College First Application

What is College First?

College First is a high-school internship program at the Chicago Botanic Garden. It is a paid internship for six weeks during the summer and monthly meetings during the school year. A school bus provides transportation from designated stops starting as early as 7 a.m. to bring students to the Garden by 9 a.m. Monday through Friday. Students leave the Garden at 3 p.m. each day.

What do students do?

Learn about plants, prairies, woods, and other outdoor natural areas
Work in horticulture, education, plant research, and more
Research their own science project
Visit colleges and other science sites

When is the program?

Paid internship: July 1 – August 9, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (No session on July 4 or 5)
Unpaid training: Wednesday, June 26, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
School-year meetings: Once-a-month meetings (usually on Saturdays or school holidays) during the school year—schedule to be determined

Who can participate?

Students who are currently sophomores or juniors enrolled in a Chicago Public School are encouraged to apply. Students should demonstrate an interest in science and nature as well as the ambition to pursue a college degree. Students and parents MUST commit to the unpaid Wednesday training, all six weeks of the summer program, and the once-a-month school-year meetings. Students must also be able to show proof of authorization to work in the U.S. Students are responsible for getting to and from the designated bus stops.

College First Application Checklist

To be considered for the program, the following items must be received by April 12, 2013.

Submit Electronically:

Complete online application, including essay (if applicable)

Scan and email to sbender@chicagobotanic.org OR mail to the address below:

Recommendation form
The recommendation form should be filled out by a science teacher or community leader (pastor, youth group leader, etc.) who knows you well. It cannot be filled out by someone related to you.
Copy of your second-quarter report card (January) OR the most recent one you have. Please do not submit progress reports.
Permission slip signed by you and your parent/guardian.

ALL application materials must be received together by April 12, 2013, via email or at the address below. It is your responsibility to obtain the report card and all application components. We do not work with schools to get this information and will not accept it after the deadline. Incomplete applications—those not accompanied by a report card or completed recommendation form—will not be considered.

Mailing Address:

Shelly Bender
Manager, Secondary Education and Career Programs
Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook Road
Glencoe, IL 60022

Contact Information:

Shelly Bender
Manager, Secondary Education and Career Programs
(847) 835-6871
sbender@chicagobotanic.org

Kathy Johnson
Manager, Teacher and Student Programs
(847) 835-8343
kjohnson@chicagobotanic.org

Documents:

Recommendation Form

Permission Slip

First Name: *

Last Name: *

Address: *

City: *

State: *

Zip Code: *

Home Phone: *

Student Cellphone:

Student e-mail: *

Birth Date: *

Grade completed in June 2013: *

GPA: *

Number of Absences:

Gender: *

Male

Female

Language(s) spoken at home: *

If you chose other above, please specify here.

School Name: *

School Address: *

City: *

State: *

Zip Code: *

Parent/Guardian Name #1: *

Occupation:

Daytime Phone: *

Parent Cellphone: *

Parent e-mail: *

Do you live with this parent?: *

Yes

Parent/Guardian Name #2:

Occupation:

Daytime Phone:

Parent Cellphone:

Parent e-mail:

Do you live with this parent?:

Yes

Parent/Guardian Education:

Free or Reduced Lunch: *

Yes

Have you participated in College First?:

Yes

If yes, please list all years below.

Have you participated in Science First?:

Yes

If yes, please list all years below.

Are you a U.S. Citizen or legally authorized to work in the U.S.?: *

Yes

Because College First is a paid internship, you will need to complete a W-9 tax form. You will need either a valid social security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number(ITIN). Your income will be reported to the IRS and your SSN/ITIN will be verified. You cannot receive the stipend if you do not have valid proof of your right to work in the U.S.

List Illnesses/Allergies:

(food, other)

Special Needs/Considerations:

Why do you want to attend the College First program? What do you think you will get out of this program?: *

(Returning students, tell us why you liked the program, and what you want out of it this summer.)

Do you like being outside and spending time in nature (with plants, insects, etc.)? Why or why not?: *

Are you involved in any after-school activities or hobbies?: *

If so, which ones? Would any of these interfere with your attendance at the summer program or Saturday monthly meetings?

What do you normally do during your summer vacation?: *

What are your favorite subjects in school? Why?: *

What career would you like to pursue?: *

(You can list more than one.)

Where are you thinking of going to college? Why?: *

New applicants only:

Write a short essay explaining what most interests you about this program and why you should be chosen over the other students who apply. Please attach your file here (no more than two pages, please). Make sure your name is at the top of the document you attach. Allowed file types: PDF, DOC, DOCX.

Student Information

School Information

Parent/Guardian Information

What is the highest level of education achieved by your parents or guardians (e.g., grammar school, high school, associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, etc.)? Please list in as much detail as possible for each parent/guardian.

Please check one preferred bus stop. Stops are subject to change depending on student population.

Do you (or could you if you applied) qualify for a free or reduced lunch at school?

College First Application

Applications