Application resources

Résumé starter checklist

You don't need work experience to have a résumé. Gather these pieces and you have one — a single page is plenty for most youth programs.

• Contact information

  Name, a professional email address, and a phone number.

• Education

  School, expected graduation year, and relevant coursework or GPA if strong.

• Activities

  Clubs, sports, music, community groups — with your role and years involved.

• Leadership

  Any time you organized people or a project, even informally.

• Work or volunteer experience

  Jobs, babysitting, tutoring, library volunteering — real work counts.

• Projects

  School, personal, or community projects you're proud of.

• Skills

  Languages you speak, software you use, certifications, and practical skills.

• Awards

  Honors, recognitions, and competitions — school-level counts too.

Professional email template

Use this sample when you want to ask an organization about a program or application. Short, specific, and polite wins.

Recommendation request checklist

A strong recommendation letter is easier for someone to write when you set them up well.

• Ask early

  Give your recommender at least two weeks before the deadline.

• Choose someone who knows you

  A teacher, counselor, coach, or supervisor who has seen your work beats a famous name who hasn't.

• Include the deadline

  State the exact date and how the letter is submitted.

• Provide a résumé or activity list

  Help them write specifics instead of generalities.

• Explain the opportunity

  Share what the program is and why you want it, so the letter can match.

• Thank the recommender

  Send a thank-you message, and tell them what happened — they'll want to know.

Interview preparation

Most program interviews are conversations, not interrogations. A little preparation goes a long way.

• Research the organization

  Know what they do, who they serve, and why the program exists.

• Prepare a professional introduction

  A 30-second answer to "tell me about yourself": who you are, what you're interested in, why you're here.

• Practice examples of teamwork and leadership

  Prepare one or two short stories about a time you worked on a team or took responsibility.

• Prepare two thoughtful questions

  Ask about what a typical day looks like or what makes participants successful.

• Send a thank-you message

  A brief thank-you email within a day keeps you memorable.

Copy this table into a document or spreadsheet — or print this page — and add a row for every opportunity you pursue. The follow-up date is the secret: most students never follow up, and the ones who do stand out.