October 22-24
Frequently Asked Questions
Program
What are the requirements for this
program?
Full-time current junior students who will be senior
students in Fall 2008, with a minimum 3.0 GPA, fifth year Pharmacy
students, graduate students and students from St. John's School of
Law can apply for this program. Major area of study is not a
requirement, in fact, all majors are encouraged to apply, due to
the diversity of employment options available in Washington, DC.
Students are required to complete an application form, which
includes an essay, references and an interview.
What can I expect to learn at this
program?
Students can expect to learn about the many various and diverse
career paths in Washington, DC. St. John’s University alumni will
share their experiences and current employment roles through
panels, one-on-one student interactions and an alumni chapter
networking reception. The program provides a real “insider’s view”
of jobs and career satisfaction from our alumni, all of whom are
willing and available to network with students.
What is the maximum number of students
that can be accepted?
This premiere COACH (Count on Alumni For Career Help)
program can only accommodate up to 40 students due to
transportation and overnight accommodation restrictions.
Is there a waiting list?
Yes. Although students receive notification of acceptance,
sometimes they cannot attend at the last minute for various
reasons. If an accepted student declines, someone from the
waiting list will be contacted to fill the position. If you are
called from the waiting list you are required to attend the
Information Orientation session in early October at which time the
$50 program fee is due. If you are called after the Information
Orientation date has passed, you will be required to speak to an
administrator in the Office of Alumni Relations to review necessary
information and bring the $50 program fee.
Will a recommendation from my professor or
dean guarantee my acceptance?
No; however, all recommendations will be taken seriously and
certainly taken into favorable consideration.
When can I expect an
interview?
Upon receipt of your student application, you will be contacted
immediately for an interview. If you have submitted an application
after Commencement, and do not reside close to campus, interviews
can be arranged at the end of August, but must occur before the
first day of classes, Wednesday, August 27, 2008.
How will I know that I’ve been
accepted?
An administrator from the Office of Alumni Relations will notify
you either by phone or
e-mail in early September.
Upon Acceptance
What will the $50 fee be used for?
This program fee is to subsidize expenses for bus
transportation to and from Washington, DC, most meals and overnight
accommodations. The majority of the program expenses are absorbed
through the generous support of our alumni and the Office of Alumni
Relations.
Will my fee be refunded if I cannot
attend at the last minute?
Fees cannot be refunded within one week of the departure date,
Wednesday, October 22.
What do I need to bring with
me?
Student participants should bring notebooks/pads and pens/pencils
for notetaking, overnight necessities, casual and business attire,
comfortable shoes, and rain attire. Casual attire should be worn
while traveling, and on the group sightseeing portions of the
program. It is required that business attire be worn during the day
and at the chapter networking reception.
Who will I be rooming
with?
Student participants can request their own same-gender roommate. If
not, the Office of Alumni Relations will assign a roommate.
Will there be time in the program for
sightseeing?
Yes, with the entire student participant group. Currently, there is
an evening excursion scheduled to follow the Welcome Dinner on
Wednesday, October 22, and an afternoon excursion planned for
Friday, October 24, after the program luncheon, which concludes the
formal part of the program. Additionally, after the chapter
networking reception on Thursday night, student participants are
free to frequent the local DC restaurants and nightlife.
Can I travel to and from the program on
my own?
Only under special circumstances can students receive authorization
to travel to and from the program, and will need to sign a special
release form. It is highly recommended that all student
participants travel with the entire group.
During the Program
What is the itinerary for the
program?
Although, planning and final arrangements will be in progress
throughout the summer months, the following is a general timeline
of the Insider’s View program. An updated and final schedule will
be provided to accepted students at the Information Orientation
meeting in early October:
Wednesday, October 22: Bus leaves Queens campus at approximately
9 a.m. enroute to Washington, DC. A welcome program kickoff dinner
will take place that evening. A group sightseeing excursion is
planned for later that evening.
Thursday, October 23: Following breakfast, alumni panels and
tours/visits to identified government locations will commence. An
alumni keynote speaker will be part of a luncheon, where students
can speak with invited alumni. One of the highlights of the
Insider’s View program occurs on Thursday evening. This is
the DC alumni chapters’ networking reception, where student
participants can network with many other alumni and where
scholarship recipients are announced.
Friday, October 24: Panels continue, with an additional luncheon
that concludes the formal part of the program. A daytime
sightseeing excursion is planned, before the bus transports us back
to the Queens campus, with an anticipated arrival of 10 p.m.
How will we be getting around
Washington, DC?
Once in Washington, DC access to many surrounding areas of
government buildings is restricted so it is often necessary to be
dropped off close to a location, where walking is necessary. In the
event there is inclement weather, outer jackets and an umbrella are
strongly recommended.