Alternative Spring Break

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of ASB? How many ASB courses/trips are there?

The mission of Alternative Spring Break is to give trip participants the opportunity to examine the dimensions and urgency of social issues through an educational immersion experience. In 2009-2010, we will be offering 13 trips.

When is spring break? When will ASB begin/end?

This year, spring break will begin on March 20, 2010 and end on March 28, 2010. Trips are typically 6-7 days in length. Accepted applicants should know the exact dates for their trips by the beginning of Winter Quarter.

Are there any prerequisites for applying to ASB?

No. All Stanford students are encouraged to apply; there is no prerequisite of prior public service involvement.

How many people are selected to participate in each ASB course/trip?

A maximum of twelve people are admitted to each trip. Strong applicants who are not admitted to a trip will be placed on a waiting list and will be admitted on a space-available basis.

How does the ASB selection process work? Do the leaders choose the successful applicants?

Participants are chosen by the course/trip leaders. Leaders review all submitted and complete application and select participants and alternates.

What is the timeline for the selection process? When will I know whether I have been accepted?

The deadline for applications is Monday, November 2nd, at 11:59 p.m. We anticipate informing participants of their acceptance status during the week of November 16 (right before Thanksgiving). After you have been notified, you will have approximately one week to decide whether you wish to accept the offer.

Can I apply to more than one ASB course/trip? Do I have to fill out a separate application for each?

You may apply to as many as three ASB courses/trips. To apply, you need to complete the general application as well as respond to the trip-specific question for each trip to which you are applying.

I am a past participant of ASB, am I eligible to apply again?

Yes, as a past participant we actively welcome and encourage you to apply for another ASB course and trip. But we ask that you do not apply for the same trip you previously participated in, as we would like to give other students an opportunity to experience it. If you would like to find an avenue to further pursue the ideas presented in your trip, please contact the ASB Coordinators to get more information about other programs we offer, such as the Mini-Grant.

I have so much to say - can I go over the 250 word limit on the application essays?

Please limit yourselves to 250 words per essay. Use the word count feature on a word processor to check the number of words.

I really want to go on ASB but I can't participate in the Winter Quarter Directed Reading or I won't be able to be there for the entire trip. Am I still eligible to apply?

Students who are unable to participate in a trip's winter quarter directed reading course are ineligible to participate in ASB. Students who are unable to participate in a trip for its entire duration are also ineligible.

What is the structure of the Winter Quarter Directed Reading?

During winter quarter, trip participants take a specialized directed reading course facilitated by the ASB leaders and a faculty advisor. By preparing participants with background knowledge of the individual trip's relevant issues, the 1-unit discussion based class enhances and deepens the spring break experience.

How much does ASB cost?

Trip participants must commit to a $150 participant fee, which includes most expenses (e.g. housing, food, local transportation) during Spring Break. Participants may also need to pay for some meals and miscellaneous expenses. If a student participates in a trip requiring air travel, the participant will also pay for airfare and complete a Stanford Fund letter-writing shift. The funds garnered from these efforts will be used to help defray the cost of traveling trips. Generous need-based financial aid is a part of this program (see the next question).

I am concerned about the cost of ASB. Does ASB offer financial aid for participants?

ASB works hard to ensure that finances are not a deterring factor for participants. Participant fee waivers and airfare subsidies are available on a need-demonstrated basis. ASB works closely with the University's Financial Aid Office to assess each student's financial need. We use our financial aid budget to provide aid to as many participants as possible. Financial aid is offered to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international students.

Should you wish to apply for financial aid, please check the appropriate box in the "Logistics" section of the application. This will initiate the financial aid application process. If you are selected as a participant for the ASB program, we will contact you with more details. To obtain further information about financial aid, please contact ASB Financial Officer Minh Dan Vuong, mvuong@stanford.edu.

Which trips will be flying? How much will airfare cost?

Please see the courses and trips page to determine if the trips you are interested in travel by air. Airfare costs will vary for each trip. Please contact the trip leaders of these trips if you have specific airfare questions.