Ascend is a remote-hybrid, 1-3 year leadership and professional development program. Ascend students gain a network and community for life, develop practical skills through resume-worthy projects that put them ahead in the job market, and have the opportunity to earn high-level certificates and (if they need it) a college degree.
Ascend is a remote-hybrid, 1-3 year leadership and professional development program. Ascend students gain a network and community for life, develop practical skills through resume-worthy projects that put them ahead in the job market, and have the opportunity to earn high-level certificates and (if they need it) a college degree.
Ascend is a remote-hybrid, 1-3 year leadership and professional development program. Ascend students gain a network and community for life, develop practical skills through resume-worthy projects that put them ahead in the job market, and have the opportunity to earn high-level certificates and (if they need it) a college degree.
When an Ascend student completes the third and final year of the program, having successfully earned each Ascend certificate, they graduate with the official Ascend employment guarantee. We do not believe a successful Ascend student will graduate from our program, move into the job market, and not be able to find work. If we’re wrong? All your money back, guaranteed.
When an Ascend student successfully completes all three years of the program they graduate with the official Ascend Employment Guarantee. We do not believe a successful Ascend student will graduate from our program, move into the job market, and not be able to find work. If we’re wrong? All your money back, guaranteed.
The admissions process for Ascend starts with a consultation call to determine if your student is a good fit for the program. These calls last 20-30 minutes, give both you and the counselor a chance to ask questions, and wrap up in one of three ways: enrollment, scheduling a follow-up call, or sending you in a direction better suited for your student.
When you enroll, you will complete two steps with your counselor: payment for a $1,000 deposit and, if applicable, scheduling an academic coaching call. After enrollment, you will receive a form in your inbox to complete your student’s profile. Your student’s academic coach will provide all the details they needs for their upcoming academic and life courses.
At the beginning of the Ascend year in August, your student will receive their Ascend Team assignment and get access to our private chat platform, Slack. Slack is where your student will connect with the rest of the class, the Ascend Team Leader (ATL), and Unbound staff. Ascend Teams are comprised of 8-10 other Ascend students and led by an ATL.
The admissions process for Ascend starts with a consultation call to determine if your student is a good fit for the program. These calls last 20-30 minutes, give both you and the counselor a chance to ask questions, and wrap up in one of three ways: enrollment, scheduling a follow-up call, or sending you in a direction better suited for your student.
When you enroll, you will complete two steps with your counselor: payment for a $1,000 deposit and, if applicable, scheduling an academic coaching call. After enrollment, you will receive a form in your inbox to complete your student’s profile. Your student’s academic coach will provide all the details they needs for their upcoming academic and life courses.
In August, Ascend will kick off with the first of four live events, APEX. APEX is held in Carolina Point, North Carolina August 11-15. For year one students, APEX is an orientation for Ascend. As a highlight event that takes place before the semester even starts, APEX is where students are first introduced to the key principles and relational culture behind Ascend.
Each month in Ascend your student will attend a Subject-Matter Expert (SME) webinar and an Ascend Team meeting. On team meetings ATL’s help students set and achieve educational and personal goals for the year. On SME webinars, students hear from intentionally selected field experts who share their experiences, lessons they have learned, and personal perspectives on student questions.
As the fall kicks off, students begin brainstorming their Ascend Project and start their courses (beginning with Unbound’s life purpose course, Navigate.) Depending on whether your student is enrolled on the certificate, still deciding, or debt-free degree path, they will also begin their first general education course or the first Signature Leadership Course.
At the beginning of the Ascend year in August, your student will receive their Ascend Team assignment and get access to our private chat platform, Slack. Slack is where your student will connect with the rest of the class, the Ascend Team Leader (ATL), and Unbound staff. Ascend Teams are comprised of 8-10 other Ascend students and led by an ATL.
In August, Ascend will kick off with the first of four live events, APEX. APEX is held in Carolina Point, North Carolina August 11-15. For year one students, APEX is an orientation for Ascend. As a highlight event that takes place before the semester even starts, APEX is where students are first introduced to the key principles and relational culture behind Ascend.
Each month in Ascend your student will attend a Subject-Matter Expert (SME) webinar and an Ascend Team meeting. On team meetings ATL’s help students set and achieve educational and personal goals for the year. On SME webinars, students hear from intentionally selected field experts who share their experiences, lessons they have learned, and personal perspectives on student questions.
As the fall kicks off, students begin brainstorming their Ascend Project and start their courses (beginning with Unbound’s life purpose course, Navigate.) Depending on whether your student is enrolled on the certificate, still deciding, or debt-free degree path, they will also begin their first general education course or the first Signature Leadership Course.
In late October/early November, students attend the Basecamp event in Florida or Alabama. Basecamp is a 5-day hands-on practical skills intensive where your student will learn to strategically manage their time and tasks. Basecamp is also an orientation to the execution phase of student’s Ascend Projects.
