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Wayfinders at Fresno State

Wayfinders Apply

Application Procedure

Wayfinders is no longer accepting applications for the Fall of 2024. We will begin accepting applications for Fall 2025 consideration by October 1, 2024 with an application deadline of November 30, 2024. 

Carefully read our eligibility criteria. If all criteria are met, you may proceed to Step 2.

Both the applicant and family are required to attend a Wayfinders Information Session before applying to the program. A session must be attended by the applicant and family within one year of applying. During this Information Session, all aspects and goals of the program will be reviewed and discussed during a presentation with an opportunity for questions and answers by the Wayfinders’ staff. After the presentation, it will continue with a tour of the Palazzo apartment complex, where students of Wayfinders must live. Visit the Wayfinders website to register for an Information Session date. The Wayfinders Information Session does not provide a tour of the Fresno State campus. 

Complete our application online. You will need to create a username and password to begin the application and so that you may save your progress as you work on completing it.

Please note, you will be required to upload the following documents as part of the application:

  • Personal statement video
    • REQUIREMENTS:
      • The video shall not exceed 3 minutes and 100 MB
      • BE CREATIVE
      • Your personality should shine throughout the video
      • Record yourself at different locations and activities that you participate in
      • Applicant must be in 90% of the video; the PRIMARY CHARACTER of focus 
      • Your name and the city you are from.
      • Why do you want to be accepted into Wayfinders?
      • What do you want to learn while at Wayfinders?
      • Things you like to do in your free time. Describe interests, hobbies, and recreational activities
      • Are there specific college classes you are interested in taking?
      • Why or why not?
      • What are your job interests?
      • What are you most excited about when you move into your own apartment?
      • Where do you envision yourself after completing Wayfinders?
  • A recent photograph of the applicant
  • High school transcript
  • High school diploma OR certificate of completion or equivalent 
  • College transcripts, if applicable
  • Most recent IEP or Exit IEP
  • Immunization Records
  • Optional: Recent Psychological Evaluation
  • Optional: Recent Social Assessment
  • Optional: Recent Vocational Assessment or Evaluation
  • Optional: Recent Achievement Test Results

Contact your Regional Center Service Coordinator (RCSC) to complete the online referral form.

An applicant who is not a client of a regional center may apply without a referral by an RCSC. 

Choose two professional references to complete our online recommendation letter form.

One must be from a teacher or job supervisor and another from a person who knows the applicant well and has known the applicant for at least 1 year. A letter should not come from a regional center service coordinator. Letters from a family member will not be accepted. Individuals providing references should include the following information in their letter of recommendation:

  • Occupation
  • Length of time they have known the applicant
  • The context they first become acquainted with the applicant
  • The applicant’s most exemplary traits
  • Areas that could use improvement
  • Concerns they have about the applicant (e.g. behavioral issues)
  • Reasons why they feel the applicant is a good candidate for Wayfinders

Mail your application fee in the form of a check or money order made out to Wayfinders. The application fee is $50 when all of the above materials have been received prior to November 1st. The application fee increases to $100 if any of the above application materials are received after November 1st. Mail your application fee to:

Wayfinders
2743 E. Shaw Ave Suite 101
Fresno, CA 93710

Your application will NOT be reviewed by our admissions committee until Wayfinders receives your complete application, complete regional center referral, two reference letters, and your application fee. All materials are due no later than November 30.

The Wayfinders Admissions Committee will select the most suitable candidates to be interviewed based on the application materials. Not all applicants may be chosen for an interview. The candidate and parent(s)/guardian(s) must be present and will be interviewed separately. The interview process will ascertain the following:

  • The candidate has the desire, ability and motivation to complete every aspect of the program in the expected time period.
  • The program staff and/or community resources can appropriately serve the applicant’s individual needs.
  • The program provides the least restrictive environment for the candidate.
  • The candidate is prepared to enter the program.
  • The candidate meets all entrance requirements.
  • The parents/guardians are ready and willing to allow their child to make their own decisions with the support and guidance of Wayfinders staff.

Due to high volume of applications for the Fall of 2024, our Admissions Committee will be unable to provide notification by the end of February.

In the first week of March, the applicant will receive a letter from Wayfinders indicating one of the following:

  1. The applicant has been offered admission to Wayfinders and must accept or decline the offer no later than March 15. We recommend families then apply for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA.)
  2. The applicant has been placed on our waiting list.
  3. The applicant was not selected.

*Note: You may work on steps 3, 4 and 5 simultaneously.