Seminars and Worships 2008-Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are still not able to find an answer to your question, please contact us at seminars@calvin.edu or 616.526.8558.
What is the difference between a seminar and a workshop?
A workshop is a weeklong event that meets mornings and afternoons. Lodging is typically at the Prince Conference Center at Calvin College, and most meals are usually arranged for participants. Seminars are multiple week events. Most seminars meet only in the mornings, with the occasional afternoon session. Lodging is typically in the family-friendly Knollcrest East courtyard apartments on Calvin's campus. Participants are responsible for all but weekday lunches.
I submitted my application over 10 days ago. Why haven't I received a confirmation?
We will only send an email confirmation upon receipt of all your application components. It may be that we have not received all the pieces we need. If you are sure that you have submitted all the required components, it may be that an email has been blocked on your end or ours. The good intentions of SPAM blocking devices sometimes inadvertently block good emails as well. Please call us to find out if your application has been received. SCS cannot be held responsible for blocked emails.
Can I apply to more than one event?
Yes. Please note, however, that even if you are accepted to participate in more than one event you will not be permitted to participate in more than one event. You will be asked to make a choice regarding which event you will participate in. The only exception to this, is that individuals applying for 2008 SCS seminars or workshops are ineligible for the 2008 Communitas program.
What is a CV?
A CV, or curriculum vitae, is similar to a resumé. This document should include your training and education, work experience, publications, any awards or honors that you have received, and any relevant or significant activities such as board memberships and volunteering. The following website gives further information on what a CV is with a sample: http://jobsearch.about.com/od/cvsamples/a/blsamplecv.htm
When will I find out if I am accepted?
The application deadline for all the seminars and workshops is January 31, 2008. After the deadline, all of the applications will be sent on to the directors for review and selection. We will respond to you via email regarding your applicant status as soon as we are able, but no later than March 14, 2008.
I am not a U.S. citizen. Do I need a visa to participate in the seminar? Will you issue me a letter of invitation?
It is highly recommended that all non-U.S. citizens contact the Seminars office as soon as they receive notification of their acceptance, so that they can talk through any questions that they may have. However, it is ultimately the responsibility of accepted applicants to determine which visa is needed for participation in the seminar, and what the process is in their specific situation. Participants are ultimately responsible to obtain the necessary paperwork and appointments and to pay any necessary fees.
All accepted applicants will receive an email of confirmation, stipulating the arrangements that will be made for them should they confirm their acceptance in the event. Hard copies of this letter will be sent to those living outside the U.S. or upon request. This letter can function as a letter of invitation for the purposes of applying for a visa.
I am not a U.S. citizen. Can I still receive a stipend? Will I need to pay U.S. taxes?
Some seminars include stipends for participants, however these must be dispensed in compliance with federal and campus regulations. Participants must prove that they are eligible to work in the U.S. and they must have a U.S. tax identification number. Typically this means that participants must apply for a specific visa and (if they do not already have a U.S. tax identification number) apply for a U.S. Social Security Number upon their arrival into the U.S., which can take several weeks to process. However the process will be different for each individual depending on their citizenship, residence, and travel history. It is highly recommended that non-U.S. participants contact the Seminars office as soon as they receive notification of their acceptance, so that they can talk through any questions that they may have.
All stipends are taxable income. Non-U.S. citizens should expect that up to 30% of their stipend may be withheld in taxes. In some cases funds may be returned to the participant if they file a U.S. tax form at the end of the year. In some instances this amount may also be waived in accordance with tax treaties between the U.S. and the participant's home country.
Can I find out why I wasn't accepted into an event?
Due to the number of applications we receive, we do not respond to individual applicants on the decisions that are made.
2008 Seminars & Workshops Index
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