Fellows Application

Thank you for your interest in applying to The Opportunity Network Fellows Program!

The application for the next cohort of Fellows is now closed. Please sign this interest form if you would like to be emailed when the application re-opens in Fall 2026 (or for those in the 10th grade in Fall 2026).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steps to Apply

Phase 1: Application

  • Eligible students must complete an online application form which will take a couple of hours to complete. It requires communication with your family and a guidance counselor. The application asks for the following information:
    • Your interest in the Opportunity Network Fellows Program
    • Your involvement at school (classes, extracurriculars)
    • Your involvement in various communities (home, work, volunteer)
    • One short written personal statement
    • Parent/Family information (including levels of education, household income, and contact information)
    • Most recent 10th-grade report card
    • Transcript including all grades from ninth grade & fall semester of tenth grade.
    • Parent/Family Consent
  • In addition to applicants filling out an online application, you need to have (2) recommendation forms submitted on your behalf. These forms will take your recommender about 10-15 minutes to complete.
    • 1 form from a current or recent classroom teacher (for a major subject, e.g. English, math, history)
    • 1 form from a guidance counselor, advisor, or social worker

Phase 2: Interviews

  • Candidates who seem to be a good fit for the OppNet Fellows Program will be invited for a group interview.
    • Selected applicants will be assigned to one interview session during after school hours:
      • Interviews will take place in person at the OppNet office in Lower Manhattan.
    • Interviews are group interviews and involve an interactive activity

Phase 3: Admissions

  • Candidates who interviewed and seem to be the best fit for the OppNet Fellows Program will receive an invitation to join the new cohort of OppNet Fellows
    • This invitation will be contingent on your commitment to:
      • Attend the Family Orientation
      • Attend ALL days of the OppNet Summer Institute
      • Accept the expectations and guidelines for joining the six-year Fellows Program (including participation in weekly afterschool workshops in 11th and 12th grade, summer opportunities, and college check-ins)
    • All applicants will be notified of a final decision. There will be a waitlist for qualified candidates who do not receive an initial invitation to join the OppNet Fellows Program. They will be notified immediately if a spot opens.

Phase 4: Family Meeting and Orientation

  1. All admitted Fellows are required to attend a Family Orientation session with a family member
    • Multiple sessions of the Family Orientation will be held
    • Detailed information about the program will be shared, as well as summer dates and paperwork to complete

Deadlines

Typical Deadlines for Our Recruitment Cycle:

  • Online application due: early February for current NYC 10th graders
  • Group interviews: late March
  • Decisions released: late April

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

  • All students that are currently enrolled in the tenth grade at a New York City high school.
  • Students who have demonstrated academic commitment. Our current Fellows reflect their academic commitment by taking challenging course loads. Most of our Fellows apply to our program with a GPA of 87 and above.
  • Students who identify as a member of an under-resourced community and have a household AGI under $125,000. The average AGI for our accepted Fellows is $40,000.
  • Students who are pursuing their hobbies and interests with passion and energy.
  • Applicants should not already have access to the kinds of resources, services, and opportunities the program offers such as intensive college counseling and application assistance, mandatory summer programming that conflicts with OppNet’s Summer Institute, or already participate in college and career programs.
  • Applicants must be self-motivated to join a challenging peer network and commit to OppNet as their primary extracurricular.

If you are a student with questions about your application, please email recruiting@opportunitynetwork.org or complete this interest form.

 

The Opportunity Network is a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. EIN: 43-1984494

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