Anyone on here alumni? What exactly are they looking for? I would love to apply for either Arabic or Persian. I looked at the “About the Application” section of the website and I’m not involved in a lot of clubs or organizations and I don’t play sports at all. Basically my only “award” is honor roll. Also, I’ve done only a couple hours of community service and I don’t have a job. I only have one real hobby, guitar, but I’m self taught so no one can really vouch for it (Maybe my parents can?). But I have a huge fascination with different cultures and languages. I often spend hours online watching documentaries and reading Wikipedia articles about different countries, ethnic groups, religions, etc. If I can at least show my intense passion for different people and cultures in the essay do I stand a chance at being accepted?
You have the main thing they are looking for. …a passion for learning foreign language and a strongi nterest in different cultures. Just make sure this shines through on your application. Go for it!
I would also love any advice that we could get for a successful NSLI-Y application. My son applied for his sophomore summer but didn’t even make it to the interview round. Since then I have found out that it was most likely because of his age because most participants attend in the summer of their Junior or Senior year. He is going to the Federal Service Language Academy at U of North Georgia this summer for Arabic. He also skypes twice a week with my husband’s co-worker for Arabic tutoring during the school year. He really REALLY wants to get into the NSLI-Y program this next year so any advice at all would be hugely appreciated, especially in regards to whom should do his recommendation. Thanks in advance!