Frequently Asked Questions About the WLC
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions from Parents and Students and Program Policies regarding the World Leadership Congress.
Program Eligibility and Application Process:
Who is eligible to attend?
Any U.S. student nominated and attending one of the 70 local HOBY Leadership Seminars held throughout the United States during the spring of 2011, or any students attending our international partner programs. 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 2011 WLC. Approximately 33% of those students will be international students, with the remainder from across the United States.
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 registration opens, 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?
70 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 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 of 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?
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 upon submitting their application and payment, but their acceptance to the WLC cannot be confirmed until they attend their local HOBY seminar.
When will my student's acceptance to the program be confirmed?
Within two (2) weeks of their seminar's conclusion. If, after two weeks students haven't received a confirmation 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.
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 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.
Travel to Chicago
What dates/times should we plan to travel to Chicago?
All students should plan to arrive on campus (in Chicago) by 3 pm on Saturday, July 23, 2011.
Student travel plans must be included in their registration record - this information can be added/modified after students are confirmed into the program.
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.
Will someone pick my child up from the airport?
YES. There will be HOBY representatives at both O'Hare International and Midway International on Saturday, July 23rd to meet students once they clear the security area (or customs and passport control for international students). Transportation to the Loyola campus is provided by HOBY.
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, fly, take a train or bus to the campus, 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. See http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html for more information.
Program Expenses
What does the $1650 registration fee cover?
The $1650 registration fee covers all food, room and board, and program expenses including 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 incidental during travel and any spending money for the HOBY store or convenience store items. Those students participating in the optional 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, 2011.
• Any cancellations received by May 30, 2011 will receive a registration fee refund minus the $100 deposit
and a $250 administrative fee.
• Any cancellations received by June 30, 2011 will receive a registration fee refund minus the $100 deposit
and $500 administrative fee.
• Any cancellations received after June 30, 2011 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.
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). Because we are using two dorms, not all the rooms are the same. One dorm will have a private bathroom in the room; the other dorm has a shared bathroom for the suite (2-3 bedrooms per suite).
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 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 29, 2011 at the Navy Pier. 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.
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, and 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 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. Working with our alumni tour partner, EF Tours / Smithsonian Student Travel, we have developed Chicago: Best of the Windy City Tour Program for WLC participants. Students will be picked up Saturday, July 30th from Loyola University and tour Chicago for two days at the conclusion of the WLC.
Participants in Chicago: Best of the Windy City Tour Program will visit a number of Chicago landmarks, including:
The Miracle Mile, Lake Michigan, Millennium Park, Lincoln Park Conservatory, Sky Deck Chicago (aka: the Sears Tower Observatory), the Museum of Science and Industry, The Shedd Aquarium and Navy Pier. Additionally students will take an architectural river cruise on the Chicago River on Saturday.
The all-inclusive tour package includes:
Ground transportation to all locations
Admission to all scheduled locations
Hotel accommodations for Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on Saturday and Sunday
Transportation to the airport on Monday, August 1, 2011
All gratuities
Full time Tour Guide
Adult Chaperones
To read more about this tour program or to register, visit the Smithsonian Travel website at:
http://www.smithsonianstudenttravel.com/ and enter tour number 599750. The enrollment deadline for this tour is May 31, 2011. To register, call EF Tours Customer Service at 888-333-9756.
When should student's return travel be scheduled for?
Students should plan to depart campus by 11 am on Saturday, July 30, 2011. Transportation to the Chicago airports will be provided. Those students participating in the post-WLC Chicago Tour Program should make their travel plans for departure on Monday, August 1st.
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, please click here.