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I just recieved a letter from GYLC that I have been nominated to represent my country for Global Young Leaders Conference to be held at Washington DC..,on the basis of my academics...,
Is it a genuine group? Is it really worth going?? And on what basis do they selece people?? Have any of u got such a letter??Those who have attended GYLC b4r plz do tell us about it..,

By Creatorcat (Creatorcat) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 03:25 am: Edit

hahaha I got one too just yesterday... where r u from? I don't know sh1t about GYLC, I've only somewhat been involved with similar matters in Europe, but certainly not in America...
They've found us through the collegeboard.com Student Search Service... But I don't have a clue on what basis, if it's SAT scores, mine weren't nearly as astonishing as they seem to be "proud of me and my accomplishments...."

Do they pay for the trip, or to they expect us to just spit out round $1k and pretend we're happy?
When is this conference/whatever scheduled to be held?! May? What is the point of the conference!??!? What a stupid letter, I'm really dumbfounded. I guess the other registration materials will arrive soon, then I'll see... But actually, in case they're paying for everything- why the hell not?

By Timepass (Timepass) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 04:16 am: Edit

I too got that crap,ypu've got to pay somewhere close to 2,500$ and I care two hoots for it.Every one I know ,whose going abroad for their education,that is,seems to have received an invitation of this kind,and quite frankly,I think it's all a money making scheme.
My academics are nothing earth shattering as to receive an invitation to represent India, so there.

By Quarky (Quarky) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 08:53 am: Edit

Good times

By Quarky (Quarky) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 08:55 am: Edit

BTW, Shik (FUnky), I got similar crap in addition to the National Science Youth Camp I already told you about. Like this one time, I got a letter from Cambridge inviting me to study in Chicago or something, taught by Cambridge professors... ahem...over 5000 bucks man

By Funky (Funky) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 10:46 pm: Edit

Yup a professor whom I know 2day told me that GYLC has sent these letters to everyone who has a sct score above 1500 .., Well dosen't seem to me that it is really worth going..,And who wants to spend 2500 bucks just like that..,

By Funky (Funky) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 10:54 pm: Edit

Hey Mr.Jje says that GYLC is worth going too.., and some colleges........., His message has been posted under the topic " Does GYLC ring the bells..,"
Whatever it is I donot think they have sent the letter based on Merit..,And I think its not worth attending..,
What do u say Jje?

By Gogirl (Gogirl) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 11:24 pm: Edit

i got a 1470 and i got an invitation;
ppl. without a 1500+ have got the invitation.

By Funky (Funky) on Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 12:54 am: Edit

GYLC = Money Making Conference ...,
Now I think its confirmed that its not worth going..,
I have applied for MIT this year., could u please rate my chances.., I have posted my stats at " What r my chance " with the..,"Chances for an Indian at MIT "
Pleasssee!!

By Unicorn (Unicorn) on Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 02:17 am: Edit

I went to GYLC last year. True, it was a money making scheme, but you can get scholarships etc.

what really matters, though, is that it was a fantastic experience. You meet so many ppl from all over the world, like Germany, Trinidad and Tobago, Indonesia. And you learn abt them and their countries, AND what they think abt AMERICA, which proved especially interesting. AND u go to the UN, IMF and all these really impt places. I swear, u feel like a diplomat or country delegate by the end of the 12 days. It really focuses on world affairs and leadership and solving global prblms etc, and that is something some of us in the US really need...

MY advice to u: GO. If ur parents can afford it, good for u. if not, apply for the scholarship.

By Funky (Funky) on Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 03:07 am: Edit

Do u think they give scholarships??
If yes.., I m sure to apply!! Coz if its real.., I would love be there

By Funky (Funky) on Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 03:14 am: Edit

Mr Unicorn did u apply aid?? Well do u know anyone who applied for aid and got it??

By Unicorn (Unicorn) on Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 05:18 am: Edit

i applied and got it. i know someone else who also applied and didnt

By Funky (Funky) on Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 08:59 am: Edit

Hey Unicorn could u tell us how much aid did u get??

By Funky (Funky) on Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 09:01 am: Edit

Hey BTW ..,Unicorn which country are u from ..,
Could u tell us about some of ur experieces at GYLC.What made it so exiting .., as U say.,

By Jje (Jje) on Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 10:22 am: Edit

Funky, my comment was:
"I got a letter today. Is it worth going too and do colleges see it as something worth while doing during the summer?"
I never said it was worth going to and I am just as curious as you are. It most likely is like who's who and national honor roll where they randomly pick people. I have a 1560 SAT but have been nominated a couple years back when I didn't even take the SAT. I hope that tells you about there academic policy. Maybe they go by class rank? I don't know but probably will attend for the hell of it.

