Prospective Blue Coats
Are you passionate about FVSU? Are you eager to volunteer? Are you a leader on campus? If so, then you’re Blue Coat material.
Applicants who meet the following criteria for the Fall selection process will be considered for Blue Coat membership and members in good standing with the group will retain their Blue Coat status until graduation:
- Full-time student
- In good academic and disciplinary standing with the university
- Maintenance of a 2.75 or higher GPA
- Attended Fort Valley State University for at least two semester.
- Must not be graduating from the university any earlier than 1.5 years after completing the process.
The selection process has three stages: application, interview, and candidate. As an applicant moves through each stage, the Blue Coats selection committee will make recommendations to the advisor about the applicant’s ability to serve the Fort Valley State University through Blue Coats. Below is a breakdown of each stage in the process.
Application Stage
The application portion of the selection process is to provide the committee with an initial understanding of how the applicant can serve the Office of University Events, University Advancement, the President's Office, and the university as a whole. The application process has three distinct parts. It is recommended that these steps are done in order to prevent confusion.
Electronic Application Form – Please answer all questions to the best of your ability. CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION FORM
- Essay Response – At the end of the application form, you will have the opportunity to attach a response to the following essay question:
“In this response, you are to address the university’s alumni and donors on what drives your commitment and passion to FVSU. Express and share your story and why you would like to be a Blue Coat. Explain what skills and values you can bring to the Blue Coats. As you answer this, please keep in mind the qualities of a Blue Coat: well-intentioned, visible service and leadership, and best suited for the purpose.”
Response format: A minimum of one (1) page, double-spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman or Calibri font, 1″ margins all around.
- Resume – At the end of the application form you will be able to upload your resume. If you would rather send your resume via email, you may do so to bluecoats@fvsu.edu.
- Two Letters of Recommendation – Recommendation letters must be submitted directly from the author of the letters. Recommendation letters may be submitted by one of the following methods: Email (preferred) – Directly to bluecoats@fvsu.edu Campus Mail OR Sent to the Huntington Hall, ATTN: Karin Vinson
Decision letters denoting if an applicant moves forward in the process, or not, will be emailed according to the schedule.
Interview Stage
The interview stage is the selection committee’s opportunity to have personal time to learn more about the remaining applicants. The panel will ask questions to help determine an applicant’s ability to interact with the university’s top alumni and friends and the desire to serve the Office of University Events, University Advancement, the President's Office. Interviews should not last more than 25 minutes.
Final decision letters will be emailed according to the schedule.
Candidate Stage
Continuing applicants are required to attend a boot camp and a number of mandatory training events. This allows the current Blue Coats, University Advancement and or Office of the President staff, and the leadership of the division’s volunteer groups to become familiar with applicants. It is important to be yourself. The organization is unique because of its diverse leaders, with different personalities and different leadership experiences. After the boot camp and mandatory trainings have been completed, the selection committee will determine the second cut.
Decision letters denoting if an applicant moves forward in the process, or not, will be emailed according to the schedule.
Contact Information
Karin Vinson, Advisor
478-825-4284