Frequently Asked Questions About the WLC
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions from Parents and Students and Program Policies regarding the World Leadership Congress.
Please read through the following carefully, it is organized in the following sections:
- Program Eligibility and Application Process
- Program Expenses
- Travel to Chicago
- During the WLC
- After the WLC
Program Eligibility and Application Process
Who is eligible to attend?
Any U.S. student nominated and attending one of the 68 local 2013 HOBY Leadership Seminars held throughout the United States during the spring of 2013, or any students attending our international partner programs. International students must be between the ages of 15-17 during the program.
How many students will be accepted to the WLC?
We are accepting 400 students to the 2013 WLC. Approximately 33% of those students will be international students, with the remainder from across the United States.
What information do I need to have readily available before I apply for the WLC?
The online application allows registrants approximately 40 minutes to complete the application. It should NOT take that long, especially if you have all of the information ready before you start the application. Please have the following information accessible before you start the application:
- Student contact information (including an accurate email address)
- Parent contact information (including an accurate email address)
- Emergency contact information
- Current school information including school contact
- Medical history and information including record of inoculation, medications currently taking and any information on current conditions
You will be able to go back into the application at a later date and update any additional medication information and ADD travel information.
I just completed my local HOBY Seminar, and I want to apply for the WLC, but all the spaces for my site are taken, how can this be?
When the WLC registration opens in March, HOBY sends every single student selected to attend a local HOBY seminar (approximately 9,500 students) as well as their parents and school counselors an email informing them of the opportunity to apply for the WLC. Due to the popularity of HOBY's programs, many people apply immediately when the announcement is made and others elect to wait and see if they liked their local seminar first. Unfortunately those who wait run the risk of being unable to attend.
Why are there limits to the number of students from each local HOBY Seminar location?
68 HOBY programs occur throughout the United States from April through June. To give students from all locations the opportunity to attend the WLC, each site is allocated a percentage of the spaces available depending on the number of students attending their local seminar.
What if all the allocated spaces from my students HOBY Seminar are already taken?
Students should absolutely apply to the WAITLIST for their site if all the allocated spaces are taken. The wait list will appear as an option in the drop down menu on the final page in the application, only when the site's regular spaces are full. If the wait list for your site is full, you can send an e-mail with the student's name, seminar site, and contact info to Noel Elgrably elgrablyn@hoby.org.
What is the waitlist process?
For the last several years we have been able to accommodate EVERY student from the waitlist, as it is managed on a daily basis, so please don't discount applying for a waitlist position. We manage the waitlist on an ongoing basis and students are moved into allocated spaces as they become available. Waitlisted students will be moved to the attending list based on the date of their application, payment status and seminar allocation. Please DO NOT continually call the office; students will be notified via email if they are moved off the waitlist to the attending list.
Does completing the electronic application confirm a student's acceptance to the WLC?
NO. Students will receive an application acknowledgement via email upon submitting their application and payment, but their acceptance to the WLC cannot be CONFIRMED until they attend their local HOBY seminar. Students will received a confirmation EMAIL once their attendance of their local HOBY Seminar has been confirmed.
When will my student's acceptance to the program be finalized?
Within two (2) weeks of their local HOBY seminar's conclusion. If, after two weeks students haven't received a confirmation email please send an email to Noel Grable at elgrablyn@hoby.org.
Is there any way to confirm my student's space BEFORE their local seminar?
No. Attendance at the World Leadership Congress is dependent on attendance at their local seminar. Although completely the registration and payment prior to the local seminar will expedite their WLC confirmation once they have attended their local HOBY seminar.
I am currently a high school sophomore and I want to attend the WLC but I will not be able to this summer. Can I attend the following year instead?
No. WLC protocol has always been that US students must be sophomores who have just completed a HOBY program in their respective state. International students must be between the ages of 15 and 17. HOBY does offer additional alumni program opportunities including the Advanced Leadership Academy and our Alumni International Tour Programs. To learn more about our alumni programs, visit the alumni page of our website.
Does my student have to attend the entire event?
Yes. Students registered in a HOBY program must be present for the entire event. If circumstances arise that prevent your child from attending the entire WLC, please contact Noel Elgrably at elgrablyn@hoby.org. Please follow up without delay because a cancellation fee may apply.
