Everything you need to know about applying for the Certificate in Resilient Service

Applications for Fall 2020 cohort of the Certificate in Resilient Service will open in January 2020

The Certificate in Resilient Service is a one-year program that strengthens the resilience of pastors, changemakers in non-profits, and social entrepreneurs through engaging intentional cycles of rest and engagement in order to build generative communities.

The purpose of the application process is to help us get a sense of you as a person and as a leader, and to spark conversations with those who can invest in your personal resilience and your community’s generativity.

Application Deadlines & Review Process

Each annual cohort is limited to 12 participants, so we recommend applying early. Following each deadline, our Admissions Review Committee will review your application and your Admissions Counselor will notify you of your admission status.

Certificate in Resilient Service Application Process

Step 1: Complete the Online Application

The first step in the application process is completing the online application form. This gives us more context about who you are and what you are hoping to achieve in the program. The application form requires 20-30 minutes and must be completed in one sitting. You will be asked to name two references. A $20 application fee is required to submit your application.

Step 2: Gather Supporting Documents

Letters of Recommendation
In the application form you will be asked to name two references. Letters of recommendation should answer the following three questions:

What is your sense of the applicant’s self-awareness: their character, motives, and desires?
What is your experience of the applicant in relationship: with yourself and those whom they lead?
In what ways has the applicant shown capacity and desire to engage with others who hold differing theological beliefs?

Please ask each of your references to submit their letter of recommendation as a .PDF file to admissions@theseattleschool.edu prior to your application deadline.

Statement of Purpose Essay
The purpose of the essay requirement is to create an opportunity for us to experience you, learn more about your calling, and discern your understanding of and resonance with the goals and outcomes of the Certificate in Resilient Service.

Prompt
Resilience is comprised of three major streams of health: relationships with people and especially with peers; practices that support spiritual, physical, and mental health; and purpose that makes meaning of hardship.

In response to your desire to strengthen your resilience, explore the intersection of who you are, the work you feel called to do, and why you feel the Certificate in Resilient Service would be a benefit to you and your work. What streams of resilience do you robustly have? What needs support?

Each essay must be typed, double-spaced, and 400-600 words in length (approximately 2 pages)
Once complete, please ensure that your name is in the header of each document, save as a .pdf file with the title “Your Name – Essay”, and submit electronically to admissions@theseattleschool.edu

Step 3: Discernment Conversation

You will be assigned to an Admissions Counselor once your application has been submitted. They will schedule a phone call with you to learn more about you, your current work, and what is drawing you to participate in the Certificate in Resilient Service.

Costs

We believe that the impact this program will have on leaders and their organizations is worth the investment of your time, energy, and resources. The total cost of the program (including 4 cohort gatherings and 7 additional facilitated community groups) is $3,000. Travel, lodging, and most meals are not included. Tuition is not eligible for a charitable tax deduction.

We do not want the tuition costs to be a barrier for you to apply, and are able to accept a limited number of participants at reduced tuition. If you are applying for reduced tuition, please read through the reduced tuition policies and apply early.

Tuition is available at three tiers:

$3,000 – Standard tuition rate
$2,000 – Applicants with financial need
$1,000 – Applicants with financial need, who lack a denominational support system, and/or work in underserved communities

If you are accepted in the program, a $300 tuition deposit is due upon enrollment. You may pay the remainder of your tuition in one payment, or you can elect to pay in 4 equal installments due August 1, October 1, January 1, and April 1. Previous participants have found that paying in these installments allows them to use professional development funds from two calendar years.

Reduced Tuition Application Process

The purpose of the reduced-tuition application process is to spark conversations on what resources may be available to you, and to help your community to find ways to invest in your resilience even if they can’t invest financially. The Certificate in Resilient Service Scholarship Review Committee thoughtfully reviews each application and makes award decisions within budget constraints. If you have questions about our scholarships or the application process, email admissions@theseattleschool.edu.

To apply, please submit the following to admissions@theseattleschool.edu:

1. Video: In 5-10 minutes, using a computer or phone camera, please:

Introduce yourself! State your name, organization, and a bit about who you are and the work that you do.
Share an approximate annual budget for your congregation/organization and the amount earmarked for your continuing education or formation. State the tuition tier for which you are applying and how the reduced tuition rate will serve you and your community.
Describe a moment in your life in which an adversity has had impact on your sense of identity, belonging, and/or calling. In light of that moment, how do you wish to develop as a leader as a result of the Certificate in Resilient Service?

2. Letter of Support: Request that your supervisor or governing body (board, vestry, denominational leader, etc), submit a one-page letter that contains the following:

Your First and Last Name
The amount of financial contribution the supervisor or governing body will contribute to your leadership development this year
An explanation of how the supervisor or governing body believes the Certificate in Resilient Service will benefit the you and your community
If applying for the $1,000 tuition rate, then please offer additional context related to your limited access to funding and/or your present work in an underserved community

Travel and Lodging

Participants are responsible for booking their own travel and lodging for the 4 multi-day learning modules. Each of the 4 cohort gatherings are held either on-site at The Seattle School (2501 Elliott Avenue, Seattle, WA) or within driving distance of downtown Seattle. We will help facilitate carpool options for off-site events.

Non-Discrimination Policy

We are committed to diversity in every sphere of faith and life. We receive applications without discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual identity, sexual orientation, military status, or denomination.

Applications for Fall 2020 cohort of the Certificate in Resilient Service will open in January 2020