Admissions Officer Hub
For universities interested in learning more about and admitting SYE students.
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Host a (Virtual) University Information Session
Information Sessions hosted on Zoom are attended by ~80 conflict-impacted Syrian and Iraqi students applying for university. We’d love to have you as guest!
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Learn more about SYE Students & Alumni
Interested in admitting an SYE student? Learn more about the SYE class, accomplishments of SYE alumni, and see universities where SYE students have been offered full scholarships.
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The Syrian Education System: A Primer
This resource covers the Syrian Education system and courses students within this system take. It also covers details about Syria’s magnet high schools.
About the Initiative
Syrian Youth Empowerment (SYE Initiative, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that empowers youth in conflict zones by providing a path to education to realize their potential and define their roles in their countries, societies, and the world. Our innovative approach prepares students to apply to top universities in the US and abroad, ensuring that they are strong candidates for both admissions and financial support.
Students from conflict zones are often deprived of the opportunity to access quality higher education, regardless of their intellect and academic performance, due to political, social, and economic instability. We are committed to addressing this crisis. In our first 4 years, we worked exclusively with students from Syria, and in our fifth year (the Class of 2020-2021), we piloted a program with Iraqi undergrad applicants and Syrian Master’s applicants. We continuously strive for equal gender representation, as well as representation from particularly disadvantaged regions of Iraq and Syria.
With the help of a network of volunteer mentors, we provide one-on-one mentoring for outstanding Syrian and Iraqi high school students through the college application process, priming them to be strong candidates for competitive universities both in the U.S. and around the world. SYE provides materials to prepare for standardized tests, waivers for standardized tests including the SAT and Duolingo English Exams, and waivers for college application fees. We also guide students through the visa application process. As an organization founded and led by Syrian and Iraqi refugees who experienced firsthand the enormous challenges associated with continuing higher education both inside and outside of these countries, we are aware of both the enormous challenges students from conflict zones face, as well as the significant impact of higher education in allowing these students to realize their full potential.
SYE’s Counseling Team
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Elysa Bryen
Elysa is a graduate of the University of Chicago, where she spent time leading Model United Nations at the University of Chicago (MUNUC) and working with recently settled refugees in Hyde Park, Chicago. Elysa has over 6 years of international college admissions counseling experience, having served as an Independent Admissions Counselor in Dubai, UAE and in the United States. Prior to joining as Operations Manager, Elysa volunteered with SYE for three years as both an essay reviewer and mentor. In her capacity as Operations Manager, Elysa leads curriculum design, partnerships, and all things operations. She is a member of the International Association of Admissions Counseling (International ACAC), representing SYE.
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Hannah Staats
Hannah is a graduate of Macalester College where she studied linguistics and Arabic. Prior to joining SYE, Hannah worked as a creative writing teacher, and supported communications and development for the Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project. Hannah has been with SYE since 2021 where she began as our Program Fellow. In her capacity as Program Coordinator, Hannah leads our classroom-based Prep Program, hosts SYE’s weekly English conversation circles, and provides one:one support to our One Year students and volunteer mentors. She is SYE’s contact for most universities, and manages SYE’s college database to support students in accessing accurate information about financial aid.
“I have read thousands of applications for undergraduate admissions and advised hundreds of students from various socioeconomic backgrounds on the college admissions process. I can say without hesitation that SYE students have consistently impressed me as some of the brightest, hardworking and most interesting students I have ever met. Not only are they intellectually curious and cognitively gifted, but they also have a profound inner resilience that is inspiring to be around. At first, I had some questions about how the students would adjust to college life in the US; however, they continue their trajectory of excellence once they matriculate and bring an infectious enthusiasm for learning to their campuses. After volunteering with SYE for the past few years, working with these students has become one of my favorite parts of the application cycle. Simply put: they are incredible! Any selective college would benefit from having these students in their community.
— Dr. Joie Jager-Hyman
Former Assistant Director of Admissions, Dartmouth College | Fellow, Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence | Founder, CP360
““The admission staff at Smith was extremely grateful to SYE in identifying an exceptional candidate to the Class of 2023 and for their assistance in helping her navigate the application process.”
— Audrey Smith
Vice President for Enrollment Emerita at Smith College