The following general FAQ applies to all U.S.-based NYLF programs. For program-specific questions, click on a program name below.
ABOUT NYLF
What is the National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF)? The National Youth Leadership Forum is a nonpartisan, private educational organization founded to help better prepare outstanding young people, with outstanding leadership potential and scholastic merit, for future professional careers in medicine, law and diplomacy, intelligence and defense. For more information, click here.
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DAILY LIFE
Will students have roommates? How many? Yes. To accommodate all of the participants, three or four students will occupy each sleeping room. Each student will have their own bed.
Can a student and a friend room together or select roommates? No. The forum staff assigns roommates—roommate requests are not accepted. We strongly believe that learning about—and from—other young leaders from all over the country provides a significant networking and leadership development opportunity.
Where will students eat? Breakfast and dinner will be eaten at the housing location. Lunches will be eaten in food courts and cafeterias where the students will be visiting.
Can students use the gym or swim in the pool at the hotel? No. In addition to safety and security reasons, students have a structured schedule throughout the forum and free time does not coincide with pool hours.
Are laundry services available? Most hotels will have laundry service for a separate charge.
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DRESS CODE
What is the dress code? Professional attire is required during most days and at some evening events for ALL NYLF PROGRAMS. Relaxed professional attire is appropriate for group meetings and seminars and other activities held at the housing site. Semi-formal or professional attire will be required at the closing ceremony or dinner dance. Comfortable dress shoes are a must, as the forum requires a lot of walking. In addition, closed-toe and closed-heel shoes are required for all hospital visits.
What is professional attire? Professional attire for women includes blouses and skirts (no denim), dresses or suits. Men must wear a sport coat, slacks (no denim), dress shirts and ties or suits. Most evening and weekend activities allow weather appropriate casual attire (jeans, shorts, T-shirts, golf shirts). Detailed information will be provided to students in their acceptance materials.
What is relaxed professional attire? Relaxed professional attire includes dresses or medium length skirts or khakis and blouses or sweaters for ladies. For gentlemen relaxed professional attire includes, khakis or dress slacks and button-down shirts or polo shirts.
What is casual attire? Jeans, T-shirts, tennis shoes, sandals etc. are acceptable. Consistent with our Student Code of Conduct, offensive or inappropriate clothing will not be permitted.
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ELIGIBILITY AND NOMINATION
How are students nominated to attend the program? Students are nominated by educators, community mentors and alumni of NYLF programs. We also work with educational organizations such as the College Board and the National Research Center for College and University Admissions to identify high-achieving students who possess an interest in a career in medicine, law or diplomacy, intelligence and defense. For more information on eligibility, refer to a specific program page.
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ENROLLMENT
How does the enrollment process work? Enrollment in the program is on a space available basis and enrollments are processed in the order they are received. Tuition is due with the enrollment form. We urge you to submit your completed form and tuition promptly as requests for enrollment generally exceed available space. Notification of your enrollment will arrive by mail about 2-3 weeks after NYLF receives your enrollment application.
How are sessions assigned? Sessions are assigned on a first-come first-served basis. The more choices you indicate on your application, the more likely you will be enrolled in a session as opposed to wait-listed. It is important that you only rate sessions that you are willing and able to attend.
If I send in the enrollment application, am I guaranteed a space? No. Students are accepted on a first-come first-served basis. Applications must be complete, as incomplete applications will not be processed. Once the program fills, there will be a wait list for each session. Apply early to avoid the possibility of being placed on a wait list.
What if I need to cancel from the Forum? In order for students to cancel out of the Forum, a parent or guardian must fax or e-mail a statement requesting that their enrollment be cancelled. This letter should include the student’s name and address, dates scheduled to attend, as well as an acknowledgement of the cancellation fee. Students will not be considered cancelled until we receive this request in writing. The cancellation policy detailed on the back of the application is as follows:
Both student and parent understand and agree that any cancellation and request for refund must be submitted in writing by the Parent or legal guardian. Student and parent further understand and agree that in order to offset the costs incurred by the National Youth Leadership Forum, once NYLF has received the student’s enrollment form, the following cancellation policy will apply:
A cancellation received 31 days or more before the start of the scheduled forum session will result in the following fees:
$350 non-refundable fee
A cancellation received 0-30 days before the start of the scheduled forum session will result in a fee of the full program tuition.
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LEAVE REQUESTS AND VISITATION
Can a student stay with a friend or relative during the program and participate in the activities during the day? No, all NYLF programs are residential in nature and all participants are required to stay on site.
Can parents and/or teachers attend the forum? No. NYLF provides a safe, structured environment for the students to develop their career building, academic and leadership skills. The opportunity to develop these skills without the presence of parents and teachers (either their own or of others) is integral to this process.
Can a participant attend religious services? Due to the busy forum schedule, students are discouraged from leaving the program for any type of personal activity or visit. However, exceptions may be arranged in advance with the forum staff.
Can participants visit with friends or relatives during the forum? Due to the very busy schedule, student visits with friends or relatives during the Forum are discouraged; however, on- or off-campus visits will be permitted if arranged through written request from a parent or a guardian.
