2016/2017 African Leadership Academy (ALA) for Young Leaders across Africa

Application Deadline:

• October 31, 2015 :Early decision applications close
• December 15, 2015 : Regular decision applications close

African Leadership Academy (ALA) seeks to transform Africa by developing a powerful network of over 6,000 leaders who will work together to address Africa’s greatest challenges, achieve extraordinary social impact and accelerate the continent’s growth.

ALA identifies young leaders between the ages of 16-19 from across the continent with demonstrated leadership potential, a passion for Africa, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a track record of community service.

These young leaders are then brought together for a two-year pre-university program at our world-class boarding institution in Johannesburg, South Africa. ALA continues to cultivate these leaders throughout their lives, in university and beyond, by providing on-going leadership training, supporting their growth through access to internships and careers, and connecting them to high-impact networks of people and capital that will empower them to create transformative change.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

• The Academy admits between 100 and 125 young leaders across Africa each year for the two-year pre-university program, anchored on Entrepreneurial Leadership, African Studies, and Writing & Rhetoric.
• Students also take Cambridge A’level subjects as electives, alongside specialized research classes in the Sciences, Humanities and Creative Arts.
• The Academy is a boarding school; all students are accommodated and catered for at the Academy’s campus in Honeydew, Johannesburg, South Africa for the duration of their studies.

Admission Requirements

• ALA searches for young leaders across the continent between the ages of 16 and 19. Please note that ALA’s admissions team does not expect an applicant to be extraordinary on all five criteria; ALA seek students with a variety of interests, strengths, and backgrounds. ALA admissions team will review applicants based on the following criteria (not listed in order of importance):
  •    Leadership Potential
  ALA encourage you to share with us the activities in which you participate and the leadership roles you assume at home, in your school, or in your community, and we hope you will think critically about what “leadership” means to you.
  •    Entrepreneurial Spirit
  Do you often think about how you can improve the world around you? Do you act when you see a need in your community? Do you enjoy thinking about new ideas and creating new products? We encourage you to celebrate your entrepreneurial spirit and share your entrepreneurial ideas with us.
  •    Commitment to Service
  Are you passionate about uplifting your community? Do you dream of a world in which all people are able to realize their dreams? Have you demonstrated this passion at school or in your community? If so, please share with us how you plan to give back to your community and the world
  •    Passion for Africa
  Do you have an African dream? Are you excited by the idea of spending two years in a community of individuals from a wide range of cultural, ethnic, socioeconomic, and religious backgrounds from across the continent? Are you excited about playing a role in making Africa a peaceful and prosperous continent?
  •    Academic Achievement
  The Academic environment at ALA is very rigorous and challenging, therefore our selection committee will closely review scores from national examinations and the marks and comments on each applicant’s school reports to ensure that applicants are fully prepared to maximize the inter-disciplinary nature of the ALA curriculum.

Application Process:

• The admissions process starts with the completion of an application either online or by emailing the completed form to [email protected] along with the submission of school reports.
• ALA admissions team then reviews the applications received and shortlists selected applicants for finalist activities or phone interviews (we are unable to travel to every country).
• Phone interviews in no way disadvantage an applicant’s chances for entrance into ALA.
• At the finalist activities, prospective students will participate in group exercises, write an entrance examination, take part in group exercises and submit recommendation letters from their former teachers.
• After the finalist activities, a final evaluation is done by our admissions team and then a final selection is made.

Timeline:

The admission cycle for the Class of 2016 will be as follows:

• September 4, 2015 : Applications open (online application will open shortly afterwards)
• October 31, 2015 :Early decision applications close
• December 2015 : Early decision finalist activities
• December 15, 2015 : Regular decision applications close
• January 8, 2016 : Notification of final early decision selections
• December 2015 – February 2016 : First round review of regular decision applications
• January 2016 – February 2016 : Finalists selected and invited for finalist activities
• January 2016 – March 2016 : Finalist activities (interviews, group activities and entrance examination) or phone interview
• April 15th, 2016 : Notification of final regular decision selections

Application Process

• African Leadership Academy uses an internet-based application system.
• ALA prefer internet-based applications but applications can also be submitted by post or email, and all submitted applications are considered equally regardless of the mode of submission.
• Applications can be completed online at https://app.hobsons.co.uk/?id=ala.
• Paper applications can also be downloaded from ALA website and submitted either by email to [email protected] or by post (regular post should be a last resort).
  The following instructions apply for the online application:

  •    All applicants will need access to a computer and the internet to complete the application online. We realize that not everyone owns a computer, therefore we suggest that you write the essay questions listed below at home and type them up when you have internet access.  This will allow you to think through the questions and minimalize your internet/computer rental costs.
  •    The application can be completed in English, French, Portuguese, and Arabic.
  •    Applicants do not need to complete the application in one sitting. Once registered on the system, applicants can save their progress on the portal and return to complete the application at their convenience. There is no limit to the number of times you can access the system
  •    All sections marked with a red asterisk (*) must be answered
  •    Applicants can review their information for accuracy before final submission

Form:

• Download Application Form

For More Information:

Visit the Offiicial Webpage of the African Leadership Academy 2016