Exploring Leadership 2026 Application

Exploring Leadership Application

Thank you for your interest in Coro's Exploring Leadership Youth Program for Summer 2026. This application includes instructions, basic eligibility and demographic questions, several short response questions, and a reference. It should take you between 20 to 30 minutes to complete. Please reach out to coro@coronorcal.org if you have questions about this application or need accommodations and/or technical support to complete it.
Application Instructions

Program Overview
Coro's Exploring Leadership Youth Program trains youth to be civically engaged and take on leadership roles within their communities through experiential learning and an internship in either a business, government, or nonprofit organization. The program offer participants a stipend of $250 for travel and other expenses upon completion of the program.
- Program Dates: June 22 – July 30, 2026; Monday - Friday, 10am – 4:00pm.
- Location: Sessions will be in-person in San Francisco, accessible via public transit. Internships will take place at partner locations throughout the larger San Francisco Bay Area.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
To be eligible for this program, you need to be:
- A 9th, 10th, or 11th grader in the 2025-26 school year
- Living or attending school in the Bay Area
- Able to attend and commit to the entire 6-week summer program with no absences
- Able to attend an interview during Coro's Virtual Selection Day for this program, tentatively scheduled for February 24, 2026, 4:30-7:30 PM.
- Able to return phone calls and emails in a timely manner
No single criterion will determine whether or not you are accepted. There is no minimum GPA requirement. Coro reviews applications for and considers the following:
- Completeness of application
- Interest in the program and why you want to participate
- Ability to participate in and contribute to the program
Coro is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying to Exploring Leadership. Coro does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, class, ability, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national/ethnic origin.

Application Deadlines and Steps
To apply for Exploring Leadership, you must complete this application and have a recommender submit a reference form.

Deadlines:
- Priority Deadline: Friday, December 12, 2025
- Final Deadline: Friday, January 9, 2026
Applicants who apply by the priority deadline will be informed earlier if they are invited to the Selection Day interview process in February 2026.
I have read the application instructions.*

YesNo

Applicant Information
Full Name*

First NameLast Name
Date of Birth*

MonthDayYear
Date
Email*
example@example.com
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Home Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Which school do you attend? (Please spell out the full name - do not use school abbreviations or initials).*
Location of High School (city)*
Current Grade Level*

9th10th11th

Parent/Guardian Information
Parent/Guardian Name*
Parent/Guardian Email*
example@example.com
Parent/Guardian Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Relationship to You*
If we need to contact your parent/guardian, what language should we use?*

Program Screener & Short Responses
WORK AND VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE: List your paid and unpaid work experience. We would like to hear about paid jobs, volunteer roles, clubs and extracurriculars, internships, and church/community groups you've participated in. For each experience, include: (1) where this experience took place (organization, company, or club), (2) your role/position, (3) your responsibilities, and (4) the years you were involved.*

0/800
ADDITIONAL SKILLS: List any additional skills you have that we should know about. Please tell us where you learned and practiced these skills. Examples include: photography, journalism, visual arts, performing arts/spoken word, facilitation, community organizing, first aid, peer counseling, etc. *

0/300
SHORT RESPONSE 1: What do you think is the most important issue facing your community? How would you suggest addressing this issue?*

0/300
SHORT RESPONSE 2: What is a challenge or obstacle that you have had to overcome? Describe the impact it had on you and how you decided to address it. Please only share what you are comfortable discussing with us.*

0/300
VIDEO RESPONSE

In a 1 minute video, respond to the following question: Describe your leadership goals and how Exploring Leadership would help shape you into the leader you want to be?

If you need technical support to record or submit your video, please email coro@coronorcal.org.
Video upload*

Cancelof

Reference

You must have a recommender complete a reference form for you to have a complete application. Provide your recommender's information below. They should be someone who can speak to your abilities as a leader and SHOULD NOT be a family member.
Recommender's Full Name*
Recommender's Email*
example@example.com
Recommender's Title/Role*
Recommender's Organization*
Recommender's Relationship to You*
SEND YOUR RECOMMENDER THIS LINK TO THE REFERENCE FORM:

https://form.jotform.com/252326697621058

This should take them between 5-10 minutes to complete. Your application is not considered complete until your reference form is submitted. You are responsible for ensuring they complete this form by the deadline you're targeting (priority or final).
I have shared the reference form link with my recommender and given them the deadline I'm targeting.*

YesNo

Final Questions
How did you hear about the program? Please name who referred you to Coro (if any).
This is a full time program (M-F; 10am-4:00pm) with mostly in-person sessions. What special circumstances may prevent you from fully participating in this program?
I attest that the information that I am submitting in my application is true to the best of my knowledge.*

YesNo
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