Optometry School Preparation Course

Optometry

Program Overview

Welcome to the NAPCA Summer Academy Medicine & Health Care Program for middle school (grades 7 & 8) and high school students (grades 9 -12).

NAPCA’s Optometry School Preparation Course welcomes students from around the world to devote two weeks of their summer to explore, strategize, and become better prepared to take ownership of their future college and career goals, whether that may be as a future veterinarian, medical doctor, nurse, dentist, pharmacist, optometrist, physician assistant, or other health care professional. Students will enhance their preparation to optometry school and the optometry profession as well as explore different careers in the medicine and health care industry to help them find their future career path.

During this 14-day program, students will travel and tour top ranked optometry schools and other health professional schools on the West Coast and/or the East Coast. Students will get an opportunity to learn about each university campus community as well as meet with university faculty, admission staff, and students. Students will also compare the different optometry schools and academic programs offered at each campus we visit. Additionally, a diverse group of professionals in the optometry field and other health care fields will meet with students and provide presentations about their experience working in the optometry field and will also share about their academic and career path. In addition to exploring the field of optometry and other health professions, students will participate in college and career planning seminars, group discussions about how to break through stress & anxiety, the fear of failure, success, and the unknown, and personal strategic planning sessions, which will encourage students to start taking ownership of their academic and career goals today.

Throughout the two weeks, students will also attend a 3 Day Medicine & Health Care Conference. Breakout sessions will focus on 8 -16 specialties in the medicine and healthcare field. Students will also learn about current events in medicine and health care, HIPPA compliance, and discover ways to pay for a optometry school education. Students will also earn their First Aid and CPR certification. Furthermore, students will enjoy the relationships with staff and other students during campus activities and group recreational/social time on and off-campus.

If you want a career in the optometry field, this is the career exploration program for you! I invite you to apply. 

Sincerely,

Aaron W. Smith, M.B.A., M.Ed., PPSC, Doctoral Candidate – May 2016
Executive Director
Medicine & Health Care Programs
Aaron-Smith

 

Parent Workshops

Specialty workshops for parents will be offered during the Summit. For parents who are interesting in attending these workshops, please contact us via email so we can plan accordingly. 

  • Helping Your Child Explore Different Career Paths in the Medical Field 
  • How to Guide Your Child to Become A Competitive Applicant for Admission to Medical School

 


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PROGRAM FEATURES & BENEFITS

PROGRAM BENEFITS

BREAKING THROUGH THE FEAR OF FAILURE, SUCCESS & THE UNKNOWN.

At NAPCA, we provide our students with the non-cognitive skills, attitudes, behaviors, tools and resources to help them become mentally & emotionally prepared to break through the barriers that they will face on the path to taking ownership of their future college and career goals.

 

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A MEDICAL SCHOOL STUDENT.

Learn what it's like to be a Medical student.

 

TAKE FIRST YEAR MEDICAL SCHOOL COURSES.

Experience first year medical school coursework at a top Medical Schools in the U.S.

 

PERSONAL & CAREER ASSESSMENTS. 

Explore various personalities, strengths, values, skills, and learning styles as it relates to academic and career paths.

 

COLLEGE & CAREER COUNSELING. 

Identify SMART goals in individual and in small group counseling sessions with a specific focus on taking ownership of your future academic and career pathways.

 

COMMUNITY SERVICE CERTIFICATE.

Develop lifelong habits of service that make use of individual gifts and talents.

 

EXPLORING DIFFERENT CAREERS IN MEDICINE & HEALTH CARE.

Explore 8-16 different career paths in the Medicine & Health Care field at NAPCA's 3 Day Medicine & Health Care Conference at Harvard or UCLA/USC.

 

PERSONAL STRATEGIC PLANNING.

Learn how to develop a personal strategic plan to help you "strategically" take ownership of your future academic and career goals within the Medicine & Health Care field.

 

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS & FINANCIAL AID KNOWLEDGE. 

Gain knowledge and skills to complete the critical steps to become a competitive applicant for admission to your “best fit and top choice” college. Learn how to secure financial resources (grants, scholarships, etc.) to pay for your college education.

 

COLLEGE TOURS.

Meet with university admissions officers and current medical school students, professors and administrators from 9 different elite universities, as well as tour each campus to help you choose your best-fit college.

