Eligibility
Capstone Leadership Academy is open to current 10th grade students in throughout Alabama.
The 2025 Session of Capstone Leadership Academy is scheduled to take place on the campus of The University of Alabama February 27-28, 2025. Individuals who, because of prior commitments, know they will be unable to participate during this time should not submit an application.
Applications must be submitted on or before Friday, December 6, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
Questions about CLA should be emailed to capstoneacademy@ua.edu.
Application Information
In the application, you will be asked to submit the following information. We recommend reading through this information, reviewing the application itself, and preparing your essays and uploads before you start to fill out the application. This will make filling out the application a lot easier.
- Personal information, including your and your parent/guardian’s contact information
- List high school activities in which you have been most involved or that have had the greatest impact on you. This can include things like club, team, and organization memberships, and honors you’ve received. Please do not list more than five (5) things.
- List community activities in which you have been most involved or that have had the greatest impact on you since you have been in high school. This can include things like volunteerism, jobs, and awards you’ve received outside of school. Please do not list more than five (5) things.
- Essay of 250-500 words. Describe a time when you positively led or influenced others, or contributed to leading or impacting a group effort.
- You must enter your essay directly into the application and cannot upload a document. Even so, we recommend that you type your essay in a document first so you can use functions like spell check and grammar check before you submit your essay.
- You must enter your essay directly into the application and cannot upload a document. Even so, we recommend that you type your essay in a document first so you can use functions like spell check and grammar check before you submit your essay.
Q&A for Applicants
May I apply if I have not received my school's nomination?
No. Only those who have been nominated by their school may apply.
Is there a fee to apply or participate?
No. Capstone Leadership Academy is free for participants. Meals, housing and activities throughout the program are included. Participants are responsible for transportation to and from campus at the beginning and end of the program.
I am not available to attend the entire session–I will need to come late or leave early. May I still apply?
No. You should not apply if you are not available to attend the entire session of Capstone Leadership Academy.
I would like to submit additional information about myself beyond the questions in the application. May I do so?
No. The only information that will be considered when evaluating applications is the information submitted in the official application.
What do I do if I have more questions about CLA?
We will host several virtual information sessions in which we will talk about CLA and answer your questions.
- Monday, September 23, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.
- Thursday September 26, 2024, 12:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at 3:15 p.m.
- Friday, October 4, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.
- Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at 12:00 p.m.
- If you cannot attend one of these sessions, please reach out by emailing capstoneacademy@ua.edu to schedule a one-on-one meeting.
Learn More
Have questions about CLA? We will host virtual information sessions to share more about the program and the application. Applicants, parents/guardians, and counselors/high school administrators are welcome to attend.
- Monday, September 23, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.
- Thursday September 26, 2024, 12:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at 3:15 p.m.
- Friday, October 4, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.
- Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at 12:00 p.m.
- If you cannot attend one of these sessions, please reach out by emailing capstoneacademy@ua.edu to schedule a one-on-one meeting.
Register here to attend any of these information sessions. You must register more than 24 hours before a session begins.
Q&A for High Schools
What should I look for in a nominee?
First, nominees must be in the 10th grade at a school (or home schooled) in Alabama. Second, nominees should have a 2.75 or higher high school GPA. Third, the students you nominate should, in your opinion, be able to miss two days of school to participate in the CLA program without it negatively impacting their high school performance. Fourth, nominees should be available February 27-28, 2025 in case they are selected. Finally, nominees should, in your opinion, demonstrate exemplary leadership qualities and are the type of student who would participate fully in the training and activities and would benefit from learning more about how to be a good leader.
How many students may I nominate?
Each high school may nominate up to three students. Each application will be reviewed independently of high school affiliation, so it is possible that 0, 1, 2, or all 3 nominees could be selected.
When should I submit my nominations?
Though we do not have a nominations deadline, we highly recommend that you submit your nominations by mid-November to ensure the nominee has enough time to prepare and submit the application by the deadline. Nominees must submit an application by Friday, December 6, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
If you have all nominees ready, you may submit them simultaneously, or if you want to submit one at a time, you may do so until you reach the three nominee maximum.
How do I submit a nomination?
You should have received a link via mail and email to submit your nominations. If you did not, please email us at capstoneacademy@ua.edu and we will send the link again.
What information will I have to provide in my nomination?
- Your name and contact information
- Nominee name and contact information
- Nominee's parent/guardian information, if you have it
- Affirmation that the nominee has a 2.75 or higher high school GPA
- Affirmation that the nominee, in your opinion, will be able to miss two days of school to participate in the CLA program without it negatively impacting their high school performance
Does nominating a student guarantee the student a place in the program?
No. Nominees must submit an application after they are nominated by their school. Participants are selected through a competitive application process. We will notify high schools if their nominees are selected.
Is there a fee to apply or participate?
No. Capstone Leadership Academy is free for participants. Meals, housing and activities throughout the program are included. Participants are responsible for transportation to and from campus at the beginning and end of the program.
What do I do if I have more questions about CLA?
We will host several virtual information sessions in which we will talk about CLA and answer your questions.
- Monday, September 23, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.
- Thursday September 26, 2024, 12:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at 3:15 p.m.
- Friday, October 4, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.
- Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at 12:00 p.m.
- If you cannot attend one of these sessions, please reach out by emailing capstoneacademy@ua.edu to schedule a one-on-one meeting.