TRANSFORM LIVES.
Transform OUR CITY.
Our volunteers play a fundamental role in helping Scholars get the chance to succeed through college and after graduation. Be part of our community of people who share our mission and vision for the city.
Volunteers assist at events like Onsite and New Scholar Orientation, and are also essential to the success of our workshops, New Scholar Interview Nights, and call-a-thons.
Our volunteers make moments like Amado’s Harvard acceptance possible.
Volunteer your expertise for our upcoming Writing Labs! Writing Labs empower Scholars with one-on-one or small-group guidance on their personal statements and essays for college and scholarship applications.
Scholars share their drafts with knowledgeable and engaged staff and volunteers, who will proofread and provide feedback on the spot. Whether they have a rough draft or just an idea, our workshops help them make the most of their writing.
Chicago Scholars Office, 247 S. State St., Suite 700, Chicago, IL 60604
Even the most experienced public speakers can feel nervous during interviews. Interview Labs help our Scholars prepare to ace their Onsite interviews by providing them with the right toolkit. This year, our Scholars have the added responsibility of meeting with college representatives during an uncertain college admissions season. To help them prepare, Interview Lab volunteers will guide them through practice interviews and provide feedback.
All shifts are in-person at the Chicago Scholars office, 247 S. State St. Suite 700, Chicago, IL 60604
Volunteer on October 10, 5:30-8 p.m.
Volunteer on October 11, 5:30-8 p.m.
Hit Submit Days are a Chicago Scholars tradition! Every year, Scholars spend the last two weekends in September “hitting submit” on their college applications ahead of Onsite. This year, our main goal is to help Scholars submit those applications with confidence.
By committing just two hours of your time, you can provide valuable assistance to these students as they complete the final stages of their applications. As a volunteer, you might provide support for last-minute essay edits, application review, or moral support when they’re ready to hit submit.
In-person opportunities (247 S. State St. Suite 700, Chicago, IL 60604)
Volunteer on September 27, 5-7:30
Volunteer on September 28, 5-7:30
Volunteer on September 30, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Virtual opportunity:
The Onsite College and Leadership Forum is our signature event. Every year, over 100 colleges gather to interview Scholars and students from our community-based organization partners. During this truly life-changing day, students get one-on-one time with admissions representatives — and some even get on-the-spot offers of admission and merit aid! On October 24, 2023, nearly 1,000 students will gather at Navy Pier to participate in Onsite interviews, career-fair style conversations with our corporate partners, special programming for Young Men of Color, and more.
All shifts are in-person at Navy Pier, Chicago, IL, on October 24, 2023.
Volunteers working in the College Interview Room will help maintain a smooth process throughout the day by assisting college representatives and supporting Scholars during interviews, ensuring punctuality, and guidance to assigned interview spots.
College Interview Room, 7:30-10:30 a.m.
College Interview Room, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
College Interview Room, 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
College Interview Room, 1:30-4 p.m.
College Interview Room, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Volunteers working in the Student Room will welcome Scholars, support them in understanding their schedule, serve as informational guides, and celebrate them after their interviews.
Student Room, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Student Room, 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Volunteers working in the Parent and Family Room will welcome parents and families of Scholars to the Onsite College & Leadership Forum, support the Chicago Scholars Staff with anything related to programming, and direct families to the Scholar registration area throughout the day.
Parent and Family Room, 7:30-10 a.m.
Parent and Family Room, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Every year at Onsite, over 1000 individuals flood Navy Pier between our Scholars, Community-Based Onsite Partners, Staff, Volunteers, Families, and more. Help us greet everyone for an exceptional day by signing up to work the registration tables at Onsite.
Help us greet everyone for an exceptional day by signing up to work the registration tables at Onsite and/or direct individuals where to go throughout the morning. *Please note that flexibility is required for this role as you may be reassigned to an area of greater need. Please wear comfortable shoes.
General volunteer, 6:30 – 9 a.m.
Support with room and registration/check-in set up, assist with registration/check-in, encourage Young Men of Color participants and families to engage during breakfast, and provide excitement as they are entering and exiting the space/area.
YMoC volunteer, shift 1, 8 – 10 a.m.
Support with workshop activities and family engagement, assist with session support needs, encourage participants and families as they engage with the information being shared, and provide excitement as they learn how they are becoming a Chicago Scholar.
YMoC volunteer, shift 2, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Engage with participants and families during meal, assist with session activities and support, encourage 1:1 w/participants and families that are not speaking in large group settings, and provide excitement as they prepare to visit the Leadership Hub and begin the CS application and enrollment process.
YMoC volunteer, shift 3, 12 – 2 p.m.
Support with crowd control, source needs of participating vendors and bring to Leadership Hub Lead, encourage Leadership Hub participants to visit vendors who seem to have had less traffic at their tables, and provide exciting entering the Leadership Hub space/area.
Leadership Hub volunteer, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.