Frequently Asked Questions

Since 2009, the NAPCA Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit education organization, has provided college readiness and career exploration summer programs for thousands of students across the globe. Each summer program empowers students with the tools and mindsets to define their career path, break through their barriers, and take ownership of their future college and career aspirations.

• Students strengthen their academic preparation for college through pre-college writing, mathematics, and public speaking courses and experience college life through exclusive college tours and guest speakers.
• Students explore different career paths through interactive career simulations, clinical experiences, worksite career tours, and exclusive guest speakers from different careers.
• While students gain insight on potential future careers, they are developing a personal strategic action plan (education and career plan) which will provide students with a roadmap to achieve their education and career goals.
• Students gain essential leadership skills, social and emotional learning strategies, and resiliency strategies to break through their barriers to achieve their education and career goals.
• Students develop the college knowledge to become better prepared and a competitive applicant for admission to the college of their choice. In addition, students will gain the knowledge and confidence to successfully navigate the complex processes of applying to colleges, securing financial aid and scholarships, and enrolling into a regionally accredited two-or four-year college or postsecondary career training certificate or licensure program, specifically to be prepared to enter and succeed in high skilled career or trades.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Grade Level Requirement:  

Elementary school students (Rising 2nd – 4th grade students), middle school students (Rising 5th – 7th grade students), high school students (Rising 8th – 11th grade students), and college students (two and four year college students) are eligible to apply for admission to the NAPCA Summer Academy at all program locations. Admission is open to all students across the world. To that end, U.S. citizenship is not necessary, but excellent command of the English language, both written and oral, is required.

Eligibility Requirements for International Students

Evidence of English Language Proficiency

All applicants from countries in which the official language is not English are required to submit official evidence of English language proficiency by taking a standardized test called the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). TOEFL is administered by the Educational Testing Service. You can obtain detailed information from the TOEFL website, or contact TOEFL Services, Educational Testing Service, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, (609) 771-7100.

This requirement applies to applicants from Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Latin America, the Middle East, the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, most European countries, and non-English-speaking countries in Africa.

If you have completed at least one year of full-time academic course work with grades of B or better in residence at a recognized U.S. institution, you do not need to take a standardized test. Instead, you must upload an unofficial academic transcript from the recognized U.S. institution.

Academic Performance: We are looking for students who are serious about academics, with at least a 3.0 GPA or higher (on a 4.0 scale) in their academic courses.​

Note: Students who have earned less than a 3.0 GPA may be considered for admission. Please contact us to speak with one of our staff to discuss your interest in our summer programs.

Your Personal Commitment: We admit students that show a high commitment level to taking ownership of their future college and career goals. We look at your specific activities during school and outside of school that demonstrate your commitment to achieving your future college and career aspirations. Your commitment is the most important factor in our process of selecting students for admission.

Admission Essay: Your admission essay is key to your application. It tells us something about you beyond your grades. We want to know about your extracurricular activities outside the classroom. Your interests outside of the classroom will help paint the full picture of who you are.

Directions

All applicants must respond to one essay prompt in no more than 1000 words (single spaced or double spaced, 12pt font).

• Please choose one essay prompt out of the three prompts below and respond.
• Do not respond to more than one essay prompt.
• Responses to your chosen essay prompt must not exceed 1,000 words total.

Prompt A: Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations. In addition, please explain why you decided to apply for admission and what you expect to learn and experience from participating in the NAPCA Summer Academy.

Prompt B: What is your intended major? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had in the field — such as volunteer work, internships and employment, participation in student organizations and activities — and what you have gained from your involvement. In addition, please explain why you decided to apply for admission and what you expect to learn and experience from participating in the NAPCA Summer Academy.

Prompt C: Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are? Additionally, please explain why you decided to apply for admission and what you expect to learn and experience from participating in the NAPCA Summer Academy.

Notes:

• Please put your full name, school name, grade level, and phone number in the header (top right hand corner) of your admissions essay.
• Please compose your admissions essay in Microsoft Word and upload in your online admissions application. If your having difficulty uploading your essay in your admissions essay, you can email directly to our office at admissions@napcaonline.org

Recommendations: We require at least one recommendation but please do not submit more than two letters of recommendations. It’s best to select people who can speak to your character, like teachers, counselors, and mentors.

Submit Online Letter of Recommendation form

Ask your school counselor, teacher, or mentor to complete the Online Letter of Recommendation form, which can be found and completed at www.napcaonline.org/recommendation.

Admission & Scholarship Interview (Telephone or via Skype): Within 2 weeks after you have submitted a complete online application including the required documents for admission, the student and parent will be contacted by one of our staff members and will be asked to complete an admission and scholarship interview over the telephone or via Skype.

Student Interview (Telephone or via Skype)

The student interview typically takes approximately 20-30 minutes to complete. During the interview session, we will ask questions about the student’s academic and career goals, why they decided to apply for admission to the NAPCA Summer Academy, and the activities they are involved in at their school and outside of school. Please be prepared to do most of the talking! Additionally, applicants along with their parents will have an opportunity to ask specific questions about the NAPCA Summer Academy.

Parent Interview (Telephone or via Skype)

The parent interview will help us determine if your son or daughter is a good fit for our college and career exploration programs. The parent interview typically takes approximately 20-30 minutes to complete. During the interview session, we will ask questions to get a better insight on the areas (academic and non-academic) you think your son or daughter needs improvement, and where your son or daughter is today as it relates to discovering their future career path.