Sustainability Semester Application

Name*

First Last

Email*

Phone*

Birthday*

Applying for fall of what year?*

As of this spring, what is your year in college?

Type of applicant

Goshen College student seeking credit
Non-Goshen College student seeking to transfer college credit back to home institution
Seeking certficate of participation

Criteria for participation

Interested students should meet the following criteria. Please discuss any anticipated exceptions with the Sustainability Semester Director.

Hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited College or University
Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in undergraduate work or demonstrated work experience
Willingness to actively participate in problem-based, collaborative learning
Ability to participate in a wide variety of outdoor experiences and frequent regional travel
Commitment to foster a positive learning experience within the group
Approval and recommendation of one academic reference, and additional workplace or academic reference

Educational Background

Academic major(s) and minor(s)

College/University*

List name, location, degree, and dates.

References

Please provide recommendations from two individuals (other than relatives) speaking to personal qualities and academic work.
The first reference must be academic. The second can be academic or workplace-related.
They must email or call the Sustainability Semester Director.

Reference 1 Name*

First Last

Reference 1 Email*

Reference 1 Phone*

Reference 2 Name*

First Last

Reference 2 Email*

Reference 2 Phone*

Admission Statement

Goshen College has developed a rigorous academic program and lively campus life centered around our core community values which reflect our desire to prepare students to become Christ-centered passionate learners, global citizens, compassionate peacemakers and servant leaders. You will encounter the Christian faith as it is held and lived by our faculty and Goshen students. Goshen College is rooted in the Mennonite Church, one of the historic peace churches, and nurtures development of an active and mature Christian faith through its programs.

Goshen College maintains standards for behavior, which contribute to a strong campus community. Students from different backgrounds may have different values, but the Goshen College community expects a lifestyle that excludes use of alcohol, use or possession of nonmedicinal drugs, use of tobacco, use and/or possession of firearms or fireworks and premarital sex. Racial discrimination and prejudice will not be tolerated. All students are expected to live in accordance with the Commitment to Community Standards.

Did you read the above Admission Statement?*

Yes
No

What is your response to this statement?

The statement reflects my values and I will actively support it.
I can live in harmony with the standard summarized in the statement above.

Criteria for Sustainability Semester participation

Interested students should meet the following criteria. Please discuss any anticipated exceptions with the Sustainability Semester Director.

Enrolled in good standing at Goshen College
Minimum GPA of 3.0
Junior or Senior status during the program; others demonstrating exceptional preparedness will be considered
Willingness to actively participate in problem-based, collaborative learning
Ability to participate in a wide variety of outdoor experiences and frequent regional travel
Commitment to foster a positive learning experience within the group
Approval and recommendation of academic advisor, and one additional academic reference
Recommendation of student life and health/wellness office at Goshen College

Criteria for Sustainability Semester participation

Interested students should meet the following criteria. Please discuss any anticipated exceptions with the Sustainability Semester Director.

Enrolled in good standing at an accredited undergraduate program
Admitted to Goshen College as a guest student (this process precedes your application to the ASI)
Minimum GPA of 3.0
Junior or Senior status during the program; others demonstrating exceptional preparedness will be considered
Willingness to actively participate in problem-based, collaborative learning
Ability to participate in a wide variety of outdoor experiences and frequent regional travel
Commitment to foster a positive learning experience within the group
Approval and recommendation of academic advisor, and one additional academic reference
Recommendation of residential/student life and health/wellness office at your home institution

Academic Background

The Sustainability Semester is an academically rigorous program. Your recent successes in managing your studies on campus are important indicators of similar success in the Sustainability Semester. In the academic recommendations that accompany this application and through the Sustainability Semester admissions process, your academic adviser and one other professor are asked to supply the Sustainability Semester admissions team with your basic record in these areas.
Your signing of this application constitutes permission for your professors to release information about your classroom performance and to offer additional perspective on your likely success in the Sustainability Semester.

Major(s)*

Minor(s)

Academic Major Advisor*

College/University*

List name, location, degree, and dates.

Have you discussed with your academic advisor how the Sustainability Semester fits into your overall program of study?*

Yes
No

Are you interested in pursuing the Minor in Sustainability?*

Yes
No

This minor consists of the courses that compose the Sustainability Semester, and one additional eligible 3 credit course taken on campus.

Have you been on academic probation of any kind during your college/university career?*

Yes
No

If your record in any previous courses seems questionable, please explain any special circumstances and list any other persons whom we may contact for further perspective.

Behavioral Performance

Success in the Sustainability Semester requires your ability to live by the mutually agreed-upon standards and norms of the learning community and the lifestyle expectations of Goshen College. Your recent success in managing these aspects of your life will help to establish that you are ready for the Sustainability Semester.

Have you had any disciplinary instances at college/university in the past year?*

Yes
No

Please list below the instances, and indicate when and how the issues were resolved.

Your resident director and the dean of students are also consulted regarding your recent performance in this area. Whom may we contact for further interpretation?

Health Management

It is important that you discuss fully with health professionals any medical or emotional history that may have an impact on your health during the Sustainability Semester. Health center personnel will be asked to clear your readiness for the Sustainability Semester based on evidence of stable management over the past year of any recent physical or emotional health issues. By signing this application, you agree to this process.

All applicants should note that new or recurring behavioral and/or health issues that would affect your ability to fully engage in or to benefit from the Sustainability Semester experience may limit your participation in the semester’s program.

Health Management

It is very important that you discuss fully with health professionals any medical or emotional history that may have an impact on your health during the Sustainability Semester. All applicants should note that new or recurring behavioral and/or health issues that would affect your ability to fully engage in or to benefit from the Sustainability Semester experience may affect your participation in the semester’s program, even after enrollment in the Sustainability Semester.

Short Essays

Respond to each question with 1-2 paragraphs.

What background, knowledge and skills do you have that will contribute to the Sustainability Semester experience?*

What personal characteristics do you have that will contribute positively to this collaborative learning experience?*

How do you envision applying what you learn about sustainability to your field of interest, academic major or current occupation?*

Living in Community

The Sustainability Semester program places a strong focus on community living. Students will share in responsibilities such as meal preparation, cleaning, and grocery shopping as part of the Sustainability Semester community.
What are your thoughts about participating in communal living? Please respond to each question in 1-2 paragraphs.

What are you most looking forward to about community living and learning?*

What do you envision as the greatest challenges you will face?*

How might this experience compare to another experience you have had?*

What have you learned about how you handle conflict from your previous experiences of conflict in close residential settings?*

In a sentence to two, please affirm your willingness to agree to living and participating in this type of learning community.*

Please read the Living in a Learning Community page thoroughly.

Application Agreement

I have read the above conditions for admission and attest to the truth and completeness of the information provided herein.
I agree to the processes indicated above as necessary to establish my academic readiness, my recent behavioral responsibility, and the present stability of any special physical and emotional health needs.

Signature*

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