 

INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS.

Earn HIPAA, First Aid, & CPR certificates from American Red Cross.

 

CAREER TOURS.

Visit top medicine and health care organizations and hospitals to help you explore your career interests.

 

MAKE CONNECTIONS. 

Network with medicine and health care industry leaders, doctors, graduate students, mentors, University professors and administrators, college admissions advisors, student organizations and guest speakers from a variety of career paths in the medicine and health care field.

 

LEARN BY DOING.

Learn basic technical skills such as measuring blood pressure, recording vital signs, and suturing. Develop patient interviewing and examination skills.

 

TRANSITION FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGE.

Learn how to successfully transition from a high school student to a successful college student that has developed positive mindsets, emotional, mental, cultural, and social preparedness for college success, effective learning strategies/study skills, and social/ interpersonal skills to break through the barriers to post-secondary completion.

 

TRANSFERABLE COLLEGE, CAREER & LIFE SKILLS.

The experience of being away from home, living and learning on an elite college campus, enables our students to develop a suite of transferable skills that go beyond those available to students in their own school environment. Vital for future success in any career, these skills include:

Developing strengths in independence, self-regulation and self-assessment; Confidence in dealing with a wide range of new people and situations; Taking Ownership of their own learning, time management, and working with others; Communication skills in speaking, listening, and presenting effective arguments in a variety of different contexts.

 

PROGRAM FEATURES

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Living on Campus

University Residence Halls are the recommended and preferred home for college freshman. NAPCA students will gain a sense of independence as they live within a safe and secure college environment while learning to live and interact with their peers and residential staff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

College Planning, Preparation, & Personalized Guidance

Navigate the competitive and complex college admissions and financial aid process with greater confidence. Students will receive one-on-one/small group college admission and financial aid/scholarship counseling from an experienced counselor. Additionally, students will gain the tools, hands on experience, and resources to approach the competitive and complex college admissions and financial aid process with greater confidence, reduced stress and anxiety, and competitive edge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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Fun & Engaging College and Career Readiness Courses & Activities

Our college and career readiness program curriculum (courses offered on and off campus) will prepare students to break through the social, cultural, and academic barriers that most college students face on their path to college graduation and career entry. Our goal is to connect students with the knowledge, tools, and resources to help them become prepared to navigate the path to college entry and completion, and their career.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Live and Study on a College Campus

Explore life on a college campus while taking college level courses to become better prepared and a more competitive applicant for admission to their “best-fit and top choice” college.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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Dining on Campus

Three meals a day will be provided to all students that participate in the residential program. Students and program staff will eat together family style. We do our best to ensure that every student, faculty, and staff member has the option to eat creative, delicious, nutritious meals every day, even if they have food allergies or special dietary needs dictated by health, ethical, religious, or medical reasons.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speak to College Admissions and Financial Aid Officers at Colleges

Students will be able to meet with the admissions and financial aid staff and counselors at colleges to help them become better prepared and competitive applicants for their best-fit and top-choice college.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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Personal Strategic Planning

Empowering Students to Find Their Career Path. Students will receive 15 hours of Personal Strategic Planning (Education and Career Planning) instruction to help empower them to find their purpose/career path, learn how to break through their barriers, and take ownership of their future post-secondary education and career goals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24 Hour Supervision & Care (7 Days a Week)

Student safety, security and health are our first priority at NAPCA. All NAPCA programs are held at safe campus locations and have access to campus security. Campus security officers will be on duty 24 hours a day and will frequently patrol all campus facilities (classrooms, housing) used by the program. A licensed barber and cosmetologist/hair stylist will be available to students if needed for an additional fee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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Welcome Ceremony

This event will take place on Move-In/Check-In Day, which is the first day of your program session. The program includes short speeches by the Program Director and staff of the program session, and other distinguished guest speakers such as NAPCA Alumni. Immediately after the official ceremony, students and their parents will attend the student and parent orientation. Special welcome/student and parent orientation packages with important information will be distributed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Student & Parent Orientation

Orientation is an exciting opportunity for students and parents to get acclimated to NAPCA and meet fellow classmates, faculty, and staff. This event will take place on Move-In/Check-In Day, which is the first day of your program session.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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Medical School Tours

