Selection Criteria & Eligibility 

The Most Promising Multicultural Students program is an opportunity for you to launch a career in advertising, marketing, media, or communications. You'll receive the invaluable experience of networking with leading industry professionals and feel the excitement of the ad business by visiting the nation’s top ad agencies, advertisers, and media companies. Most Promising students also take part in the Most Promising University—an extensive, industry-focused professional development workshop, powered by Omnicom Group; attend exclusive recruiting events and are honored at the Building Bridges for Our Future Awards Luncheon in New York.

Eligibility Requirements

  • U.S. citizen or permanent resident of African, Asian, Latine, Middle Eastern, Native American, or Pacific Island descent.
  • Undergraduate student with senior standing, who will graduate December 2022, May, and August 2023.
  • Be in good academic standing at your college or university.
  • Committed to attending all facets of the Most Promising Multicultural Students Program, February 6-9 OR February 13-16, in New York City. 
  • One (1) recommendation from a college advisor or a college professor or an AAF-affiliated College Chapter or invited college/university, a local AAF advertising federation member, or a senior-level ad professional representing one of the AAF's corporate members.
  • Current dues-paying AAF college chapter of Unaffiliated Student member. (Dues must be received by or before November 1, 2022.)

Required Submission Materials

All materials outlined below must be submitted online (with the exception of the official transcript). The name on the application must match the name on the resumé, transcript, and ID.

All materials must be received no later than Friday, October 21, 2022, at 11:59 pm ET. 


Written Essay Or Video Response 

Please provide a response to each of the essay questions below. Each written response should be a 300-word max and video responses should be no longer than 1 minute and 30 seconds. Indicate in the text box if you will be submitting the video response instead of a 300-word essay:
  • Why is diversity in advertising important?
  • How do your skills and experiences enable you to become successful advertising professional?
  • Can you describe a time when your work was criticized? How did you handle it?
  • How do you stay current in what is happening in the advertising industry?
  • List 3 reasons you chose to study advertising, and what is the greatest value you can contribute to the field?

Resume + Community Involvement/Volunteering

Applicants must submit a two-page PDF of their resume and any current community/volunteer service. For community/volunteer service please include: the organization(s) name, length of service, estimated volunteer hours per month, as well as contact information for advisors where applicable. Do not include a photo on your resumé.

Recommendation Letter

Submissions must include at least one (1) recommendation letter from a faculty advisor or nominator in PDF format. Advisors must be from an AAF-affiliated College Chapter, a College/University Advisor, College/University Professor, Local Advertising Club Member or Senior-Level Ad Professional.


Tagline & Hashtag

A tagline or hashtag must be written by the student and promote his/her talents. Both the hashtag and tagline will be used for an awards luncheon slideshow if the applicant is selected and are a great way to reflect the applicant's personal brand. Taglines should not exceed 12 words and hashtags should be 1-3 words.


Professional Headshot

One professional photo in business attire must be submitted for publication and promotional purposes. Photos will not be viewed by the selected committee. Specs: 300 dpi, approximately 4"x6," JPG format only.


Portfolio

Applicants with an interest in creative positions should submit 3-5 pieces from their portfolios. JPG or PDF format only.


Academic Standing

All students need to submit proof of academic standing when submitting their application. This may be in the form of an unofficial transcript. If accepted to the MPMS program, all students must send in an official electronic transcript: You may request an official electronic version of the transcript from your school website and have it sent directly to LeAirra Lacey at [email protected].

If you have any questions, please contact LeAirra Lacey at [email protected].

Now Accepting Applications
Deadline: October 21, 2022

Apply Now