How the BSVM application works
Bon Secours Volunteer Ministry is an eleven month program that begins in mid-August and concludes the following mid-July. Although it might seem early, the application process for the program begins in the fall and winter months preceding the August start date. The following overview of our application process should answer many of your questions and help you meet the application deadlines.

Fall and Winter Months
I. Your Discernment Process
Before applying to Bon Secours Volunteer Ministry you should take time to read through the program materials, program website, and the information about our placement sites. This is also a great time to speak with program staff about your questions and to learn more about the unique characteristics of our full-time volunteer program.

Through Early Spring
II. Prepare Your Application
Once you have decided that Bon Secours Volunteer Ministry seems like a good fit for your interests, you should begin preparing your application. To begin you should:

1. Complete the initial application ─ submit on-line, attach to an e-mail, or send through the mail.
2. Begin gathering the materials for the complete application. Your references will need time to complete their parts of your application, so contact them at least a month prior to submitting your full application.
3. After receiving your initial application, program staff will contact you for a brief introductory telephone interview.
4. Complete the information and essay responses on the secondary application.
5. Continue contact with program staff to inquire about any questions and to keep them informed about the status of your application.

Through March 1st* 
III. Submit Your Application

Send completed application by mail to Bon Secours Volunteer Ministry. Before mailing the secondary application, be sure that you have completed a preliminary interview with the staff.
Checklist for a Complete Application:

• Your primary application (if not previously submitted)
• An official, sealed copy of your transcript.
• A copy of your résumé.
• Completed Secondary Application.
• Four signed and sealed reference forms. These forms are from a professor, a mentor or campus minister, an employer, and a peer.
• A completed self-reference form.

Place all of the materials (excluding the primary application if previously submitted) in one envelope and mail to Bon Secours Volunteer Ministry. Contact program staff to confirm receipt of your application.

Through Late Spring
IV. Interview Process
Within two weeks of the application deadlines, you will hear from program staff about whether or not you have been invited to interview for a position as a Bon Secours Volunteer. If you are selected to interview, then we will arrange a series of, at least, three telephone interviews. The first interview usually lasts about two hours. Subsequent interviews are about a half-hour each. Part of this process includes the opportunity to speak with a potential site supervisor at a placement site that suits your interests as well as the needs of the community.

V. Finalize Placement and Commitment
Within two weeks of your final interview, program staff will contact you with the selection committee’s decision. This decision will identify your placement site for the volunteer year. After receiving the program’s decision, you will return a signed “Statement of Commitment to Bon Secours Volunteer Ministry.”

In Mid-August
VI. Your Commitment as a Bon Secours Volunteer Begins
Bon Secours Volunteers begin their commitment with a week of orientation followed by a commissioning ceremony. You must arrange transportation to Baltimore, MD. Once you complete your commitment as a Bon Secours Volunteer, the program will contribute up to $300 towards your travel expenses home from Baltimore.