Hi! I’m a rising senior and this is my second time applying- last year I made it to semi-finalist (Turkish summer) but then I was rejected, and I heard the Turkish program was cancelled due to political instability and terrorism. I’ll either be applying this year for the Turkish or Arabic academic year as a gap year!
I’m so ready for applications to come out lol that’s all I can think about the closer and closer we get to September! Anyways, you guys should be sure to join the different NSLI-Y Facebook groups! This one is a way for current applicants to get in touch with alumni for advice, encouragement, ect ( Ask NSLI-Y Alumni ). This one is also a good way to connect with Alumni but most current applicants join this group, it says 2012-13 but its for all years haha (NSLI-Y applicants 2012-2013). This one is specifically for people applying for the Korean programs, my join request wasn’t accepted yet but I guess it’s a good page ( NSLI-Y Korean Applicants 2017-2018 ). This last one is one I started for us applicants from the fine state of Pennsylvania ( NSLI-Y 2017-18 Applicants (PENNSYLVANIA) ).
^^ There are a ton of NSLI-Y groups out there! If you’re afraid that your request to join won’t be accepted, it will be, don’t worry!
I think once applications are realeased some group chats for applicants may start up. I didn’t really join a gc until I became a semifinalist though.
The point is, there are a bunch of opportunities to get in contact with alumni and other applicants! Take advantage of them, especially if you’re a first time applicant and have no clue what you’re doing (like me last year haha)
I just heard about NSLI-Y at a summer language program this summer, and I’m interested in trying to apply for it. However, the only ones I’m interested in are the year programs for Korea, China, and Russia. I’m a rising senior this year, and will take a gap year if I get the rare chance of being accepted.
I did read some of the older threads for this program, and that there’s no way of predicting what kind of people are accepted, and that applications will be released soon. I already know some Russian and Chinese, but I do plan on self-studying Arabic, Japanese, Korean, and Greek.
Are there those who can talk about their application experience? Whether they didn’t get in or if they were a finalist? I don’t want to know the specific questions asked though.
@noratable If you PM me more specific questions I’ll be glad to tell you the details of my application process! I was a semifinalist for Korea and China summer but knew people who applied for the gap year.
I’m sure all of us have been checking the site everyday or have signed up for the notifications, but just in case, the applications are out you guys! Even though I’ve been waiting for it all summer, I’m almost not sure where to start lol
Is there a fee for application? I’m not sure my parents are ready to say go ahead and live next summer on the other side of the world, but if the application is free, there’s no harm in applying.
FYI, applications were just released!
Hello guys,
I’m a Junior who applied last year for Russian Summer and made it to the Semis, but was ultimately rejected for a finalist position. I’m excited to dive into this year’s application!
@Soccer1235
There is no application fee.
Hey, does anybody know the dates for the summer programs? I’d love to apply to China, Korea, and India but the website says it goes until early August. My school starts on the 8th.
I’m not sure about China/India, but I believe this year’s Korea Summer left around June 24ish and came back August 13th.
Hi! I’m a senior this year and this will be my second time applying. Last year I applied for the Turkish summer and I made it to semifinals, and then the program was cancelled. 
This year I will be applying for the Arabic and Turkish academic years! If I get the scholarship this year, I will be taking a gap year! 
Anyone else applying for China summer?
I might put China summer as my second choice… but I kinda want to put the summer program and then the year program for Korean? who knows tbh
Hey guys! I’m a senior applying to NSLI-Y for the first time. I’m applying for China summer as my first choice. I haven’t decided on a 2nd or 3rd choice. I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you as we apply (and hopefully get accepted!) to NSLI-Y.
Hey guys! I’m a senior and I’ll probably be applying for Russian academic year. Do you think that it would be okay to indicate that I don’t have much of a specific preference and would be happy with any of the programs? I do have a reason why Russian is first but I don’t really have a second preference. I’m also planning on applying to YES, CBYX, and ExCEL. I really want to take a gap year next year. If I don’t get into any programs, I’ll probably work for half of the year and then volunteer abroad for the other half with International Volunteer HQ or something. Sorry if I seem too ambitious or this is a little off topic, NSLI-Y is definitely my first choice. It would be so amazing to be able to go abroad, immerse myself in the culture, and not have to worry about anything but trying to learn the language and make the most out of my time there.
@Fangirl1999 Yes, but you’ll likely have to write an essay on why any country/language interests you rather than writing it on why one or two programs interest you.
Hello, I’m currently a sophomore and I want to apply for the Korea year program. My only worries are about the important assessments (like ACT/SAT) that need to be taken during junior year. I’m also currently enrolled in AP classes as well. So, I want to know if I’ll receive the amount of credits and stuff I’ll need if I’m gone for the entire school year. Will I be behind my friends once I get back?
@desa33 You can take the SAT/ACT during at the end of your sophomore year or at the beginning of your senior year. As for if your high school will take the credits, you’ll have to talk to your guidance counselor about that. Most students fill their credits by going to summer school before and/or after their year abroad. You may not be able to take any AP classes, but you’ll have had the invaluable experience of living in a foreign country, experienced full cultural immersion, and be fluent in another language. How many of those boxes will your friends be able to tick off? The common app (and other application forms as well) offers a spot for “Additional Information” so you could always stick in there “I was not able to take any AP classes during my junior year because I was studying abroad in Korea” if you feel it’s necessary.