APPLICATION PROCESS OVERVIEW:
Applying to BCI includes the submission of an application, two (2) letters of reference, and a phone interview.
Since space is an issue, the sooner you submit your Application and the two (2) reference letters, the better your chance of acceptance to the program.
Deadlines are provided below, but applications can (and should) be submitted anytime prior to these dates. A deadline is considered to be met when BCI receives a completed application and (2) reference letters by the designated date. Interviews do not have to be completed by the deadline.
Once we receive your application on line, someone from our office will contact you to schedule a phone interview.
Applicants will be notified of program acceptance within four weeks of the deadlines provided. Accepted applicants will be sent the link to the online payment form to pay their BCI tuition in order to secure their spot ($250 for domestic applicants; $100 for international applicants).
Once the Early Bird deadline has passed, applicants will be accepted on a rolling basis as space allows. We encourage you to apply as early as possible for the best chances of acceptance.
Application Deadlines:
Early Bird Deadline: March 13, 2013 (BCI cost = $250; $100 for international participants) Final Application Deadline: May 8, 2013 (BCI cost = $500; $200 for international participants)
Payment Deadlines:
Early Bird Payment Due: April 8, 2013 Early Bird Refund Policy: Full refunds will be issued for cancellations that occur prior to May 1, 2013. 50% refunds will be issued for any cancellations made from May 2nd to May 22nd. Refunds will not be given for cancellations made after May 23rd.
BCI APPLICATION (Please note the application cannot be saved.)
Personal Information
Last Name:
First Name:
Middle Name:
Date of Birth:
mo day yr
Gender:
Education & Occupation:
Please select ONE of the following
I am in my last year of High School
High School:
I am currently a College Student
College / University: Major: Expected Graduation: month year
I am currently a Graduate Student
College / University: Area of Study: Expected Graduation: month year
I am currently a Professional
Company/Organization: Position: College Attended: Graduation Date: Graduate School Attended: Graduation Date:
Other (Include brief description)
Please list all paid jobs that you have held
CURRENT/School Contact Information (If you are currently enrolled in school, please provide us with your address while you are at school.)
Email Address:
Home Phone:
Cell Phone:
Current Address:
Suite/Apt:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Country:
Permanent Contact Information
Permanent Address:
Background
How did you learn about BCI? If someone specific recommended BCI to you, please list their name(s) and their relation to you and/or to BCI.
Please list extra curricular activities and professional organizations in which you participate (i.e. fraternities/sororities, clubs, volunteer work, honor societies, etc).
Please list some of your interests and hobbies (sports, music, art, etc).
Please list all organized Jewish experiences in which you have participated and the approximate year you were a participant (i.e. college courses, summer camps, non-Birthright Israel trips, Hillel ASB trips, religious schools, youth groups, etc).
Did you attend and/or staff a Birthright Israel trip? Please list date(s). Be sure to indicate if you were a participant or staff member.
List any programs that you have previously attended at the Brandeis-Bardin Institute. Please also list any family members who have attended Brandeis programs and indicate the program(s) they attended. (Examples include BCI, Camp Alonim, House of the Book, Weekend Retreats, Gan Alonim, and Elderhostel).
In order to help us ensure your safety and health while at BCI, please list all medical conditions and how they may affect your participation in BCI. Please note that this information will NOT be used in determining acceptance to the program and will remain confidential.
Do you know anyone else applying to BCI 2013? Yes No If yes, please provide their name(s):
What is your nationality?
What languages (other than English) do you speak fluently?
International Applicants
BCI welcomes applicants from all over the world. In addition to the rest of the information included in this application, international applicants should also note the following:
Visas are required for entry into the United States from most countries. We will supply a letter of support - the rest of the application process is in your hands. Once you have applied, please start the Visa process immediately. In some countries, the process can be quite lengthy.
International participants are expected to book and pay for their own travel to and from California. We will provide you with the average price of a round-trip ticket to/from your country of origin. At the end of BCI we will reimburse you for the full cost of your round-trip ticket. The exchange rate will be calculated on the day you submit your FULL flight information to our office. Please note that the exchange rates we use are based on figures provided by www.xe.com.
Once accepted, International participants must pay a $100 participation payment if you apply before March 13, 2013. After March 13th, the participation payment increases to $250.
Reference Letters
Two reference letters must be submitted in order to complete this application. References may be provided by teachers, counselors, advisors, mentors, former BCIers, employers, rabbis, or Jewish professionals. Reference letters should be able to accurately assess your character, strengths, and abilities and should be referrals specific to the BCI program.
Reference forms must be submitted to us directly from your recommender. Please cut and paste the link below and email it to the two (2) people you are asking to write the letter for you. Letters will not be accepted if they are sent from anyone but the person writing the letter of recommendation.
Please Note: If your references prefer, they can print the form and mail it directly to Navah Becker, American Jewish University, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90077. Faxed letters will not be accepted. No applicant can be accepted to BCI without both completed references in their application file.
Click here for the link to the reference letter. You may also cut and paste the following link and send it to your recommenders. ( http://bci.ajula.edu/Content/formsNew/bciLetterofRecommendation.asp )
Reference 1 - Name, Title & Relationship to you
Reference 2 - Name, Title & Relationship to you
Interview
A 20-30 minute telephone interview is required in order to be considered for BCI. Please note that the interview will be granted only after a completed application is received. Please indicate the best days and times of the week to reach you, as well as your preferred phone number for these times:
Essays
To help us get to know you a little better, please complete all three short essays below. Each essay should be no longer than 250 words.
Note: You may type directly into the form space below or paste your essay into the space below from your favorite word processing application.
Essay #1 - Why do you want to come to BCI?
Essay #2 - What do you hope to get out of a summer at BCI?
Essay #3 - Please share a significant or defining moment in your life.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Regular cost of the program is $4,000. However, due to the generosity of the donors who support BCI, the actual cost to participants is only $500 for domestic participants ($200 for international participants). The Early Bird special (through March 13, 2013) is only $250 for domestic participants ($100 for international participants). This price includes the cost of your round-trip airfare.
Admission is independent of financial needs, and we strive to make sure that no applicant is turned away due to lack of funds. If you would like to be considered for financial aid, please contact Navah Becker (nbecker@ajula.edu) and let her know. Please note that you cannot be awarded scholarship money until after you have been accepted to BCI.
Some scholarships are automatic with acceptance to BCI, and given out first come, first serve. Others have a separate application process. Please read the descriptions and select any of the following scholarships for which you qualify.
Melinda Joy Siegel scholarship (for Baltimore/DC or Clearwater/St. Petersburg/Tampa, FL residents and students)
Sioux City scholarship
Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies Alumni Scholarship
International scholarships (non-Israeli)
I do not qualify for any of the above scholarships (but would like to apply for other BCI scholarships not listed above.)
Payment Plan
A third party has offered to pay my tuition:
