Application Process 2011-12
Important Deadlines:
- Participant Applications due October 7th (except ISRAEL/WEST BANK and Pre-Med JAMAICA are due Sept 30th)
- Leader Applications due September 23rd at midnight (Closed)
- Staff/Faculty Applications due September 30th
- Israel/West Bank and Jamaica applicants due Sept 30th-Please schedule an interview for Oct 3rd-Oct 7th
- Leader Interviews will be conducted the week of September 26-Oct 7th
- Staff Interviews will be conducted the week of Oct 3rd-Oct 7th
There is an interview process for leader, staff, and supplemental trip applicants; all other participants will go through the trip selection process.
Mandatory dates:
- October 21st Training 3-9 pm (for Student Leaders)
- October 22nd Training 9-5 pm (for Leaders/Staff)
- October 23rd for Trip Selection Night 9:30 pm (all student participants) :
Trip Selection Night, October 23rd, 9:30pm – St. Rob’s Auditorium
We’re having our 2nd Annual Trip Selection Night, where all participants (excluding student leaders/staff and faculty) who applied online will be emailed a randomly computer generated lottery number on Oct. 20th. This number will be the order in which applicants will sign up for trips on TRIP SELECTION NIGHT which is on Oct. 23 at 9:30pm in St. Rob’s Auditorium.
Students: Start saving because there is a $100 deposit due on Trip Selection Night (Oct 23), if you sign up for a trip. No exceptions! We'll accept cash, check or flexi.
Required to bring:
- $100 non-refundable deposit (cash, check, or flexi)
- Copy of driver’s license for domestic trips and passport for international trips
- Signed release form
• Attendance at Trip Selection Night is mandatory if you wish to sign up for a trip, no substitutes are allowed.
• Applicants MUST bring $100 non-refundable deposit in cash, check or flexi, as well as a passport for international trips or a driver’s license for domestic trips in order to sign up for a trip.
• Applicants, in order of their selection number, will go into CSA to choose their trip.
• Each applicant will be allowed only so much time to choose their trip, so it is vital that applicants come with their choice of trips in mind.
• If the trip you want is full, you do not have to pay the $100 deposit and may be put on a waitlist.
• Trip Selection Night will also include food and music. We will provide an opportunity to chat with trip leaders and past participants and we will introduce other LMU service opportunities.
• REMINDER: Leaders and participants will apply ONLINE. Leaders will be interviewed and informed of their trip individually.
For more info, check out our FAQ and events pages.
Before applying, please read the following information about the AB program.
Basic trip information:
We usually have room for 10 student participants on each Alternative Breaks trip, 2 student leaders, and one staff person (some trips have 2 staff or an additional faculty person). Because of the great interest in the Alternative Breaks program, not everyone will be able to go on a trip. While you may have a certain trip that you would like to go on, please know that we work hard to ensure that every trip provides a great experience, and that most of our trips have proven over several years to always receive high reviews from participants.
Applicant requirements to be an AB Trip Participant:
This program is open to all LMU students. No prior Alternative Breaks, travel, or service experience is required. The most important requirements are an open mind, an open heart, and a sincere desire to work together with others to help create social change. If you are studying abroad in the fall you are allowed to apply for spring and summer trips (contact jessica.viramontes@lmu.edu to inquire about the trip selection process for students who are studying abroad). Students studying abroad are responsible for finding ways to connect with their trip leaders to stay informed of all the information. Students abroad in the spring cannot go on spring or summer trips.
Summer AB Trips:
Alternative Break trips during the summer may last 2 or more weeks. Seniors are not allowed to travel as participants in summer Alternative Breaks trips. Part of the AB experience is returning to LMU to focus on an action item or working with a similar community here in Los Angeles. This isn’t possible for seniors. We encourage Freshman, Sophomores and Juniors to participate in summer trips, and then bring back their knowledge to LMU.
Time commitment:
AB group members must participate in the entire AB trip (you cannot arrive late to the trip, or leave early). Participants will be expected to attend all group meetings set by the leaders of their trips (usually once or twice per month). Participants are required to participate in all education, preparation and fundraising activities for their respective breaks. All participants in Alternative Breaks must attend Stories of Solidarity on March 16th. Finally, all students will be required to attend pre-trip meetings (Winter Break: 4 meetings; Spring Break: 6 meetings; Summer: 8 meetings) before their trip. Leaders will be responsible for setting meetings and meeting times in advance that do not conflict with participants' schedules. One unexcused absence is permitted, but for subsequent unexcused absences, participants will be fined $25 (fines will be added to trip fees). In addition, more than one unexcused absence from pre-trip meetings may result in removal from the Alternative Breaks program.
Participants are also committing to becoming advocates of social change. We encourage participants to share the knowledge they receive on their trips and begin local projects to bring awareness and social justice on campus and their communities.
AB Trip Prices and Accommodations:
Prices for trips are all inclusive. Basic travel (airline, car, or bus) and basic room and board are included. AB accommodations are as varied as the places to which we travel and can include homestays, hostels, dormitories, missions, camping, basic hotels, or anything in between. Participants are required to pay for any necessary travel vaccines, any additional food or snacks (above the basic meals), and other incidentals (souvenirs, medications, etc).
Financial Aid:
Scholarships are available based on financial need; scholarship applications are also due on October 7th. We cannot notify participants what your scholarship is until we know what trip your going on; therefore, scholarship notification will be on Oct 31st via email. If you still cannot afford your trip after you find out if you've received a scholarship, individual and group fundraising options are available. Do not be discouraged to apply if you feel you cannot afford it. There are several fundraising strategies that you can work on throughout the year. Please see our FAQ page for more information about paying for your AB trip.
Applicant requirements to be an AB Trip Leader:
In order to maintain the quality of the Alternative Breaks program, leadership priority will be given to applicants who have previous AB experience. The leader application process is very competitive--we have room for 2 student leaders on each Alternative Break trip. AB trip leaders pay 1/2 the price of the participants, but there are additional time commitments and responsibilities (see the leader application below for more information).
LMU Staff and Faculty:
At least one LMU staff person goes on each AB trip. Occasionally an additional staff person or faculty member will accompany a trip. Staff and faculty members go on AB trips as participants, and are asked to be part of the team. Their role is to participate in all daily activities as an active group member, to support the AB student leaders throughout the trip, and to act in the event of an emergency.
*Note:If you apply to be a leader or for a trip with a supplemental application and you are not selected, you will automatically be placed in the participant pool and you will receive a lottery number for the AB Trip Selection Night.