<p>Me too, I only had one interviewer. Turkey - I heard it was one of the least competitive countries. </p>
<p>Chewy: Stop it! You’ll be fine. Stay POSITIVE!</p>
<p>Thanks everyone =] thing is, I’ve had my interview already, but I’m not exactly sure of how I did. Also, since I’m a freshman (yes, fresh meat indeed), I probably would have less of a chance to get in than a senior. Who knows? I just want to know soon. >_<</p>
<p>Well don’t stress about it, since there really isn’t anything you can do about it now! If all things were the same, they probably would pick the senior since the senior can’t apply anymore. But being that there was a written application, AND interview, I think that there it would be really difficult to be viewed exactly the same as another applicant. It probably has to do more with maturity, and being older doesn’t necessarily make one more mature. NSLI must accept SOME freshmen, and maybe you’ll be one of them!!:] But even if you aren’t, you have a few more years to apply, and you’ll be so much more prepared than many of the other applicants.</p>
<p>ok, so anyone from Florida… I’m still convinced that the interview is a group. My email said the “event” is 10- 12. So unless there is going to be more than one interviewer, then it’s a group interview. Does anyone know?</p>
<p>Thanks Klika! Now I can at least feel like there is a ray of hope.</p>
<p>Drummer: Unless Florida has only one volunteer, it should be one on one. It wouldn’t be fair for someone to have a longer time to cook a good story up while another is stuttering their answer out. It seems to me that it’s a first come first serve sort of system.</p>
<p>I received my NSLI-Y Semi-Finalist e-mail and I am going to have a phone interview…</p>
<p>Chewydog, If I were choosing students for NSLYI, I would invest in students who showed a commitment to the language. I wouldn’t necessarily choose an older student just because they wouldn’t have another chance. If they had said they planned to major/study that language/region, I would seriously consider them. However if I thought they were just doing it for an adventure, I would prefer to invest in the younger student. There is at least one student on Culture Shocked Forum who started at a younger age, and has been chosen every year for two or more years and is in the running again this year. The goal is to develop U.S. citizens with knowledge of a high need language and a commitment to learning it. The younger student has greater potential than the older one. (Of course this is exactly what my younger son wants to hear and my older daughter does not, but I believe that is the theory behind the program). For older committed students, there are always the language flagships at the universities.</p>
<p>Hi everybody! I’m from Montana and i just got interviewed, i dont really think i stand a chance tho because i am from a small town. Do you guys know when they tell us if we got the scholarship or not? i cant wait =) this is exciting!!!</p>
<p>marijke16–good luck! We’re supposed to find out in April.</p>
<p>Marijke16- I don’t think that your geographic location matters…it’s all about merit. What languages/durations did you apply for?</p>
<p>I definitely agree with watchmesoar. Location would be irrelevant.</p>
<p>I was rejected last year, but this year I’m a semi-finalist. I had my interview a couple of weeks ago, back in January. Since I couldn’t go to the group one, I went to the one with local volunteers, and it was very chill-- I don’t think anyone should be worried about the interviews, especially because it’s a small portion of the application (as I was told). All they ask is stuff about you, your family, your region, etc. Don’t forget to fill out the preliminary interview paper-- though I didn’t and it’s not important, but it’ll save you some time.</p>
<p>My interview is this Saturday, and I just found out it was a group interview. Any tips on group interviews? I’m really stressed!</p>
<p>I googled Group Interview Tips and most of them came up for jobs, like the one below, but they offer some beneficial tips, you would just need to edit some of them to the NSLI-Y program.</p>
<p>Before you begin the interview introduce yourself politely to the other candidates. You will be observed from the word go
It is important to be seen as an active participant rather than merely an observer. Contribute your views and ideas while also listening to the other candidates</p>
<p>Appear confident but avoid coming across as aggressive</p>
<p>Avoid dominating the conversation and don’t interrupt the other candidates</p>
<p>Make sure that you take criticism and give feedback constructively</p>
<p>Give praise when possible and acknowledge valuable contributions from other candidates</p>
<p>Avoid obvious power conflicts as these will make you appear uncooperative and unprofessional</p>
<p>Stay cool under stress</p>
<p>Be aware of your body language. This is something that will be carefully observed. Make sure you are sending the right non-verbal message</p>
<p>With many candidates all trying to contribute, someone may make your point first. If this happens, think of a statement that adds to this point. This demonstrates that you listen actively and think on your feet</p>
<p>Prepare meaningful questions to ask. You will be asked at some point if you have any questions and you will stand out from the other candidates if you have a planned list of insightful questions to ask</p>
<p>Do background research on the company to help you plan your questions and interview answers</p>
<p>Be aware of the interviewers throughout so you can catch any important cues</p>
<p>Send a thank you letter to each interviewer as soon as possible afterwards.</p>
<p>From [All</a> About Group Interviews](<a href=“http://www.best-job-interview.com/group-interviews.html]All”>All About Group Interviews)</p>
<p>Thanks again everyone! Mejike, I completely doubt (even as the eeyore here) that your location has anything to do with your qualification unless you have issues adapting to a large (and more often than not crowded) city. Don’t worry, be happy, and DON’T become me when I resorted to hugging my Teddy =]</p>
<p>Congrats to EVERY semi-finalist. I wish you all the luck!! I read your comments on what qualification NSLI program is looking for. I think the language aspect is critical. My daughter did not specific her language skill, which proved to be deadly. She will apply again in her senior year. Do you think it’s pure merit based and not need base. I called the number to ask but they told me nothing :))</p>
<p>Well to be honest, on the application I do not remember specifying anything about my family’s income…so I would say it is merit based.</p>
<p>Thanks for those tips on group interview!</p>
<p>No problem!</p>
<p>I have my interview tomorrow ;)</p>
<p>Oh! Best of luck to you then Sore! Think of a hot dog cheering you on with bright pickle-green pompoms! It’ll relax you…I guarantee.</p>