Applying

While I was applying for the CBYX program, I probably spent a solid hour or two a day looking at the "Appyling" sections of blogs just like mine. I know the deadline for this years CBYX application is fast approaching, so I figured I better "get my rear in gear" as my mother would say, and make sure I had a little bit of info on the application for you guys.

I am from the east coast, which means that I applied for CBYX through AFS. The application process for each implementing organization is very different, so most of this information is only helpful if you are also going to be applying through AFS.

So lets get down to the meat and potatoes of it... For AFS, the process begins with a written application, then sometime in January/February you'll be invited to an interview.  I'm going to break it down by each individual section of the written application, and then I'll talk about the interview a little later.

Written Application 

1. Cover Photo: This really doesn't have any effect on whether or not you get a scholarship, but your host family does see it so make it nice

2. Biographical and Statistical Information: Just fill it out, don't panic, and don't worry if you didn't have a teacher recommend you. I don't even know what that means.

3. Activities Awards and Interests: So here is where it actually starts to get important. There's not really much advice to give here, other than make sure to actually make sure the page saves so that you don't turn in an application with an entire section missing (@ me) Just put in what you've done, and don't be afraid to use things from a few years ago. Not fourth grade spelling bee, mind you, but middle school is OK I think.

4. Short Essays: Ok so here is the big show, why you all are reading this. I know I searched far and wide for the piece of advice that would allow me to write the best set of short essays CBYX has ever seen, but unfortunately I don't have that for you. The best thing I can say to you about the short essays is EDIT. Write them, then spend time looking at each essay, making sure that it says what you want to say. Then leave it alone for a few days, then look at it again. Then give it to your parents, your friends, even your teachers if you want to, and have them look at them. This is the most important thing you can do, because you want to make sure they makes sense to people who aren't living in your head. The more people you have look at them, the less of a chance there is of that happening. Please, please, please do not just write the essays and never look at them again. You can always make them better.

As far as actual content goes, just make sure to really show why you want to go to Germany. Whether you love exchange or the country or beer I don't know, but just make sure to show that in your essays. Don't be afraid to be individual also. The people who decide are reading a crap ton of essays, and it's always good to make yours stand out a little bit. Don't be dry, let your personality come through, but don't get so caught up in making jokes or something that you don't get your point across. Overall just write what you want, but also remember that they are looking for a certain traits for exchange students, and so try to emphasize those traits in your essays. Make sure they can see that you are independent, mature, a good problem solver, good with people, and just really, really want the CBYX scholarship.

5. Host Family Letter: This is the other most important part of your application. No one is really sure whether or not this goes toward your selection for CBYX, but it is one of the only things your host family will see about you before you get there. I made a mistake and wrote mine like it was another essay, trying to show what a great exchange student I would be, and in hindsight, I wish I would have been a little more honest, because I think my host family though I was going to be a little different than I was. Just make sure that this part, more than anything else, reflects who you are.

The rest is just pretty much stuff you need to fill out, don't stress about it, just get it done.

Once the written application is turned in, it's time to start stressing about the next stage...

The Interview

So after you turn in your written application, you will at some point get an email from an AFS volunteer inviting you to your regional interview. So I don't know any of this info for sure, but here is how I think it works- Each interview is normally about 7 kids. From those 7, three get in, or at least that's how it was last year for my interview. Someone from each interview has to get in so that they don't choose all the kids from the same region. I read somewhere that about 30% of applicants for the CBYX program get in, and it changes depending on your region, East Coast is lower, Mid West is higher (don't quote me on that, I saw it on yahoo answers) Also, the people that interview you aren't the ones who make the final selection. Don't know if that's important, just thought I'd say it.

So as far as the actual interview goes, I don't think I was ever more nervous in my entire life than I was that day. We drove to the interview site and my parents dropped me off in a room with all the other scholarship candidates and an AFS volunteer. We all got appointment times for our individual interviews, but they were running behind so I had more time to talk to the other people in the waiting room, which was nice. I got along really well with one girl, and she actually ended up getting the scholarship too!

During our individual interviews, we were asked questions by a group of 4 AFS volunteers. They asked us 4 or 5 questions (I can't remember now), and they definitely weren't questions like "why do you want the scholarship" or "what do you like about Germany". They are really trying to get a sense of you and how you function under pressure. Highlight the qualities in yourself that would make you a good exchange student, but remember to also try and connect with the interviewers. Be funny and charming and all of the other awesome adjectives.

After the individual interviews we had a little break. I grabbed lunch at Chipotle (oh how I miss you Chipotle) and then headed back for my group interview. Here they are of course looking for how well you work with other people, which they decided would be best showcased by splitting us into two groups and having us build towers out of pipe cleaners without talking. . My only advice for this would be to participate when they ask the questions at the end. Even if you don't have anything good to say just make something up! They want to see people answering the questions.

Over all the interview really wasn't that bad, just make sure to be polite, and it never hurts to send a thank you email to the volunteer who coordinated it!



That is pretty much it in terms of the application. Take it seriously, but don't stress too much. If you have any questions I would be happy to answer them. Viel Gluck!