Are you going to be a junior or senior next year? I’m going to be a junior so it’s probably a little early to start essays 'P But yeah, I know junior year grades are supposed to be important, so if I don’t have any thats an issue… plus this means that I have to take the SAT sooN which I am not prepared for. This all would be less confusing if we knew what school were going to- when do you think we’ll find out? And what about departure dates?
Thanks for the advice about the webinars- that definitely sounds like a good idea.
This is all exciting but stressful at the same time so I’m glad I found other people in this position!
My school doesn’t want to grant me credit for what I will do abroad next year in Malaysia. Could transfer it to a neighboring school or another?? I really cannot give up this amazing opportunity, but I want to graduate on time!! I am in such a hard position omg.
Also, talking about Jordan and safety… Jordan is very safe indeed, it is a Muslim country in the Middle East, but it is not as conservative as the other countries nearby. I have friends and family who live there, it is very modern and developed. You should read more on it. You just might have to dress a little more modestly, and especially in places of worship. You should take the offer!! You are very lucky you got in, it was my #1 choice. It deffo will be a chance of a lifetime, I think you’ll love it, it’s a great country with lots to offer!
I’ll be a senior! This may be cutting it close, but would you be able to take the SAT in the fall when you get back? Or possibly start preparing now and take one this summer? I think that there’s one in May and another in June!
Unfortunately, I’ve heard that we don’t find out about our school & host families until a few weeks (maybe even just one week) before departure. This may vary depending on the implementing organization, however. My implenting organization let us know that departure dates weren’t finalized yet, but they’d let us know when they were. But, they gave us a general time frame based on the country.
You can take your SAT all of your high school career, but in many schools in the US they’re offered for free on a certain date and certain grade, look into that in your case
Also I’ve seen from my experience, from foreign students that I meet, that they get their credits transferred but they don’t receive a grade next to their credits, even if they took IB courses overseas. I’ve researched a bit into that and it SEEMS that in many places in the US, it’s like that. You’re going to have to talk to your counselor to know the definite answer.
I think this is a very hard decision, but I would say to choose the decision that will serve you the most for your future, and you will find its usefulness, I wish you all success.
What do you mean by a neighboring school?
I mean a different school, one in a different district. My school district only has one high school, so I am thinking of moving to a new school in hopes that they might accept the credit when I come back
That’s good, you should check if they will before you go abroad
Something you could consider is looking for an IB school near where you live. Then when you come back (for I’m assuming senior year?) that school will accept your foreign credits.
Another thing is that if you unenroll in your public school and then reenroll a year later, I’m pretty sure they have to take your foreign credits because I know kids that moved to my school from another country and it’s not like they have to start HS from ninth!
I kind of wish this scholarship was run a little differently; they barely provide any information on important things which makes it hard for our schools to say they’ll accept credits since they have no idea where we’ll be…
has anyone finalized if they’re accepting or not?
@waterfiji I did yesterday! 
Wow good for you!! Best of luck keep me updated on what information YES gives you are how things are going with your school 
I was an aternate but today I got an email saying I am a finalist for Bosnia and Herzegovina!!!
I’m also a finalist for Bosnia and Herzegovina!
@nonlas @world13 If you haven’t already, there’s probably a Bosnia group chat on facebook for the other finalists. Same applies for other countries. Just look under the YES Abroad applicants 2018-19 group.
Also, to all the alternates, a lot of spaces will probably open up as NSLI-Y acceptances come out in April and CBYX finishes up in the next few days, so don’t lose hope!!
I just declined my offer to be a Finalist to Malaysia for the YES Abroad 2019-20 scholarship. So maybe someone on here will get it! Good luck to all of you guys who are going to take the trip.
@kanagawa Me too! Senegal, here we come!
@hannnaaa3 Thanks for letting this group know- May I ask why you turned it down?
@nonlas Congratulations on getting upgraded so that you can spend next year abroad!
My daughter is a finalist for India!
We haven’t found any other India finalists yet, though we did find a current year participant. It was actually her seventh choice - but she quickly decided to take the opportunity with YES. From the webinar, it really sounded like many students did not get their first choice, but everyone who chose to go were glad that they had.
I’m excited for her that she will get to meet some of you at the orientation in D.C.!