	High Jump	High Sight
Horizons for Youth	iMentor	Jack and Jill of America
Kappa Leadership Institute	Ladies of Virtue	LINK Unlimited Scholars
MetroSquash	Mikva Challenge	Northwestern Scholars
Polished Pebbles	Project OneTen	Urban Initiatives
Youth Guidance (BAM, WOW)	Other	I do not participate in these programs

Please list other academic programs that you have participated in:

Are you currently employed?

YesNo

Employer

Position

Start Date

Hours/Month

How many hours per month do you typically work?

What are your responsibilities and duties?

Please briefly describe your responsibilities in your current job.

Writing Prompts
In this next section, each student will be required to answer the short answer essay. However, for the personal narrative, you will have the option to choose which prompt you would like to respond to. Each prompt has a word minimum and maximum. To ensure you meet both requirements, we recommend drafting your responses using a word processing platform (Word, Google Docs, etc.) and then copy and paste your final version in to the form below.

Short Answer Essay

Essay One: In one or two paragraphs, please share your motivation for applying to Chicago Scholars. If selected, what do you hope to gain from your Chicago Scholars experience? (150-word minimum / 250-word maximum):

Essay One: In one or two paragraphs, please share your motivation for applying to Cubs Scholars and Chicago Scholars. If selected, what do you hope to gain from your Cubs Scholars and Chicago Scholars experience? (150-word minimum / 250-word maximum):

Do not exceed word count limit. Doing so will impact your application being submitted properly.

Personal Narrative (Pick One)

Essay Two: Please select ONE of the following essay prompts. (250-word minimum / 500-word maximum)

At Chicago Scholars, one of our core values is "We Embrace Our Differences." We know that some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, share your story with us.The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Essay Two: Please select ONE leadership and collaboration essay question (250-word minimum / 500-word maximum):

Do not exceed word count limit. Doing so will impact your application being submitted properly.

Household Information

Do you take on significant responsibilities, outside of standard chores, within your household?

YesNo

Please describe the responsibilities you have.

Parent/Guardian 1

First Name

Last Name

Relationship

Please describe your relationship.

What is your parent/guardian's preferred language for important communications?

What is their preferred language?

Parent/Guardian 1 Email:

Do NOT provide your (applicant) email address. Please only provide an active email address for your parent/guardian.

Please enter a different email from your school or personal emails provided on Page 2.

If your parent or guardian does not use email, leave this field blank.

Primary Phone

Highest Level of Education

Was this level of education attained in the United States?

YesNo

Is this parent/guardian's home address the same as yours?

Same Address

Different Address

Parent/Guardian 1 Address:

Address Line 1

Include apartment, unit, or floor, if applicable

City

State

ZIP Code

Parent/Guardian 2

First Name

Last Name

Relationship

Please describe your relationship.

What is your parent/guardian's preferred language for important communications?

What is their preferred language?

Parent/Guardian 2 Email:

Do NOT provide your (applicant) email address. Please only provide an active email address for your parent/guardian.

Please enter a different email from your school or personal emails provided on Page 2.

If your parent or guardian does not use email, leave this field blank.

Primary Phone

Highest Level of Education

Was this level of education attained in the United States?

YesNo

Is this parent/guardian's home address the same as yours?

Same Address

Different Address

Parent/Guardian 2 Address:

Address Line 1

Include apartment, unit, or floor, if applicable

City

State

ZIP Code

Chicago Scholars Relationships

Do you have a sibling or family member that is part of the Chicago Scholars Program?

Yes

Name of family member in Chicago Scholars.

Relationship to family member in Chicago Scholars.

Do you have a sibling or family member that is also applying to join the Chicago Scholars Program?

Yes

Name of family member applying for the Chicago Scholars program.

Relationship to family member applying for the Chicago Scholars program.

Cubs Scholar Relationships

Do you have a sibling or family member that is also applying to join the Chicago Scholars/Cubs Scholars Program?

Yes

What is their name?

Household Income

Chicago Scholars reviews income information to evaluate applicants' eligibility.

What was your household's gross income for 2023?

Please use your parent and/or guardians' tax documents to help you. The total gross income is the amount of money earned by a person in one year from all sources before taxes. Add these amounts for all individuals living within the household. Please enter whole number only. Do not include a decimal point or the form will reject your response.

Family Tax Return for 2023 (Optional):

Include full state and federal return, including schedules and W-2s. We use your family's tax return to confirm income and eligibility for the program.

Uploading this document now will make the enrollment process faster if you are selected to join Chicago Scholars. We will require income verification prior to your enrollment in order to support your college application process. If your family did not file taxes in 2023, please email join@chicagoscholars.org. We will provide an alternate income verification form for you to complete.

How many dependents do your parent/guardian(s) support?

Ask your parent and/or guardian to look at their tax documents from 2023 and identify how many dependents they claimed.

Household Income

Cubs Scholars reviews income information to evaluate applicants' eligibility.

Cubs: What was your household's gross income for 2023?

Cubs: Family Tax Return for 2023:

Include full state and federal return, including schedules and W-2s. We use your family's tax return to confirm income and eligibility for the program.

Cubs: How many dependents do your parent/guardian(s) support?

Ask your parent and/or guardian to look at their tax documents from 2023 and identify how many dependents they claimed.

Application Verification

College/University

Are you interested in any specific college(s)?

YesNo

College/University 1

College/University 2

College/University 3

College/University 4

College/University 5

Other College/University

If you have a college major in mind, please select from the list below. Otherwise, select "Undecided."

If interested in a particular career field, please select from the list below. Otherwise, select "Undecided."

Application Certification

I certify that the information I have given on the application is complete and correct. I understand my failure to provide complete, accurate, and truthful information on the application will be grounds to deny or withdraw an offer of admission to the program or dismiss me after enrollment.

I agree to allow Chicago Scholars to send information on the status of my application to my high school and other affiliated organizations.

Initial here:

I agree to allow Chicago Scholars and Cubs Scholars to send information on the status of my application to my high school and other affiliated organizations.

Initial here:

Applying to Chicago Scholars is a great first step towards my future. In the event that I am not selected to join the program, I authorize that my information be shared with other college access, college success, and leadership development organizations that may be a good fit for me.

Applying to Cubs Scholars and Chicago Scholars is a great first step towards my future. In the event that I am not selected to join the Chicago Scholars program, I authorize that my information be shared with other college access, college success, and leadership development organizations that may be a good fit for me.

Congratulations! You've made it to the end of the application. Now it's time to hit submit. Best of luck!

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