The Global Health and Leadership Conference is hosted by the Harvard Global Health Institute and Harvard College VISION Global Health Society: an officially recognized student organization at Harvard College. The conference encourages global health studies, disparity analysis, and community interventions. High school students are mentored by Harvard undergraduates on a global health-related civic project in their home communities. Students design, develop, and implement their ideas. Upon completion of these projects, the program cohort gathers at Harvard University for a weekend symposium of project presentations, networking, and learning about global health concepts, frameworks, and careers from Harvard students, faculty, and external experts. The diverse range of projects reflect the community-centered, evidence-based, and cost-effective interventions that the GHLC works with students to generate. Learning outcomes are bidirectional, fostering interdisciplinary and intergenerational collaboration between mentees and mentors. Each project provides an opportunity to educate youth, learn about issues, and support diverse communities.

Completion of this form is 1 of 2 parts for acceptance to the 2021 Global Health and Leadership Conference.

There are two components that determine acceptance:
1. Online application (this form)
2. Teacher Evaluations

If you do not receive a decision (waitlist, rejection, interview) from us after submitting this form, it means that we have not received your teacher evaluation.

Applying to the conference is free, and if the conference fee would impose too great of a financial burden for your family, it can be waived.

This form is split into several parts.  
(1). Overview
(2). Identifying Information
(3). High School Information
(4). Extracurricular Activities
(5). Letters of Evaluation
(6). Activity Sign up (Community Project/ Case Study Competition/ Narrative Presentation/ Research Project/ Conference Exam)
(7). Essays (Personal Statement & Statement of Interest)
(8). Logistics/ Submit

Each section will be arranged as follows:
-Section title
-Picture from a previous conference
-Section questions
-A testimonial from a previous student
-Our contact information in case you have any questions

Our application is meant to provide a holistic overview of applicants. The application mirrors a college application. Previous students have noted that the GHLC application helped prepare them for their college applications.

Here are the essay prompts, so you can start writing your responses in advance.

(1). Personal Statement (max 500 words)
-Share your narrative. Tell us what drives, excites, or inspires you. This prompt is purposefully open-ended; feel free to interpret this however you like.

(2). Returners only (max 300 words)
-If you have attended the conference in the past, please tell us the impact the conference has had on you.

Statement of Interest:
(3). How will the GHLC benefit from your attendance? (max 200 words)
(4). [optional] Additional comments (max 500 words)

Reminder: There is no financial cost for submitting this application. The only cost will be for the ticket if you are accepted into the program.

The ticket cost covers continental breakfast, lunch, some Conference swag, and a conference book along with the rest of the experience (ex. meeting professors and speakers). The fee will go exclusively towards funding the conference - we do not pay any event organizers or accumulate profits.

“Not only was I inspired by all the speakers and stimulated by the peers who attended the conference, but I was also able to make friends and get to know all the great people!”