The EP Process

The EP Process begins during Summer Academy between 10th and 11th grade, and ends in the fall of your senior year. Though there are a myriad of choices available for enrichment programming, there are some common threads that all these programs share. First, almost all of these programs are tuition-based.  Tuition can often be thousands of dollars.  We try to do everything we can to subsidize the costs for the scholars and their families by aggressively going after financial aid and merit-based scholarships.  SEO covers remaining tuition costs, but that is why we have to be strategic when nominating students for EP programs, and why it’s important for us to have your updated tax documents.

Please see the timeline below for what is due when:

Please see detailed descriptions of what we need when:

• 10th Grade Transcript: Due July 25th. Many EPs have a GPA requirement, and I cannot nominate you for a program if you ineligible to apply.  See a sample transcript here.

• Financial Documents: Due July 25th. Many programs are need-based, meaning the scholarship you receive if based on your family's income.   See a sample 1040 here. 

• EP Research Packet: Due July 25th. The research packet is designed to give you a chance to explore your interests. Just because you research a certain program does not mean you are guaranteed to be nominated for it. I am looking at your level of detail when researching, not necessarily the programs you included.  *Using AI to write your answers is an indicator that you are not ready to apply for an EP.*

• EP Fair: Mid-October. You will get to hear from the class of 2025 scholars who participated in EPs this summer. 

• Parent and Caregiver Meeting: Mid-October. This meeting is held on zoom and required for parents and caregivers.

• Parent/Guardian Survey: Due end of October. Your family will give their permission for the programs types they will allow you to participate in.  

• Final Preference Sheet: You will rank your top 3 EP programs at the beginning of November. 

• Nomination Email: You DO NOT choose your own EP - you are nominated to apply by SEO. SEO will look at a number of factors, including: Research packet, Advocating/Office Hours, Parent/Guardian Survey, Standing with SEO, Grades/income, and preference sheet. You will receive your EP nomination to your SEO email from Elizabeth starting in November. You will receive your nomination email about 6-8 weeks before your EP application is due.

• EP Applications: Once nominated, you will have an info session where we will discuss all the application pieces. You will receive an Application Guide that has a calendar for all application deadlines. You will also be assigned an Essay Reviewer who will review your essays - you will submit your essays for 1 round of feedback before submitting to your application. Almost all of the programs are highly competitive and, therefore, highly selective.  This also means that the application process is rigorous, difficult, and admission into a program is not always guaranteed – this does not mean you will not receive an EP, but, every once in a while, you may have to apply to more than one program.  Some common elements of the application process include but are not limited to:

  1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Application Form

                 2. Personal Essay

                 3. Interview

                 4. Letters of Recommendations

                 5. Resume

                 6. Medical Release form – will need to see your physician 

                 7. Financial Information Sheet & Tax forms – for the purposes of financial aid

                 8. Contracts to be signed by both scholar and parent/guardian

                 9. Passport/visas – for travel abroad programs

• Pre-Departure: Lastly, the EP process does not end once you submit your application.  Although the application process can be quite challenging, much of your work will come after you’re accepted into your program. During this time leading into your departure, it is extremely important that you are regularly communicating with a representative from your program and plan ahead so that you are not waiting until the last minute to submit your pre-departure materials.  If you are traveling abroad, you will need a passport that expires AFTER February 2027.  Passport applications and renewals can take a couple months so it is extremely important that you are submitting passport applications no later than March 1st.  Most programs require a medical form that needs to be filled out by your physician.  Due to high volume, it can take a month for your doctor to fill out your medical form so please do not wait until the last minute to get this completed.  Other pre-departure components that can take some time are:

1. Passport / Visa applications

2. Collecting materials for your trip

3. More medical forms

4. Health insurance forms

5. Course registration

6. Host family letters/pre-program essays