2024-2025 BranchOut! Main Application (for all chapters)

*The application form is ONLY visible from a desktop/laptop.

Visit the "Our Programs" page to learn about the programs students can choose from once accepted. 

Qualifications:
1. Current or rising high school students (rising 9th grader - 12th graders)
2. Rising 8th graders who possess strong communication skills may apply
3. Possess good communication, professional, and interpersonal skills
4. Able and open to working in a multicultural environment
5. With strong Math, Science, English, Arts, Language, or Technology skills
6. Students with tutoring or relevant experience preferred
7. Strong team players who are willing to help others
8. Able to work independently and responsively, without parents' assistance, to check emails, respond to emails, and communicate with adults as needed
9. Able to follow the program rules and instructions
10. Able to meet in person for any of our in-person programs
11. Able to get to our program locations on your own as BranchOut! does not provide transportation
12. Able to access Google Classroom and adhere to the program time, which is based on Eastern Standard Time

Time Commitment:
1. Able to commit at least one week in the summer (Innovator, Explorer, and Community Workshops meet on Monday - Friday between 9-12 noon ET). The Tutoring program has a different schedule.
2. Able to work during the time that the team is operating (Eastern time zone unless otherwise noted)
3. Able to commit 2-3 consecutive weeks for Innovator, Explorer, and Community Workshops. The first week has to start in July.
4. All HoCo programs are in person except for HCAS and usually meet from 8 AM to 4:30 PM.

Applicants will submit:
1. Application essay (please use a Word processor to edit your essays before submitting)
2. A copy of your resume (make sure to include leadership experience, extracurricular activities, and any notable awards or achievements)
3. One reference letter if you want to become a team leader or join the management team. The letter can come from a school teacher, coach, or anyone who has a professional relationship with you (no parents, tutors, or friends). Please ask your recommender to email the recommendation letter to vel@velbranchout.org detailing your strengths, known weaknesses, and why you would contribute positively to our program and student leadership team. Please note that additional reference letters and training may be required for students who are interested in the tutoring program. 
4. A non-refundable application fee

Application Deadlines and Fees*:
Early Bird 1: $35 if applied by Sunday, March 16, 2025
Early Bird 2: $45 if applied by Monday, April 21, 2025
Regular: $55* if applied after April 21 and by May 29, 2025
*Students who wish to apply after May 29, please contact us at velbranchout@gmail.com to check if space is available. The late processing/application fee is $85. Please note that all fees are not refundable.
**Applicants with FRL status, please contact us at velbranchout@gmail.com for a fee waiver 

Please read the following information carefully:
1. Students interested in PVSA, please read our FAQ page.
2. We will only invite qualified students for an in-person or virtual interview. Admissions results are on a rolling basis. Therefore, we encourage you to apply early and take advantage of our early bird application.
3. All applications to the BranchOut! program must be completed through this form.
4. All new and returning student mentors are required to apply yearly. Once accepted, the student mentor can participate in any of BranchOut!'s spring, summer, or year-round programs until August of 2025 (certain restrictions may apply).
5. All decisions and communication will be done via the student email address provided to us in this application form, so please provide a valid email address (not a school email address) that you check frequently so that you don't miss important emails from us.
6. We expect students to respond to our emails rather than parents. This is an effective way to show that you are a mature young adult capable of being a mentor or leading a team.

Questions? 
Please visit our FAQ page; most of your answers are there. If you have other questions that are not listed, please contact the headquarters at velbranchout@gmail.com. Please note that it can take up to 1 week for a question to be responded to (no phone call or WeChat message). We thank you for your patience. 

For Howard County Chapter-related questions, please email branchouthoco@gmail.com.
For Baltimore Chapter-related questions, please email baltimore@velbranchout.org.
For Boston and the main chapter-related questions, please email us at velbranchout@gmail.com

No phone call is accepted.