2027 YOUTH DIPLOMATS APPLICATION

Thank you for your interest in the 2027 WorldChicago Youth Diplomats program! We look forward to learning about what inspires, motivates, and moves you to be a global citizen. Here is some general information to help you complete your application:

Eligibility

High school students graduating in 2028 or later, current Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors, are invited to apply to the Youth Diplomats program. Applications will be accepted from public, private, and charter high schools in the city of Chicago and suburbs. Priority consideration is given to those attending Chicago Public Schools. There is no fee to participate in Youth Diplomats.

Session Dates

Youth Diplomats sessions typically fall on the 4th Saturday of each month. However, special sessions and holidays require an alternative date. In addition to these session dates, there will be opportunities for further engagement with other WorldChicago programs and events.
1. Saturday, January 23rd, 2027
2. Saturday, February 27th, 2027
3. *Saturday, March 20th , 2027
4. Saturday, April 24th, 2027
5. Saturday May 22nd, 2027
6. Sunday, June 6th, 2027 Chicago Half Marathon volunteering
7. Tuesday, July 13th or 20th, 2027
8. *Tuesday, August 5th, 2027
*Closing Program

General Session Themes
We anticipate the following session themes:
Introduction to Diplomacy, Global Career panel, Working Bikes, Grace School of Diplomacy, Bank of America Chicago 13.1 Volunteering, Youth Peer Exchange, Closing Program Ceremony.

Commitment
Your participation in the Youth Diplomats program requires a commitment to attend 6 out of the 8 sessions. As part of the application process, we will prioritize applicants who will dedicate their out of school time engagement to WorldChicago Youth Diplomats. Please consider this factor as it relates to your fit for this program. Furthermore, WorldChicago Youth Diplomats is a multi-year program, and participants are encouraged to engage through senior year.

Please submit the completed application by Friday, October 30th, 2026, 11:59pm CST.

After you submit your application, you will receive a link for the academic/peer reference form. Please email your references the link for them to fill out by the application deadline.

You can also find the link for the reference application here:

Youth Diplomats Reference Form

You may contact the program supervisor for questions via email at info@worldchicago.org
Application Checklist
APPLICATION FORM
APPLICANT

First NameLast Name
EMAIL ADDRESS (Please check for accuracy)
example@example.com
PHONE
Format: (000) 000-0000.
School Name
GRADE
ADDRESS

CityState

Zip Code
Home Neighborhood
BIRTHDATE:

MonthDayYear
2 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit yearDate
Gender
Race/Ethnicity-Please select all that apply
If you selected 'Other', please provide details here.
Primary language spoken in your home?
.
Secondary (or more) language spoken in your home?
REFERENCES
Academic Reference Name

First NameLast Name
Academic Reference Email
example@example.com
Affiliation - Academic Reference (History teacher, etc.)
Peer Reference Name

First NameLast Name
Peer Reference Email
example@example.com
Affiliation - Peer Reference (Friend from class, etc.)
PARENT/GUARDIAN 1
Full Name - 1st Parent/Guardian

First NameLast Name
Phone - 1st Parent/Guardian1
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Email - 1st Parent/Guardian
example@example.com
Relationship to Applicant - 1st Parent/Guardian
PARENT/GUARDIAN 2
Name - 2nd Parent/Guardian

First NameLast Name
Phone - 2nd Parent/Guardian
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Email - 2nd Parent/Guardian
example@example.com
Relationship to Applicant - 2nd Parent/Guardian
SHORT ANSWERS
1. How did you hear about WorldChicago Youth Diplomats?
2. Please list activities, sports, or clubs you are involved in at school.
3. Please list activities, sports, or clubs you are involved in outside of school.
4. What is your secret talent? (We won't tell.)
5. Please share your weekend commitments and how you will arrange your schedule to prioritize attending Youth Diplomat sessions.
SHORT ESSAYS
Please choose 3 of the 4 essay questions to answer in the spaces below. Be creative!

1. Why do you want to participate in WorldChicago Youth Diplomats? What could you contribute to the program that no one else can?

2. What do you think it means to be a global citizen? Describe a global issue that you care about - or would like to learn more about - and why.

3. What does the world need more of? Less of? How can you and other young people make it happen? How are you already making it happen?

4. Where in the world would you like to get lost? What do you think you would learn about the place, the people, and yourself? How would you get back?
ESSAY #1

0/300
ESSAY #2

0/300
ESSAY #3

0/300
Interviews will be held after-school (4:30-6:00pm) Nov 18th-20th and the morning (10:00am-12:00pm) of Nov 23rd. Please send your availability for these dates if selected.
What question didn't we ask you?
SIGNATURE & PARENT/GUARDIAN APPROVAL
STUDENT SIGNATURE
DATE

MonthDayYear
2 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit yearDate
PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE
DATE

MonthDayYear
2 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit yearDate
PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE
DATE

MonthDayYear
2 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit yearDate
Thank you for applying to WorldChicago Youth Diplomats Program! We appreciate the work you have put in to start the application process.

Next steps:

Selected applicants will be contacted for an In-Person interview.

The 2027 Youth Diplomats Cohort will be announced in Mid-December, 2026.
Should be Empty:

APPLICATION FORM

REFERENCES

PARENT/GUARDIAN 1

PARENT/GUARDIAN 2

SHORT ANSWERS

SHORT ESSAYS

SIGNATURE & PARENT/GUARDIAN APPROVAL