Applications are open to current high school sophomores representing public, private and home-schools in Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applicants must have approval from their guidance counselor or other school administrator.
My school is not listed as a current school on the online application. Can I still apply?
Yes! We welcome applications from current high school sophomores attending public, private, and home schools. We encourage you to speak with a guidance counselor or other school administrator to receive support and approval of your application. If they have questions, please direct them to contact Ann Marie Whelan, [email protected].
Why should I apply?
Regional Youth Leadership is unlike any other extra-curricular activity. You will have an opportunity to look at our region from a whole new perspective. Not only will you learn about the individual topics of each session but you will learn about the career opportunities available within those areas. Regional Youth Leadership also prepares you for the future by providing opportunities to practice networking, budgeting, public speaking and developing a new respect for our region.
How do I apply?
The online application form will be posted on December 1st. All applicants are encouraged to submit their application electronically. The online form will automatically send an email to your school contact and the primary parent/guardian listed on the application. These individuals will approval your application electronically. Please ensure that they know to expect the form and to check junk/spam mailboxes. If you need a paper copy, please contact Ann Marie Whelan, [email protected].
How do I know if my application was received?
Electronic Submission: Applications submitted electronically will receive a confirmation email to the address entered on the application. The confirmation may be diverted to junk or spam mailboxes. If an email is not received, please contact Ann Marie Whelan, [email protected], to confirm that the application has been received.
When is the application due?
Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on February 1st however some schools set an earlier deadline. Applicants should communicate with their RYL school contact and/or guidance counselor to ensure they are meeting their school deadline. RYL is able to accept the parent/guardian approval form after February 1st so long as the online application was submitted by the deadline.
What is the cost?
Tuition for RYL is $250 despite program costs of $800+ per student. Tuition is nonrefundable and is payable after acceptance notification in May. Tuition includes all expenses for the retreat, materials and refreshments for class sessions and graduation. Scholarships are an important part of the RYL program. If the cost of tuition is a concern, please do not hesitate to ask for a scholarship. Students may request a full or partial scholarship on their application, or a parent may request a scholarship on behalf of their child. This is a confidential process. No one accepted into the program will be denied participation for financial reasons
How many applications do you receive?
We can never predict the number of applications we will receive however we average 90+ applications each year. in 2023-2024, we received over 110 applications.
How many students are selected?
On average, forty-five students will be selected for the program. We currently accept one student from each high school that applies. If space permits, an additional applicant may be considered.
How can I enhance my application?
Applicants are encouraged to spend a minimum of 60-90 minutes preparing their application.
Unique, authentic, and detailed responses are encouraged.
Please review your completed application for grammatical and spelling errors and to ensure that you have fully responded to the prompts.
Approach your application as a means of introducing yourself to our committee. Each response tells the story of who you are and helps us to get to know you. Find ways to connect with the reviewer by sharing personal details and stories.
The application section titled "Simply Stated & Fun" is an opportunity for students to show their personality.
Upon completing these steps, applicants may wish to have their application reviewed by a parent, teacher, or trusted adult.
What happens if I change schools after being accepted?
Students that change schools after being accepted to RYL may not be able to participate. There are a variety of factors that are considered and each are handled on a case by case basis. Please contact our office if you are considering a change and wish to discuss the implications.