Will Vision New America provide transportation to my internship?
Vision New America does not provide transportation to the internship offices or to training site locations.

What are the costs associated with Vision New America’s Youth Leadership & Civic Engagement (YLCE) Program?
There is a $1,000 program fee for students who are aceepted into Vision New America's YLCE program.

What are the eligibility requirements to apply?
Vision New America will consider high school and college students of all ages. In addition, college students who will be graduating in 2009 will be considered for admission.

Freshman and sophomore high school students are admitted into the program each year. However, they are not eligible to receive college credit for completing the leadership development program.

What qualities is Vision New America looking for in an applicant?
All students will be considered for admission. Past students have had GPA’s ranging from 2.5 to 4.0 and above. A candidate does not have to have previous experience working in politics or government. However, students must display a strong desire to learn and grow.

Vision New America seeks a diverse class of interns each year. In addition, training is provided to prepare students for their internship work. All students are encouraged to apply.

How are interns selected?
Applicants who have submitted a complete application postmarked by February 12, 2010 will have their applications reviewed by Vision New America staff for eligibility.

The Selection Committee will review all complete applications that are received on time and then recommend candidates for and individual interview based on consideration of factors, including, but not limited to:

* Applicant's interest in the program
* Applicant's aptitude and ability to learn from the experience
* Applicant's demonstrated commitment to public service
* Applicant's communication skills

Applicants will be notified for an interview either through email or telephone. If the student has passed the individual interview, then the student is asked back to participate in a group interview. Selection of finalists will occur by March and the office placements of interns should be confirmed by May.

What if I have never been involved in community service or politics before?
We encourage all students to apply, regardless of prior experience. Our goal is to introduce as many Asian Pacific American youth to public service as is feasible without lowering the quality of the internship experience. If you do not have any previous experience in public service, please discuss your current interest in participating in public service in your essay. This will give the Selection Committee a better idea of what your motivation is in participating in the program.

Why should I apply for this program?
An internship in a government office can be a very rewarding experience, both personally and professionally. On a professional level, interns can explore this potential career path, build professional networks (which can include potential sources of letters of recommendation), and gain valuable work skills. On a personal level, interns may discover a passion for public service, meet new friends, and enjoy the privilege of serving as an "insider" in a government office.


What are the differences between Public Health Policy and Public Policy program concentrations?
Public Health Policy focuses more specifically on healthcare related issues. The program is intended for students who are interested in pursuing a career in a healthcare related field. The program will help students become better prepared to be health advocates, providers, and policy makers.

What kind of time commitment is required?
Interns are expected to work for at least 8 weeks full-time during the summer. High school students are expected to work for 12.5-15 hours/week and college students are expected to work 20-22.5 hours/week. This is to ensure both that the intern has sufficient time to learn from the experience and that the government office does not waste its time repeatedly training new interns. Some offices require a 10-week commitment.

How is Vision New America’s programs funded?
We seek tax-deductible donations for our programs from foundations, corporations and individuals. Currently, a majority of our funding is from individual and corporate donors committed to our mission and our efforts to advance our mission. If you would like to contribute in anyway to youth leadership and community empowerment, please contact us at info@visionnewamerica.org or call (408) 260-0116.