Students will have the opportunity to visit prestigious medical schools such as Harvard, UCLA and USC. Throughout the tour students learn what they love and don’t love about the cities, campuses and universities. They also learn what each university is looking for during the admissions process.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attend a University Course Lecture

NAPCA students will attend a university course lecture, particularly the lectures of some of the more popular academic courses at each campus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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Visit your Intended Academic Major Department

Choosing and declaring an academic major by the end of your college sophomore year should be your number one schedule planning priority. NAPCA students will visit their intended major department(s) to learn about the process to declare their intended academic major. If you are not yet sure of a major or you are choosing between a few majors, don’t worry about it. We are here to help you make an informed decision.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Program Culmination: Poster Session

Students will showcase their Personal Strategic Plan (Education and Career plan) and celebrate their NAPCA Summer Academy experience with their peers, NAPCA Staff, and family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Program Curriculum

Program Curriculum Snapshot

Below you will find the Course Topics that will be offered in the 2016 California Medicine & Health Care Program. 

COURSE TOPICS

Exploring Medicine & Health Care in the 21st Century

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NAPCA 480:

Introduction to Careers in the Medicine & Health Care Profession 

Each student will explore 8-16 different medicine and health care professions as well explore their intended medicine and health care profession more closely through taking one of the 7 different courses below:

NAPCA 481:

Ethics and Professionalism for Aspiring Medicine & Health Care Professionals

NAPCA 482:

Introduction to The Molecular and Cellular Biology & Biochemistry

NAPCA 483:

Introduction to Human Genetics

NAPCA 484:

Introduction to Immunology, Microbiology & Pathology

NAPCA 485:

College Tours: Visiting Top Health Professional Schools in the U.S.

NAPCA 486:

Career Tours: Exploring Local Hospitals and Clinics

NAPCA 487:

Medicine & Health Career Careers Requiring a Certificate, Associate's, Bachelor's, & Graduate Degree

NAPCA 488:

Meeting Medicine & Health Care Professionals

NAPCA 489:

Current Events in the Medicine & Health Care Industry

NAPCA 490:

First Aid & CPR Training – NAPCA students will get certified!

NAPCA 491:

HIPAA Compliance Training – NAPCA students will get certified!

NAPCA 492:

How to Pay for Health Professional Schools (Graduate School)

NAPCA 493:

Becoming A Competitive Applicant for US and International Health Professional School Programs

 


Breaking Through Barriers: Path to College Graduation/Career Entry

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NAPCA 130:

Breaking through the Fear of Failure, Success & the Unknown

NAPCA 131:

Breaking through Stress & Anxiety: Managing your Stress & Anxiety

 


Career Planning and Development

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NAPCA 160:

Finding & Exploring Your Career Path

NAPCA 161:

Personal Strategic Planning: Education & Career Action Plan

 


Experience College Life

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NAPCA 164:

College Tours: Visiting Top Colleges in the U.S.

NAPCA 165:

Living and Dining on a College Campus

NAPCA 166:

Visit University Course Lecture

NAPCA 167:

Visit Your Intended Academic Major Department

NAPCA 168:

Exploring Student Support Support Services & Resources on Campus

NAPCA 169:

Intro to College Greek Life: Fraternities & Sororities

 

Fun Activities & Excursions

FUN ACTIVITIES, EXCURSIONS & MORE!

Fun activities vary by campus. Check with each program location for a list of their NAPCA sponsored and student sponsored activities.

 

Six Flags Magic Mountain

Are you a thrill seeker? Come out to Six Flags with NAPCA and the staff and enjoy the gold standard of regional theme parks. Six Flags has 160 world-class roller costers, upscale restaurants, entertainment, and one-of-a-kind rides!

Hurricane Harbor Waterpark

Be cool! NAPCA is ready to take you out to slippery slides, crazy water tubes and lots of refreshingly cool water. Hurrican Harbor includes the thrill of a coster while you stay fresh under the sun!

 

Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park

Sky Zone is the world’s first indoor trampoline park. You can join in on a fitness class for a workout, slam dunk on a 10ft basketball net, flip into a pool of foam, or simply bounce around!

iFly Indoor Sky Diving

iFly is an indoor skydiving experience that creates true free fall conditions, just like skydiving, withouth having to jump out of an airplane. It’s just you and the air, and it’s the most incredible adrenaline rush!