By Funky (Funky) on Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 10:30 am: Edit

Well I think that was what I said Jje..,

And hey U say that u were nominated a couple of years back.., but in their webpage they have given that this is meant for 11th and 12th graders.., Well I do not know much about it., But I would surely be happy to know on what basis (exatly) do they send these nominations.., Coz many people from the place I stay got it.,(I told my friend Ubaid about it.., he said its nothing to be proud of.., Even he got it and many of his friends..,)
But as Unicorn says....., It seems to be a real good thing..., worth trying..,
Have u attended the conference anytime b4r.., If yes do tell us about ur experiences.., It would give us an idea about GYLC..,
Any way Sorry if I wrote somthing wrong..,

By Jje (Jje) on Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 01:07 pm: Edit

No problem about the confusion. I never attend before but might attend this year. I also got a letter last year when I was in 10th but did not deciede to go, maybe they figure it would be the summer before 11th and that would count as 11th grade on there site.

By Funky (Funky) on Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 11:47 pm: Edit

Dont u think we should confirm about the genunity of this GYLC with someone who has already attended it b4r.., Someone like Unicorn.., By what he says it seems to be really worth going..,But he is the only one who has posted till now that he has been to GYLC....,

ANyone else there..,??? Who has been to GYLC..,

Hey Unicorn it would be nice if u could tell us something more about GYLC..,

By Unicorn (Unicorn) on Sunday, March 09, 2003 - 04:43 am: Edit

alright alright:

firtsly, it was not difficult to get in: you do not have to be exceptionally clever and i didnt get in on sat scores cuz i hadnt taken em yet. my principal got a letter and nominated a couple of kids from my school (now that im an 'alumni' i nominate ppl also)

experiences: it was very, very worthwhile. They put u in groups representing the different nations in the UN Gen Assembly. The whole conference basically leads up to this, where ur country has to enter commissions eg trade, political etc. I was in Israel and u can imagine our biggest concern was the Israel-Palastine issue, so we entered most delegates in the political commission, where we had to draft resolutions on the conflict etc. (kind of whats going on now with iraq). then u have to negotiate with other countries to get them to support you or veto (only the 5 permanent members can do this) another country's proposals. u can expect to work on this 'Global Summit' for abt 15 hours over the whole 12 days. Besides this, there are tons of smaller activities, such as simulations of the WTO and IMF, leadership 'clinics' etc. You visit at least one foreign embassy, the smithsonian inst, the white house (or capital building), the US Dept of State, and some other places i cant remember. also, there are sum touristy places to visit, like some place in Georgetown, the statue of liberty, empire state building, ground 0 and various malls. they get speakers to come in and, well, speak, and some of them were really good. there was this one guy who was just inspirational and i mean like every1 gave him a standing ovation. then there were some who just inspired yawns...

while there is a fair amnt of work to do, its still quite a bit like a working vacation (meaning there's tons of time to do fun shlt with ur new friends). They take u out to the city(s) every day. lunch is almost always out, and b4 and after u can do shopping or whatever. they got sports facilities on bth campuses and most days we played soccer in the evenings. a really good part of the experience is just living with the ppl in the dorms. its almost like a prelude to uni life, where u hav to do ur own washing (if u want any1 to speak to u) and take care of ur rooms while cooperating with roomates (i had some weird and wonderful characters in my room; like a bulgarian frm New Zealand, a poser from Germnay, a genius frm the UK and this 200 pound monster with a thing for creed from Minnesota. u make tons of friends and i still keep in touch with them.


ONE FINAL OBSERVATION: the ppl from abrd the US were very clever, i guess because their schls thought it was very serious and prestigious and so only nominated the best. The ppl from the US were a mixed bunch: some of them had got nominated by schls that didnt really care or by 'alumni' who did them favours (i myself nominated my brother). But, there were some intellignet guys who really got into it, and could really debate heatedly and effectively (not nessrly the same things, as i found out...)

anyways, gtg now. if i remember anything more ill come back and post it. gtgbkk to my life...

By Gabypa (Gabypa) on Sunday, March 09, 2003 - 09:17 am: Edit

i got the thing too, im a peruvian living in brazil..anyone else willing to share comments on past GYLC sessions?

By Funky (Funky) on Sunday, March 09, 2003 - 10:34 am: Edit

Thanxs Unicorn ..,for the info. Is there any one else who has attended GYLC ..,?? Please do give in ur comments/.

By Creatorcat (Creatorcat) on Sunday, March 09, 2003 - 05:40 pm: Edit

unicorn, that's a really pretty story. if you don't mid me asking, how much does this great experience cost? Seems expensive... How come it's not sponsored? In europe you've got thousands of projects like this that involve people for free, some get a fresh chance, some are involved based on previous experience... ok, you don't really visit the UN or whitehouse, but projects get even more exciting, like leaving for israel, sri lanka, meeting people from afghanistan etc... and nobody expects you to pay for anything, just be interested and involved- before, during the project, and stay in touch with the matter afterwards...
well, whatever...

and what was that scholarship you mentioned?

By Gabypa (Gabypa) on Sunday, March 09, 2003 - 05:47 pm: Edit

what programs are those creatorcat? could u plz tell us?

