@Yaismin Rhode Island, how about you?
@buckiebun hi! I’m going my senior year and I’m planning on asking my teachers for recommendation letters before the summer, keeping in contact with my guidance counselor back at home, and starting my common app essays over the summer so that I only have school specific ones to write when I’m in Germany. My plan for interviews is to simply tell them that I’m abroad and hope to get a Skype interview. 
Hope that helped
@orbanm19 I’m from New York!
@buckiebun My daughter, an AFS Finalist, is a Senior, so her stay in Germany will be a Gap Year for her. She applied Early Decision to her top school and will now let them know that she will be deferring her admission for one year. Just make sure that the schools you are interested in allow deferrals if you go as a Gap Year.
From my understanding, the chance of alternates going depends on your region. Some regions are much less competitive and a lot of finalists drop out. I saw this girl’s video on YouTube who is in Germany currently with CBYX. She was originally chosen as an alternate, and 16 out 17 alternates ended up going! I’m an alternate as well, so just stay positive!
@buckiebun I am a senior and I applied to the program as a gap year. I believe that most to all schools look extremely favorably upon CBYX, and it would probably be hard for you to find a school that wouldn’t degree you. Unfortunately I am an Alternate, so I have no more chances to apply to AFS. However, I have a ton of fantastic options ahead of me for college and scholarships so I am excited about that!
@buckiebun That’s exactly what I’m doing, because I can’t possibly think of anyone declining the scholarship! Fingers crossed though, huh?
Does anyone have any idea how many people usually drop the scholarship for the AFS region? I know they picked 20 alternates and I assume there are about 60 finalists per region (simple math yay). So I’m just trying to figure out the odds
Also!
For anyone who’s been picked as an alternate in AFS, I called to ask a few clarifying questions, and they said that they look at the alternate pool just as carefully as they do when they pick finalists, so it’s not random,
I have heard that there are 50 finalists in my region (ASSE). A lot of finalists drop out because they get offered other scholarships, or they have problems with transferring credits and also they get scared. The odds of alternates really depend on your place on the list, which sadly no one knows 
@hoodle7 Are you an alternate too? I am interested in knowing as well how many alternates get chosen. Especially soon because I need to send in a deposit to college!
My D knows of a Finalist from the ASSE region that also won the YES Abroad scholarship. She will go on the YES program, so an alternate will take her place. Don"t lose hope!
They choose 50 from each of the five regions. They take 250 students overall.
YFU semi-finalist notifications are out!
1-2 more weeks and the waiting will finally be over!!! @nbent412
Good luck!
Hi, I got an email right before midnight last week that told me I’m an alternate. I’m in the AFS region. I am not going to apply next year if I don’t get in but I really hope I get in! I don’t know the chances but hopefully they’re good. Congrats to all the finalists and alternates! Also the applicants for getting through such a stressful application process. I was wondering if the AFS cbyx finalist Facebook group was for just finalists or also alternates? If alternates are in it could someone add me? Thanks
@nastywoman Oh boy am I in the same boat. College deadlines are May 1st for me and CBYX is open for alternates until June! Idk man, it’s so stressful.
I’m just really want everyone to be able to have this opportunity, so I’m hoping the juniors may be a little reluctant to go because of credit transfers, because this is my last elligible year!
The finalists had to put their reply in on Tuesday for the AFS region, so hopefully alternate roles will be rolling out soon, Good luck everyone!
@hoodle7 It’s too bad but I guess we just have to wait and see. I am already so nervous because of my college decision, let alone this It would be nice if I knew everything right now so I could plan ahead…
Good luck!
CIEE Finalist!!!
Congratulations! @HongdouMianbao