All You Need to Know: THON™ Captain Applications 

By Jack Pronobis

As the summer comes to a close and the fall semester gets underway, many students will begin looking for ways to get involved on campus. One way to get involved at Penn State University is joining THON™, the world’s largest student-run philanthropy dedicated to enhancing the lives of those affected by childhood cancer. As of August 17, 2026, Captain applications for THON 2027 are open for dedicated student volunteers to have a larger role within the organization. 

To become a Captain, you must go through an application and interview process that starts at think.thon.org. Below is some advice as you navigate completing these steps: 

First, do your research. When you begin to think about what position you are applying for, it is important to look through all the committees, their mission, and captain descriptions. By doing this, you will learn more about how THON operates as one organization and see which committees and positions you naturally gravitate towards. Figuring out which roles you lean towards and what their responsibilities are within the THON community will allow you to share new ideas, expand upon existing ones, or share your passion and how it relates back to the mission of THON and that particular committee. Vraj Patel, THON 2026 Public Relations: Media Management Director said, “An easy way to learn more is to talk to students or individuals you may know who have been part of those committees to learn about their experiences.”  Another way to learn more about various positions is by visiting THON.org, staying up to date with posts on THON’s social media channels and reading THON News articles.  

Next, take your time. Throughout the application process, you will answer questions about your experiences, your story, and yourself. When you complete these questions, it is important to take your time and to reflect on what the question is asking you. “[The] written questions are the best way to show your passion, which goes a long way in the captain interview process,” Vraj said. The question portion of this process provides an opportunity for you to stand out. Make sure you are taking the time to carefully tell your story and show who you are. 

In addition, be open-minded. We encourage going into the application process with an open mind by exploring different committees and positions that you may be interested in. Be open to holding a position that pushes you out of your comfort zone, or one that might be very natural for you. “One thing to keep in mind is that you may be placed on a committee you have not applied for. Every position in THON serves and holds equal value,” Vraj stated. You may envision yourself in a position, and a Director may see potential for you in a different position. All committees of THON contribute to the mission equally and play a role in fighting against childhood cancer. 

Lastly, be yourself. Throughout the application and interview process, the Directors are there to learn about you and get to know you as a volunteer. Aim to highlight yourself, your skills, and what you bring to the team. But more importantly, the Executive Committee wants to get to know you as a person!  We are all college students working together to one day dance in celebration of a cure, so take a deep breath and show who you are. “Have fun with it and show your true authentic self,” said Vraj. “Let your personality shine.” 

Being a Captain is just one way to be involved in the THON community throughout a student’s time at Penn State. There are many other ways to be involved in THON, including but not limited to different Greek organizations, special interest organizations, or being a committee member. Each member of the THON community is important and valued, and we are all fighting childhood cancer together, For the Kids®.