First Wave Ensemble
and Affiliated Artists

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Application for Admission to the
First Wave Spoken Word and
Urban Arts Learning Community
at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Vision

The First Wave Spoken Word and Urban Arts Learning Community is a cutting-edge multicultural artistic program for incoming students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Bringing together young artists and leaders from across the U.S., the First Wave offers students the opportunity to live, study, and create together in a close-knit, dynamic campus community. Administered by the Office of Multicultural Arts Initiatives, the First Wave Learning Community is the first university program in the country focused on spoken word and hip-hop culture. The inaugural First Wave cohort of 15 students began their UW-Madison career in the fall 2007 semester.  We are currently looking for the next group of motivated students to join the First Wave Learning Community in 2008.

Eligibility

Any applicant to the UW-Madison – incoming freshmen and transfer students – may apply to join the First Wave. Students must first be guaranteed admission to UW-Madison before they will be considered for the First Wave.

Deadlines

Applications to UW-Madison and the First Wave are reviewed on a rolling basis, starting September 15, 2007. The application deadline for UW-Madison is February 1, 2008 and for First Wave is February 15, 2008.

Paper applications may be mailed to:

First Wave Admissions Committee / 357 Bascom Hall / 500 Lincoln Dr / Madison, WI 53706

A. Personal Information

Student's Name (Last, First, Middle):
    
Street Name & Number:
    
City, State, Zip:
    
Home Phone:
    
Cell Phone:
    
Email Address:
    
Date of Birth:
    //
Gender:
    Male       Female  

Race/Ethnicity (check all that apply)

    African American / Black
    Asian American / Pacific Islander
    Caucasian / White
    Latino / Hispanic
    Native American / American Indian
    Other   

Eligible for the free or reduced–cost hot lunch program:
    Yes       No  

Residency:
    U.S. Citizen       Permanent Resident       Non–Resident Alien  

Will you need any accommodations due to a physical, emotional, or learning disability?
    Yes       No  

If Yes, please describe:
    

Are you a member of other UW-Madison programs? (check all that apply)

    Chancellor's Scholars
    McBurney Resource Center
    TRIO
    POSSE Program
    PEOPLE Program
    Powers Knapp
    Other   

Extra Curricular Activities & Interests:
    

B. Short Answers

1. Please explain why you want to participate in the First Wave Spoken Word & Urban Arts Learning Community at the UW-Madison.
    

2. How does your participation in the First Wave fit into your academic and career goals?
    

3. Please describe your artistic experience and why creative expression is important to you.
    

4. Please share an instance in your life when you showed leadership in your community and/or school.
    


C. Work Sample

1.Please submit 1-3 samples of your work. This can be in the form of a document, audio file (.mp3 format), digital video, graphic design, or other media. This is important so that we can get a better sense of your work.

2. Please submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher, mentor, or other adult leader that can comment on your qualifications for the First Wave.

Please send your work sample and letter of recommendation to:

    First Wave Admissions Committee
    357 Bascom Hall
    500 Lincoln Drive
    Madison, WI 53703

First Wave Spoken Word and Urban Arts Learning Community Interest Form

Name (Last, First, Middle Initial):
    
Date of Birth:
    
Street Name & Number:
    
City, State, Zip:
    
Home Phone:
    
Cell Phone:
    
Email Address:
    
Date of Birth:
    //
Gender:
    Male       Female  

Race/Ethnicity (check all that apply)

    African American / Black
    Asian American / Pacific Islander
    Caucasian / White
    Latino / Hispanic
    Native American / American Indian
    Other   

GPA:
    
SAT Score (If Applicable):
    
ACT Score(If Applicable):
    
Extra Curricular Activities & Interests:
    

Are you a U.S. citizen or permanent resident?
    
Have either of your parents received a four-year college degree?
    
Please tell us why you want to participate in the First Wave Learning Community at the University of Wisconsin at Madison:
    

Note: To be considered for the First Wave, you must first be admitted to UW-Madison and complete the First Wave application. The First Wave application is available online and in paper form.

Questions?
Contact Josh Healey at jghealey@wisc.edu or 608-890-1006 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

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