• Self-motivated, self-aware, inquisitive, early-mid career professionals who are committed to accelerating positive change in their communities and see themselves as future leaders of St. Louis and beyond.

• Recent graduates from undergraduate and graduate programs as well as those with several years of work experience.

• Competitive applicants to the Coro Fellows Program are those who can engage in a program that reflects the current pace of public affairs demands stamina, rigorous thinking and analysis, and a deep, self-reflective approach to learning.

• Those who are U.S.-based or have U.S. work authorization.

References can be professors, coaches, supervisors, colleagues, or mentors. Do not ask friends or family members to submit a reference. Consider asking for a recommendation a month in advance of the deadline, so that references have ample time to submit through the reference form.

References can be either professional and/or academic contacts. Be sure that they can speak to your leadership capabilities in different settings. For example, don’t ask for two references from the same internship. Coro strongly recommends that applicants create their application account, review the application requirements, and submit their applications well before the deadline. Applicants are responsible for ensuring all application requirements are met, including all recommendation letters being sent to and received by Coro.

There is no tuition associated with participation in the Coro Fellowship. Coro provides qualifying Fellows who request financial support with a monthly stipend to defray living expenses during their nine months in the program. Stipends are based on financial need, and monthly payments typically range between $500 to $1,200.

Coro does not provide housing. Program staff will share leads on housing but cannot guarantee a match. Some Fellows choose to find housing together, which is reliant on the interest and initiative of individual Fellows. Most weekly seminars for Coro St. Louis take place at Delmar DivINe, which also has residential apartments. Because we are office tenants at Delmar DivINe, our Fellows are eligible for discounted rent for these apartments.

No. While many applicants do come from a political science or related background, public affairs is a multifaceted arena that requires and benefits from a wide variety of experiences and knowledge. We have had Fellows with formal education in law, social work, public health, music, biology, international studies, engineering, entrepreneurship, communications, history, business, etc. and they all have contributed value to and benefited from the program.

Similar to the Coro Fellows Program in other centers, the program in St. Louis will require you to engage in the entire metropolitan area and beyond. Because of the nature of public transportation infrastructure in St. Louis, it is highly recommended that you have access to a personal vehicle while participating in Coro in St. Louis.

That being said, there are many St. Louisans who rely on public transit daily and there are a few Fellows who’ve been determined to make it work by the use of public transit, ride sharing, and carpooling with cohort members. It is up to you to decide whether this is a challenge you are willing and able to navigate while also striving to meet the demands of a rigorous program.

Coro methodology and basic program elements are present in all of the Coro centers, but there are slight variations in delivery. For example: Northern California runs a 7-month program as opposed to our 9 months; Southern California has two spring projects of 4 weeks apiece as their culminating experience, whereas Fellows in St. Louis will secure their final placement in the spring for a 6-week period; etc.

We are able to accept international applicants who are eligible for an OPT visa. Unfortunately, we are not able to sponsor work visas.

During the nine months of your participation in the program, Coro is expected to be your primary commitment. Due to the significant time commitment required of Fellows, any regular employment, regular and significant volunteer activities, other leadership programs, or concurrent academic coursework is not permitted. Some Fellows have engaged in part-time, irregular work such as babysitting and driving for rideshare companies. This is okay so long as it does not interfere with your ability to be a fully engaged Fellow and keep up with your responsibilities to your placement host, your cohort, and the staff. In other words: your commitment must be flexible enough to be able to cancel it if a Coro need arises.

The Coro Fellows Program is a significant element of your career experience and the relationships you develop may lead to a job right out of Coro or perhaps down the line. Each Coro center, alumni, and friends can post job offerings to a national Coro jobs board. Of recent classes, about half of the jobs Fellows secured after completing Coro were related to the Coro Community. That being said, Coro is not a career placement service. We can assist and provide connections, but finding you a job is not our official role and it will be up to you to follow through with the connections and access you are provided.