By Unicorn (Unicorn) on Monday, March 10, 2003 - 05:48 am: Edit

it cost around 2k, for ppl hu dun get the schlrshp

By Unicorn (Unicorn) on Monday, March 10, 2003 - 05:49 am: Edit

it cost arund 2k fr ppl hu dun gt e schlshp

By Funky (Funky) on Tuesday, March 11, 2003 - 10:13 am: Edit

HEy any one else who has been to GYLC??

By Funky (Funky) on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 11:08 am: Edit

By Congocross (Congocross) on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 11:44 pm: Edit

One rule of thumb, never goes into any program unless you want to or it is fully sponsor. Most likly it is a scam to get your parent's hard earn money.

By Funky (Funky) on Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 09:14 am: Edit

You r right Congo ..,

By Funky (Funky) on Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 11:14 pm: Edit

BUMP

By Tuannguyen (Tuannguyen) on Friday, March 14, 2003 - 12:55 am: Edit

I agree with Congocross, most of the internships/programs i want to get into are fully sponsored. Some pay you as if it was work. But it's competitive. Stuff like working with scientists over the summer (in universities), working in hospitals with doctors in the transplant department (i want this one), and working at a hospital for people with dimentia. I think at the end they give out prizes. And there's a great chance you'll get lucky and the scientist you work for end up discovering something important and considering you a partner (which is awesome)!

Well, the above is the kind of stuff i'm into. My friend found a whole bunch for other stuff other then ones health related.

The rest has a high chance of being scams.

By Funky (Funky) on Friday, March 14, 2003 - 01:08 am: Edit

Hey Unicorn..., Do we have anything of such kind in GYLC..,Any prizes for exceptional students?? Anything which makes it special?

By Unicorn (Unicorn) on Friday, March 14, 2003 - 06:49 am: Edit

scholarships is about it...


and they send three 'personalized' (ha) letters of recomendation to universities of ur choice

By Funky (Funky) on Friday, March 14, 2003 - 10:00 am: Edit

Well .., I do not think that recomendation would make any difference..,
Well.., I am not sure whither I will apply for it.,

By Funky (Funky) on Saturday, March 15, 2003 - 01:26 am: Edit

bump

By Maverick (Maverick) on Saturday, March 15, 2003 - 01:57 am: Edit

I am a Chinese student in P.R.China. I received the letter for no reason ( I got a combined 1340 SAT ). I am still deciding. It will cost me about 2354+2200 ( air ticket ) + 800 (personal expenses)=5354 USD. while my family inocome a whole year is only around 4000...........

By Congocross (Congocross) on Saturday, March 15, 2003 - 04:11 am: Edit

Maverick, it is not worth it. $4,ooo is not bad for a family in China.

By Unicorn (Unicorn) on Saturday, March 15, 2003 - 06:14 am: Edit

do not spend ur money on it. the GYLC is NO WAY worth more than 125% of ur family's annual income. even if u r offered a scholarship, the $2200 cost of the air ticket is too much. if the GYLC ppl give you a press release (they did last year) then send it to ur local networks and try and get some sponsorship, or try government funds /community help schemes if u hav access to them.

By Ralphone (Ralphone) on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 10:49 pm: Edit

Is this GYLC thing worth it as far as getting into a good college goes? Do they respect it or do they think its a scam and waste of time?

By Booboo (Booboo) on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 06:47 am: Edit

Hi guys , I thought it would be a good idea for some of us to get to know each other b4 we go there this summer, so for all of u tht decided to go, email me (e-mail address deleted) whts ure names, where u from?

By Maryanne2001 (Maryanne2001) on Friday, August 01, 2003 - 01:03 pm: Edit

just so you know... yea its worth it. its expensive but you can get scholarships... ain't no scheme, totally worth the money.

By Gabypa (Gabypa) on Friday, August 01, 2003 - 02:02 pm: Edit

Hey!

Hm, Mary Anne, I was just wondering... It just strikes me as curious; this might be a coincidence, so plz dont freak out by the question. If you're not, then just ignore me. :-) I just know this Mary Anne who ALSO went to GYLC and ALSO seemed to love it, so i was wondering...

Are you Mary Anne from Chapel, São Paulo?

By Rinatfar (Rinatfar) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 12:02 pm: Edit

Hello guys. I also received such an invitation. I think it would be really good if I go there. What do u say?

By Tommgurrl5 (Tommgurrl5) on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 02:22 pm: Edit

check GYLC under the high school/ before college section. or email me at tommgurrl5@yahoo.com b/c i am going and have researched it a little

By Zhou (Zhou) on Sunday, April 11, 2004 - 06:38 am: Edit

I have been nominated to represent China...Still undecided...By the way,I am going to study in UIUC or Tulane or Emory or IU-Bloomington beginning this fall.

By Thedoughboy (Thedoughboy) on Monday, April 26, 2004 - 02:45 pm: Edit

Dominican Republic here... same offer, still unsure, really.

The airfare aint that big of a deal (more or less $450), but the 2500 price tag is nothing to laugh at. Is it worth it to go over there in summer for twelve days?

A response will be deeply appreciated.