CORE Application Information

Please read below for more information regarding the application process.


Applications can be submitted at any time. 

  • Applications submitted between May 1 and August 31 can choose to be placed on the waitlist for consideration in the upcoming cohort and/or the following cohort year.
  • Submissions between September 1 and April 30 will be considered for the following cohort. 


Once submission requirements are reviewed, please click the link at the bottom of this page to begin the application.


If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact sarah.burnett@leadermont.org, or call (301) 881-3333.

CORE Participation Info

While there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to program acceptance, CORE participants are usually at the height of their career and typically possess the following:


  1. Years of professional experience: 10 years +
  2. Example Job Title(s): C-Suite, VP, Managing/Executive Director, Partner, Owner, Chief/Assistant Chief, Superintendent/Associate Superintendent.
  3. Organizational responsibilities: Decision-making, personnel, and budgetary oversight for departments/ division


Application Requirements

In order to be considered for acceptance, an applicant must:


  1. Currently serve in a senior executive role in the public, private, or nonprofit sector
  2. Either live or work in Montgomery County, MD
  3. Have the full support AND expressed permission to apply from the organization for whom the participant works
  4. Complete and submit an application for the CORE Program
  5. Submit two (2) letters of recommendation

Reference Letters

You will be required to submit 2 reference letters along with your application. Reference letters may come from your supervisor, client, colleague or any non-relative who can speak to your leadership experience and character.


Please start thinking about who you will ask to write your reference letters early, so they have ample time to submit their letters and not delay the submission of your application. Please ask the people you have chosen to send their reference letters to you. You will then upload them directly to your CORE application. There is no reference letter form or template to fill out.

Session Dates

Thursday- Friday, September 17-18 (mandatory opening retreat)

Wednesday, October 14

Wednesday, November 18 (joint session with EL and Elevate)

Wednesday, December 9

Wednesday, January 13, 2027

Wednesday, February 17, 2027

Wednesday, March 17, 2027

Wednesday, April 14, 2027

*Thurs-Fri, May 13-14, 2027 (Overnight Retreat)

 *Mandatory overnight retreats. 


Other Key Dates 


Cohort Meet & Greet 

Wednesday, August 19, 2026


Homecoming 

TBD Fall 2026


Graduation 

Friday, May 28, 2027 


Attendance Policy

No more than 17 hours of excused absences are permitted in case of a substantiated emergency or serious illness. Any participant who has an unexcused absence or who misses more than 17 hours for whatever reason will be asked to withdraw from the program. Attendance at the Opening and Closing Retreats is mandatory. If you know in advance that you are likely to miss more than 2 of the session dates listed below, you should consider postponing your application until a future year.

Application Fees

There is a $200 fee to apply to the CORE Program.

If you’ve applied for the CORE Program in the past, the fee is $75.

Participants will submit their fees with their application


Application fees are non-refundable. 

Financial Aid

Leadership Montgomery is committed to reducing financial barriers to participation whenever possible. A limited amount of tuition assistance is available each year based on demonstrated financial need and available scholarship funds.


Tuition assistance must be requested at the time of application and requires submission of supporting tax documentation. Requests submitted after an application has been completed cannot be considered.

Tuition assistance requests are reviewed confidentially and independently of the admissions process and do not influence selection decisions. Awards are intended to provide partial assistance toward tuition and are determined based on demonstrated need and the availability of scholarship funds.


Payment plans are available to help participants spread the remaining tuition balance over time.

Application Components and Info

The CORE application is comprised of the following components:


  • Basic Contact Information
  • Demographic Information
  • Employment & Education Information (alternative option to upload resume)
  • Special Awards/Honors
  • Community Service Activities
  • Open-Ended Questions
  • Letters of Reference Upload (2 required)
  • Tuition Assistance Form and Supporting Documents(optional)
  • Signature for Statement of Commitment
  • Application Fee Payment


The time to complete the application can take 30-90 minutes, depending on the resume and open-ended question preparedness. Applications do not need to be completed in one sitting. There is an option to save your progress and return later to complete/submit.

Ready to apply?

CORE Application FAQs

  • When will I be notified if I’ve be chosen?

    All applicants will be notified whether or not they have been accepted by the end of June.

  • Can I save my application and come back later to finish it?

    Yes, but you must hit “save and continue later” at the bottom of the page, otherwise your work will not be saved. The form does NOT auto-save.


    Once you hit “save and continue later”, you will be emailed a link to come back to your application. You will want to save the link as this is your only entry to your partially completed application.

  • Can I see the application questions prior to completing the application?

    Yes. You can download a PDF of the sample application here.