Syrian and Palestinian-Syrian students in 10th and 11th grades are eligible for the Prep Program. Students can be located anywhere in the world.

Students in the Prep Program will complete assignments and group work designed to improve their college readiness. The Prep Program focuses on building English skills, developing extracurriculars, and fostering leadership skills.

The application to the Prep program closed on October 22. The program will launch later this fall and end in summer 2025.

Prep applicants will be asked to write essays in English, take an English test, submit a video in English, tell us about their activities and grades, and more.

If you are looking to get a head start on your application, consider preparing your essays and application video in advance.

Essay questions:

• The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it impact you and what did you learn from the experience? Write approximately 300-400 words.

• What does being Syrian/Palestinian-Syrian mean to you and how has the conflict changed your perceptions of yourself, your nation, and your fellow citizens? Write approximately 250 words.

• Why do you want to join the SYE prep program? What does joining SYE mean for your future? Write approximately 250 words.

• If you could attend any university in the world, which would it be and why? What would you study? It’s okay if you are still undecided, but tell us about some of your interests. Write approximately 250 words.

• List any activities you are involved in outside the classroom.

Video instructions:

Prep applicants will be asked to submit a video recording in English. You will pre-record your video and upload it for us to view. Do not worry if your English is not perfect; the program will support your English development. You are welcome to prepare your ideas before recording, but please do NOT read from a pre-written script. Your video should be at least two minutes long and no longer than three minutes.

Questions:

• Introduce yourself. Tell us where you’re from, who you are, and what you like to do.

• If you were to be granted unlimited resources, both in funding and personnel, what is a project that you would create to help make your home country a better place? This is a hypothetical question. You're not required to have a well-thought-out plan, but rather we are interested in hearing about your dream or vision.