In the spring semester students bring their Ascend Project to life and put their plan into action through three steps:
Starting in the 2024/2025 Ascend year, students will attend an all new Ascend event held in late January. With the addition of this event, Ascend students will attend a live event every 12 weeks. This new Ascend event will focus on what it means to live a resilient life. Location and exact dates coming soon!
In late October/early November, students attend the Basecamp event in Florida or Alabama. Basecamp is a 5-day hands-on practical skills intensive where your student will learn to strategically manage their time and tasks. Basecamp is also an orientation to the execution phase of student’s Ascend Projects.
In the spring semester students bring their Ascend Project to life and put their plan into action through three steps:
As the spring semester begins to wrap up, students will attend Capstone, held in Colorado at the end of April. Capstone is not only the final event of the year, but it is also a critical part of the final Signature Leadership Course. Your student’s course instructor, Dr. Jeff Myers, will attend live, present several lectures, and run a live coaching and mentorship practicum.
At the beginning of June your student will complete any final assignments for their courses and attend the final Ascend Webinar. For all students who complete each aspect of the program, they will earn two high-level certificates in leadership and professional development. These certificates will set your student apart from their traditionally educated peers and ahead in the job market.
Starting in the 2024/2025 Ascend year, students will attend an all new Ascend event held in late January. With the addition of this event, Ascend students will attend a live event every 12 weeks. This new Ascend event will focus on what it means to live a resilient life. Location and exact dates coming soon!
As the spring semester begins to wrap up, students will attend Capstone, held in Colorado at the end of April. Capstone is not only the final event of the year, but it is also a critical part of the final Signature Leadership Course. Your student’s course instructor, Dr. Jeff Myers, will attend live, present several lectures, and run a live coaching and mentorship practicum.
At the beginning of June your student will complete any final assignments for their courses and attend the final Ascend Webinar. For all students who complete each aspect of the program, they will earn two high-level certificates in leadership and professional development. These certificates will set your student apart from their traditionally educated peers and ahead in the job market.
Sign up to receive 5 emails in 5 days that explain how Ascend works and how your student can get started.
Sign up to receive 5 emails in 5 days that explain how Ascend works and how your student can get started.
$1,000 deposit required at enrollment. Installment plans paid over 14 months starting the month following your enrollment.
Schedule a call with admissions to get your questions answered and find out if Ascend is the right fit for your student.
APEX is held in Brevard, NC, August 11-15.
Basecamp is held in late October/early November with location TBD.
An all-new Ascend event will be held January 20-24 in Florida.
Capstone is held in Estes Park, CO April 20-24.
All dates and locations are subject to slight changes.
Ascend Teams are led by Ascend Team Leaders (ATLs). ATLs are Ascend alumni or older students who have applied for, been accepted, and are specifically trained to lead a team. ATLs complete ongoing training throughout the program as well that enables them to continue building and improving their leadership skills.
Ascend teams meet monthly via Zoom to discuss the monthly webinar, support each other through their courses and projects, and receive coaching and mentorship from their ATLs specific to where they are in life and what kinds of decisions they are facing.
Each Ascend Team includes 8-10 students and one Ascend Team Leader.
Webinars are held a set time each month. Typically, they are scheduled for 7:30pm EST on the second Tuesday evening of the month. Webinars are also recorded and made available to students following the live presentation. However, students are required to attend at least 6 webinars live.
Past Ascend students have:
And many more!
It depends on the project. We have students complete individual and team projects every year and both are options.
This depends entirely on the student. Each year we have a mix students who are finishing high school or already graduated. The best way to determine if your student can manage Ascend alongside high school is to talk to an admissions counselor about the time commitment. Click here to book a call!
While ultimately it comes down to each individual student and their schedule, the vast majority of Ascend students work part or full time while completing the program.
Of course! While Ascend is not first and foremost a gap year program, it is designed with easy exit points after each year.
Enrollment in Ascend starts at $7,995 during Early Enrollment. Tuition covers your student’s Ascend Team, Ascend Project, monthly coaching and webinars, registration to four live events plus travel to the first, access to the online Navigate life purpose course, registration for the online Signature Leadership Course Series, and daily access to their coach, teammates, fellow students, and program staff via Slack.
We do offer installment plans that allow you to pay for Ascend in up to 14 installments depending on how early you enroll.
The Be Unbound Podcast teaches young adults and their parents how to ask the right questions, take action, and understand key truths that will enable them to live well, by showcasing conversations with guests who display what it looks like to be extraordinary at the ordinary.
Episode Highlights:
The Be Unbound YouTube channel shares actionable tips for students and chronicles the adventures of Unbound students and alumni.
Video Highlights:
Read what’s happening in higher education and informed commentary on the topics of life preparation, education, and Christian leadership.
Read the full, definitive guide to the Ascend program and learn how to get your student’s journey started. This eBook explains what Ascend is, how it works, what academic opportunities are included, and what the community experience is like.