NewComm FELLOWS Application

2026 NewComm Fellows Application
Full Name*

First NameLast Name
Preferred Name
Gender*

MaleFemaleOther
Pronouns
Birth Date*

MonthDayYear
Permanent Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip CodeCountry
Home Number*
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Cell Number*
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E-mail*
example@example.com
Alternate E-mail
example@example.com
Are you authorized to work in the United States? (This includes U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or individuals with valid work authorization).*

YesNo
Parent/Guardian Name*

First NameLast Name
Parent/Guardian Phone Number:*
Parent/Guardian E-mail*
example@example.com
Parent/Guardian Name

First NameLast Name
Parent/Guardian Phone Number:
Parent/Guardian E-mail
example@example.com
Explain your interest in community work and social justice. What community issues are you passionate about and how have you been involved in addressing them? (100 word maximum)*

0/100
What kind of legacy would you like to leave behind? NewComm defines legacy as creating change that outlasts you. It’s the difference between helping one student with homework vs creating systems where hundreds of students are helped for years to come. (100 word maximum)*

0/100
Education
Name of High School*
School Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip CodeCountry
What is your graduation year?*
Current GPA*
What are your strengths and challenges in school and how has your school environment contributed to them? (100 words maximum)*

0/100
What story/stories do you see yourself a part of and why? This could be a book, poem, film, show, or narrative. (100 words maximum)*

0/100
What extracurricular activities are you engaged in?*
Please list any honors or awards, if applicable.*
On a scale from 1-10 how likely would you rate college being in your future pathway? (10 being "absolutely" and 1 being "not at all")*

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

1 is Worst, 10 is Best
Short Essays

Please answer the following questions in 250-300 words each.
Describe a time when you faced a significant challenge in your academic or personal life. How did you overcome it, and what did you learn from the experience?*

0/300
What kind of community engagement are you seeking? Consider what might enhance belonging and support for you and people who may feel similarly.*

0/300
Please only answer the question for whichever borough you are applying to (Bronx or Brooklyn). In the answer box of the question for the borough you are not applying to please put "N/A."
BRONX ONLY: The Bronx faces the most severe food insecurity crisis in New York City. Forty percent of Bronx adults—the highest rate among all five boroughs—report being stressed about affording nutritious meals. This isn't just about hunger; it's about health equity. Food insecurity drives higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and other chronic conditions that disproportionately impact our community. The crisis runs deeper than availability: in the South Bronx, bodegas outnumber supermarkets 25 to 1—sometimes as high as 37 to 1—meaning residents have far more access to processed foods than fresh produce. The result? The Bronx has the highest adult obesity rate in NYC at 34.5%, and diabetes rates in neighborhoods like Morrisania are triple those in wealthier Manhattan areas. Food pantry visits have surged 80% from pre-pandemic levels, and over 40% of residents in the Bronx's highest-need districts rely on SNAP benefits. Yet even with these supports, many families still struggle to access healthy, affordable food. Using the allotted $10,000, what project would you create to address this challenge?*

0/300
BROOKLYN ONLY: Crown Heights faces a complex relationship between neighborhood design and safety that affects how residents move through and experience their community. While Crown Heights ranks safer than 71% of U.S. neighborhoods overall, 57% of residents report safety concerns and times they don't feel safe—and the experience varies dramatically across the neighborhood, with crime rates ranging from 1 in 32 chance of victimization in some areas to 1 in 42 in others. Research shows that well-designed lighting alone can reduce crime by up to 21%, and lighting is consistently identified as the most important built environment factor in creating perceptions of safety at night, especially for women and marginalized communities. Beyond lighting, elements like street width, building design, visibility around corners, "eyes on the street" from windows, park layouts, and public space design all signal whether a community is cared for—which affects both actual crime rates and how people behave in public spaces. The built environment isn't just about aesthetics; it's about equity, access, and who feels welcome in their own neighborhood. Using the allotted $10,000, what project would you create to address this challenge?*

0/300
In 2 minutes max, introduce yourself to the NewComm admissions team and explain why you are interested in the NewComm fellowship and how you learned about it. You can just record this video on your phone. *

Cancelof
Recommendations

For your application, you need two letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your academic potential, leadership qualities, and commitment to community service. These can be teachers, school counselors, or community leaders. Please provide the names of the two people you will be providing these letters. You must ask these people first before supplying their names.
Recommender 1*

First NameLast Name
Relationship to you*
Recommender 1 Email Address*
example@example.com
Their phone number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Recommender 2*

First NameLast Name
Relationship to you*
Recommender 2 Email Address*
example@example.com
Their phone number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Commitment and Availability

Please review the following commitments and confirm your availability.
Are you able to commit to a two-year fellowship program beginning with a 5 week summer program then 1 weekly meeting and 1 monthly in-person event during the academic year?*
Are you available to participate in our overnight activities including Members Weekend and our annual wellness retreat?*
Please describe any other commitments or responsibilities you have that might affect your participation in the program (e.g., part-time job, family responsibilities, extracurricular activities, other leadership programs). Please write N/A if this does not apply to you. *
At NewComm, Fellows design and lead the execution of a $10k project in collaboration with our larger body of Member interns. Please nominate 5 people for the Member program. (Full Name, School, Grade, Email).
Member #1 Name

First NameLast Name
Email
example@example.com
Grade
Member #2 Name

First NameLast Name
Email
example@example.com
Grade
Member# 3 Name

First NameLast Name
Email
example@example.com
Grade
Member #4 Name

First NameLast Name
Email
example@example.com
Grade
Member #5 Name

First NameLast Name
Email
example@example.com
Grade
Signature

By signing below, you confirm that the information provided in this application is accurate and complete to the best of your knowledge.
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2026 NewComm Fellows Application

Education

Short Essays

Recommendations

Commitment and Availability

Signature