<p>I have read other threads related to this program, but they are all about students applying to it. I only want responses from people who have participated or are close to someone who has participated, please (or if you have any type of knowledge related to it at all, such as applying, interviewing, testing, etc.). Also, I don't care if you have never heard of the program; in that case, please do not bother posting.</p>
<p>With that said, I came across the United States Senate Youth Program online, and, to be quite frank, I am in love with the idea of it. It has been all I am able to think about. Is there anyone who can convey past experiences related to it to me? I would love to hear about it from a personal perspective. The application period does not open for my state until August, but I would enjoy learning as much as I can about the program. Thank you in advance!</p>
<p>Hey there,</p>
<p>I was a delegate to the Senate Youth Program just this past March; I was lucky enough to be a part of the 50th Anniversary program as well, so we got to do a few special activities.</p>
<p>I, too, fell in love, so to speak, with USSYP before I learned of my acceptance back in December of 2011. The whole concept was so tantalizingly attractive; I daydreamed about it a lot. Naturally, I was absolutely, positively thrilled when I got in. And let me tell you, the week far surpassed my expectations, as I know it did all of the other delegates’.</p>
<p>I made many, many new best friends, from all over the country, no less. I met 2 Justices of the Supreme Court, the President of the United States, the Secretary of Defense, the Administrator of NASA, and the list goes on and on. It is a life-changing experience, and absolutely unforgettable. </p>
<p>I urge you to make every effort to put in a good application. It’s worth it.</p>
<p>Please, if you have any questions AT ALL regarding the trip, I would be happy to answer. Sharing my experiences is reliving them, so please ask any and every question that you have, regarding applications, the week itself, or what have you.</p>
<p>Best of luck.</p>
<p>AKsoccerboy</p>
<p>Hey its John =D I saw your post on facebook and decided to creep on CC for this thread. Haha. Glad I found it.</p>
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<p>Go for the application. However the process is different for every state. I know that if I would have applied in another state such as Oregon I wouldn’t have made the cut. (ie I’m a better interviewer than tester, so I’m almost positive that I bombed the test but killed the interview.) (There was also an essay to get to the interview/test round…) So depending on the state and method of application I’d say play your strengths. Find a way to convince them that you are THE person. Thats all I did. haha.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>John
PA - 12</p>
<p>Hi I saw your reply to this thread. i’m a finalist for the state of Indiana. Any interview tips?</p>
<p>Also a finalist. Interview tips greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>Hello aksoccerboy, I am currently applying to hopefully become a 2014 USSYP delegate from the State of Florida. I have a quick question regarding the application itself. Under the section labeled “Special Recognition, awards, honors”, there’s a table headed “Activity, Grade, and Commendation.” Can you please specifically clarify how to fill this portion out - especially the commendation part? I want to make sure I am filling it out correct. (Anyone else who can help, please reply.)
Thank You</p>
<p>Hi, Im applying for the 2014 year of ussyp too but the commendation part of an app just means if you got any awards, recognition, or exec positions while you were doing the activity/club. The commendation would be the name of the actual thing you were ‘prized’ with, so to say. Hope that helps, good luck!</p>
<p>Hi! Thank You for the clarification 
Good Luck !</p>
<p>I applied!! Im from Texas too</p>
<p>If you’ve been notified that you’ve been “qualified to advance to the second tier of the USSYP” does that refer to being one of top 10 state semi-finalists? Or is that a step below? Please respond!
Thank You</p>
<p>Does anyone have advice about the interview process in general? (Or specifically for Florida?) How should I prepare/ what are some focus points and topics of interviews?
Thank You</p>