Academy FAQs

Yes, international students are strongly encouraged to apply!

Global Citizen Year Academy is open to students aged 17-21 (at the start of the program). We believe that the leadership coursework and cohort experience will be meaningful to anyone within that age range, regardless of whether or not you’ve started college.

Yes, as long as you are between 17 and 21 years old at the start of the program.

Academy coursework will take place on Minerva’s Forum platform. In order to have a smooth experience, students must have headphones and use a computer that has a working camera and meets the minimum system requirements. Forum does not run on iOS or Android, so you cannot use a phone or tablet to access Forum. We've outlined the recommended and minimum system requirements below, but don't be intimidated, if accepted we'll provide detailed instructions on how to run a tech check on your computer.

Recommended System Requirements

• A multi-core score of 2000 or higher on the Geekbench 5 test
• Mac OS 10.15/Windows 10 operating system or newer
• 16 GB RAM
• 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) wireless
• Centered Webcam: It’s best to have your camera located at the center above the display
• SSD hard drive with at least 256 GB capacity
• 5 or more hours of battery life

Minimum System Requirements

• A multi-core score of 1650 or higher on the Geekbench 5 test
• Mac OS 10.13/Windows 10 operating system or newer
• 8 GB RAM
• 802.11ac wireless
• A working webcam and keyboard
• Access to a strong internet connection

If accepted, you'll receive instructions on how to login to Minerva's Forum platform and test their computer and wifi connection. For best results, students should run the Forum technology check on the computer they plan to use during the Academy.

Classes and programming for the Academy are provided in English. Accepted applicants who are not native/fluent English speakers will receive instructions to complete a 15-minute language assessment. This brief proficiency test will help us verify your readiness to engage with the Academy program instruction in English.

For applicants who are not native/fluent English speakers, we use the CEFR scale to help us determine English proficiency and readiness to participate in the Academy. The optimal CEFR range for applicants to score at is Level B2 or higher. Scores below B2 will disqualify you from participating in the Academy.

CEFR defines Level B2 as: Generally, you have an effective command of the language. You can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations. Issues you might encounter: it is likely that there will be some inaccuracies of the English language, which can lead to misunderstandings, especially under (time) pressure.

The Essential Eligibility Criteria are an overview of the requirements for the program, and applicable for all Academy students. A qualified person is one who can meet the EEC for participation in the program. These requirements are meant to identify the basic and fundamental elements of participation.

The application for the Spring 2022 semester of the Academy will open on October 5, 2021.

The online application takes roughly one hour to complete.

For the Spring 2022 Academy semester, the application deadlines are:

• Early: October 29
• Regular: November 19

Our Admissions Team carefully reviews each application and works hard to ensure all students receive their admissions decision within 5 business days of applying.

The application is non-binding so you should feel free to apply even if you aren't 100% certain you will do Global Citizen Year Academy. If you are accepted, you will have time to decide whether the program is right for you. There will be many opportunities to connect with us and ask questions along the way.

Our admissions process is designed to identify curious and courageous students who are committed to solving our shared global challenges. We are looking to build a well-rounded global cohort that brings a diversity of experiences and perspectives. Strong candidates will demonstrate a commitment to self-reflection, learning, and collaboration.

This is the fun part! Our number one tip: don’t overthink it. We want to get to know you, learn about your passions, and better understand your motivations for joining in the Academy. The most important thing is that you answer the questions posed in the prompt, and that your motives for participating in this leadership experience are clear.

Some students get quite creative with their submissions, and many submit great videos in a simple straight to camera format. We encourage you to do whatever feels natural to you!

Yes, you will still need to apply for Global Citizen Year Academy, since there are elements of this application and program that are distinct from the Fellowship.

However, there is no reason you wouldn't be a strong candidate for the Academy if we've admitted you to the Fellowship! So, we encourage you to bring the same passion and energy to the Academy application that made us say yes to you previously!

With that said, the $500 deposit you paid to secure your place in the Fellowship can be redirected as your $500 deposit for Global Citizen Year Academy, if you have not had it refunded.

Tuition for Global Citizen Year Academy is $5,000 USD.

Yes. As part of our commitment to advancing equity and opportunity for all, we award need-based scholarships to qualified applicants who would not otherwise be able to afford our programs.

Each semester, we carefully review all incoming scholarship applications, and regularly have more outstanding candidates than scholarships available.

We are dedicated to making the Academy accessible to talented young leaders from all backgrounds. We also know that people from the global south and people who identify as BIPOC are underrepresented in positions of leadership and disproportionately impacted by income inequality. Therefore, our scholarships target individuals without the means to afford the Academy, with a need- and demographically-aware philosophy to ensure that we are giving access to traditionally underserved groups.

If you’re accepted you’ll receive detailed instructions to apply for a scholarship. The financial aid application requires three pieces of information all of which must be submitted for your scholarship request to be complete:

• 2021-2022 CSS Profile OR FAFSA Student Aid Report
• Login to Minvera’s Forum to complete a Tech Check
• English language assessment (if applicable)

If you are not a U.S. citizen, please complete the 2021-2022 CSS Profile. When you have successfully completed the CSS Profile, you will be prompted to select an institution to electronically send your documents to. From the list of institutions, select “Global Citizen Year”, and we will receive your submission electronically.

If you are unable to afford the cost of the CSS Profile, please email admissions@globalcitizenyear.org to request a fee waiver.

