FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Eligibility
How do I know if I am eligible?
Please carefully review the eligibility requirements page.
I am non-binary or gender non-conforming. Am I eligible?
TechGirls welcomes into our program anyone who identifies as female regardless of assignment at birth. Our program also welcomes people who identify as non-binary or gender non-conforming and want to be in a female-identified environment.
I am from the United States of America. Am I eligible for TechGirls?
Absolutely yes! If you are citizen and resident from the United States of America, then you are eligible for TechGirls. Check out the rest of the criteria to confirm your eligibility.
I am a dual citizen with the US and another country. Am I eligible?
As shown in our eligibility requirements, Americans who are dual citizens and living abroad are not eligible to travel to the US on the program or get a J-1 visa.
Do I have to have a background in tech to apply?
You do not need to have prior experience with coding or technology specifically. Our program is tailored to young women that have a passion for STEM (regardless of personal STEM interest) and plan to pursue STEM in higher education or their career.
Do I need to know English to apply to the program?
Yes. The application must be written in English. A strong grasp of English is necessary to participate in the program, as the courses and workshops are taught in English.
Why is my country not included?
The 37 eligible countries were selected for the program by the U.S. Department of State. Please check back in future years to see if your country is added.
Submitting the application
How can I submit a strong application?
- Don’t wait until the last minute to apply!
- Complete your answers in a second document, carefully review, then submit in the portal. Make sure you have added any additional documents in the right file type (e.g. .pdf, .jpg, etc.)
- Respond to all questions in English
For more tips, follow us on social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) to see more answers to FAQs and takeovers by recent TechGirls! You can also check out this video by Mariem, a 2022 TechGirl from Tunisia!
Can I use AI / other software to help with essays?
All answers in the application, including written responses to essays, must be your own original work, based on your own creativity and effort, without any aid or assistance from others or from any technological tools (including, but not limited to, translation services and editing software tools).
Using language copied from other applications (including those of other applicants or TechGirls alumnae) or from other sources (including websites or blogs) is considered plagiarism and will result in the application being disqualified.
Candidates are prohibited from using any artificial intelligence (AI) tool, including but not limited to ChatGPT, to aid in their written responses. The review panel reserves the right to discontinue any individual’s candidacy if found to have used AI tools in the application process.
I have questions about my application, what do I do?
Please watch this video that outlines the steps of the application process
What is a transcript?
Your transcript is a copy of your grades provided by your school. You can submit your most recent version, for example your final semester in June/July 2024. If you ask a teacher or school administrator, they should be able to help you. The transcript can be in your national language. It does not need to be translated.
When will I hear back about my application?
Applicants will be notified of their status and next steps in March 2025.
More information about the program
What is the TechGirls schedule?
Here’s what a typical day during the summer program looks like:
- 7:00 AM: Wake up
- 7:30 AM: Breakfast
- 8:30 AM - 12:15 PM: Virginia Tech classes
- 12:30 - 2:00 PM: Lunch and rest
- 2:15 - 4:45 PM: Afternoon workshop
- 4:45 - 5:30 PM: Recreation time
- 5:30 PM: Dinner
- 7:00 PM: TechGirls Huddle
- 7:30 PM: Evening activity
- 9:00 PM: In-dorm activity + prepare for bed
- 11:00 PM: Lights out!
How do I learn more about the TechGirls experience from recent TechGirls?
We share perspectives from TechGirls alumnae on our social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram). You can also read impact stories written by TechGirls alumnae. Additionally, you can find videos from TechGirls alumnae across YouTube, including this one by Minnila, a 2022 TechGirl from the USA!
What is a Community Action Project (CAP)?
A Community Action Project (or CAP) is a community-based project that each TechGirl will complete upon returning home after the program. The goal of these projects is for TechGirls to share the knowledge they learned during the program and teach others in their community. They have included coding classes, creating websites or apps, graphic design initiatives, and more. You can read about the impact TechGirls have made here!
For Parents
What is supervision like?
TechGirls will be supervised 24 hours a day. An environment will be created to address problems and concerns swiftly. Staff will assist youths with cultural adjustments, mentor, and counsel as needed. Staff are First Aid and CPR certified and will assist with any health care needs in addition to providing credible mental health resources to support any participants if necessary.
How can my child maintain other obligations during the program?
TechGirls is a very fast-paced program. While we understand that teenagers are busy with various activities, we require that participants are fully present during the summer exchange and put other commitments (summer classes, club memberships, etc) on hold throughout that period. After the summer exchange, we expect participants to balance completing their TechGirls presentation and community action project with their other obligations.
What costs are covered by the program?
As shown on the award details page, our program covers the cost of the following:
- Visa Fee
- Round trip international airfare from participant home country to the United States
- Housing during program
- Double occupancy dormitory accommodations
- Meals during program - Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Local transportation to group program events
- Cultural events organized by Legacy International
- Emergency health insurance
If you still have questions, you can contact us.
