Great American Leadership Program

Grades

Rising 9th-12th grade students (14-18 years old)

Age

High school age (typically 14-18)

Citizenship

No specific citizenship restrictions mentioned; appears open to U.S. students

Prerequisites

None explicitly stated; appears to be open enrollment without GPA or academic requirements

Steps

1. Visit Reagan Foundation website and select summer 2025 session
2. Complete online registration form
3. Pay program fee
4. Arrange independent travel to Malibu (not covered by program)

Materials Needed

• Registration form (online)
• Payment for program fee
• Contact information
• Possibly parent/guardian consent (not explicitly detailed on available materials)

Timeline

Registration opened for Summer 2025; Session 1 (June 14-17) and Session 2 (June 28-July 1) both SOLD OUT as of latest website update; appears to operate on first-come, first-served basis with limited capacity

Cost

$2,499 per student (all-inclusive of lodging, meals, program materials, activities); travel to/from Malibu not included

What Judges Look For

• Interest in leadership and civic engagement
• Passion for exploring American values and presidential legacy
• Demonstrated commitment to principled decision-making
• Readiness to engage in interactive challenges and simulations

Scoring

Not publicly available; program appears to operate on first-come, first-served registration without competitive selection process

Common Mistakes

• Registering too late (both 2025 sessions sold out)
• Underestimating the need to book early for limited spots
• Not accounting for independent travel costs to Malibu

Acceptance Rate

Unknown; appears to be capacity-limited rather than competitively selective (sold out indicates high demand but not selective admission)

Applicants

Unknown; not publicly disclosed

Winners / Selected

Limited capacity sessions (both 2025 sessions SOLD OUT)

• Register IMMEDIATELY when new session dates open—both 2025 sessions sold out quickly
• Join waitlist if available when registering (mentioned on website for middle school program)
• Budget for additional travel costs to/from Malibu (flights/transportation from your location)
• Come prepared with leadership questions and curiosity about Reagan's legacy
• Engage actively in crisis simulations and small-group discussions to maximize value
• Network intentionally with other participants—one of the program's stated benefits is 'build lifelong connections'
• Be ready to learn about principled leadership, patriotism, and civic duty before attending
• Consider this as part of a broader civic engagement narrative for college applications

How to Prepare

• Learn about Ronald Reagan's presidency and values (watch documentaries, read biographies)
• Study American political history and civic principles
• Reflect on your own leadership experiences and values
• Research the Reagan Presidential Library exhibits and history before attending
• Prepare questions about leadership, decision-making, and public service
• Develop crisis management and critical thinking skills
• Practice public speaking if possible

Resources

• Reagan Foundation website (reaganfoundation.org)
• Reagan Presidential Library online exhibits and tours (reaganlibrary.gov)
• Books: 'An American Life' by Ronald Reagan (autobiography), or Reagan biographies
• Documentaries about Reagan's presidency
• Mock crisis simulations and case studies available online
• Leadership development books (e.g., 'Leaders Eat Last' or similar)

Time Needed

2-4 weeks of preparation sufficient; focus on understanding Reagan's legacy and preparing thoughtful questions for the program

While specific past participant profiles are not publicly available, the program targets high school students interested in leadership, civics, and American history. Participants likely have demonstrated interest in governance, public service, or leadership development. The sold-out sessions suggest strong appeal across diverse high school populations, though the $2,499 cost may skew toward families with discretionary income.

Moderate positive impact. Summer leadership programs, particularly those affiliated with prestigious institutions (Pepperdine University) and well-known foundations (Reagan Foundation), show genuine engagement in civic education and leadership development. However, this is a paid program without highly selective admission, which limits its competitive advantage versus scholarship-based or highly selective summer programs. College admissions officers view this favorably as evidence of summer enrichment and civic interest, but it's not an elite-tier program like TASP, SSEP, or RSI. Best used to demonstrate genuine interest in political science, public service, or leadership roles. Most valuable when accompanied by substantive personal reflection in essays about what was learned.

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