What is the Finalist Day stage of the Rise application process? 

This is the final stage of the Rise application process. Up to 500 applicants are selected as Finalists to participate in a “Finalist Day” of activities and interviews. Finalists participate in educational and social impact courses, offered through Rise, to level up their skills and grow their networks. They also gain access to funding on a competitive basis.  Of those Finalists, up to 100 will be selected as Rise Global Winners. 

How were the Finalists selected for Finalist Day? 

The Rise application is like a jigsaw puzzle of multiple pieces: your own videos, your reviews of other peoples’ videos, the reviews of your videos, your project summary, your profile information, and the Puzzle Quiz. All of the pieces count, together forming a whole picture of you as an applicant, and were used to determine who progressed to the Finalist stage. The Rise Traits we use to evaluate you through all three stages remain the same: brilliance, perseverance, integrity, empathy and a calling to care for others. Read more about the Rise Traits here.

How do I gain access to the Finalist benefits?

All Finalists who meet the Rise eligibility criteria and who complete the Finalist Day activities will be eligible to participate in educational and leadership courses. Finalists participate in educational and social impact courses, offered through Rise, to level up their skills and grow their networks. They also gain access to funding on a competitive basis. 

What does the Finalist Day involve? 

Rise Finalist Days will be held on a Saturday or Sundays between 4 June until 26 June 2022. As a Finalist, you will be invited to attend one of these days. You will receive an email with more information about your specific date and time closer to the date, so make sure to check your inbox! 

During the Finalist Day, you’ll participate in a series of individual and group activities over Zoom. Each activity is designed to help us get to know you better and see your problem-solving and moral reasoning skills. The day will last approximately 5 hours. You can find more information in your Finalist Day Preparation page. 

What do I need to do to prepare for Finalist Day? 

Complete the following 9 steps to prepare for your Finalist Day: 


Do I need to do anything other than to sign the documents and to prepare for Finalist Day?

Yes. You will receive an email, “Rise Finalist - Documents Received, Complete Your Finalist Profile", once you've registered, signed the Rise Code of Conduct, and your parent/guardian submits the Consent Form. To complete the survey, you will need your unique password that we shared with you in your Congratulations email from Rise. This is Step 10 of your journey as a Finalist and is included on your Final Checklist. To be eligible for selection as a Global Winner, you must complete your Profile by 26 June.  


How are applicants evaluated during Finalist Day? 

The Finalist Day activities and interviews will be evaluated by Activity Evaluators and Interviewers. The scores they give you will then be used along with other information as part of your full application from all three stages to create the cohort of up to 100 Rise Global Winners. You will be evaluated based on the following Rise Traits: 

Brilliance 

Brilliance is multi-faceted. An applicant may demonstrate brilliance through grasping new concepts quickly and thoroughly or making connections between disparate information and spotting patterns. They may demonstrate brilliance through curiosity, creativity, extraordinary problem analysis, and/or solving skills. Brilliance can also be exhibited in social interactions: seeing issues from multiple perspectives or identifying skills in others and making use of them or by finding intelligent ways to bring people into agreement. 

Perseverance 

Perseverance can mean overcoming obstacles... 

Showing adaptability, working hard to find solutions or opportunities where others would have given up. It is learning from defeat and coming back with a new approach or fresh resolve. It is seeing the end goal and being willing to do the tedious and painstaking tasks to get there. It is digging deep to achieve an outcome.

...or continuing on despite them.

Some obstacles cannot be overcome and must be endured - highly persevering applicants show remarkable resilience and endurance; where others would have given up, they are still going. They manage their own frustration and have been able to continue under adverse conditions and to move forward through circumstantial resistance. They dig deep to keep going.

Integrity 

Integrity means possessing a strong moral compass that is considerate of others. Applicants with high degrees of integrity have an internal behavioural code that they adhere to, even at personal cost, and they also expect others to adhere to it. Their thoughts, decisions, and actions are aligned, and they may come across as courageous in their refusal to bend their morals in the face of public pressure. They are sincere, authentic, and trustworthy.

Empathy 

Empathy means being attuned to others, humble, and self-aware. Empathetic applicants seek to understand first and to be understood second. They desire connection and create bridges across cultures and experiences. They are concerned about the wellbeing of others, and may even absorb or take on others’ feelings. They see people as individuals and seek to include and draw others in. 

Calling to Care for Others

An applicant with a calling carries a sense of urgency about their passions and goals that is both evident and catching. They inspire others and are able to draw others in to follow them toward their goal. They are personally dedicated and committed to their ideals and direction (deeds as well as words), and their thinking and planning evolves over time. They care about something in an “off the charts” way and have the tireless motivation to achieve it. They are able to see past current limitations and circumstances to imagine, plan, and execute an end goal.  

Who are the Activity Evaluators and Interviewers? 

The Finalist Day activities will be observed and evaluated by volunteers around the world sourced from the Rhodes Trust, Schmidt Futures, and Rise’s partner organisations. They will be trained and background checked, and ready to meet you on Finalist Day! 

Is Finalist Day accessible to applicants in low-connectivity areas? 

Yes! Finalist Day will be accessible to all who are invited. In the Finalist Registration Survey, we ask about your access to technology, a reliable internet connection, and any additional special needs. Since all Finalists participate in Zoom interviews, we will work with you and, if needed, our local partner organisations to ensure you have adequate technology and connectivity on the Finalist Day. We will be in touch with you in May to start this conversation ahead of the activities in June.

Is Finalist Day accessible to disabled applicants?

Yes! All Finalists—whatever their physical or learning abilities—will have equal access to Finalist Day activities. Finalist Day will be held on Zoom, so audio and video feeds will be part of the process. After being selected as one of up to 500 Finalists, we will ask you to let us know about any specific accessibility needs you might have so that our team can accommodate these and ensure you’re comfortable and well equipped for Finalist Day. We can make more detailed plans with you once you have been invited to Finalist Day and we have received the consent form from your parent or guardian.

My English is not excellent—is that ok?

The Finalist Day activities will be in English, as this is the only language that all Finalists have in common. Because all of the activities are live and most are group activities, you will need a sound command of the English language. We want to ensure you are as comfortable as possible and enjoy the experience of Finalist Day. To prepare in advance, read the “Finalist Day Preparation” page in your Handbook. 

What support is available to me during Finalist Day?

There will be staff and volunteers available to help you with any questions or issues you encounter. We will also have technology support available for any tech-related difficulties. You can read more about our safety and support resources, and instruction for setting up your technology, in your Handbook. 

If you ever feel unsafe or uncomfortable, you can learn more about how Rise is working to safeguard your experience in our policies here and contact one of the Rise Designated Safeguarding Leads at safeguarding@risefortheworld.org. 

What should I wear for the Finalist Day?

Finalist Days are designed to be fun and to capture your best self, so you do not need to dress formally. Wear anything that represents who you are and is comfortable to be in for 5 hours. Casual is absolutely fine! That being said, please refrain from wearing distracting or inappropriate slogans, such as clothing with text or that depicts inappropriate images. 

Can I get a certificate of attendance after I attend Finalist Day?

Yes! Once you have attended a Finalist Day, we will send you a Finalist certificate.