We are currently recruiting for an Operation Walk medical mission to Antigua, Guatemala from September 21 - 27, 2013.
*This date range does not include the additional travel time to/from Guatemala.
The Dimensions program was just notified that the Operation Walk medical services organization will be traveling to Guatemala in September. They have invited Cornell to send two students as team members. We do not want students to miss out on this opportunity, particularly given that Operation Walk did not travel during the 2012-13 academic year. It is unfortunate that notification was received after students had left campus for the summer. However, we are doing all we can to notify students and invite them to submit an application. We must also expedite the application and selection process, as passports and other required credentials for the student participants must be provided to Operation Walk staff by June 15th.
Eligibility:
Only students who have completed at least 8 Cornell credits may participate in Operation Walk. Additionally, students must enroll for at least one Cornell course after the conclusion of your Operation Walk experience, as this opportunity is provided for current students rather than alumni.* Students from all disciplines may apply, however, our selection criteria include the relevance of this medically-related experience to the student's academic plan and career aspirations.
Earning Academic Credit:
Students have not traditionally been able to earn academic credit for volunteer work with Operation Walk. However, given the transition to an 8-block calendar, students may need credit for Block 1 in order to maintain their degree progress. As such, you may choose either of the following options:
*You may take a vacation block for Block 1 of the 2013-14 academic year. However, before doing so, you should consult with your faculty advisor to assess the potential impact of this choice.
*You may earn a half (.5) internship credit, since the length of the trip is less than 3 ½ weeks.
*You may earn a full credit (1) for an independent project, which will require you to do additional academic work before and after the trip.
Please note that students who earn credit for the experience will need to secure a faculty sponsor. Dimensions can mentor students regarding this process.
General Application Instructions:
Required materials must be submitted electronically or delivered to Julie Barnes by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 30. Ms. Barnes’ contact information follows:
Mailing Address:
Julie Barnes
600 First Street SW
Mount Vernon, IA 52134
Campus Address: West Science 102
E-mail: jbarnes@cornellcollege.edu
Phone: (319) 895-4350
Application Process
Students must apply by submitting a/an:
-Photocopy of valid i.e. not expired, passport. If you do not already have a passport, you should apply for one immediately using the “expedited service” process. You may apply for Operation Walk before having a passport in hand; however, you cannot be selected for this trip if your passport has not been received by June 14th.
-Resume. Make sure it is updated and error free. Include the names of two Cornell references (faculty and/or professional staff members). Given our condensed timeline, your references will not be required to write a formal letter of recommendation. However a member of the Operation Walk selection committee will phone your references for their assessment of you. Be certain to obtain permission before citing someone as a reference on your resume.
-Brief personal statement. This 1-2 page essay should include information that your resume does not – your reasons for applying, your career goals, the skills you would bring to the Operation Walk team, what you hope to achieve if selected, and how this experience will benefit your future academic and career goals. Additionally, it should touch on the topics listed under "Selection Process". The essay should be free of grammatical and spelling errors and be no more than two pages, double spaced. Poorly written essays will disqualify applicants.
-Unofficial copy of their Cornell transcript.
-Following a review of these application materials, top candidates will be invited to interview with members of the Dimensions Operations Committee. If you are not living in the Mt. Vernon area this summer, we can conduct the interview via Skype. Members of the Operations Committee include:
Barbara Christie-Pope, Professor of Biology/ Dimensions Faculty Director
Julie Barnes, Dimensions Associate Director
Mary Iber, Consulting Librarian, Sciences
Jeff Cardon, Professor of Biology & Chemistry
Ann Cannon, Professor of Statistics
Timeline:
Applications Due: 4:00 p.m., May 30, 2013
Committee Review of Student Applications: May 31 – June 2, 2013
Applicant Interviews: June 3 – 10, 2013
Selections Finalized: June 14, 2013
Operation Walk Participant Expectations:
A summary report including site photos is required of trip participants. Additional expectations, such as completion of a travel consultation and compliance with immunization recommendations are detailed in the “Expectations of Selected Applicants” section of this website.
* If you withdraw from enrollment or do not subsequently enroll for at least one course following the trip, you must reimburse the Cornell Dimensions Program the full amount of expenses paid by Dimensions for your participation. You would have 30 days to repay the expenses following e-mail and/or U.S. mail notification that repayment is due. After this 30 day period, a $100 billing fee will be assessed and included with the overdue amount and then added to any unpaid balance of tuition and will be subject to the regular financial collection procedures of Cornell College.