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Push America 
Cyclists cooling off in fountain

Application Process
Please read through each requirement carefully making sure you have compiled all necessary information BEFORE starting the online application process. After compiling all necessary information, you will be directed to the Pi Kappa Phi Online Community where you will fill out the application. If you are not yet a member of the Pi Kappa Phi Online Community you will need to Click Here to create your username and password. Please realize this is a new system. Problems may occur and we appreciate your patience and understanding in this process. Should an error occur during the application process, please contact Mike Wilbourn, Director of Team Services at mwilbourn@pushamerica.org or by phone at 704-504-2400 ext. 128 explaining the specific error that occurred.

1. IMPORTANT- Apply online right away for preferred consideration and more time to fund raise and prepare for an incredible summer. There is a rolling application process and once the team is full, we will stop accepting applications for the upcoming year.
2. After you complete each requirement listed below on the Pi Kappa Phi Online Community, click submit and your application will be received by the Push America office.
3. Upon receiving your application, you will receive a phone call to set up a half-hour interview.
4. After the interview has been completed, the selection committee reviews each application. The entire process should take approximately two weeks from the time the Push America office receives your application.
5. When the selection committee reaches their decision, a Push America staff member will call you to inform you of your team member status.

The Application Requirements (Click on links for examples):

Personal Information:
1. You will be required to fill out your personal contact and driver's information as well as your parents contact information.

Submit a Picture:
1.
Make sure you have an appropriate picture that is ready to submit.
2. Composite, passport or head shot styles are best for the photo.
3. The picture does not have to be professionally taken.
4. Please submit your picture in a high resolution JPEG (.jpg or .jpeg) format.

Submit a Resume:
1.
Make sure you have a professional resume that is ready to submit.
2. You will copy and paste your resume into the form provided.
3. For cleaner formatting, we advise left aligning your resume.
4. Your resume should include the following:
• Employment History
• Campus Leadership Positions
• Extracurricular Activities
• Volunteer Experience
• Chapter Leadership Positions

Complete the Essays:
1. You will be required to write the essays listed below:
• Create a personal mission statement.
• Why do you want to participate in this event? (Pi Alpha's: Why do you want to come back and participate in Journey of Hope?)
• What have your experiences been with individuals with disabilities, if any and what opinions have you gathered from those experiences?
2. Limit each essay to no more than one typed page.
3. We advise writing the essays in a word document, spell checking and then copying it into the field provided.

Create a Fundraising Plan:
1. You will be required to create a fundraising plan in the form provided.
2. We have included standard fundraising practices that we require of our team members already in the form provided.
3. You will create four personal fundraising goals with deadlines.
4. You will need to provide individual, innovative ideas to customize your fundraising plan.

Identify Your Training Potential:
Upon acceptance, our cyclists will enroll in our new training system set up by the official team coach of Push America’s Cycling Events, Dean Peterson. This web based training system will provide our team members with all the tools necessary to be a successful cyclist on their event. Before you enroll in this training system, we need to assess your training potential.

Answer the following questions in a one page essay created in a Word Document that is ready to submit prior to starting the online application. You will copy and paste your training potential essay into the form provided. Make sure your training essay is NOT more than one page in portrait orientation. Anything larger may overload the system and cause you to restart your application from the beginning.
1. What is your current fitness level?
2. What is your current activity level? (I.e. – Are you already a cyclist, do you maintain a regular work out schedule, Intramural sports played etc…) 3. Does your current schedule allow for an advanced training plan to be followed?
4. What are your training goals? (I.e. - Weight loss, increase fitness/conditioning level, toning up, increasing endurance etc…)
5. What is your commitment to training and preparing for your event?
• What are the most important changes needed for you to reach your potential? (I.e. - Eating properly, better sleeping habits, etc…)
6. What environmental elements do you have in your life that contribute to your ability to achieve your training goals? (please list all that are applicable)
• A network of roads, training variety, adequate nutrition, training partners, supportive family and friends/accountability, etc…
7. Do you own a bike and cycling equipment? If so what kind? If not, how and when do you plan on obtaining it?

Submit Transcripts:
1.
Make sure you have an electronic copy of your transcripts ready to submit.
2. You can retrieve a copy of your unofficial transcripts online at your college or university’s Web site.
3. This is only applicable for undergraduate members.
4. You will copy and paste your unofficial transcripts into the form provided. Please submit a transcript that is NOT more than one page printed and in portrait orientation. Anything larger may overload the system and cause you to restart your application from the beginning. If your transcripts are longer than the above specification, you may submit them by e-mail to Mike Wilbourn at mwilbourn@pushamerica.org and by stating that you have done so in the below text area.

Submit Two Personal References:
1.
You will be required to give two personal references for your application. Note: References from undergraduate brothers are not accepted. References should be people who are in a leadership position to you and that can speak on your behalf (ie. Direct Supervisor, Coach, Professor, Alumni Brothers/Chapter Advisor etc...)
2.
Your references will be contacted by the Push America office.

Additional Requirements:
1.
As a Journey of Hope team member you must attend (or have already attended) a National Push America Program OR maintain a regular volunteer relationship in your local community with people with disabilities.
Click here for a listing of upcoming Push America events that will satisfy this requirement.
2. Undergraduate Journey of Hope Team Members are required to maintain at least a 2.2 cumulative G.P.A.

Begin Application Now

For questions or more information contact:
Mike Wilbourn, Director of Team Services
704.504.2400 x128
or mwilbourn@pushamerica.org

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