Selection of the 2010 Girls on Ice Team
Girls on Ice 2010 course dates: July 26 - August 5
Applications are due: March 1, 2010 please email to apply@girlsonice.org. Please include your name in all attachments. The Girls on Ice 2010 team will be announced on April 15, 2010.
Girls on Ice teacher recommendation form
To be eligible, girls must be at least 15 years old by the start date of the program and no older than 18 by the end date of the program.
For questions please FAQ below or send questions to apply@girlsonice.org
Note: Tuition is free. Girls will have to provide transportation to Seattle and minimal equipment and clothing (we will provide as much assistance as we can to ensure that every girl can go, regardless of economic situation).
Selection Criteria:
We do not choose girls based on their individual applications, we choose the team as a whole. We are not necessarily looking for the girls with the best grades or the girls with the most awards – we look at the whole person.
These are the overall criteria for building our team:
- Diversity of backgrounds: diversity in terms of ethnic, cultural, economic, geographic backgrounds.
- Diversity of interests and life experiences: what can the girls bring to the team? We seek a balance of interest in science, art, philosophy, social issues, politics, and more.
- Opportunity: this is a unique experience that is free to the girls, therefore we look for girls who stand to gain the most from this experience. We particularly seek girls who have not had many opportunities to truly challenge themselves, for example, if they are from a small town that does not have much available or if, due to family circumstances, they have not had the chance to participate in many activities. We rely heavily on teacher recommendations.
The application process is a series of short essay questions and two teacher recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions about the application process:
1. Are international students eligible? Yes.
2. Is the 200-word limit for each question on the application or for the application as a whole? The 200 word limit is for each question.
3. Do both of the recommendation letters have to be from teachers at my school? We would like at least one recommendation letter to be from a teacher at your school. The other may be from someone who plays a strong “teacher” role in your life, but may not be at your school. If you choose to ask someone who is not a school teacher, then please have them describe the “teacher” role they have in your life. For example, the director of a play you have been in, or the leader of an organization you are involved in.
4. Is the program limited to girls with financial need? No, all girls may apply, we are looking for a diverse team and we look at all aspects of a girl’s interest and background. As a free program, however, we do want to make an effort to provide an experience to girls who might not otherwise have a chance at an experience like this.
***Please note that if you are accepted as member of the 2010 Girls on Ice Expedition, you will be required to have a basic physical and a medical form signed by your doctor (similar to that required by many schools for sports programs). Furthermore, if you are over 18, the University of Alaska asks that you undergo the same background check all students or faculty must have if they will be interacting with minors. Please feel free to contact us with questions at any time regarding these requirements.
