chewydog

W00t w00t sore!!!! Congrats!!!! Forest, I'm sorry about your daughter, but if she is still within the age range next year, encourage her to reapply! Spike: I'm very curious of why your parents are making you buy a car in the first place, but that's not the issue at hand. I would convince them that this is a one in a thousand (1500-ish to be more exact) chance to study abroad, an that it would look really good on your college application (which would help you quite a lot). Also, it's possible that you COULD be placed in a semester program, which is during the school year, and you'll be able to work. Lastly, if all else fails, tell them that you will get a job if the program does not accept you. I know that seems harsh and bad luck, but it's a good way to convince them.

SoreSubject

Thanks chewy haha! Now it's just waiting (still) to be contacted by someone from AFS to set up an interview - apparently there were no volunteers in my area so one couldn't contact me..

Spike - yeah I agree with what chewy said. Play up the fact that this would be 100% beneficial to you in the long run. It would benefit college essays and applications. If that doesn't work again tell them it is not in stone that you are going, there are relatively 1500ish other semi-finalists, so if you don't get it you could work... Are they against you working during the school year? Because if not you could just work once you get back to America from Russia.

jdhjdh

I'm sure cross posting this is against the rules, but this is the thread that most of us have been following, and I realized after starting a new thread that I might have a better chance of a response here. Anyway... here's my question/thread.

Urgent NSLI interview/application question!

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Hello fellow semi-finalists! I have my interview this weekend, and went to print a copy of my application and guess what? You can no longer access your app and essays by logging in from the NSLI site. Does anyone know a way to get access to this? I'm sure I won't get through to anyone in Washington this weekend to ask officially.

I was thinking that maybe the American Councils website might have a link, but I couldn't find anything. Any and all suggestions are welcome. I am hopeful that someone thought a bit farther ahead, already discovered the problem, called DC and found out how to do this. Many many thanks in advance if you can help!!

hayatme

So last week I found out that I was a semi-finalist! I just wanted to know if anyone applied for the Turkey program. I also wanted to know if applying to a less popular country/language will up my chances of getting in.

Thanks!

watchmesoar

Hey hayatme! I applied for Turkey Summer. It is a less popular program, but there are also less spots for it. (There are 105 scholarships for Chinese Summer vs. 45 for Turkish) (The list is at NSLI-Y 2010 and 2011 Language Programs )
Nonetheless, we probably still have a pretty good shots.

chewydog

Well, jdhjdh, I'm not the best with the rules, and I couldn't care less unless my account is banned or this thread is pulled down. Anyways, chuck out the idea of looking at your essays and answers. Things change with time, so unless you answer something completely off, you'll be fine. See pages 7 and 8 for more help concerning the interview (Please note that I'm on my iPod, so those are the pg numbers for me. I think they're the same). I, along with someone else (sorry, bad with names), posted our interview experiences and tips and the like.

SoreSubject

jdh - Ah that is not good, I was planning on re-reading through my application before my interview in case they ask about my essays.. I'm guessing you didn't save a copy of them somewhere else? Did you try calling the number in D.C.? You might get through.

hayatme - Congrats on becoming a Semi-Finalist!

Klika22

watchmesoar--thanks for that list

jdhjdh

Just had my interview - it wasn't a problem that I didn't have a chance to go over my application or essays because the interviewers didn't have them either. They knew nothing about us except our names. Don't know if that was just in my state or all over though.

Does anyone here know how much weight the interviews have on the selection process?

93dmelo

Just had my interview TODAY! & it went GREAT! It's not THAT serious and nerve wracking. They asked all types of questions: Do you smoke? What makes you different? Why do you want to do this? The people are EXTREMELY FRIENDLY! GOOD LUCK 2 EVERYONE! Be yourself and BE HONEST!!! & ENJOY the experience!

SoreSubject

93, which programs did you apply for, and where are you from? Was there ever a question that you didn't know how to answer?

Klika22

Kind of building off jdhjdh's question--does anyone know how semifinalists were chosen? I had thought that one was chosen as a semi based on the application, and then after that it was based on the interview...Is that right?

chewydog

My theory is that the application is used to see if applicants qualify, and then the interview narrows things down. In person, they can see more of who you are. Are you friendly and outgoing? Or are you're faking it? Is it worth spending $13k to send you overseas for you to learn another language? Are you going to use this experience to help be a diplomat to other nations for America?

chewydog

Looking back, I must say that this thread has spanned for a long time. By the way, if anyone makes it in, SCREAM IT OUT LOUD! I want to know when someone has been accepted. Also, for those who haven't noticed/checked the website, there is a medical form to fill out by you, your parents, your doctor, and your dentist that you must mail in by March 12th...
http://www.nsliforyouth.org/2010-11M...uationForm.pdf

SoreSubject

I would guess they didn't do an in-depth look at your application, checking if you meet the requirements, a brief look at your essays... then once you have your interview they read through the interviewer's notes and take an in-depth look at your application.