 

Ice Skating with NAPCA

Want to race? Come out and join NAPCA and staff on a beautiful night by taking some laps around the skating rink and enjoy your new friends!

Wavehouse Indoor Surfing

Indoor surfing offers an authentic experience for boarders and casual guests alike without the danger of the ocean and without the salty taste in your mouth. Experts can refine their skills and beginners can finally learn to surf!

 

Lucky Strike Bowling

Lucky Strike Bowling is an evening of fun for everyone! Come show your skills on the lane or just hang out and eat some delicious pizza and wings while you relax in the lounge areas.

Swimming / Pool Parties

It’s time to bring out the sunglasses, tanning lotion and get your swim on! Feel the vibes with music thumping and relaxing by the pool with your friends while you soak up the sun.

 

Movie Night

Lights, camera, popcorn! Students and NAPCA program staff will spend an evening together out in the town to watch an entertaining movie at one of the top theaters in the U.S.

NAPCA Game Night!

Prepare yourself for a fun night of games and tap into the strategist within.

 

An Evening at the LA Dodgers or Boston Red Sox Baseball Game

NAPCA students and staff will spend an evening in full force to support the Boston Redsox  or LA Dodgers (professional American Baseball team) with your NAPCA friends and staff.

A Night out on the town with Starbucks

Interact with your NAPCA staff and peers while sipping on a delicious cup of your favorite Starbucks drink. Starbucks is greatly known for their hot and cold drinks around the world!

 

Fun Under the Sun at the Beach

NAPCA students and staff will spend an afternoon enjoying the beach. Join the fun and relax a little with your new friends!

Ice Cream Socials

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, whatever your favorite flavor is, it is time to indulge with your friends and NAPCA program staff.

 

Open Mic / Talent Show

Whether it’s singing a pop culture song, playing a Beethoven sonata, or sharing an athletic feat, the Talent Show at NAPCA is sure to be an evening of amazing entertainment and merriment.

Visit Some of the Best Shopping Malls

Join NAPCA staff on an evening of expoloring some of the best shopping malls around. Find designer attire, souvenirs, or explore the many kiosks and grab something tasty!

Sample Program Schedule

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Download Sample Program Schedule

Admitted Students will receive the actual program schedule 2 weeks prior to the start of the program.

Program Cost

Program Dates, Locations, & Tuition/Fees

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Below is the cost of attendance for the 2016 Optometry School Preparation Course. Students that attend this course will also participate in the either the California Medicine & Health Care Traveling Program or Ivy League Medicine & Health Care Traveling Program. See dates and locations below.

California Medicine & Health Care Program

Locations: UCLA | USC | STANFORD | UC IRVINE | UC SAN DIEGO | UC SAN FRANCISCO | UC DAVIS | UC BERKELEY | UC RIVERSIDE | LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY

Program Dates: 

Session I. June 19 – July 2, 2016  

Session II. July 31 – August 13

 

Ivy League Medicine & Health Care Program

Locations:

Harvard | Yale | Columbia | UPenn | Cornell | Princeton | Dartmouth | Brown

Program Dates: 

Session I. June 19 – July 2, 2016  

Session II. July 31 – August 13

 

Program Cost: One Week Session $2,655   |   Two Week Session $4,965

Cost/Fee 1 Week 2 Week
Tuition 1000 2000
Course Fee 100 200
3 Day Medicine & Health Care Summit 375 375
Academic Field Trips & College & Career Tours 250 500
****Housing (shared room) plus Overnight Supervision and Care 650 1300
Meals* 180 390
Social & Recreational Activities** 100 200
Student Health Insurance***
Total Cost $2,655 $4,965
  • NAPCA accepts wire transfers (1% fee) and/or credit card payments (3% fee for U.S. students and 6% fee for International students). Please be advised that declined credit cards will incur a $30 charge per occurrence. We also accept cashier's checks or money orders from a U.S. bank institution (no transaction fee). Please send cashier's check or money orders to: NAPCA Summer Academy |  Office of Student Accounts |  9800 S. La Cienega Blvd., Suite 200 |  Inglewood, CA 90301.
  • Students must submit proof of health insurance when securing their enrollment.
  • Private rooms are available on a first come, first served basis for an additional fee. If we are unable to accommodate your private room request and you have paid the extra fee, you will receive a refund of the additional fee paid for the private room.

