Raymond Ackerman Academy - Application Form
The Raymond Ackerman Academy of Entrepreneurial Development (RAA) is a post-matric level academy based at
the UCT Graduate School of Business. The RAA offers an inspiring and innovative six month, full time course in
entrepreneurial development.
The Academy aims to assist youth in developing their entrepreneurial mind-set and vision. The course empowers
young people on their entrepreneurial journey while developing their business and life skills. It builds up on existing
skills and allows students to express themselves and their creativity.
One of the most important things to develop as an aspiring entrepreneur is your MINDSET. Your entrepreneurial
mind-set is the greatest thing that will determine your success. The RAA has years of experience in developing
entrepreneurial mind-sets in young people. We therefore invite you to apply to the innovative, creative and practical
course
You are your most important asset, so we invite you to invest in yourself!
CRITERIA
The course is open to youth between the ages of 18 and 30, who have been unable to access tertiary education due
to financial or socio-economic challenges.
Applicants must demonstrate an interest in entrepreneurship and business; they do not need to have their own
business.
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Age: 18 – 30
** Applicants should not turn 31 during the programme and applicants older than 29 are generally accepted
when they have had little work or study experience and who are in need of significant business and personal
development**
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Experiencing financial and/or socio-economic challenges
Matric (this is looked at on a case by case basis if applicants have not completed Matric)
Must have an interest in business (not necessary to have their own business)
No previous tertiary qualifications/degrees/national diplomas (or not more than 1 year completed
towards a tertiary qualification)
Students cannot be registered to study part time at another institution
Students must be able to travel to the Academy daily, accommodation is not provided
Each student is looked at holistically – this includes an assessment of their activities post matric, interest in personal
development through education, passion, drive, ambitions, ability to work in a team and their entrepreneurial mindset.
Raymond Ackerman Academy Application Form
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Applicants must complete the application form (see below) and submit this to the Academy by 26th May 2017. The
application form includes 4 questions that must be completed in full, these relate to entrepreneurship and your
motivation for wanting to attend the course.
Short-listed candidates will be invited to a selection workshop and an interview, after which final selection is made.
30 students are chosen per course in Cape Town.
* Please note that final selection is at the discretion of the Academy selection committee *
COST
Students are only required to pay a fee of R2 500.00 for the course.
The programme is generously subsidised by Mr Raymond Ackerman and is valued at approximately R 25 000 per
student.
We recognise that some students may have difficulty in meeting this requirement and can apply for financial
assistance. Financial assistance students will be required to participate in volunteer days.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Selection Process:
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a selection workshop and interviews on the 31st May & 1st June 2017.
You must be able to attend in order to be eligible for selection on to the programme. No exceptions will be made.
Course Start Dates:
The July 2017 course will start on the 10th of July of 2017
General Course Information:
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Lectures are conducted from Monday to Friday, 09h00 to 16h00 daily.
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This is a full time programme, i.e. it is not a part-time or modular program.
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The timetable is comprised of lectures, group work learning activities and self-directed learning.
Participation in all aspects of the curriculum is compulsory.
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All lectures and group work are held at the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business (GSB).
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Financial Assistance is available, if awarded students must participate in volunteer days.
Please see www.ackermanacademy.co.za for more details on the application requirements.
Please complete the following application form and submit together with the relevant documentation (see checklist
at the end of this form).
Raymond Ackerman Academy Application Form
SECTION 1: ESSAY QUESTIONS
Please answer each of the questions below, attach SEPARATELY to the application form.
Each answer should be at least one page (size 11 font typed or clearly hand written).
1. Why would you like to study at the Raymond Ackerman Academy? Include in your essay how you think this
programme will help you in your career and/or to becoming an entrepreneur.
2. Please write a short personal history of yourself. Include in the essay: background information, your
achievements, your strengths, areas you would like to develop, e.g. confidence, punctuality, etc. and your
biggest challenge(s) and how you overcame it.
3. Describe yourself in 3 words.
4. Please describe where you see yourself in 5 years’ time (you can include your goals; areas of interest(s); what
you are hoping to achieve in your career, etc.)
