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Program Overview

The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) is a unique and annual educational experience for outstanding high school students interested in pursuing careers in public service. Typically, two student leaders from each state will spend a week in Washington, DC experiencing their national government in action. Selected delegates will hear major policy addresses by Senators, Cabinet Members, officials from the Departments of State and Defense and directors of other federal agencies, as well as usually participate in meetings with the President and a Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. All transportation, hotel and meal expenses will be provided by The Hearst Foundations. In addition, each delegate is awarded a $12,500 college scholarship for undergraduate studies, with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science.

The 65th annual United States Senate Youth Program Washington Week will be held in-person in Washington, DC from March 6-13, 2027. Selected delegates must attend Washington Week to receive the scholarship.

Application Instructions

PLEASE REVIEW THIS WEBPAGE IN FULL BEFORE STARTING YOUR USSYP APPLICATION.

District of Columbia public, public charter, and private high school juniors and seniors who possess a strong interest in government, public service and history are encouraged to apply for the 2026-27 United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP). Interested students must be actively serving in qualified leadership positions (per the USSYP official criteria), enrolled in high school, and living in the state that they will represent for the entire 2026–27 school year.

All student leadership positions are subject to the judgment and verification of the state selection administrators.

Examples of qualifying leadership positions are below:

• Student body president, vice president, secretary or treasurer
• Class president, vice president, secretary or treasurer
• Student council representative
• A National Honor Society officer (including discipline-based Honor Societies such as the National English and Social Studies Honor Societies that include service components)
• Student representative elected or appointed (appointed by a panel, commission or board) to a local, district, regional or state-level civic, service and/or educational organization approved by the state selection administrator
• JROTC students who hold officer-level leadership positions, often called Cadet Corps Commanders, within their cadet corps for the entire academic year.

To apply, eligible students must complete/submit the following:

1. An online application by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026

2. Parent/Guardian written consent (required for students under 18 years of age)

   • For applicants under the age of 18, written parent/guardian consent is required for eligibility. This authorization permits the submission of materials containing the student’s personally identifiable information (PII) and confirms the student’s ability to participate in the week‑long Washington Week program (if selected) under the conditions set forth in the rules and regulations of the 2027 USSYP Brochure.

   • Written parent/guardian consent must be submitted via email to Emily Webster, State Selection Coordinator, at [email protected].

   • No follow-up with principals, counselors, or adult advisors will occur until this is received!

3. Official student transcript

4. A personal essay describing each of the following elements as they pertain to you:

   • Current elected student position held and all past involvement in student government/leadership;

   • Activities and achievements that demonstrate leadership in school and community that specifically support your desire to serve as your USSYP state delegate;

   • Involvement in community service initiatives or programs outside of school;

   • How your participation in USSYP will enhance your understanding and interest in the political and governmental process of the United States;

   • Share ways in which you think being chosen for USSYP will help you explore some of the most important questions you have at present about the challenges facing the country.

   • NOTE: The personal essay must be double spaced in Times New Roman, 12-point font and must not exceed 3 pages in total. References must be cited.

5. A persuasive essay researched and written on a topic of social significance related to a contemporary state, national, or world event. Select a topic important to you, take a stand, relate its importance to you and defend your position. The essay will be judged on organization, ideas and content, evidence of personalization, and writing conventions (including citation of sources).

   • NOTE: The persuasive essay must be double spaced, in Times New Roman, 12-point font and must not exceed two (2) pages in total. References must be sited.

6. A video presentation on this topic: Imagine that you are a newly elected Mayor or House Representative of the District of Columbia. Describe who you are and why you are proud to represent the District of Columbia. Tell us the personal characteristics you feel will make you an effective leader in the District. Note which legislative initiatives you will champion and why they are important to you and your constituents. Please note any historical leadership figures you would like to emulate.

   • NOTE: Prepare a short video presentation, no more than 3 minutes in length, to be judged for eloquence, vocabulary, originality, organization of presentation, knowledge of any material or content presented, clarity of artwork (charts, graphs, slides if used) and overall presentation.

7. Two letters of recommendation must be provided:

   • One letter from your high school principal or counselor

   • One letter from the adult advisor of the organization or student body entity with which you currently hold an officer position

Application Process

Please be sure to follow the instructions and to ask questions if necessary. All deadlines are final and instructions must be strictly followed.

The application process is as follows:

• Eligible students will submit their application electronically by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026 (no exceptions).
• Within three business days, the student will receive a link to an online folder where the student will be able to submit/upload their required application documents. Do not share this link with anyone. The folders are secure but will be available to anyone with the link.
• Applicants must keep up with the submission of all application materials:
  • Completed online application
  • Parent/Guardian written consent (required for students under 18 years of age)
  • Official transcript
  • Personal essay
  • Persuasive essay
  • Video presentation
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Once parent/guardian written consent is received (if under 18), student identified school representatives will be sent a link to another secure folder to upload the official transcript and recommendation letters.
• All application materials must be received, whether submitted electronically or by mail, by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026 (no exceptions).

If the student has opted to mail in these materials, they must be sent to the address below:

Emily Webster
Office of the State Superintendent of Education
Division of Postsecondary and Career Education
1050 First St. NE, Fifth Floor
Washington, DC 20002

Special Notes

• If any of the above is missing from the final application packet, the application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.
• There is no limit on how many students can apply from each DC public, charter, and private high school.
• If an applicant becomes a semifinalist, the student must be able to participate in an interview. Interviews will be virtual and sign-ups are on a first-come, first-served basis. If the applicant is not able to make the interview date due to extenuating circumstances, they must communicate this to Emily Webster, State Selection Coordinator, at [email protected], as soon as possible.

Selection Timeline

• Applications will be received until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. All applications received are considered final. Please only submit one application per student.
• Semifinalists will be contacted in early November to schedule an interview.
• OSSE will notify USSYP of the selection of two delegates and two alternates in early December.
• The USSYP and the Hearst Foundations will announce the two delegates and two alternates from each state in December. Upon receiving confirmation of the DC selections, OSSE will also notify all applicants of their status via email.
• The two delegates from the District of Columbia will attend Washington Week during the week of March 6-13, 2027. Please visit the program website for more information about Washington Week, program rules and scholarship rules.

For more information or questions, please contact Emily Webster, State Selection Coordinator, at [email protected].

Office of the State Superintendent of Education
Division of Postsecondary and Career Education
1050 First St. NE, Fifth Floor
Washington, DC 20002

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Additional Resources

• Official USSYP website
• 2027 USSYP Brochure