Q: What is a workshop?
A: Please click here for a description of the workshop.

Q: How do I get paid as a Volunteer?

A: Stipend requests for the summer of 2010 will be accepted post-workshop attendance. We will be taking these requests through August 31, 2010. The Stipend for Writing Coaches is $200 and $350 for College Coaches.
Stipend form 

W-9 Form

Q: Do I have to request a stipend as a College Coach?
A: Yes. This year College Coaches have to request. The stipend remains $350. You must download the form from our website and mail it into our National Office. We will accept all stipend requests through August 31, 2010. Stipend requests generally take two weeks to process from the time we receive your form.

Q: Is the College Coach role the same as the College Counselor role in the past?
A: Yes. However we felt the name change was required to better reflect the role and responsibilities of the role at a workshop. The same requirements remain in order to apply for the College Coach role.  

Q: When are workshops held?
A: Workshops are held during the summer months, June through mid-August; however, specific dates depend on location.

Q: How do I get assigned to a particular workshop and how do I get there?
A: College Summit will be re-launching our volunteer recruiting system in late February to allow you to sign up for a local workshop in your area. If your application is accepted and you are assigned to a workshop, College Summit will provide you with all the necessary details about that workshop. We encourage you to fill out a profile now and we will make you aware of our February launch.

Q: Is there any expense reimbursement for Writing Coaches?
A: All room and board at workshops is covered for all participants. We encourage all interested writing coaches to sign up for workshops in their local area in order to minimize additional expenses. Although this is a volunteer role, and as such is not paid, writing coaches can apply for a $200 stipend to cover travel and incidentals incurred as a result of the workshop.

Q: Where will workshops be held?
A: Workshops are held on college campuses; typically, they are in the general area of College Summit’s regional offices in: Northern California, Southern California, Colorado, Missouri, New York, South Carolina, Washington, DC metro area, West Virginia, Indiana, Florida and North Carolina. Workshops may be held in other areas to be announced.

Q: What is the summer 2010 workshop schedule?
A: The Summer of 2010 schedule is listed on our site under “Opportunity Search” and is subject to change at any time.

Q: What are the volunteer roles at College Summit?
A: Please click on Volunteer Opportunities to see the College Coach and Writing Coach roles.

Q: If I’m a Writing Coach, how long will I be at the workshop?
A: Writing Coaches stay on campus for four days, Thursday afternoon (3pm) through Sunday afternoon (1pm). This is non-negotiable. We do not have shorter volunteer commitments at this time.

Q: Where will I stay?
A: All volunteers will be provided their own dorm room on campus.

Q: How will I get meals?
A: All meals are provided from dinner on Thursday to breakfast on Sunday.

Q: What should I bring?
A: Please pack a light bag with clothes (including dressier clothes for our Saturday night banquet), toiletries, shower shoes, and personal effects for a four day, three night stay. All workshop-related materials will be provided.

Q: What should I wear?
A: Please dress comfortably, but modestly. Jeans or shorts are fine. Please bring one dressier outfit for the Saturday night Banquet honoring our Peer Leaders.

Q: How many high school students will I be working with?
A: It will depend on your role. Writing Coaches typically work with a group of 4-6 students. College Counselors typically work with a group of 10-15 students. Alumni Leaders typically work with a cross-section of the total 40-50 students.

Q: Will I be trained?
A: Yes, all volunteers will receive training and orientation for their role at the workshop, as well as receiving support throughout the entire course of the workshop. Questions for your volunteer trainers are welcomed and encouraged.

Q: How can I register to volunteer?
A: Online registration for 2010 workhshops will begin in February of 2010, though we encourage anyone interested to fill out a volunteer profile now.

Q: Do I need to be a writer to be a Writing Coach?
A: Absolutely not! Our curriculum was designed so that students who may or may not be familiar to the writing process can find their voice. Our Writing Coaches simply provide a space for this voice to be heard. The best writing coaches are good listeners with a fundamental belief that all kids deserve a shot at college access.

Q: I have friends I think would be perfect for this. What do I do?
A: First, direct them to our website, then have them fill out our volunteer profile. We will let you both know as soon as our final workshop schedule is posted.