<p>how would you value the authenticity and prestige of being emailed an online invitation to participate in GYLC this year?</p>
<p>by "scam", I don't mean really a scam, but more of a "these 'personal' invites are mass blasted to everyone on some mailing list, you were not handpicked'. Is that how these GYLC invites work?</p>
<p>Please advice on how 'big/prestigious' GYLC is in the USA. I don't want to get to elated over receiving a 'personal invitation' that turned out to be a mass-blasted mail for every person on some mailing list!</p>
<p>Maybe it’s not so well-known in US, because mainly it targets students from around the world to learn <i> about </i> the US. Also a great international mixer opportunity to learn about international relations, cultures.</p>
<p>It’s approx 3000USD for 13 days. I can’t expect it to be free for all us internationals flying in from all parts of the world.</p>
<p>I still think it IS a mass-blasted email though. Surely there is good profit for each (international) participant who signs up.</p>
<p>If it’s anything like the “leadership conferences” that US students get invited to, it’s not a scam, but it is a money-making operation and doesn’t carry any prestige. All it tells colleges is that your parents can afford to send you.</p>
<p>yes, it is real and not a scam. However, if you are in the market for things that are just going to add to an application rather than experiences that you can draw benefit from personally, then I’d save your money because there are plenty of other things that don’t cost money and look good on an application.</p>
<p>I went to GYLC in 2006.They have some great speakers and a great curriculum if you are into things such as Model UN, and I felt that my perspective on international issues was broadened not just by the curriculum but from my interactions will people from all over the world. I was later invited to the PYIC in 2010 where we attended Obama’s inauguration and had speakers Doris Kearns Goodwin, Desmond Tutu, Colin Powell and Al Gore. </p>
<p>Its a great experience if you have the financial means to afford it. But don’t expect it to be a game changer for your application. You’ll be dissapointed.</p>
<p>All I know about the selection process is that at the end of each conference we had to opportunity to “nominate” people we know who we think would enjoy the program. Also, I have heard many teachers recommend students for the program. Other than that, I’m not sure how the selection process is done.</p>
<p>Well, I never got an e-mail to participate but I did get mailings/emails from a lot of US based “leadership conferences.” It was my feeling that they were mass/undiscriminatory.</p>
<p>Anything that cost a significant amount of money to attend and is not selective in its admission process (it’s one thing to have to contribute a couple hundred dollars to a two month selective program with meals/training included versus $3,000 to a two week program that is unselective) is “for profit.” If it’s a for-profit venture, you have to look at it like you’d look at any kind of “camp.” </p>
<p>I see these things as the “surf camp for intellectuals.” Surf camp is expensive and you sure as heck wouldn’t put it on your resume, but it’s a helluva lot of fun and learning more about a sport or hobby you are into rounds you out as a person/makes you more than straight As. If your son/daughter is into this kinda thing like surfers are into surf camp, by all means, go, but it’s not something you’d put on an application and it’s not something that they turn people down from who are willing to pay.</p>