How to Apply
Applications for the Class of 2020 are now closed. Check back over the summer to apply for the Class of 2021!
Online Application
In this quick 2-page application, You’ll register in our system, sharing your basic information, academic & demographic background, and will upload a resume. We think your work speaks for itself, but you’ll have the opportunity to share more if you choose.
Online Essay
In this round, we’ll learn more about your interest in Venture For America and startups. You'll have about a week to complete two essay questions about why you want to be a Venture For America Fellow and share how your experiences have prepared you for a job at a startup.
Video Interview
Candidates invited to the video interview stage will have a ~30 minute conversation with a VFA Team member, current Fellow, or alum. We’ll talk about why you want to become a Fellow, your experiences and accomplishments. You'll also have the opportunity to ask any questions you have.
Selection Day
Selection Day is a full day of group activities and individual interviews that is designed to be challenging, fun, and a great opportunity learn more about yourself, and determine if Venture For America is a good fit for you.
Application Deadlines
We have four separate, but identical, application deadlines. Our criteria remain the same for every deadline, but we recommend applying as early as possible so that, if admitted, you’ll have the most time to prepare for our Match process.
You may not apply more than once during the same season.
Eligibility Guidelines:
To be eligible to apply for the Venture For America Fellowship, you must:
- Be a US Citizen, Permanent Resident, or DACA Recipient. Most of our Company Partners don’t have the resources to go through the process of sponsoring a visa, so we require independent work authorization through August of 2022 for all applicants.
- Have earned your undergraduate degree by June 2020. By the time Training Camp starts in late June, you should be ready to go, with diploma in hand. The Fellowship continues immediately after training with a full-time, two-year commitment to work at a VFA Company Partner, most of whom require at least a Bachelor’s degree.
- Have graduated with your first undergraduate degree in 2017 or later. Our Fellowship is designed for recent grads (meaning graduating seniors, those a year or two into their careers, or grad students with a year or two of advanced schooling). Our training, mentorship, and job opportunities are targeted to those fresh out of college, so if you have three or more years of professional experience or advanced schooling, this isn’t the right fit.
- Note: we don’t have a GPA cutoff, but we do have high expectations across the board for our Fellows. If your classroom performance isn’t an accurate reflection of what you bring to the table or your ability to perform in a high-pressure environment, make sure to let us know why in your application.
All that said—if you feel very strongly that VFA is the right next step for you, but don’t meet one of the above criteria, you can still apply and make a case for why you’d be a great fit.
Join Our Next Webinar
Still have questions and want to learn more? Join one of our informational webinars.
You’ll connect directly with a VFA Alum & recruiter to learn exactly what we’re looking for and get answers to all of your questions.
Check out our upcoming webinars