<p>@dory0814 </p>
<p>I wrote most of mine in a paragraph! I just put one in an essay format (without intro and conclusion) because it flowed better that way. Did any on else end up (for the first draft) with like 400 words, and then had to minus sooo many things that I wish could’ve been on the application? </p>
<p>@EmmaPotts </p>
<p>I am also trying not to get my hopes up! But Russia and NSLI-Y has just been constantly on my mind, and I can’t stop thinking about it! </p>
<p>Wow, I was so busy applying to colleges that I kinda forgot to check this forum! I am so nervous to hear back. Like mentioned earlier, I applied to the Turkish year. I have no background in Turkish but I am bilingual and am currently learning a third language. I hope that helps me! Man, good luck to all of you guys!!</p>
<p>@girlintheworld </p>
<p>Good luck to you too! I am also REALLY nervous to hear back!!! :)</p>
<p>What other language do you speak? </p>
<p>@fromUSA2Russia
I am fluent in Spanish and am learning French. </p>
<p>@girlintheworld </p>
<p>Cool! I am in Spanish 1, WAY below you! 
It is interesting though! 
</p>
<p>Have you read all the Turkish Year blogs online? I did, they are pretty cool and a lot of them are really descriptive! </p>
<p>Oh and by the way, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Sierra and I am in my senior year of high school. This is my first time applying for NSLI-Y but I have been interested in a foreign exchange since way before I was in 6th grade. I have also been applying for colleges so I have both options. If I get accepted into my first choice school and also get accepted here, I can defer for a year and still have my scholarships when I get back =) </p>
<p>@dIAMondDRAGON </p>
<p>Hi Sierra! Nice to meet you! What program did you apply for? I applied for Russia summer! Have you been on other exchange trips before? Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>@dIAMondDRAGON
Hey! I am Alex and that is exactly what I am doing 
</p>
<p>Hey guys! I didn’t realize that a discussion was already made for this years application. I’m currently a senior and applied last year but unfortunately didn’t get in. I am so nervous for the semifinalist notifications! :-S </p>
<p>@salitainfinity25 </p>
<p>Hi! What program did you apply for? I applied for Russia summer… I am SO nervous too! </p>
<p>@fromUSA2Russia
I applied for the Korean year and summer program. It seems like a lot of people applied for the Korean program which makes means there are probably a lot of competitors! I can’t believe that the notification for semifinalists is in like 3 weeks! I’m so excited but anxious at the same time! [-O< </p>
<p>@salitainfinity25 </p>
<p>Awesome!!! </p>
<p>I KNOW… ONLY THREE WEEKS LEFT!!! [-O< :-SS </p>
<p>@fromUSA2Russia - Three weeks or less!!! Hopefully we’ll all get good news <3</p>
<p>@girlintheworld - Turkish year WAHOO! Competition for Turkish year is going to be tough…everyone I’ve spoken to who has Turkish year as their first choice has studied abroad before with another program, is bilingual, or is a Turkish summer alum. Hopefully we’ll get in!! Do you listen to any Turkish music? I started listening to Yalin while writing my application essays, haha.</p>
<p>Are any of you guys who are applying for year programs also applying to CBYX/YES?</p>
<p>@evan241 </p>
<p>No, I am not applying for any other programs, but I really want to in a couple years! I don’t think that my parents would let me leave for a year until I am older than a freshmen/sophomore… Are you? </p>
<p>@evan241 </p>
<p>I’m also not applying for any other programs. I wish I was able to though. I’m still upset that I only heard about this program since last year. I’ve always wanted to study abroad! But I’m already a senior now…</p>
<p>@evan241 I hope we both get in!! I have not but I will definitely start to give it a listen and maybe try to teach myself some Turkish
I wanted to apply for CBYX and YES but I was a too old. So this is really my only option. If not I won’t be able to take a gap year 
</p>
<p>@girlintheworld - I hope we both get in!! I’m actually writing an essay about women in Ottoman society right now, which makes me even more excited to hopefully get to learn about Turkey first-hand…</p>
<p>16 days-ish guys. Time is flying by!</p>
<p>@evan241 Really? That sounds pretty cool. Only 16 days?!? Man, Im super nervous. </p>
<p>@girlintheworld - Me too! Hopefully everyone here will get an interview…Last year the notifications came out on a rolling basis so we may have some nervous fingernail biting ahead when the notifications start, haha. Starting December 1st I’m going to start checking email religiously I think</p>
<p>I have applied for 1. Russian Year 2. India Year and 3. Any Year</p>