Summer School Application Steps
To apply online, click the MyJSA button (on the right sidebar column) or go to www.jsa.org/summer/apply and complete the following steps:
- Submit or update all information in the Personal Data section.
- Select a first choice and second choice campus/session, and the class that you wish to attend if you are accepted at your first choice campus.
- Complete all information in the Academics tab of the application, including the name and email address of the counselor, social studies teacher, or English teacher who will provide a recommendation.
- Personal essay. The essay portion of the application consists of two parts: a) In 150 words or less, please tell us about your extracurricular activities, volunteer and/or work experience, and b) Please write an essay of at least 250 words, but no more than 750 words about a political issue that you care about. The personal essay helps us understand you as a person and a student, aside from your grades.
- Ask your school to mail, fax or email an official transcript to the appropriate Junior State Admissions Office listed below.
How to Submit It
Most of your application materials should be submitted online, at jsa.org/summer/apply, with the following exceptions:
An official transcript from your high school should be sent by mail, email or fax to the appropriate admissions office below. The counselor or teacher whom you have chosen to submit a recommendation will receive an email from us outlining how to submit the recommendation form. If your teacher does not receive the email, please have him or her contact us at summerprograms@jsa.org for submission instructions.
When It’s Due
We offer a rolling admissions process; we are currently accepting applications and continue until all spaces are filled, but we recommend that you complete your application as early as possible.
Your Chances
Admission to the Summer School is competitive. Decisions are based on academic achievement, leadership ability, maturity and interest in politics. Given the demands of the Summer School curriculum, the Admissions Committee is especially interested in students who have performed well in their high school English and social studies classes. Admission standards are similar for each of our four sessions, except that you must be an older, more mature and academically experienced student to attend the Georgetown program. Above all, Summer School students are intelligent, articulate student leaders who will benefit from this unique educational experience.
Contact Information
Mail transcripts to:
For JSA Summer School at Georgetown, at the University of Virginia or the JSA Diplomat Program
Admissions Office
JSA Summer School
1411 K Street NW, Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20005
Fax: 202-296-7839
For the JSA Summer School at Stanford or at Princeton
Admissions Office
JSA Summer School
800 S. Claremont Street #202
San Mateo, CA 94402
Fax: 650-347-7200
If you have questions about qualifications or the application process, call:
- 800-334-5353 (California office)
- 800-317-9338 (Washington, D.C. office)
- 650-347-1600 (From outside the U.S.)
Or email: summerprograms@jsa.org