5. What is your definition of entrepreneurship?
Please complete the following by ticking the relevant boxes:
6. What characteristic would people use to describe you?
 Adaptable
 Always late
 Assertive
 Comfortable with uncertainty
 Confident
 Conservative
 Creative
 Curious
 Disciplined
 Driven
 Easily stressed by uncertainty
 Fun
 Gives up easily
 Hard working
 Hopeful
 Impatient
 Indifferent
 Independent
 Innovative
 Irresponsible
 Inflexible
 Lazy
 Manages time well
 Non-creative
 Non-resourceful
 Optimistic
 Organised
 Patient
 Persistent
 Pessimistic
 Relies on support from others
 Responsible
 Resourceful
 Risk taker
 Sad
Raymond Ackerman Academy Application Form
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Shy
Unconfident
Unmotivated
Unorganised
Undisciplined
Unoriginal
SECTION 2: APPLICANT DETAILS
Surname
Name
Date of Birth
Age
Home (Street) Address & Postal
Please indicate the suburb in which you reside:
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Mitchells Plain
Khayelitsha
Gugulethu
Nyanga East
Philippi
Athlone
Delft
Langa
Maitland
Kensington
Bellville
Kenilworth
Mfuleni
Old Cross Roads
Samora Machel
Belhar
Manenberg
Other, please specify
Raymond Ackerman Academy Application Form
South African ID no.
If non South African, please provide your Passport no. & Status
Home Phone
Cell Number
Alternative Number
Email Address
 Male
 Female
PARENT/SPOUSE/GUARDIAN/FAMILY MEMBER DETAILS (Compulsory)
Surname
Name
Title (Mr, Mrs, Miss, Ms)
Relationship to you
Home Phone
Cell Number
HIGH SCHOOL DETAILS
School Name
Year Matriculated
If Matric not Completed, Last Grade Passed?
TERTIARY EDUCATION
Have you studied after Matric?
 Yes  No
If yes, please give details of the programme, how many years you completed, year of graduation, etc.
Name of Institute:
Course name:
Subject(s):
Year Started:
Last year completed:
Graduated / Completed
Raymond Ackerman Academy Application Form
 Yes
 No
FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS
Monthly household income:
 0 – R2500
 R 2500 – R5000  R 5000 – R 7500
 + R 7500
Monthly personal income:
 0 – R2500
 R 2500 – R5000  R 5000 – R 7500
 + R 7500
Number of household members:
0–2
 2 -5  5 -10  10 +
Are you currently responsible for supporting anyone financially (family members, children etc.)?  Yes  No
If yes, how many people?
0–2
 2 -5  5 -10  10 +
Explain how you propose to pay for the programme and support yourself during the programme:
Raymond Ackerman Academy Application Form
SKILLS
How would you rate your skills in the following areas? Please note this if for information only and will not affect your
application process therefore honesty is encouraged.
1. Fluency in English (talking and writing):
 Fluent
 Good
 Average
2. Computer Skills:
 Excellent
 Good
 Average
 No experience
CURRENT ACTIVITY (Please tick)
 Own business or starting a business
 Full time employed
 Part time employed / Casual Job
 Unemployed
 Student
 Volunteering
 Other
Please give details of the activity/activities you ticked above (name of organisation, how long, your role etc.)
Raymond Ackerman Academy Application Form
PREVIOUS ACTIVITIES
 Own business or starting a business
 Full time employed
 Part time employed / Casual Job
 Unemployed
 Student
 Volunteering
 Other
Please give details of the activity/activities you ticked above (name of organisation, how long, your role etc.)
REFERENCES
Include the names of two people, who we can contact as a reference for you, this person can be from any of your
previous activities or from a previous school. References should not be family members or from more than 5 years
ago.
1. Surname
Name
Organisation Name
Role at Organisation
Email Address
Contact Number (work or cell)
2. Surname
Name
Organisation Name
Role at Organisation
Email Address
Contact Number (work or cell)
Raymond Ackerman Academy Application Form
STATEMENT OF INTEGRITY
I hereby certify that I have provided accurate information in this application. I authorise all persons or entities to
provide any relevant information in their possession to the University of Cape Town or its agent for use in
considering me for admission or verifying my credentials for admission, and I expressly waive any require notice to
me. I understand and agree that any misrepresentation or omission of facts in my application will justify the denial of
admission, the cancellation of admission, or expulsion. This is my own, honest statement to the Admissions
Committee.
Signature:
Signature of Guardian if under 21:
Date:
COURSE SELECTION:
I am applying for the following RAA programme:
 July to December 2017
CHECKLIST
 A certified copy of the front page of your South African Identity Book or passport (If you are a foreign national
please include copy of visa or residence permit)
 A completed application form and the essay questions
 Passport photo (attached to the application form)
 Certified copy of your academic certificates and/or Senior Certificate
 Reference Letter (from any organisation in which you have been actively involved e.g. school, employer, religious
institution, volunteer organisation
Please submit your application form with all the attachments by the 26th of May 2017. Applications can be submitted
in either of the following ways:
1. Scanned and emailed to: [email protected] (please type ‘July 2017 application’ in the subject line)
2. Dropped off at the Academy office:
UCT Graduate School Of Business
Portswood Road
Greenpoint
Call us on 021 406 1422
Raymond Ackerman Academy Application Form