What's the Acceptance Rate of NSLI-Y?

Hey everyone, I'm thinking about applying for the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) program. However, before I commit to it, I would like to know how competitive is the program? What's the typical acceptance rate? Thank you in advance!

Well, NSLI-Y is indeed a highly competitive program. In general, the acceptance rate typically hovers around 15%. However, this can fluctuate depending on the language track and the year. As more and more students are expressing interest in language learning, the program's acceptance rate can indeed get lower over time.

When applying, they'll be particularly interested in why you want to study the language in question, how committed you are to language learning, and how you plan to use the language skills in the future for cultural ambassadorship.

For instance, if you're not interested in languages at all and randomly want to go to a summer program in Russia just because it's cool, you probably won’t get in. Instead, they're looking for students who have a serious interest in language learning and international relations.

Keep in mind successful applicants generally demonstrate a strong academic record, leadership qualities, a commitment to learning languages, and an eagerness to immerse themselves in different cultures.

Also, I should mention although the program is competitive, don't let the low acceptance rate deter you from applying, because your personal experiences and the uniqueness you bring might just be what they are looking for in their next batch of students.Remember, while it's good to know acceptance rates, they should not wholly influence your decision to apply. So if you're really interested in it, I would encourage you to go ahead and apply! Best of luck!