Admission > Applying to ALA > Application Process

The Application Process

The ALA application process is a journey of self-discovery with three steps. After the first round application, finalists are named and invited to submit a finalist application. These finalists are then invited to a selection weekend in which they will complete the ALA entrance exam and be interviewed by ALA staff members.

Step 1: First Round Application
Any interested student may submit a first round application form to African Leadership Academy. The first round application consists of four components.

1. Personal information form, including examination results
2. Copies of the student’s last two school reports
3. Five short answer questions
4. A one-page essay question

All students are encouraged to take sufficient time to complete the application with the utmost care and consideration.

First round applications must be received via email, fax, certified courier, or postal mail by 31 March 2010. However, we strongly encourage early submission by 11 December 2009. We will only review applications that are received by the Admissions deadline.

Download 2010 ALA First Round Application Form in English (word, 200kb)

Download 2010 ALA First Round Application Form in French (word, 200kb)

Download 2010 ALA First Round Application Form in Portuguese (word, 200kb)

Download 2010 ALA First Round Application Form in Arabic (word, 200kb)

Step 2: Finalist Application
After all first round applications have been reviewed, finalists are selected and invited to complete a finalist application. The finalist application is by invitation only. All first round applicants will be notified of their status by mid-April 2010.

The finalist application is longer and more detailed than the first round application, consisting of the following components:

1. Detailed student information form
2. Two letters of reference
            a. School Principal or teacher
            b. A second teacher or community member
3. Copies of school reports and national examination results
4. Short answer questions
5. Two long essay questions
6. Application for financial assistance (optional)

All finalists will be given at least four weeks to complete the finalist application.


Step 3: Finalist Weekend
All ALA finalists are invited to a finalist weekend in which they will meet other ALA finalists from their country or region, submit their finalist application, sit the ALA entrance exam, and interview with ALA staff.

Finalist weekends will occur between April and May 2010 in different countries across the African continent and around the world.


Notification of Admission
African Leadership Academy finalists will be notified of admission at the end of May 2010.

Admitted students who applied for financial assistance will be notified of any financial awards by mid June 2010.

Timeline 

01 October 2009: Applicants may begin submitting first round applications
31 March 2010: All first round applications must be received by ALA 
mid April 2010: All first round applicants have been notified of status; finalists invited to submit finalist applications
April-May 2010: Finalist weekends, including entrance exams and interviews.
31 May 2010: Finalists notified of admissions decisions 
mid June 2010: Admitted students notified of any financial awards