Program Expenses
What does the $1650 registration fee cover?
The $1650 registration fee covers all meals, room and board, program expenses including materials, entrance fees and any ground transportation during the event. The registration fee does not cover airfare, visa or passport expenses, overseas partner costs for delegations, spending money or the optional post-WLC Chicago Tour Program.
How much money should I give my child for the week?
Students will only need money for incidentals during travel and any spending money for the HOBY store or convenience store items. Those students participating in the optional post-WLC Chicago Tour Program should have additional money for incidentals during that program.
Does HOBY provide scholarships or financial assistance to applicants?
Some local HOBY seminars in the US provide scholarships of varying amounts for up to two students that they select to attend the WLC. This is at the local seminar's discretion. Please ask your local Leadership Seminar Chairperson if they offer any scholarship, and is so, how to qualify.
There are limited amounts of scholarships for international students, please contact elgrablyn@hoby.org for more information.
What is your cancellation policy?
HOBY World Leadership Congress Ambassador Registration Payment / Cancellation Policy:
- Students must submit a $100 Non-Refundable deposit with their registration; any remaining balance due must be paid in full by June 30, 2013.
- Any cancellations received by May 30, 2013 will receive a registration fee refund minus the $100 deposit and a $250 administrative fee.
- Any cancellations received by June 30, 2013 will receive a registration fee refund minus the $100 deposit and $500 administrative fee.
- Any cancellations received after June 30, 2013 will not be eligible for a refund.
Note: Any payments made for waitlisted students that cannot be accommodated due to capacity limitations will receive a full refund.
Travel to Chicago
What dates/times should we plan to travel to Chicago?
Students travelling to Chicago via airplane, train or bus should plan to arrive at their designated travel gateway in Chicago between 7 am and 2 pm, on Saturday, July 20th (if possible).
All students should plan to be on campus (in Chicago) by 3 pm on Saturday, July 20, 2013.
Student travel plans must be included in their registration record - this information can be added/modified after students are confirmed into the program and is not needed at the time of the initial registration is submitted.
Will someone pick up my student from the airport/train station?
YES. There will be HOBY representatives at both O'Hare International and Midway International Airports as well as Union Station on Saturday, July 20th to meet students once they clear the security area (or customs and passport control for international students). All HOBY representatives will be wearing HOBY T-shirts and have signs to welcome students. Specific information on where to meet HOBY at each of the gateways will be outlined in the Ambassador Advance Booklet that will be emailed to students and parents approximately 30 days prior to the opening of the World Leadership Congress. Transportation and from the Loyola University Chicago Lakeshore Campus is provided by HOBY.
Which airports should my child fly into?
Chicago is serviced by two airports: O'Hare International and Midway International airports, HOBY will have representatives at both airports during arrival and departure.
Can HOBY give me the names of other students going to WLC from our state/site so that our children may fly together?
HOBY cannot give this information out without a parent's consent. Please make sure you check this option on the WLC application, this will allow us to share this information with other students and parents.
We live within driving distance of Chicago; can my student drive themselves to the WLC?
No. Students can be dropped off at campus; fly, take a train or bus to Chicago, but should NOT plan to drive themselves. They will have a very full week and will be tired at the end of the program and in no condition to drive themselves home at the conclusion of the event.
I am an international student and I would like to come to the WLC but due to the political conditions in my country, coming to the US is very difficult. Can you assist me with the VISA paperwork? What are the US requirements that I need to fulfill to travel to America?
Each student who attends the WLC from a country other than the United States is responsible for coordinating his/her own travel arrangements and obtaining all necessary travel documents. Depending on the country of origin, this may include obtaining a passport and non-immigrant visa. HOBY will do its best to assist by contacting the US embassy with an official letter that validates your trip. Once you have applied we will provide you with this letter if necessary, contact Noel Grable at elgrablyn@hoby.org to obtain this.
For complete international travel requirements, please see the US State Department website at: http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html for more information.
During the WLC
What are the accommodations like?
All students will be housed in double rooms in dorms on campus. Each student will have a roommate (no roommate requests will be accepted). Dorm rooms have two beds, two desks, and closets. Floors will be single gender. There are four shared bathrooms with multiple stalls per floor, approximately four dorm rooms share each bathroom.
