FAQ

2020 College to Career sessions will tentatively take place from June 14-20, 2020. Although it is a one-week in-person session, participants are required to communicate with Riordan staff throughout the entirety of the program (June 2020 - May 2021). During the June in-person session, the schedule is from 8:00AM to 4:15PM. All logistics are sent to admitted students prior to the College to Career week.

The College to Career curriculm varies to cater to each cohort. However, each class will receive and/or participate in professional development activities, self-assesment exercises, case study exploration, guest lectures by top industry leaders, individualized career action plan counseling, mentorship and more.

The College to Career Program is tuition-free. Please keep in mind that The Riordan Programs does not pay for housing nor transportation costs. Our program identifies housing needs and we do our best to ensure all applicants are housed. Applicants are encouraged to seek housing accomodations during the program.

Submit the application for the College to Career Program online. Items needed for the online application are applicant background, updated college transcripts, updated copy of your resume, one academic or community reference and two personal statements.

Due to the limited time we have with our College to Career participants, it is required that students attend all session dates. If for any reason you anticipate having to miss sessions, please take our policy into consideration before applying. Absences are grounds for immediate removal from the program.

There is no requirement to major in a particular subject; however, the program will focus on internships and careers in management and will target business, healthcare and tech industries. In the application, you will have a chance to explain why you feel our program supports your academic and career goals. All majors are encouraged to apply!

A first-generation college student is someone whose parent(s)/guardian(s) have not completed a Bachelor's degree.

No, the program is open to students from all four-year colleges or universities. However, applicants are required to be enrolled during the fall 2020 semester/quarter to be eligible. If you are currently enrolled at a community college, program admission is contingent on verification that you will attend a four-year university by fall 2020.

Recruitment for the program begins in November. The First Round application cycle closes on January 31, 2020 and the Final Round application cycle closes March 29, 2020. All decisions will be sent by May 1, 2020. All applications must be submitted online by the Final Round deadline to be considered for the 2020 College to Career Program.

The Admissions Committee evaluates applicants’ prospects as leaders and their projected ability to succeed in, benefit from and contribute to the College to Career Program. Committee members carefully consider personal and academic background information, achievements, awards and honors, and college and community involvement, especially where candidates have served in leadership capacities. The Admissions Committee seeks to create a community of students who bring unique contributions from their diverse backgrounds and experiences and who will collectively enrich the educational experience.

Every application will receive the same review. Each year, The Riordan Programs admits an extraordinary group of students. We have carefully designed our review process to ensure quality and fairness. Admission into the Riordan Programs is highly selective and based on a comprehensive review of all applicants. Applicants are advised to apply for admission as early as possible. Admission becomes limited by space and student mix. As such, late applicants run the risk of being denied.

Yes. The online application can be saved and may be returned to at a later time.

After you submit your online application, please print your application summary as confirmation. All applicants will receive an email confirmation from The Riordan Programs office upon application submission. In the case our office requires missing or additional information, we will contact you via email within a few weeks.

All admission decisions will be sent via email prior to or on May 1, 2020.

No; however, a copy of your unofficial transcript must be uploaded with your application.

Yes, please upload unofficial transcripts from all academic institutions where you have received a degree and/or completed substantial coursework. Include all unofficial transcripts you want reviewed by the admissions committee (e.g., classes you have repeated, additional classes).

Yes, though undergraduates should also consider asking club advisors, internship supervisors or employers who can comment on their leadership skills. References will be contacted in the case the Admissions Committee requires additional background information.

Your application status will be considered incomplete if you do not complete and send all components of your application by the March 29, 2020 deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered for the 2020 College to Career Program.

No, all application components must be submitted online.

The admission process and deadlines are the same for all applicants.

Only complete and on-time applications will be reviewed.

You can apply during the next application period, which opens in November/December.

Yes, if accepted into the Riordan College to Career Program, you must commit to attend every day during the week-long sessions.

If eligible, you can apply during the next application period.

No. We are well aware of the depth of investment our applicants make while participating in our selection process. Accordingly, the Admissions Committee reviews each candidate with great care and thoughtful consideration. Our review process is extremely thorough and all decisions are final. There is no process for appeal.

Each applicant is reviewed with an eye to individual strengths as well as consideration of the pool of applicants as a whole. Our review process is exhaustive and our decisions are made only after thoughtful deliberations. We know that being denied admission can be both unexpected and disappointing. The most difficult part of Admissions Committee deliberations is not being able to admit the vast majority of highly qualified and compelling candidates. Denied candidates will be notified of the possibility of obtaining feedback only after the admissions cycle is over. Such feedback is provided on a limited basis.

Yes. If you are not offered admission to the Riordan Programs, you are welcome to reapply for the following year if you meet the eligibility requirements for the new application cycle. All re-applicants are required to complete a new application, include new academic transcripts, essays, etc. The admission decision will be based on the new application materials rather than previously submitted materials.

In order to serve a wider range of students, we revamped our program to include other industries. After much research, we felt there was a need at the college level to prepare students for the job market by giving them the skills to be successful in summer internships and teaching them how to use those experiences after college.