 

Program Cost Includes:

– Academic Program

– Course Instruction & Materials

– Double Occupancy Room (students can request roommates)

– 3 meals a day in University dining hall or in other campus eateries 

– NAPCA Sponsored Fun Activities & Excursions (Evening & Weekend)

– FREE NAPCA Summer Academy T-Shirt

– Certificate of Program Completion

– 24 Hour Supervision & Care (7 Days a Week): Student safety, security and health are our first priority at NAPCA. All NAPCA programs are held at safe campus locations and have access to campus security. Campus security officers will be on duty 24 hours a day and will frequently patrol all campus facilities (classrooms, housing) used by the program. A licensed barber and cosmetologist/hair stylist will be available to students if needed for an additional fee.

 

Program Cost Do Not Include:

– Required health insurance (varies)

– Airport pick up service and Transportation to and from campus (varies)

– Personal spending money (varies)

– Snacks. All students should bring their own snacks or make arrangements to purchase snacks and water for refreshment and hydration during break periods.

Mandatory NAPCA Daily Uniform Shirt(s) (price varies). Uniforms can be purchased at the NAPCA Online Student Store.

U.S. Visa: International students are fully responsible to obtain a US visit visa. Note: Once your U.S. visit/ tourist visa has been issued or if you already hold a U.S. visa, send a copy of your U.S. VISA to the NAPCA Office of Student Accounts: studentaccounts@napcaonline.org.

Definitions 

Tuition: Instructional costs. 2 week program tuition includes instructional and program staff, activities, course materials, handouts, academic field trips, college and career tours expenses including transportation as well as some administrative expenses. All materials will be provided to students.
Housing & Overnight Supervision Shared room in hotel or residence hall. (Residential students only)
Meals Three meals a day on campus in University dining hall and/or in other campus eateries. Meals are included on academic field trips and college and career tours. Meals are not included for non-academic field trips. Snacks are not included during the program.
Social & Recreation Activity Social and recreational activities including transportation and administrative expenses.
Student Health Insurance Personal health insurance is required to attend the program.

 

Refunds

Application fees or deposits are non-refundable. There are no refunds on tuition & fees paid. NAPCA will not refund tuition, room & board, or any other program fees for students dismissed from the program or unable to enter the country due to an improper visa.

Scholarships & Fundraising

SCHOLARSHIPS & FUNDRAISING

Scholarships/Financial Assistance

We offer mostly partial scholarships (ranging from $200 to $1,000 per student) and very few full scholarships to provide financial assistance to students/families who demonstrate a financial need. Limited aid is available and an application is not a guarantee of financial assistance. Scholarships will be distributed until all funds are exhausted.

 

Applying for a NAPCA Scholarship

Students can apply for a scholarship by completing the scholarship section inside the Online Application for Admission to the NAPCA Summer Academy. The scholarship application deadline is on a rolling basis until all funds set aside for families in need have been distributed. We will do our best to help as many students/families as possible but we cannot guarantee that every student that apply for a scholarship will receive the financial support they deserve this summer. NAPCA is working very hard to secure more full scholarships for our students. You are welcome to join us in securing more funds to help more students/families afford to attend the NAPCA Summer Academy. However, at this time, we encourage students to break through the financial barrier and not allow their financial circumstance to restrain them from attending the program by proactively fundraising the additional funds needed. Many of our NAPCA students come from low income families with household income as low as $10,000 per year and have successfully secured the funds to attend the program with the support of their teachers, counselors, school, friends, family, church, NAPCA, and other stakeholder's in the student's community.

Applicants must demonstrate in their scholarship essay that if selected to receive a NAPCA Scholarship they will be committed to fundraising the remaining cost to attend the NAPCA Summer Academy. Students will need to explain in detail how they plan to raise the additional funds needed to attend the NAPCA Summer Academy.

Additionally, students will have an opportunity to explain how they plan to raise funds and receive feedback during the required admission and scholarship interview (phone or in-person interview). To learn more about the required scholarship interview, visit: summer.napcaonline.org/admission-requirements.  