Do students need to bring linens and towels with them?
No. Linens and towels will be provided by the university, although students may want to bring an extra towel or light blanket with them.
Will there be adequate adult supervision?
Absolutely! HOBY programs have a minimum of one adult (21 years or older) for every 12 students at all times. Students are never left unattended or allowed to walk across campus, off campus, or any other location involved with the seminar without supervision.
Can I observe the seminar program or check on my student during the week?
We discourage having parents present during HOBY programs. This encourages the students to find their own voice and step out of their comfort zone. You may have your child call you to check in via their personal cell phone or public phone. However, phones must be turned off during all program sessions. For emergencies, you will receive a contact number to reach HOBY personnel in the advance materials each student will receive.
Parents and family members are invited to attend the WLC Closing Banquet on Friday, July 26, 2013 at the Palmer House by Hilton. There is an option to order Parent and Family Tickets at the end of the WLC application. These can also be purchased at a later date.
What should I do if I haven't heard from my student in several days?
Please rest assured knowing your child will be busy and will not have much down time to be calling. There is a strict no cell-phone rule for all official seminar functions, so students will not have the opportunity to place or receive phone calls. If you don't hear from your child, consider that a good sign that they are busy and taking full advantage of the program.
HOBY will also send Parent Updates via email, at least every other day during the week. We will use the parent email addresses listed in the WLC registration system to send emails, so please include a valid parent email.
What is the dress code for the WLC?
Students will be provided with HOBY T-shirts to wear during the program, and dress code is casual for most of the event. Students will want to bring a "dressier" outfit for the banquet (semi-formal).
Please also note, the following attire is not permitted at any time during HOBY events:
- strapless/tube tops
- tops with spaghetti straps
- tank tops
- bare midriffs
- exposure of undergarments
- short shorts
- mini-skirts
- excessively tight clothing
- clothing with profane or offensive language or graphics
- torn clothing
- clothing with holes.
My child has food allergies and/or has a special diet, can you make accommodations?
Yes. The Loyola University dining hall has multiple options for vegetarians, vegans, religious restrictions, and various allergies. Please make sure this information is indicated in the General Restrictions portion of the application form. If the dining hall cannot accommodate a student's needs - we will make special arrangements with off campus vendors.
My child is handicapped and/or has an illness. Is HOBY equipped to handle such cases?
Yes. We have several medics who are trained nurses, EMTs, and physicians' assistants that are prepared to help students as needed. Please make sure the Personal Medical History section of the application is completed completely and accurately so we can assist your child appropriately. To read HOBY's Medical Policy, click here.
After the WLC
Is there an opportunity for students to tour Chicago after the WLC?
YES. HOBY has planned a post-WLC Tour of Chicago for interested students for Saturday, July 27 - Monday, July 29. Students and Tour Chaperones will stay at Loyola University Chicago Water Tower Campus located in Downtown Chicago (1 block from Michigan Avenue) and will take in such Chicago attractions as The Navy Pier, The Field Museum of Natural History, The Shedd Aquarium, The Adler Planetarium, The Willis (Sears) Tower Observation Deck and other great sites of Chicago. You can register for this program when you complete your registration for the World Leadership Congress. To see a complete itinerary, click here.
When should student's return travel be scheduled for?
All students should plan to depart campus by 11 am on July 27, 2013. Transportation to Chicago O’Hare International and Midway International Airports in addition to Union Station will be provided. When booking departing flights, we recommend a departure from Chicago anytime between 6 am and 1 pm. Students will be assigned to the appropriate shuttle based on their scheduled departure time. We run shuttles every hour and students will be scheduled on the appropriate shuttle based on their departure time (typically about three hours in advance of their departure to allow for any traffic delay, ticket counter and security backups).
Those students participating in the post-WLC Chicago Tour Program should make their travel plans to depart after 2 pm on Monday, July 29, 2013.
What if I have additional questions?
Contact HOBY's International Department:
Noel Grable at elgrablyn@hoby.org; 818-851-3980 ext 315
Cheryl Brenn at brennc@hoby.org; 818-851-3980 ext 309
To proceed to the WLC Application for U.S./Canadian students, please click here.
To proceed to the WLC Application for International students, please click here.