Heyo! I believe it’s time to continue the time honored tradition of creating a new NSLI-Y thread. I got as far as semis this year, but I plan to apply again 
Hey, I just finished reading through last years thread lol. I’m applying for the first and only time since I’ll be turning 18 in December :(. I’m applying for Korean academic year and Summer programs, but my heart is set on Korean academic year. I’m so ready for the apps to open so I can get started! 8->
Hey!! I’m entering as a freshman this year and I’m going for the Korean summer. I’m so excited!! Oh and I’m Nguenar.
hey! i’m looking to apply to the arabic, tajik/persian, hindi, or turkish summer program and had a few questions. i know people say that all the programs are equally as difficult to get into, but of the ones I’ve listed, are any easier to get into than another? thanks!
@xxJRxx I doubt you’ll ever get a clear answer. NSLI-Y doesn’t release any statistics really about how many get accepted into each program (although you probably can figure that out by asking someone who attended) nor do they release statistics about how many apply to each program, effectively making any estimation of an acceptance rate (or anything to gauge the “difficulty” of getting into a program)
After applying for Korea and China summer and making it through the semifinalist stage, I’ll be applying again. I’m a rising senior.
I agree with Faultystart, but from what I’ve seen on different websites when I search NSLI-Y a lot people seem to be interested in Korea exchange, so that could mean more competition for that program specifically since there could be a higher amount of applicants. Also I am a rising Junior
@KenCra18 Typically larger programs have more spots. Roughly 80 kids are sent for Korean summer each year, but China, which a lot more people apply to, sends a lot more people (or so I hear). So just because a program is more popular doesn’t necessarily mean there is more competition. But I’m no expert on how NSLI-Y works.
It’s hard to say because NSLI-Y does not release specific stats, but I do know for fact that last year, 3,900 students applied. In all likelihood, China and Korea were probably two most sought-after countries. My guess is that on the average there is around 12% ~ 16% chance of making it to finalists. I believe around 35% of applicants make it to semi-finalists.
Does anyone know when the applications open this year?
I think that they come out around September.
Last year applications were released in August. I’d imagine they’d be released around the same time this year.
Hi guys! I just found out about NSLI-Y this past school year and have been waiting all summer to apply…! I’ve always wanted to study Arabic, but my school doesn’t offer it… ;( I’ll be applying for the Arabic summer with Russian as an alternate. I’m so excitedddd!
how much spending $$$ per month would a reasonably thrifty student need for Korea?
On Facebook, NSLIY announced that they hope to release the 2017-2018 application in late August or early September.
Is this anyone’s second/third time applying?
@astonishinggg If you had read the previous comments on this thread you would know that some people have applied before. This thread isn’t even that long anyway–it’s not that hard to go back and read the other responses.
I really want to take a gap year abroad and this is my only chance (a month too old for CBYX or YES and I can’t afford more expensive programs) so I am really nervous. My first choice is Korea Academic year and I think I will put China as my 2nd choice.
Hi guys! I’m a rising junior applying for my first time this year. I found out about NSLI Y in December of last year and have been researching the programs and application projects since then. I’m dying for applications to open so I can begin working on it. I’m applying for the Korean academic year and the Russian academic year, probably with the Korean academic year as my first choice but I may end up changing my mind. Out of curiosity, what made you all choose the countries and languages you did, and do you have any prior language experience in your target language?
I’m a junior; this is my first time. I’m applying for Korean summer and Tajikistan summer. I really want this and I’m already obsessing over the application. T~T Trying not to get my hopes up because of the low acceptance rate though.
Applying to Korean because I have a few good pen pal friends in Korea and I founded my school’s Korean Culture club. I fell in love with the country through my pen pals and plan on moving abroad there after college. I know basic words and can read Hangul. Also applying to Tajikistan because I’m actually half Persian but I don’t know Farsi, and I’d love to be able to learn another dialect.
Their Facebook page is saying applications will be out at the end of August or in early September.