SYE ONE YEAR APPLICATION

Applications to the One Year program have now closed. If you have a question about your application, please reach out to our team at applications@sye-initiative.org. Note it will take us at least 48 hours to respond to all inquiries.


 SYE’s 2024-25 One Year program will support Syrian and Palestinian-Syrian high school students interested in applying for undergraduate admissions and scholarships around the world. Students who join this program will be provided with guidance on the application process for universities around the world and access to academic mentorship. One Year program students will also be provided with waivers to take required college admission tests. Most importantly, students will be joining a community of like-minded individuals and will have a chance to learn from each other.

Who is eligible? Syrian students currently in grades 11 or 12 (including students currently taking Baccalaureate) living anywhere in the world are eligible to apply. We highly encourage current 11th graders to apply to the One Year program, as they will not be eligible for the Prep program this year.

 When will applications for SYE’s other programs open? Applications to the SYE Prep leadership program for younger Syrian high school students will open later this year. Applications to the Grad program will open again in 2025. We have shifted the grad program timeline to start earlier in the year, and as a result, the application will not be available until early 2025. Syrian students planning to apply to graduate programs should stay posted for resource opportunities later this year.

FAQs

  • In the One Year Program, each SYE student is assigned a mentor, who supports students throughout the application process. In addition to the mentor, students have access to the SYE curriculum, a Student Portal, and test preparation resources.; these resources help students identify scholarships and craft strong applications. SYE provides waivers for exams like the SAT and Duolingo English Test and supports students through the visa application process.

  • SYE does not offer any in-person services. Our mentors work remotely with students to provide them with everything they need to apply to colleges in the US, Canada, and other countries.

  • SYE does not offer scholarships or financial assistance to admitted students. our model focuses on priming students to receive both need-based and merit-based aid/scholarships from universities.

  • SYE supports any Syrian or Palestinian-Syrian student regardless of where they currently live. SYE programs will not be available to Iraqi students this year.

  • The One Year program lasts from May through the end of application season, usually through March.

  • SYE has a lengthy, and difficult, application process. Students should expect to spend between 3-5 hours working on the application. This is to ensure we find the best and brightest students. Students who pass the first round of application review are required to engage in a phone interview with an SYE representative. These interviews will be conducted in English as the quality of the student's’ English language skills are heavily considered in the selection process. Final selections are made based on the student’s academic standing, English proficiency, extracurricular activities, volunteer experience, ambition, commitment, goals, character, and willingness to give back to their communities, among other factors. SYE does not discriminate based on an applicant’s religious beliefs, political affiliation, gender, or city of birth or residence.

  • Life experiences, childhood dreams, and career goals are essential to any student’s story. Being able to communicate that story is key. A student must be able to tell their story through essays, extra-curricular activities, and the goals they set for themselves. It is recommended you take this application as an opportunity to reflect and think of what this program means for your career goals and desired future.

  • SYE focuses on the United States and Canada, among other countries, as host countries for our students. While we have expertise in the application process for these countries primarily, we will help students apply to any program or scholarships they have found that are English-speaking and would allow them to matriculate.

  • The commitment to SYE and the college application process will vary from student to student. In the One Year Program, we expect students to spend at least 6-7 hours per week on the process. Generally, the more time a student puts into SYE, the more likely they will gain admission and scholarships.

  • We encourage you to first check out our Facebook page and groups for answers to your questions.

    If you don’t find your answer there, you can email applications@sye-initiative.org. Note it will take us at least 48 hours to respond to all inquiries.