 

Scholarship Essay

The scholarship essay is not required for admission but if you want to be considered for a need based or merit based scholarship, you must submit a scholarship essay with your online application for admission. Only one scholarship will be awarded. The following scholarships are available:

  • Aaron W. Smith Tuition Scholarship
  • Aaron W. Smith PathFinder Award (Full Scholarship)
  • NAPCA Partial Scholarship ($200-$1000): Two Week Program
  • NAPCA Summer Academy Academic Achievement Award ($200 – $1000)
  • NAPCA Summer Academy Leadership Award ($200 – $1000)
  • NAPCA Summer Academy Community Service Award ($200 – $1000)
  • *NAPCA Member Scholarship ($1000-$2,000): only for NAPCA Members/CPCA's – peer college advisors and peer interns

Please compose a scholarship essay using the following essay prompt:

Scholarship Essay Prompt

If you are selected to receive a NAPCA Scholarship (i.e., $450 to $1,000) to help cover a portion of your total program fee, can you and your family commit to fundraising the remaining cost to attend the NAPCA Summer Academy? If so, please explain in detail how you plan to raise the additional funds needed to attend the Summer Academy?

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

Supplemental Scholarship Essay Prompt

Leadership and Community Service Essay Prompt

In addition to writing a response to the scholarship essay prompt, if you are interested in a scholarship for leadership or community service, please also share in 250 words or less how the contributions you gained from leadership or community service will help you reach your career goals.
 

 

Fundraising: Online Fundraising Used by 96% of NAPCA Students

Many of our students are using gofundme.com, kickstarter.com, and indiegogo.com to do online fundraising. Students and parents have reported that online fundraising was the best way to secure the additional funds needed to cover their cost to attend the NAPCA Summer Academy. Our students and parents wrote a compelling letter or used the NAPCA Summer Academy Sponsorship Letter template to ask for donations. They sent the letter out to their friends and family via email. Additionally, for those students and parents that had a Facebook page, they placed the donation letter on their Facebook page.

Sponsorship Letter Template: If you would like a copy of the Sponsorship Letter Template, please contact us via email at support@napcaonline.org. 

We highly recommend that use online fundraising. It has proven to work for our students and parents. If you need help setting up your online fundraising website, our student support team is here for you. You can set up your personal online fundraising website in about 15 – 20 minutes. To start raising funds online now, go to: gofundme.com kickstarter.com  indiegogo.com  Please contact our NAPCA Student Support Team (support@napcaonline.org) to receive assistance with your fundraising efforts. We can help you develop your own personal fundraising web page.

 

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements for U.S. & International Applicants 


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1. Grade Level/Age Requirement:   

Students (ages 13 – 18) are eligible to apply for admission to the NAPCA Summer Academy at all TEEN summer program locations. U.S. citizenship is not required, but excellent command of the English language, both written and oral, is necessary.

 


2. International Students English Language Test:

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 transcript from the recognized U.S. institution.

 


3. Academic Performance: We are looking for students who are serious about academics, with at least a 2.5 GPA or higher (on a 4.0 scale) in their academic courses.​ 

Note: Students who have earned less than a 2.5 GPA may be considered for admission. Please contact us to speak with one of our staff to discuss your interest in our summer academy.

 


4. Your Personal Commitment: Your commitment to taking ownership of your future is the most important factor in our process of selecting students for admission. We admit students that show a high commitment level to becoming better prepared and a more competitive applicant for admission to their "best-fit and top choice" college, and exploring their future career interest.

 


5. Your Admission Essay:
This is your opportunity to tell us about yourself — your hopes, ambitions, life experiences, inspirations. 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. We encourage you to take your time on this assignment. Be open. Be reflective. Find your individual voice and express it honestly.

As you respond to only one of the essay prompts below, think about the admissions and scholarship officers who will read your statement and what you want them to understand about you. While your admissions essay is only one of many factors we consider when making our admission decision, it helps provide context for the rest of your application.

Admission Essay Instructions

  • 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 (double spaced, 12pt font).

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 future career goal? Discuss how your career interest developed and describe any experience you have had in your career of interest — 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


6. Recommendations: We require two online recommendation forms to be completed and submitted by your recommenders. It's best to select people who know you best, such as teachers, counselors, tutors, mentors, community leaders, your job supervisor, or NAPCA peer college advisor. Students 

Submit Online Recommendation Form: www.napcaonline.org/recommendation. ​Please send this link to your recommenders to complete the online recommendation form.

