DMI SCHOLARS APPLICATION DMI Scholars is a Public Policy 101 for young people who want to keep our country moving forward. The Drum Major Institute for Public Policy (DMI) is a think tank staffed by progressives who want to drive public policy, not just lament its failures. We created DMI Scholars to cultivate a new generation of leaders bringing their activism to public policy careers in government, think tanks, campaigns and advocacy. Our Summer Institute for DMI Scholars will be in New York City from July 24- August 14, 2011. For our 2011 class of DMI Scholars, we are seeking college sophomores, juniors and seniors attending college in the NYC metro area. There, you will learn to approach problems through a policy lens and meet people on the frontlines fighting for fair and just public policy. After our intensive summer training, we will help you explore careers in this field through internships with our partners. What is the DMI Scholars Program? The DMI Scholars program addresses one of the most critical challenges facing the progressive movement today: the lack of a pipeline dedicated to supporting and guiding talented young people into the field of public policy. DMI Scholars identifies progressive college students from diverse communities and trains them in the skills necessary to obtain and succeed in entry-level public policy positions. What is the mission of DMI Scholars? Our mission is to increase and diversify the pool of strong candidates that enters key professions in the public policy field, better equipping the movement for social change to affect reforms on a policy level. What is the DMI Scholars Summer Institute? DMI Scholars centers on our Summer Institute. The Summer Institute is a Public Policy 101, training DMI Scholars to work on solutions to real problems through a public policy lens, and providing the practical experience you need to successfully enter and navigate the fascinating world of public policy. Who should apply to DMI Scholars? DMI Scholars are sharp, creative college activists who are passionate about changing the world, have strong communication skills, and an interest in exploring public policy as a vehicle for their activism. You do not need a background in public policy. For our 2011 class of DMI Scholars, we are seeking college sophomores, juniors and seniors attending college in the NYC metro area. We strongly encourage students of color, immigrants, members of the LGBTQ community, and students from low-income and working class backgrounds to apply. What will it cost me to participate in DMI Scholars? There is no fee for applying or participating in the program. While you are in NYC for the three-week Summer Institute, your local transportation and meals, as well as any other program-related expenses, will be covered. You may wish to have some money for activities on the few evenings you will have off. What are the requirements to apply to DMI Scholars? You must be a sophomore, junior or senior enrolled in an accredited college in the NYC metro area. You must be able to demonstrate a commitment to your progressive values by your activities. You must be able to attend an in-person interview in NYC if invited on March 21-25 2011. You must be able to attend our Summer Institute from July 24- August 14, 2011 and be at least 18 years old and no older than 25 years old by then. DMI Scholars does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, marital or parental status, disability, or sexual orientation. 1
What is a typical day at the Summer Institute like? TIME ACTIVITY 9-9:30 am Newspaper Breakfast Review 9:30am-11:30am Class 11:30am-12:30pm Group Work 12:30pm-1:30pm Guest Speaker Lunch 1:30pm-2:00pm Break 2:00pm-3:00pm Workshop 3:00pm-4:00pm Post Workshop Exercise Scholars practice reading the New York Times with a critical eye. Policy Analysis Lesson: creating a research design. Policy analysis project groups create their project research design. Guest speaker Honorable Nydia Velazquez, US Congress member, NY Scholars take a break. Intro to Writing a Policy Memo Speed memo writing exercise. One hour to write a policy memo for your boss, a senior policy advisor to NYC Mayor Bloomberg. 4:00pm-6:00pm Debate Prep & Snack 6:00pm-9:00pm Dinner & Networking Event Teams research & strategize on arguments around the expansion of charter schools in NYC. Dinner with Christine Quinn, Speaker of the NYC City Council. What will I get out of the Summer Institute? Interaction with other activists who also want to change the world and work in public policy. Training to think, write and speak about important issues like immigration, LGBTQ rights, or the economy through a policy lens. A rare opportunity to learn from leaders on the front lines, why it s important for young activists like you to join the movement for progressive social change through public policy. What is my commitment when I become a DMI Scholar? Your commitment is to complete the pre-training reading and writing assignments and the