SUMMER 2009 WORK EXEMPTION PROGRAM
APPLICATION FORM
The application for the Summer 2009 Work Exemption Program for Columbia College & SEAS students has five
parts and several required attachments. Please read these guidance notes carefully.
Eligibility
To be eligible you must satisfy the following requirements:
1. You must be enrolled as an undergraduate student at Columbia College or The Fu Foundation School
of Engineering and Applied Science and in good academic standing (min. 3.0 GPA).
2. You must be a recipient of Columbia need-based financial aid award that includes a summer savings
expectation.
3. You must have secured an unpaid internship, research opportunity or volunteer experience prior to
applying to the program.
Applicants who do not meet these criteria and incomplete applications will not be considered.
Instructions
In order to apply, please complete the following parts of the application and upload/submit via LionSHARE.
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Part I: Applicant Information
Part II: Information about the unpaid internship, volunteering, or research opportunity
Part III: Personal Statement describing the opportunity, learning objectives, supervision and
commitment to the program.
** Please note: the instructions for the personal statement are included in this packet. You can create
the essay on a separate word document and upload to LionSHARE. ***
Part IV: Verification Form
Part V: One letter of recommendation
Additionally, you will be required to upload and submit your RESUME and UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT to
LionSHARE.
Please submit completed applications via LionSHARE by Friday, April 17th 2009. Decisions will be announced
Monday, April 27th 2009.
In
order
to
apply
through
LionSHARE,
please
log-in
to
the
LionSHARE
system
(http://www.cce.columbia.edu/students/find_a_job/ . Under the company name section please select WEP to
search for the posting.
** Please note: Certain parts of this application (the Verification Form and Letter of Recommendation) must be
completed by people other than you. You will need to scan these documents and upload them into the system.
Please note that scanners are available for use at the Center for Career Education offices. **
If you have questions, please email Heather Cohen at hjc2105@columbia.edu.
SUMMER 2009 WORK EXEMPTION PROGRAM
APPLICATION FORM
PART I: APPLICANT INFORMATION
Full Name: ______________________________________________________________
School: ________________________________________________________________
Year of Graduation: ______________________________
Telephone Number: ___________________________________
Campus Address: ________________________________
Columbia Email Address: __________________________________
Major/s (if declared, otherwise state intended):______________________________
Do you receive a Columbia need-based financial aid award from Columbia with a summer savings
expectation?______________________
GPA: _______/ 4.00
PART II: INFORMATION ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP, VOLUNTEERING, OR RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY
Name of Organization: _________________________________________________
Address:____________________________________________________________
Name, Title, and Department of Supervisor/Faculty Adviser:________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Supervisor/Faculty Adviser Telephone Number:________________________________________
Supervisor/Faculty Adviser Email Address:_____________________________________________
Number of hours per week you will work:__________________________________
Number of weeks you will work:__________________________________________
Start Date and End Date of the Experience:_________________________________
Briefly respond to the following:
1. How/Where did you learn about this opportunity?
2. Are paid internship, volunteering or research opportunities available through this organization/faculty
adviser? If yes, please elaborate and explain why you are requesting work exemption support at this time.
3. Have you applied for any funding opportunities? If yes, please elaborate.
SUMMER 2009 WORK EXEMPTION PROGRAM
APPLICATION FORM
4. In the event that you are unable to receive work exemption to participate in this experience, please describe
how it will affect your plans.
5. Is this opportunity part of a course or independent study? If yes, please elaborate.
6. Please provide a description of the opportunity or the position advertisement.
SUMMER 2009 WORK EXEMPTION PROGRAM
APPLICATION FORM
PART III: Personal Statement
Please provide a personal statement which should be limited to two-three pages in total and include reference
to the following:
Description of the Opportunity: Describe in as much detail as possible the internship/research/volunteer
opportunity and your role and responsibilities. List duties, projects to be completed, deadlines, etc. Explain why
you want to engage in this type of experience at this particular organization or with this particular faculty
adviser.
Learning Objectives: Provide responses to these questions:
 What do you intend to learn through this experience?
 What are your specific goals through this experience?
 How does this experience fit into your overall academic interests and/or career goals?
Supervision: Describe in as much detail as you can the supervision to be provided. Include what kind of
instruction, assistance, training, etc., you will receive, and from whom you expect to receive it. Note when and
how you will be evaluated and who will do the evaluation.
Commitment: Students selected for the Work Exemption Program are required to participate in all elements of
the program, including:
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A Professional Development Workshop (May 2009)
One-to-one advising appointment for students (Spring 2009)
Formal reflection from student (end of Summer 2009)
(Please see the CCE web site for more details.)
If you are unable to fully commit to all these events, please describe why. You will still be considered for the
program.
Conclusion: please explain why you should be considered for this program
** Please note you must create a separate word document for your essay and upload to LionSHARE as part of
your application. **
Please DO NOT write your essay response on this application document.
SUMMER 2009 WORK EXEMPTION PROGRAM
APPLICATION FORM
PART IV: VERIFICATION FORM
To be completed by proposed supervisor/faculty adviser Please print.
Organization/Department:
Name of supervisor:
Title:
Email: ________________________________
Telephone: ____________________________
I hereby acknowledge that I have read the description attached and certify that
has been selected
to undertake this work from ______________ to _______________.
start date
end date
Signature of supervisor:
SUMMER 2009 WORK EXEMPTION PROGRAM
APPLICATION FORM
PART V: LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
___________________________________ is applying for the Summer 2009 Work Exemption Program. The
Work Exemption Program is specifically designed to encourage students to accept a quality internship/research
opportunity/volunteer experience which would foster their career exploration and build upon their academic
studies, while alleviating some of the financial burden associated with unpaid opportunities.
This funding will be available for students who have secured unpaid experiences for Summer 2009. The Work
Exemption Program is part of the broader enhancements recently made to Columbia University Undergraduate
Financial Aid announced last Spring which allows students the opportunity for work expectation exemptions to
enable students to pursue unpaid internships, research and volunteer opportunities.
Your candid remarks will be of great help to the Work Exemption Program selection committee in evaluating
applicants.
Please comment on your relationship to this student; the contributions made by this student to your class or
organization; the leadership potential and commitment to a project(s) this student has shown; character and
maturity; and most importantly how you think this student will benefit from the Work Exemption Program.