Application Process

Candidate Qualities

In our new members, we look for people who:

  • Are emotionally mature and value sustaining relationships

  • Desire to prioritize time for community, including time for meals, meetings, chores, hospitality duties, and hanging out

  • Are flexible, and conscious of cross-cultural, inter-generational and gender difference

  • Are committed to practicing open communication with others

  • Are enthusiastic about living in community

  • Are willing to accept a vegetarian diet for all shared food.

  • Are friendly


Sophia Community in 6 thinking hats 2013 photo
Apply
Photo of kids on swing in Sophia Community backyard

Application Process

  • Visit the community for dinner, and check each other out (if you are not in or coming to Chicago, we can meet virtually, but it is not the same)

  • Submit a bio. or personal statement so we get a flavor of
    your life (that’s our application form) 

  • Be interviewed by the community

  • Read through our mission statement, our community
    guidelines    , and our conflict resolution policy

  • Provide references (former room-mates, community members, people who
    like you) that we can phone

  • If offered a place in the community, pay the first month’s rent to secure it.

  • Negotiate a move-in date (we try to accommodate the date of the outgoing members and incoming members, so it is not always July 1)