SYE ONE YEAR APPLICATION

In the One Year Program, SYE offers students access to a dedicated SYE curriculum, a Student Portal where they can research universities/scholarships and build their college lists, and test preparation resources. SYE mentors also volunteer their time to support students with their applications. Lastly, SYE provides waivers for exams like the Duolingo English Test, and, when available, the SAT, as well as supports students through the visa application process.

The One Year program does not include any in-person services. Our program is completely remote, and we provide students with everything they need to apply to colleges internationally. 

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 2026-27 One Year program application will open in early May 2026 with an expected program start date in early August 2026. It will last until spring 2027.

The SYE One Year program application process is lengthy, and students should expect to spend between 3-5 hours working on the application. The application can be saved and does not need to be completed in one sitting. Our reasoning for a longer, more detailed application is to select students who are not only the best fit for our program, but are also the most competitive to be considered for full scholarships abroad. 

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 an important component of the selection process. Final selections are made based on the student’s academic standing, English proficiency, extracurricular activities, writing ability, 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. All are welcome to apply!

Academic interests, lived experiences, leadership, and career goals are essential to any student’s story. Being able to communicate that story in a compelling way is key. A student must be able to tell their story through essays, extracurricular 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. 

The 2026-27 One Year program will focus on universities outside the US. SYE will support students in applying to English-taught programs with full scholarships around the world.

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. If accepted, we do expect the One Year Program to be a student’s priority.

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.