Yes, you're right. NSLI-Y is definitely not the same thing as CBYX. So now, I bring you my story of how I changed programs.
To make the story short, I didn't make it into NSLI-Y. In fact, I didn't even make it to the semi-finals. I had found out about the program (which you can read more about here) about a week before the deadline, and started my application without really knowing about the hallmarks of a successful study abroad student. There's also a few more reasons for why I didn't get the scholarship, but I won't go into much detail about it. The application consisted of the following:
-Personal Info
-Activities, Awards, and Hobbies
-Host Family Letter
-Teacher Recommendations
-Short Essays
-Medical Forms
-Pictures
So here's where I majorly screwed up: I viewed this study abroad application similar to a college admissions one. Oh man, was that a bad mistake. I'll just leave it at that. When the rejection letter came, I was really, really bummed out. I thought I had a good chance, but it was all in my head. There were many competitive students out there, and I just didn't put my best foot forward. To be honest, I rushed those essays and was a bit too emotional in the host family letter.
Afterwards, I headed over to Exchanges Connect, the State Department's version of Facebook for exchange students. I was greeted by a flood of "ACCEPTED!!!" posts. Great. That just made me feel great. But that day, on Exchanges Connect, I also learned that NSLI-Y wasn't the only scholarship available. There was also CBYX, and I proceeded to learn more about it (well, I knew about it a little beforehand, but that's part of the "other reasons" I won't bother going into).
To make the story short, I didn't make it into NSLI-Y. In fact, I didn't even make it to the semi-finals. I had found out about the program (which you can read more about here) about a week before the deadline, and started my application without really knowing about the hallmarks of a successful study abroad student. There's also a few more reasons for why I didn't get the scholarship, but I won't go into much detail about it. The application consisted of the following:
-Personal Info
-Activities, Awards, and Hobbies
-Host Family Letter
-Teacher Recommendations
-Short Essays
-Medical Forms
-Pictures
So here's where I majorly screwed up: I viewed this study abroad application similar to a college admissions one. Oh man, was that a bad mistake. I'll just leave it at that. When the rejection letter came, I was really, really bummed out. I thought I had a good chance, but it was all in my head. There were many competitive students out there, and I just didn't put my best foot forward. To be honest, I rushed those essays and was a bit too emotional in the host family letter.
Afterwards, I headed over to Exchanges Connect, the State Department's version of Facebook for exchange students. I was greeted by a flood of "ACCEPTED!!!" posts. Great. That just made me feel great. But that day, on Exchanges Connect, I also learned that NSLI-Y wasn't the only scholarship available. There was also CBYX, and I proceeded to learn more about it (well, I knew about it a little beforehand, but that's part of the "other reasons" I won't bother going into).
0 comments:
Post a Comment