Political Leaders Program Application
Instructions
1. PLEASE NOTE: This is an online application. There is no way to save a partially completed application and return to work on it later. For this reason, we recommend that you prepare everything you will need to complete the application in advance.
2. We are not currently accepting applications for the Political Leaders Program (PLP). We typically accept applications in the fall. If we were accepting applications, there would be a link at the bottom of this page to begin the process. After you have read the instructions, questions, and have prepared everything you will need to complete the application, follow the link at the bottom of this page. That link will take you directly to the online application for the Political Leaders Program Class of 2010. Again, please remember to prepare everything you will need prior to filling out the online application. There is no way to save your work and return to it later.
3. The PLP application includes a series of short essay questions in addition to some basic contact and background information. See below for details.
4. Competition for a spot in the Sorensen Institute's flagship Political Leaders Program is particularly rigorous. We routinely receive up to three times as many applications as we have space available in the class, and many of our graduates applied more than once before being accepted.
5. Applicants may also submit up to two letters of recommendation. These are not required, and we will not review more than two letters. Letters must be postmarked by November 9, 2009 for consideration and should be addressed to:
Sorensen Institute, P.O. Box 400206, Charlottsville, VA 22904
Essay Questions
The PLP online application includes a number of short-answer essay questions. Each question requires a 250 to 500-word answer. Be aware that the essays are a significant part of the selection process and very important to making admissions decisions. The essay questions on the Political Leaders Program online application are as follows:
* Describe your recent leadership activities. What do you consider to be your highest leadership achievement so far?
* What academic, community, governmental, political, professional or other activity are you most proud of? What barriers have you encountered while pursuing this activity?
* Have you ever run for political office? When? What was the outcome? What did you learn? What are your long-range political goals?
* What does state or local government in Virginia do well?
* What would you like to change about government in Virginia?
* What specific skills, knowledge or resources do you hope to acquire as a result of participating in the Sorensen Institute Political Leaders Program?
Contact/Background Information
You should also be prepared with the following information to successfully complete the PLP application:
* How did you learn about the Sorensen Institute?
* Current employment: employer, your title, your supervisor, work address and phone number
* Education: high school, college, graduate school, and any relevant non-degree training programs
* Past Employment: list any past employers including your title, supervisor, and dates of employment
* Activities: list any past organizations and activities that you have been involved in that demonstrate your commitment to public service, community involvement, and/or volunteer work.
* Contact information: your current mailing address, home phone, work phone, cell phone, and email address
Program Schedule
The Political Leaders Program runs for ten months each year, March through December. Classes meet one weekend a month and are held in different locations across the state. With few exceptions, a typical weekend schedule begins at 5:30pm on Friday and ends by 3pm on Saturday. Please note: most weekends include an optional Friday lunch, tour, and speaker at which attendance is strongly encouraged. We ask that you please confirm in advance your availability on the weekends below before you apply to the program.
Dates for the Political Leaders Program Class of 2010 are as follows:
March 18-20: Williamsburg*
April 9-10: Richmond
May 14-15: Southside Virginia
June 11-12: Central Virginia
July 16-17: Northern Virginia
August 6-7: Shenandoah Valley
September 10-11: Southwest Virginia
October 1-2: Hampton Roads
November 5-6: Roanoke Valley
December 10-11: Charlottesville
*The opening weekend starts the afternoon of Thursday March 18 and runs through Saturday afternoon March 20. Attendance at the entire opening session is mandatory.
Please remember, once you start the application there will be no way to save partial work
so make sure you have everything you need to complete the application.
If you have any questions about the PLP application,
call Marc Johnson at (434) 982-4527.
