Semester in The City Student Application for YLL Talent Development Program student

General Information

We hope you find this application process to be an engaging opportunity to reflect on what's important to you. Our goal is to make this program as rewarding as possible, and ensure students have a life-changing experience. This application will help us get to know you and create the experience that is best for you. We believe in your ability to use your unique skillset to make positive change in the social impact sector. Be yourself!

Here are some things to keep in mind as you complete the application:

The application is designed to take about 45 minutes to complete. If you're short on time, fill out this first page (our preliminary application) and save the rest for later!
If you have any questions at any point, you may reach out to us at SITC@collegeforsocialinnovation.org or yll@collegeforsocialinnovation.org. We're here for you!
After you submit your application, you will hear from a member of our recruitment team about next steps.

Thank you!

First Name

Last Name

Preferred Name - What do you like to be called?

Which pronouns do you use?

Please list your pronouns:

How did you hear about us?

Other

Contact Information

Primary Email

Secondary Email

If you use another email address, add it here.

Street Address Line 1

Street Address Line 2

County / Town

Zip/Postal Code

Country

University Information

College or University

Semester of Graduation

Year of Graduation

Student ID Number

GPA

Please upload your most up to date transcript If you do not yet have a transcript, please upload a PDF of a list of classes you are enrolled in, and what you anticipate your major will be. A brief description of each class may be helpful.

Please select your major (or the closest fit) from the following list:

Please specify your major:

If you have a minor, please select it (or the closest fit) from the following list:

Credits

Are you applying your Semester in the City (SITC) internship credits toward a specific major, minor, or general graduation requirements?

MajorMinorGeneral Graduation CreditsNot Applicable- I am auditing SITC or not enrolled in college

Please select your major (or the closest fit) from the following list:

If you have a minor, please select it (or the closest fit) from the following list:

Have you consulted with your college or university about your eligibility and any required steps you must take to be approved for studying off campus?

Are you concerned about receiving credit?

No concerns, I have elective credits and/or know my major credits will transferI have some questions about credit transfer, but do not anticipate issues with my academic progression, even if SITC credits don't apply directly to my majorI have significant concerns about whether SITC will fulfill my graduation requirements and/or I do not have elective credits available and need credits to transfer towards my major

Application Questions

Semester in the City will match you with an internship at a nonprofit, government agency, or social mission business, at which you’ll be able to gain professional skills in a real-world setting. You’ll also take two courses in social innovation and problem solving while experiencing the city of Boston. Why are you applying to our multifaceted Semester in the City program? (250 words minimum recommended)

At Semester in the City, we give students the opportunity to work in our community to make meaningful change. What are you passionate about? Why is this important to you? (250 words minimum recommended)

Semester in the City will give you the opportunity to bring your skills and experience to a new place with a different social impact landscape. Please describe an experience you had adapting to a new cultural environment in a professional setting. (250 words minimum recommended)

What are you great at? Select the top three strengths or skills you would bring to your internship.

Top Skill/Strength

#2 Skill/Strength

#3 Skill/Strength

Please specify your other skill(s):

What skill would you most like to strengthen?

Through NTU's a Social Impact Program, you've had the chance to build these skills with an NPO. Please elaborate on some these skills you'd bring to the Boston organization you'll be working with, and how developing those skills will aid your future work (150 words minimum recommended)

Placement Considerations

In order to obtain a J-1 Visa for you, we have to match you with an internship that relates to your area of study, but we are sometimes also able to match you to an organization working in your interest area. If that is the case, which issue area would you be most interested in working on during your internship?

Which issue area would you be equally or secondarily interested in working on during your internship?

Would you prefer a placement that is:

What is your desired level of support?

Select the type of workplace culture and environment you best thrive in

Select the types of groups you have worked with in the past.

Functional Teams - Members from the same department (e.g., Marketing, IT, HR) working toward shared goals.Cross-Functional Teams - Members from different departments collaborate on projects requiring diverse expertise.Project Teams - Temporary teams formed to complete specific projects within a set timeframe.Task Forces - Short-term groups assembled to solve urgent problems or implement critical initiatives.Committees - Ongoing groups that oversee policies, culture, or initiatives (e.g., Environmental Committee).Leadership Teams - Members who set strategy and guide the organization.Advisory Boards - Internal or external experts providing strategic guidance on key decisions.Mentorship/Coaching Groups - Members who guide and develop junior team members through structured mentoring.

Special Project Interest Areas

The YLL Talent Program emphasizes hands-on learning through special projects, which make up at least 40% of each Fellow’s internship. These projects give Fellows the opportunity to take real ownership while contributing to meaningful organizational needs.

Special projects share the following characteristics:

Fellow leads planning and implementation
Fellow takes on real responsibility
Goals and objectives are clearly defined
Produces a tangible product evaluated by both the Mentor and CfSI staff (ensuring cross-cohort grading consistency)
Addresses a real organizational need (not “make work”)

Please select your top three special project areas that align with your personal or professional goals. While we cannot guarantee a specific project area, your preferences are a key factor in making an effective match.

Special Project Categories:

Direct Service: Manage part of an organization’s service delivery where systems support student roles. Example: Develop workshops for an after-school program, with lesson plans and an evaluation guide.
Event Planning: Design, organize, and lead a unique event (not a recurring one). Example: Launch the first Assistive Technology Resource Fair and produce an outcomes report for replication.
Report or Analysis: Conduct research or analysis and deliver a report or presentation. Example: Create an urban chicken care handbook; analyze program data and recommend revisions to staff.
Social Media: Build and implement a new social media strategy with significant design and planning. Example: Launch a new Snapchat channel for Playworks and create a future-use style guide.
Strategic Project: Develop a targeted strategy that supports broader organizational goals. Example: Create a Spanish-language newsletter for outreach; recruit 25 BU volunteers for a day of service and report outcomes.

While special projects are the primary focus, the program also recognizes the importance of fundraising experience in building a successful social sector career. As part of internship matching, we aim to provide Fellows with exposure to fundraising whenever possible.

Top Special Project Area

#2 Special Project Area

#3 Special Project Area

Summary

Briefly describe your previous internship or work experience, including what aspects worked well for you and what challenges you faced.

Resume

If known, please describe your future career path (put unknown if you aren't sure).

Is there anything else that would be helpful for us to know during the matching process?

Acknowledgments

Reference

Please provide two references who we may contact regarding your application. One reference may be a professor or someone who knows your work well from a previous job/internship. The second reference should be a supervisor or mentor at your Taiwanese NPO.

First Name

Last Name

Email

Title

Please provide the name and email of your supervisor at your NPO.

First Name

Last Name

Email

Title

Final Questions

In the past four years, have you been placed on disciplinary or academic probation, suspension, or expulsion at your educational institution?

YesNo

Please provide details about the situation. Answering "yes" will not automatically disqualify you.

I understand that all information provided in this application can be shared with my university.

Yes

I understand I must complete my university's required eligibility process prior to enrolling in Semester in the City. (We can help you out with this! Email sitc@collegeforsocialinnovation.org with any questions.)

Yes