twoweek Summer Institute in New York City July 24- August 14, 2011. What happens after the Summer Institute? If you successfully complete our Summer Institute and decide to explore careers in public policy, we will help you to find the people and opportunities, through ongoing training and internships to help you launch your career. Nov 30, 2010- Feb 14, 2011 Feb 14, 2011 Feb 21-24, 2011 Feb 28-Mar 4, 2011 Mar 11-15, 2011 Mar 21-25, 2011 Apr 4, 2011 Apr 29, 2011 Program Schedule: Application period Application deadline Selected applicants contacted for phone interviews Phone interviews with selected applicants Selected applicants contacted for in-person interviews In - person interviews for finalists in NYC Scholars notified of their selection Deadline for Scholars to accept offer to participate in Summer Institute DMI Scholars does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, marital or parental status, disability, or sexual orientation. 2
DMI Scholars 2011 Application Form For our 2011 class, we are seeking college sophomores, juniors and seniors attending college in the NYC metro area. 1. Name: 2. Current Address: City, State, Zip: Permanent Address: City, State, Zip: 3. Current Phone: Permanent Phone: 4. Email: 5. At which address will you be residing this summer? Current Address Permanent Address 6. What college or university do you attend? 7. What year of college are you in? Sophomore Junior 8. What is your race or ethnicity? 9. What is your age? 10. What is your gender? 11. How would you classify your family s income level? Low-income As a point of reference, the federal poverty threshold is Moderate-income $22,050 for a family of four. Middle-income Upper middle- income Upper-income 12. Graduation Date (month/year): 14. Current Major: Minor (if applicable): 15. Please list courses you have taken that you would like us to know about. They do not need to be policy related courses, but rather related to your interest in this program. 16. How did you hear about the DMI Scholars Program? Please state the specific person, website or organization. PLEASE NOTE: ALL QUESTIONS ON THIS FORM MUST BE ANSWERED FOR YOUR APPLICATION TO BE CONSIDERED. DMI Scholars does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, marital or parental status, disability, or sexual orientation. 3
DMI Scholars Application References Please provide below the name and information of two people that you have worked with in the past two years as a reference for your application. You may use anyone that you have had a relationship with through your academic, work or extracurricular activities. First Reference Name: Title: Organization: Nature of Relationship with applicant: Phone: Email: Second Reference Name: Title: Organization: Nature of Relationship with applicant: Phone: Email: DMI Scholars does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, marital or parental status, disability, or sexual orientation. 4
DMI Scholars Application Supplemental Materials 1. Please write a one-page personal statement explaining your relevant background, such as how past and current activities and experiences led you to become interested in public policy and to activism, and why you want to be a DMI Scholar. 2. Produce a resume that includes your background, any formal or informal activities and work experiences that have affected your activism or your interest in public policy. Go here for good sample resumes: http://www.master-of-writing-resumes.com/images/student-resume-sample.jpg 3. Please write a one-page essay analyzing a challenge facing your community and a policy that you think would successfully address this challenge. You may define community in any way you wish. Contact Information Your application, including personal statement, resume and essay, must be sent as separate attachments in one email to dmischolars@drummajorinstitute.org. Each document should be titled by category and your name (Example: Personal Statement_John Doe ). Please include DMI Scholars Application: (your name) in the subject line of the email. Please send your application from the email address that you would like us to use in corresponding with you. You must submit ALL application materials in ONE email. Application Checklist: Please read instructions on the application form carefully. Application deadline: February 14, 2011. Applications must be received in their entirety. 1. Application & References Forms 2. Personal Statement 3. Resume 4. Essay DMI Scholars Applicant Statement I attest that all of the above is true to the best of my knowledge. If I am selected and choose to participate in DMI Scholars, I will commit to all program activities, which includes presummer assignments and the DMI Scholars Summer Institute July 24- August 14, 2011. Please type your initials as confirmation of your agreement to these terms: A PROJECT OF Date: DMI Scholars does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, marital or parental status, disability, or sexual orientation. 5