 


7. Admission & Scholarship Interview (Telephone or In-Person): 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 in-person for those that live near our office.

a. Student Interview (telephone or in-person)

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.

b. Parent Interview (telephone or in-person)

The parent interview will help us determine if your son or daughter is a good fit for our program. 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 purpose/path.

Note: In-Person Office Appointment Interview will take place at the NAPCA International Headquarters in Los Angeles, CA. In-Person interviews are encouraged but not required. 

 


8. Submit Unofficial Transcript:
Ask your School or Counselor to provide you with an electronic copy (PDF file) of your unofficial school transcript as you will need to upload to your online application. 

Alternatively, students who are not able to obtain their transcript due to circumstances beyond their control, may provide us with their most recently completed academic semester report card. 

 


9. (Optional) Scholarship Essay & Interview:
The scholarship essay is not required for admission but if you want to be considered for a scholarship, you must submit a scholarship essay with your online application for admission. Please compose a scholarship essay using the following essay prompt.

Scholarship Essay Prompt
If you are selected to receive a NAPCA Scholarship (i.e., $450 to $1,000) to help cover a portion of your total program fee, can you and your family commit to fundraising the remaining cost to attend the NAPCA Summer Academy? If so, please explain in detail how you plan to raise the additional funds needed to attend the Summer Academy?*

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

Scholarship Interview (telephone or in-person)

The scholarship interview typically takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. 

 


Online Fundraising Used by 96% of NAPCA Students

Many of our students are using gofundme.com, kickstarter.com, and indiegogo.com to do online fundraising to help them secure the funds to attend the program. Students and parents have reported that online fundraising was the best way to secure the additional funds needed to cover their cost to attend the NAPCA Summer Academy. Our students and parents wrote a compelling letter or used the NAPCA Summer Academy Sponsorship Letter to ask for donations. They sent the letter out to their friends and family via email. Additionally, for those students and parents that had a Facebook page, they placed the donation letter on their Facebook page.

We highly recommend this fundraising strategy. It has proven to work for our students and parents. If you need help setting up your online fundraising website, our student support team is here for you.

You can set up your personal online fundraising website in about 10 – 20 minutes. 

To start raising funds online now, go to:

gofundme.com

kickstarter.com 

indiegogo.com 

Apply Now

Information Sessions

2016 NAPCA Summer Academy Information Sessions

 

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On Campus Information Sessions

The NAPCA Office of Admissions invites you and your family to attend our Information Sessions, which are hosted at the NAPCA Headquarters in Los Angeles. The information session is a great way to:

  • Learn more about our programs and services
  • Receive guidance about the application process, scholarship and fundraising opportunities
  • Meet admissions staff and NAPCA student alumni

Below, you will find the 2016 information session dates and location.

To attend an On Campus info sessionCLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

 


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Phone Conference Information Sessions

Alternatively, if you are unable to attend an in-person information session, don't worry. Our staff will be available to talk with you via phone. Our Phone Conference information sessions will help you:

  • Learn more about our programs and services
  • Receive guidance about the application process, scholarship and fundraising opportunities
  • Meet admissions staff and NAPCA student alumni

Phone Conference Dates & Times

The Phone Conference Information Sessions will be available daily Monday – Sunday at 3:30pm and 7:00pm. The duration of the conference call will be approximately 30 minutes.

How to Join the Phone Conference

To join the call, you will need to register: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

After you register, our staff will send you the details (phone number and access code) to join the conference call.

If you have trouble joining the call, email us at support@napcaonline.org. Our staff will help you get connected to the phone conference. We look forward to having you join us.

 


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On Campus Info Session Dates & Location:

Below, you will find the 2016 information session dates and location.

To attend an On Campus info sessionCLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

March 19, 2016

On Campus Session: 10:00am & 11:30am

Location: NAPCA Headquarters

 

March 26, 2016

On Campus Session: 10:00am & 11:30am

Location: NAPCA Headquarters

 

April 2, 2016

On Campus Session: 10:00am & 11:30am

Location: NAPCA Headquarters

 

April 16, 2016

On Campus Session: 10:00am & 11:30am

Location: NAPCA Headquarters

 

April 30, 2016

On Campus Session: 10:00am & 11:30am

Location: NAPCA Headquarters
 

On Campus Information Session Location: 

NAPCA Headquarters

9800 S La Cienega Blvd, Suite 200

Inglewood, CA 90301