ACAP Accounting Career Awareness Program Student Application Package Summer Career Residency Program at University of Illinois at Chicago July 15-19, 2012 A program of the National Association of Black Accountants, Inc. Chicago Chapter Hosted by University of Illinois at Chicago
Changing the Face of Business Did you know that ethnic minorities such as African Americans, Hispanic, Southeast Asians and Native Americans, represent only five percent of the total number of Certified Public Accountants in the United States? Also, college enrollment among ethnic minorities is declining. Yet the demand for a technically trained, culturally diverse, and knowledgeable workforce is increasing. The Accounting Career Awareness Program (ACAP) was created to provide minority high school students with early exposure to career opportunities within the business and accounting professions. The primary objective of ACAP is to increase the number of minority students pursuing careers in accounting and related business areas. What is ACAP - Chicago? A program of the National Association of Black Accountants Center for Advancement of Minority Accountants, ACAP stands for the Accounting Career Awareness Program. The primary objective of ACAP is to increase the number of high school students from underrepresented ethnic groups that attend college and major in accounting or business concentrations. Through ACAP s efforts, students receive educational enrichment experiences and practical help needed for college preparation and a career in accounting or business. ACAP began in 1980 after the National Association of Black Accountants, Inc. (NABA) recognized the need for a program that would encourage African- Americans and other under-represented ethic groups to enter the accounting profession. Realizing that preparation for a professional career begins in junior and senior year of high school, NABA s Seattle Chapter designed a pilot program that would mark a turning point in the academic lives of secondary students; motivating them to pursue a higher education. Soon thereafter, the summer residency concept was developed. ACAP - Chicago was founded in 2005 to increase the awareness of high school minority youths in Chicago public schools of the accounting and business career opportunities. Since a particularly small percentage of African Americans, Hispanic and Native Americans are currently pursuing those career paths, the program emphasizes recruiting students from these and other minority backgrounds. Students are selected based on a variety of factors, including high school counselor recommendations and student applications. ACAP - Chicago is a summer residency program giving students the opportunity to reside in college dorms at the University of Illinois at Chicago s campus for five days and four nights. The students attend classes on accounting and college preparation. Classroom topics are enhanced through team building activities, professional office tours, field trips, as well as other activities. Each student is assigned a counselor during the program. The counselor-to-student ratio is 1:5 in order to provide students with the best possible supervision. ACAP - Chicago alumni are left with a life-altering experience giving them greater selfesteem and a sense of responsibility for others. ACAP - Chicago alumni are then challenged to continue their career preparation and leadership skills by serving as Ambassadors in future ACAP - Chicago programs. Ambassadors will serve as volunteers and guides for first-year ACAP - Chicago participants. How Can I Qualify for Participation? To attend the ACAP - Chicago program, sponsored by the National Association of Black Accountants, Inc.- Chicago Chapter, complete the attached application and return to: ACAP - Chicago c/o NABA Chicago Chapter PO Box 7653 Attn: Phillip Davis Chicago, IL 60680 Selected high school students will receive an allexpense paid experience of a lifetime. Applicants must have a current GPA of 3.0. The Program will be held at University of Illinois at Chicago. Applications are due by June 1, 2012. Submissions should be as timely as possible. For more information about the ACAP program, please visit www.nabainc.org or contact Phillip Davis at acap.chi@gmail.com
Why Apply for ACAP Chicago? 1) Opportunity! The scheduled events for the program include: Business Etiquette Dinner College Preparatory Workshops Financial Fitness Workshops Interviewing Workshops Mock Interviews Office Visits Resume Development Workshops Wardrobe Selection Workshops 2) Location! University of Illinois at Chicago s Campus Gain the real college experience by staying in a dorm Live in the heart of one of Chicago s historic neighborhoods 3) Fun! No explanation needed If you aspire to become one of the changing faces of business Apply Today!
Accounting Career Awareness Program STUDENT APPLICATION This application, transcripts, and at least two counselor/teacher letters of recommendation must be received by June 1, 2011. Mail to: ACAP - Chicago c/o NABA Chicago Chapter PO Box 7653 Attn: Phillip Davis Chicago, IL 60680 PLEASE COMPLETE THE APPLICATION BY TYPING OR PRINTING USING BLUE OR BLACK INK. Name: Last First Middle Initial Address: City: State: Zip Telephone: T-Shirt Size Student ID: E-mail: Sex: ( ) M ( ) F School Name Address Phone Current Grade Level: Grade Point Average (GPA): (Minimum of 3.0) Ethnic Background (choose one): ( ) African American ( ) Hispanic ( ) Caucasian ( ) Native American ( ) Asian ( ) Other (Specify) Referred By: Student's Signature Parent's/Guardian s Signature Printed Parent's/Guardian s Name Daytime Phone Number Emergency Contact Telephone Number
STUDENT STATEMENT OF INTEREST Please type an essay (minimum 200 words) explaining why you think you will benefit from the Accounting Career Awareness Program (attach a separate piece of paper, if needed): AWARDS AND ACTIVITIES SCHOLASTIC AWARDS (i.e., Academic Awards) Number of Years Involved ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES Number of Years Involved OTHER EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Number of Years Involved
TERMS & CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATION: It is the understanding that students are guests of the National Association of Black Accountants, Inc. and University of Illinois at Chicago and agree that at no time will they leave the campus during their stay (this does not include the visits scheduled as group activities during the conference or in the case of an emergency.) In addition, students agree to eat all meals on campus, as they are provided by the University and students will obey the lights out policy of 10 p.m., which will be enforced at all times. There is no alcohol or drugs permitted on University property, and students agree to refrain from the use of such. It is understood that not all students who complete the registration form will be selected to participate in this program and agree to the decisions made by the National Association of Black Accountants, Inc. and the ACAP Board. It is understood that this is an educational opportunity and with it comes certain responsibilities. Students will conduct themselves in accordance with the terms outlined. STUDENT CONSENT: I do hereby agree to the terms and conditions associated with participating in this four -and-a-half day program and understand that if for any reason the National Association of Black Accountant, Inc. or University of Illinois at Chicago deems it necessary to send me home for being unable to fulfill my agreement, I understand that my parent/guardian will be notified and I will not disagree with this action. Student Signature PARENTAL CONSENT: I do hereby give my permission for to participate in the ACAP-Chicago to be held at University of Illinois at Chicago July 15-20, 2012. I understand should my child be asked to leave the program prior to completion, I agree to provide transportation should it be necessary. Parent/Guardian Signature