Frequently Asked Questions

All ASB trips will depart from campus on Monday, September 7th. We will return to campus the evening of Monday, September 14th, and our programming ends at 9:00AM on Tuesday, September 15th (move-in day).

How do I apply to go on a Pre-Wildcat Welcome ASB trip?
The Alternative Student Breaks application will be available online starting May 1st and must be submitted by July 6th. ASB shares a common application with all four of Northwestern’s Pre-Wildcat Welcome Programs. The link to the application is listed under the apply tab and you’ll hear back by July 17th.

I don’t have a lot of volunteer experience. Can I still go on an ASB trip?
No prior volunteer experience is required, and many participants have never volunteered before. ASB is a great way for everyone to become more involved with service.


Where are we staying during the trip?
All trips will stay on location or near the volunteer sites. Most trips will be staying in a local church or a youth hostel. The housing sites will have a kitchen facility, a shower, a bathroom, and a place to lay out sleeping bags. Students will receive more detailed information about their housing site once they have been accepted into the program.

What should I pack?
Participants should only bring what they will need for the week. We strongly encourage you to pack lightly, as you will be responsible for carrying your own luggage. Each trip requires different attire and supplies. Participants will receive a detailed packing list from their site leaders in early August after they are assigned to a trip.

Does ASB provide storage for the extra luggage I want move into my dorm room?
Participants should only bring the luggage they need for the week-long trip, as there is a very limited amount of storage at Norris University Center for additional baggage. We recommend that families meet their student on Tuesday September 15th, Move-In Day, to bring the student’s belongings for the year, or ship their belongings ahead of time. Site leaders will be on hand on Move-In day to help participants move in.

If I go on ASB, will I miss any of Wildcat Welcome?

All ASB trips will return to campus Monday, September 15th, and our programming will be completed by 9AM on Tuesday, Sept. 15th. Participants will not miss any of Wildcat Welcome, and in fact will be among the first students to move into their dorms.

What if my family needs to contact me during the trip?
In case of emergency, parents may call the Center for Student Involvement (847-491-2350) during regular business hour. They will then contact one of the site leaders and locate the student.

Site leaders will be in constant mobile contact with the Center for Student Involvement. Students may bring their cell phones on the trip, but they will be encouraged to leave them off while working at the site. After the student’s return from the site, the site leaders will provide a time for students to call home. We encourage the students’ personal cell phone usage to be kept to a minimum.

What are site leader qualifications?
All ASB site leaders have completed a twelve-week training course on service-learning and facilitating positive group dynamics. Each ASB trip will have two site leaders whose purpose is to facilitate service-learning, ensure the safety of the participants, and serve as a source of information and advice about the transition from high school to college life. All site leaders have taken a defensive driving course and are CPR and First Aid certified.

ASB trips return to campus Monday night. Can I leave to the group to meet with my friends or go home that night?
Even though our trips return to campus Monday night our program does not end until 9 am on Tuesday, September 16th. Participants will not be allowed to leave the group until the program ends.

When can my parents meet me to help me move in?

All ASB programming will be completed by 9AM on Tuesday, Sept. 15th. Families may meet participants at Norris University Center or their dorms anytime after 9AM. ASB site leaders will help direct students to their residence halls/colleges, and will also be available to help students move into their dorm rooms.

Does ASB provide financial aid?
Yes. ASB works with the financial aid office to determine a student’s eligibility for aid. The amount of financial assistance given by ASB is based on the amount of aid the participant receives from the university.

Other:
Illegal Drugs and Alcohol will not be tolerated during ASB. All participants will be asked to sign a Substance Abuse Waiver, and this policy will be strictly enforced during the trips. Participants who do not abide by program rules will be sent home at their own expense – no exceptions.

During the trips participants will not be permitted to leave the group for other activities (e.g., to meet family or friends in the area).