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EMERGE RECRUITMENT

The Application Process

Every year, EMERGE welcomes a new cohort of exceptional scholars. EMERGE scholars demonstrate a commitment to their academics, communities, and college-going goals. Selected scholars will participate in our two-year high school program and continue to receive support from EMERGE once they become college scholars. Learn more about the EMERGE recruitment timeline and process below.

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EMERGE Everywhere Recruitment Timeline

The EMERGE Everywhere application is tailored for 11th Graders. To be considered for EMERGE, students must meet our criteria and submit an application by Sunday, October 4th at 11:59PM.

 

    • September 2026
      Virtual Sessions to learn about EMERGE Everywhere
    • October 4, 2026
      Deadline to Submit EMERGE Everywhere Application
    • October 5, 2026
      Deadline for Counselors to Submit Recommendation Form
    • On or Before October 30, 2026
      Applicant Update / EMERGE Everywhere Scholars Selected 
    • November 7, 2026
      New Student Orientation 

VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSIONS

We will be hosting three information sessions tailed to prospective students, families, and school and district based staff.

Application Stages Stage 1
Campus and District Based Staff

September 17, 2026

Time Frame and Registration Link will be posted in September

     

    Application Stages Stage 2
    Prospective Students and Families

    September 22, 2026

    Time Frame and Registration Link will be posted in September

     

    Application Stages Stage 3
    Prospective Students and Families

    October 1, 2026

    Time Frame and Registration Link will be posted in September

    IDEAL APPLICANT TRAITS

    EMERGE makes thorough and holistic decisions when selecting our incoming class. We consider all components of the application. Some traits that contribute to an applicant’s success during the recruitment process include:

    Factors Considered Strong Academics@2x

    Commitment to Academic Excellence

    Factors Considered Leadership Potential@2x

    Leadership Potential

    Factors Considered Excitement To Explore@2x

    Excitement to Explore In-state and Out-of-state College Options

    Factors Considered Drive@2x

    Demonstrate EMERGE Scholar Characteristics: Drive, Perseverance, Curiosity, Gratitude, and Growth Mindset

    Additionally, most selected EMERGE scholars will be first in their families to attend a four-year college or university, have a desire to attend a selective college or university, and come from families whose annual income is less than $100,000.

    Application Overview and Recommendations:

    • The application mirrors a college application.
    • Read instructions and prompts carefully as you navigate application.
    • We suggest you dedicate 2-3 hours to crafting a strong application.

    Best Practices

    Below, we have outlined some best practices to take into consideration as you complete your application.

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    Short Essays
    • Ensure that your responses answer the prompt.
    • You should be able to answer the short response prompts in 100 words; and the longer essay in 300 words.
    • Ask a teacher or mentor to read over your essays before you submit them.
    • AI POLICY: While AI writing tools can be helpful, it is required that responses to essay questions be your original work.
    Best Practice Transcript@2x
    Transcript
    • Talk to your counselor or visit the registrar’s office at your school to request and access your transcript. This process may take a few days, so be sure to plan ahead.
    • Depending on your school district, you may be able to access your transcript from the same portal you use to access your grades.
    • If you are unable to secure your transcript by the application deadline, we still encourage you to submit your application.
    Best Practice Saving Progress@2x
    Saving Your Progress
    • Our application allows you to save your progress so you can return to work on it at any time within a 30-day period.
    • Your application progress will be saved for 30 days on the same device you started it on.
    • We recommend that you save your essay responses in a separate document to ensure that they are backed up and accessible in the event that anything happens.

    FINANCIAL AID VERIFICATION Section

    For this section of the application, you will need the assistance of your parent(s) or guardian(s). It is crucial that you answer the questions in this section as honestly and accurately as possible.

     

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    Application Support

    If you have questions about your application status, please contact recruitment@emergescholars.org.

    Our team is happy to assist you.

    Emerge FAQ’s

    Can I apply without submitting a transcript?

    We encourage you to visit your school’s registrar’s office to secure a transcript at least two weeks before the EMERGE application deadline. If you are unable to secure your transcript by the deadline, you can submit your application without it. Applications submitted without transcripts will still be reviewed and considered.