Hello, just wanted to start up a new CBYX thread for this application season, since there didn’t seem to be one. I’m currently a HS senior in FL and a NSLI-Y China Summer alumna, hopefully doing a gap year. Can’t wait for the app to be released! Excited to meet fellow applicants.
Hi! I’m glad I found this thread. I currently a junior in high school. I live in Minnesota. My region is YFU. What region are you? The YFU application hasn’t been released on the CBYX website, but I went to the YFU page and the application was open there so I’ve started the application!
@nbent412 Hey! I’m in the CIEE region, which I’ve heard is the most competitive (yikes), but my family is planning on moving to Illinois soon which would put me with YFU instead. Thanks for telling me about the YFU app opening - I’ve been working on it since CIEE isn’t out yet. Guess I’ll wait until December to see which app to submit.
Anyway, have you studied German before? I’ve taken ~3 years of Spanish and Chinese in school, but I just started German last year on Duolingo.
@HongdouMianbao Yeah, that’s a good idea to wait maybe…but don’t wait too long because YFU closes in early December (I think YFU is the earliest one). I’ve heard that CIEE is really competitive! I’ve also heard that YFU is the least competitive, so I’m crossing my fingers for that!
I have taken German since 7th grade, so this year is my 5th year of German. I honestly really like German, it’s an awesome language. I’m not very fluent either, but I can hold a pretty steady conversation on some topics.
That’s so cool that you went to China!
Have you gotten any of the forms filled out for the application? I got one of my two teacher recommendations done, I got my dentist approval, and I met with my school counselor and got my transcript and her signature. I have a doctors appointment on Tuesday to get that form finished, and I know that my other teacher is almost done with his recommendation. I’m hoping to have the application turned in by mid or early November.
Have you started the essays? I have started thinking about what i want to write about, but I haven’t started writing them yet. Other than that I almost have the whole online application filled out.
Hey! I’m a senior in the AFS region. I also applied to NSLI-Y Arabic academic year and am planning to apply to YES Abroad. I’d really like to take a gap year. CBYX is probably my top choice, though. I want to live and work in Germany after I graduate.
There are dentist and doctor forms? I didn’t remember seeing those. Maybe they’re just for your region’s application? Idk.
I haven’t looked too closely at the essays yet, but I’ve already submitting my NSLI-Y app so hopefully I can use some of those essays. I mean, the host family letter was the most difficult for me and I already have that written, so hopefully with some editing I’ll be good to go. I’m also hoping that since CBYX is the last deadline of the three programs, those essays will be most polished lol
I’m a little bit worried about teacher recommendations…
I’m currently a senior who applied to NSLI-Y for Korean Year and planning to apply for CBYX. Is there a facebook group for 2017-2018?
*for CBYX 2017-2018
Also I’m in the AFS Region.
We should make a facebook group. Have you all written your essays yet?
Hello, im in the FLAG region! I’m glad that I found this forum. I have finished all of my essays. How about you? My application isn’t due until January 15th
@ayomide86 @nbent412
There’s a CBYX 17-18 Facebook group chat for applicants! We also have some current CBYX-ers to give advice. DM me and I’ll try to add you.
I’ve got 1/6 of the CIEE essays done, not including the host family letter. The app is due in 5 days lol.
For you other gap year hopefuls: good luck on all your applications! My ED decision should come out in two weeks and I think they’ll let me defer for CBYX. :^D Good luck everyone!!
Ok cool, I’ll DM you! Good luck on finishing your essays @HongdouMianbao ! I hope you have good luck, I’ve heard your region is pretty competitive. And the host family letter didn’t take very long for me to write. I just kind of wrote about myself and how grateful I am for the opportunity (assuming/hoping that I get it).
@Kttyq711 Hi! I’ve heard that FLAG doesn’t get as many applicants so you might have a better chance of getting in! Good luck!
For YFU we only have to write 3 essays and then the host family letter. I’ve written the first 2 and I’m in the process of editing them, and I have friends and family helping me edit them. I finished the host family letter. I’m mailing all of my paperwork in tomorrow because I just have to pick up one of my teacher recommendations and then I have all of my paper work stuff done. The app for YFU is due December 12th so I’m a little crunched, but it’s not as close as yours @HongdouMianbao !
Good luck to everyone! Do you know how long it normally takes for them to announce who the semi-finalists are?
@nbent412 Hi! Thank you so much, I’m super nervous but excited! I got an email a couple of days ago from Shad Solis one of the coordinators for FLAG. I have finished my host family letter and am just checking over everything else that I need to get done. I think the semi-finals are in March or April so around then? I’ve also heard that you either get a phone call or official letter from then if you reach the semi-finals.
@Kttyq711 Hi! I submitted my application last night!!! Everyone thing is done, all I can do is wait now. I’ve been talking to some people from YFU who are in Germany right now, and this is what the timeline is for YFU:
-Early December: Submit application
-Early January: Contacted about interview (YFU interviews all applicants)
-Late January: Interview
-Early March: Semi-finalist notification
-Mid March: Finalist notification
According to the people I was talking to, with YFU, if you become a semi-finalist then you basically got the scholarship. So excited! Good luck to everyone else! I think that only 2 more regions have applications due.
@nbent412 Yo no kidding I submitted my app last night too!! CIEE extended the deadline to this Friday. I was stuck at home recovering from wisdom teeth surgery anyway, so I got the rest of it done.
For CIEE, we won’t know semis until February 1 and finalists until March 27.
Hey people! I’m a sophomore in the AFS region. My application was due already. Just being anxious and waiting.
I’m so nervous! I’m in the CIEE region so I’m scared I won’t even get called for an interview 
Hey! I am a current junior. I am in the YFU region and just had my first interview! Is there a Facebook group?
Hey, I’m in the CIEE region. Can someone add me to the Facebook group?
Hello, I just got contacted by AFS, the interview for me is in February in NYC. Can’t wait!!
@Yasmin where do you live if you don’t mind me asking? I’m like 30-40 min from the city (although my interview is in Livingston, also in february)