If you are a U.S. citizen, please complete the FAFSA. When you receive your FAFSA Student Aid Report, save it as a PDF and then upload it to your Academy financial aid application form.

United World Colleges International patron Shelby M.C. Davis is pleased to offer up to 200 need-based scholarships for UWC students and alumni to participate in Global Citizen Year Academy Fall 2021.

Eligibility: UWC students and alumni ages 17-21

Scholarship: All UWC students and alumni accepted to the Academy will be awarded a $1,000 UWC Davis scholarship. The remaining tuition is $4,000 and additional financial aid available based on demonstrated financial need.

Deadlines: June 18 and July 23, 2021. We encourage UWC students and alumni to apply early as scholarships are available on a first come, first served basis.

We are pleased to offer the opportunity for current UWC students to join Global Citizen Year Academy as part of our cohort model. To participate in the cohort model, at least 10 students from your UWC campus must apply and be accepted for the semester. The cohort will need oversight by a faculty member on your campus and/or a student representative to help organize the group of students. Students who join Global Citizen Year Academy as part of our cohort model will receive full $5,000 USD scholarships. To participate in a UWC cohort model, students need to coordinate directly with their UWC institution and Global Citizen Year and apply by July 5, 2021.

If you are interested in being part of a UWC Cohort, please reach out to Admissions Coordinator Sahar Thomson sahar@globalcitizenyear.org. Sahar will be able to help you figure out if there is an existing cohort at your UWC Campus or work with you to organize one.

Eligibility: UWC institution with 10+ current students enrolling in the Academy

Scholarship: Students who join Global Citizen Year Academy as part of our cohort model will receive full $5,000 USD scholarships.

Deadline: Apply by July 5, 2021

Our selective admissions, brings together a cohort that’s motivated, open-minded, and driven to make an impact. Your new classmates represent 80+ countries and bring an even greater number of diverse perspectives and lived experiences. Here you’ll find feminist podcasters, environmental-app creators, artists, optimists, and activists of all kinds. Together, you’ll deepen your understanding of the world, forge long-term friendships, and develop the cross-cultural skills necessary to address our shared global challenges.

Watch this video to meet a few of the amazing students in our Fall 2020 cohort!

We offer multiple course sections to accommodate different time zones and schedules. We will decide on the times once we know what works for the global cohort, and we'll do our absolute best to make sure every Fellow can join a session that works for them!

Global Citizen Academy’s curriculum is designed to develop leadership skills from the inside out. Visit our Experience Page for full course descriptions and a sample schedule. Learning outcomes include:

• Know yourself: Develop skills that unlock self-awareness, well-being and a sense of purpose.
• Understand the world: Analyze local issues and connect them to our global context.
• Drive impact: Collaborate with peers from around the world to align your values and actions with meaningful impact.

At this time, college credit is not available.

Learn more about Minerva’s cutting-edge Forum learning platform here.

The Spring 2022 Academy semester will run from February 13 to May 6, 2022. This is a 12-week program.

The Academy is designed to be compatible with most schedules, whether you're in high school, on a gap year, or in college. Students should plan for an average weekly commitment of 7-10 hours a week. Each week students will engage in 3.5 hours on Forum participating in their leadership course and learning groups. The remaining hours are a mix of attending speaker series events, one-on-one mentorship, optional volunteer opportunties, and completing course-related pre-work, reflections, and projects.

Yes! Global Citizen Year Academy requires a commitment of 7-10 hours per week, and is intentioanlly designed to be compatible with a typical high school or college schedule. So long as you can manage the time commitments for both pursuits, the Academy will enhance your education, independent projects, programs or work by providing a meaningful layer of structure, support, and purpose.

Global Citizen Year Academy requires a commitment of 7-10 hours per week, intentionally leaving you time for high school, college, work, or independent exploration of issues and projects you’re passionate about. Students looking for deeper engagement, can choose to volunteer with the Academy's Impact Partners -- organizations like Amnesty International, Care, and the Sunrise Movement that are at the forefront of confronting our shared, global challenges. However you choose to follow your curiosity, the Academy will provide a wrap-around structure to support you in reaching your goals.

Each student is matched with one mentor and is required to complete a series of mentoring conversations that follow the arc of the program. Additionally, mentors will support students in setting goals and creating action plans to develop their leadership as a practice. Mentoring sessions will be conducted virtually--by phone or video conference--and will be scheduled directly between student and mentor at the initiation of the student.

Mentors are Global Citizen Year alumni and other professionals who bring expertise in select areas. They are recruited by our team, and chosen for their knowledge and willingness to share and support Academy students. We review information about each potential mentor before adding them to our list. Mentors also receive guidance on how to effectively and appropriately connect with our students, and they are required to sign a code of conduct which conveys our expectations.

Mentors working with students who are 17 or younger will be asked to undergo a background check. Mentors working with students 18 and older will not undergo background checks. While Global Citizen Year believes these mentors will have a positive impact on our students, mentors are not employees of Global Citizen Year and Global Citizen Year does not oversee or control their activities. Thus, Global Citizen Year is not responsible for their conduct. If you have any questions or concerns about mentors, please let us know at academy@globalcitizenyear.org.

Yes. All Global Citizen Year Academy students must agree to our Code of Conduct. These community expectations are key to providing a respectful and welcoming space where all participants feel encouraged to share their viewpoints.