FAQs about the WLC
Application & Approval Process
1) Does submitting an application mean that my child is confirmed to attend the WLC?
No. No student can be confirmed until we are sure he/she attended his/her local seminar (if applicable) and applied/paid while spaces were still available.
2) When will I know for sure if my child has been approved to attend?
Within two (2) weeks of his/her seminar’s conclusion. If you have not heard from us two weeks later, please send an e-mail to elgrablyn@hoby.org.
3) We would like to buy plane tickets before the prices rise, can we find out our child’s status any sooner?
Because some students may not attend their local seminars due to illness, emergency, or other reasons, HOBY must confirm the student indeed attended before making any official announcement. HOBY will not refund any plane tickets purchased in advance of such verification, thus if you choose to purchase a plane ticket anyway, please note, you do so at your own risk.
4) Why are there so few spaces for my child’s site?
HOBY can only allocate approximately 277 seats to US students hailing from 70 seminars, thus each site is given the same percentage based on the size of their local program.
5) I just completed my seminar and I went to apply for the WLC and the spaces for my site are already all taken. How can this be?
When registration opened, HOBY sent every single student selected to attend a state 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.
6) Is there a wait list?
Yes, each site has its own wait list for the WLC. 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. HOBY will not know if it can take anyone from the wait list until one week after the local seminar has concluded. No phone calls please.
7) What is my place on the wait list?
As this is a competitive application process, HOBY cannot provide you with this information.
8) What are the chances that my child will get a space at the WLC if they are on the wait list?
That is hard to say. Some sites will not use all of their spaces while others will use every space and have a long wait list. After June 23rd, HOBY will count all the available spaces for each site, and allocate them first to people on the wait list for that site. If there are still available spaces, we will look at all of those on the wait lists and consider a variety of factors before making final decisions.
9) 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?
Unfortunately, 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.
10) 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 nonimmigrant 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.
11) Does my child 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
12) What dates/times should we plan to travel?
This answer is provided in your confirmation packet as your place must be confirmed before buying tickets. Knowing that HOBY cannot reimburse airfare for tickets purchased, here are the details.
- ARRIVAL DAY: Friday, July 23, between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
- DEPARTURE DAY: Friday, July 30, between 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
13) Will someone pick my child up from the airport?
On July 23rd, yes, HOBY staff will pick up students and escort them back to campus at all points of entry. HOBY Staff will wear HOBY T-shirts and/or have signs that make it easy to find them. Typically, our staff can only meet people as far as the baggage claim section.
14) Which airports should my child fly into?
- Los Angeles Airport (LAX) is one of the largest and busiest international airports in the US and is approximately 11 miles from campus.
- Burbank Airport (BUR) is a small, easily navigable airport and is approximately 20 miles away from campus.
15) 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. If you permit us to give your contact info to other parents/students that would be best.
Expenses
16) What does the $1500 cover?
The $1500 registration fee covers all food, room and board, and program expenses. It does not cover airfare, shuttle fair to/from the airport, visa or passport expenses, overseas partner costs for delegations, or spending money.
17) How much money should I give my child for the week?
For the HOBY shuttle rides between UCLA and LAX, HOBY suggests $80 for a roundtrip ride. A roundtrip shuttle fare between BUR and UCLA may run $100. For spending money, HOBY will be selling merchandise from its HOBY store, at which a student can buy HOBY clothing, messenger bags, books, the yearbook, etc. None of these items are necessary to purchase, thus the amount is at your discretion. We will also have a little free time, possibly at some of the local tourist attractions and students may want to purchase items from the gift shops.
18) Does HOBY provide scholarships or financial assistance to applicants?
Many of the local HOBY seminars in the US provide scholarships of varying amounts to two students that they select to attend the WLC, but other students are not eligible. Please ask your local Leadership Seminar Chairperson about how to qualify. There are limited amounts of scholarships for international students, please contact lafianzaj@hoby.org for more information.
19) What is your cancellation policy?
There is a $50 non-refundable fee for all cancellations prior to June 23rd; a $150 non-refundable fee for cancellations June 23-July 9; a $250 non-refundable fee for cancellations July 10-July 16; a $500 non-refundable fee for cancellations July 17-July 19; and no refunds for cancellations beginning July 20th. Please contact elgrablyn@hoby.org for a refund in accordance with the cancellation policy.
During the WLC
20) What are the accommodations like?
Everyone will stay in dorms, two people to a room, on the campus of UCLA. A few weeks prior to the event, you will be instructed on what you need to bring.
21) Will there be adequate adult supervision?
Absolutely! HOBY programs have a minimum of one adult (21 years or older) for every 13 students at all times. Students are never left unattended or allowed to walk across campus or the seminar site without supervision.
22) Can I observe the seminar or check on my student during the weekend?
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 sessions. For emergencies, you will receive a contact number to reach HOBY personnel in your program materials.
23) My child has food allergies and/or has a special diet, can you make accommodations?
Yes, the UCLA dining hall is state of the art and has multiple options for vegetarians, vegans, religious restrictions, and various allergies. If the dining hall cannot accommodate your request, we will ensure your child is well taken care of via off campus meal options.
24) My child is handicapped and/or has an illness. Is HOBY equipped to handle such cases?
Yes, we have several medics who are trained as nurses, EMTs, and physicians' assistants. We also have the UCLA hospital next door for emergencies.