@snowfinch
I’m sorry 
will they relocate you guys to another program?
@nadinerahim @Ruzzen
They sent me an email yesterday saying due to safety issues and the low number of applicants, this summer’s Turkish program is cancelled… I have the option to submit new language preferences and a very short explanation why along with new forms (due Tuesday) but it’s all very discouraging 
How difficult and competitive is the application process for NSLI-Y or Yes Abroad? I am starting to seriously consider taking a gap year after I graduate high school to participate and postponing college applications till the gap year. This way I can focus on the study abroad applications, a year+ long research internship, coursework, competitive music activities, etc. Knowing the culture of College Confidential, I am seeking advice and opinions here.
@snowfinch I am so sorry this must be kind of discouraging… I figured they wouldn’t have any students in Turkey bu I assumed they would have another country for the language instead…
@ssn365 It is really hard to gauge the competitiveness of the programs or the likeliness of being accepted. You will mostly hear that (for NSLI-Y) there is a 15%-18% chance of getting accepted. Either way, the program is very competitive. Dont not apply because of that reason though. If you are passionate, give it a shot!~
@ssn365 The application for NSLI-Y (this year atleast, it’s the first year I applied so) wasn’t too bad. The only thing you have to do for it is write a personal letter (500 words) to your host family/instructors, and write two 250 word essays with pretty straightforward prompts. YES is much more rigorous since it is a very hard program to get into. There’s a few more essays (around 6 I believe) and a personal letter; YES does not have any word/character count for their essays so they do expect you to write a significant amount. The prompts for some of the essays in both programs are also pretty similar, so it would not be too hard to finish applications for both next fall. I would advise you to look into CBYX as well and maybe even UWC? That’s two years though but it’s a great program
I know that the numbers don’t really matter, but does anyone know how many semifinalists there are?
@nadinerahim What are the essays for YES like (prompt-wise)? Also, what is UWC?
Do you guys know when the interview process will start? Does anyone know when we will start receiving schedules?
@zancarelipy It depends where you live. I didn’t get my interview email and such until January, but some people in New York have their interviews like next week.
yeah, i’m nyc metro area and i’ve had mine scheduled for the 12/18 for a little while now
so i think it depends on how quickly afs can get someone in your area and maybe your language too (since some require more lengthy visa applications)
@mysticaleyeball From the research that I have done, there are about 3600 applicants, about 1200 semifinalists, and about 600 finalists.
I’m a NSLI-Y alum from one of last summer’s programs in Russia. If anyone has any questions about the application process, experience abroad, etc., just let me know. I’d be happy to help out.
NSLI-Y is truly life-changing. If you have the opportunity, embrace it.
@college61728 how was the interview
@oralsurgery01 So my experience was super laid-back, we essentially just talked about my interest outside of school, etc. I think the focus of the interview is primarily to assess an applicant’s maturity and ability to live in a host family for an extended period of time. The key is to demonstrate adaptability, a sense of humor, etc.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Hey I am a NSLI-Y 2016-17 alumni who did a Morocco summer. If you have any questions, feel free to hit me up. Also, I will say while the average acceptance rate is 15% overall, for summer programs it’s probably but lower, because most people apply for summer, rather than year.
@college61728 how did you prepare for the interview?
Has anyone in the greater Austin area gotten an interview appointment yet?
@ssn365 sooooo for YES I’m not quite sure I don’t really remember but they’re questions that aren’t super difficult but really do make you think. they ask you why you want to do it and how you will serve as an ambassador, and why living in a country with a significant muslim pop is important to you etc just things that certainly make you think but aren’t going to frustrate you.
UWC is actually a really really cool program it’s the United World Colleges & it is a selective 2 year international boarding school. It looks super good to graduate from the school and it’s honestly so coool! i wish i had learned about it earlier so that I could have gotten a chance to apply. applications for this year have closed but there’s always next year. they have different schools located in different parts of the world that each focus on something… i know the one in norway focuses on nursing but i’m not sure about the others. it’s such a good program! also if you get in it’s a full ride scholarship!
@nadinerahim Thank-you for the info! I just checked out UWC. Can you still apply if the year you will enter is after senior year?