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TUITION AND FUNDRAISING
What does tuition cover? Please refer to your specific program page, and then click on the Tuition and Financial Assistance tab to find out more.
Do you provide any financial assistance/scholarships/fundraising help? Yes, we do provide financial assistance. We offer a limited number of scholarships that are awarded based on financial need, scholastic merit, leadership achievements and other factors. Because the scholarship program is so competitive, our office has also prepared a booklet to give students ideas about how to fundraise in their community to offset their expenses. Visit a program-specific page and check out the Tuition and Financial Assistance link for more information. Many participants are quite successful in raising all or most of the funds to attend.
Does tuition include meals?
Breakfast and dinner are included. Participants will need to buy their own lunches and should budget about $8-$10 per day. This may vary by program. Please refer to your specific program tuition page for complete details.
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TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION
What is the optional Travel Protection Plan? Each student is automatically enrolled in the Travel Protection Plan. This optional trip cancellation insurance costs $79. It is recommended, but may be declined by checking the appropriate box on the front of the application. Complete information on the Travel Protection Plan will be sent to each enrolled participant in his acceptance package. If you would like to know more specifics about the Travel Protection Plan, please call the BerkleyCare plan administrator toll-free at 800-274-5469.
Will you provide driving directions to the housing site? All participating students will be sent an acceptance package approximately four weeks before the program. This package will include detailed directions to their housing location.
When should I make my travel arrangements? Students should wait to make travel arrangements until they have written confirmation of the dates they are enrolled in the forum.
Is a shuttle service offered from train/bus terminals?Although students can opt to travel via train or bus, the NYLF does not provide a shuttle service nor is there staff available to meet students at these terminals.
What is the charge for the shuttle service from the airport? $40.00. This is a one time fee and covers either one way or round trip shuttle service. No refunds are given to participants who only utilize the shuttle one way, and they are therefore encouraged to utilize the shuttle to get from and back to the airport(s).
How will the students be getting around their program city? Do they take any public transportation? Private motor coaches will transport the students on the days they visit various sites. Students will not be using public transportation during the forum.
What airports will be offering shuttle service? Students can fly in and out of the following airports:
For NYLF/LAW and NYLF/NS, Washington, D.C.:
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI)
For NYLF/MED:
Atlanta: Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport (ATL)
Boston: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
Chicago: O'Hare Airport (ORD); Midway Airport (MDW)
Houston: G. Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH); Houston Hobby International Airport (HOU)
Los Angeles: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Philadelphia: Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Phoenix: Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
San Francisco: Oakland International Airport (OAK); San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Washington, D.C.: Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA); Dulles International Airport (IAD); Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI)
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SAFETY AND SUPERVISION
What general security precautions do you take? The safety and well-being of the participants is our highest priority during the forum. They are supervised 24-hours a day by professional forum staff. Nightly room checks are conducted to ensure that all students are safely in their rooms at forum curfew; halls/dorms are single sex; forum personnel and local security staff patrol the student areas throughout the evening. Students must stay with the forum at all times unless written permission is given by a student's parent/guardian prior to participation. Private motor coaches are used; students never use public transportation. Staff continually monitor outside conditions and implement changes in our programs as necessary. All NYLF staff and participants adhere to security procedures in place at facilities visited.
What time is room check? Forum staff will conduct a room check at 11:00 p.m. each evening. After 11:00 p.m., participants are required to stay in their rooms.
How can a parent contact a student while she/he is at the forum? NYLF suggests that families make arrangements in advance regarding phone contact. Students will have very little free time during the forum and spend little time in sleeping rooms. Cell phones are permitted at the forum and may be used during social times. Calling cards are also strongly recommended. In case of an emergency, parents can contact the field office and speak with the office coordinator. The office coordinator will contact the appropriate member of the staff to locate the student and ensure he/she calls home.
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SPECIAL NEEDS AND MEDICAL CONCERNS
Can NYLF accommodate students who may need special assistance? Yes, physically challenged students can be admitted. The NYLF staff will work with the student and parent/guardian to appropriately help accommodate their needs. NYLF is able to help coordinate with outside sources to locate interpreters for the hearing impaired, Braille or large print materials for the visually impaired, and wheelchair equipped vehicles for those with limited mobility. Limited funding is available to assist with some of these services. Physically challenged students and their parents or educators are encouraged to call the forum for more information and to discuss particular needs before they apply.
Can special dietary needs be accommodated? Yes. Vegetarian options are always available. Kosher meals are available upon request. Any other dietary needs must be included on the special needs portion of the enrollment application. Upon receipt of the student’s enrollment application, a staff member will contact the applicant to discuss other more extensive dietary needs.
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WHAT TO BRING
How much spending money do you recommend? Money is only necessary for souvenirs, incidentals and lunches. Students should plan to bring about $8-$10 a day for lunches and a little extra for incidentals.
Should students bring calling cards or cell phones? Yes. It is recommended that students bring a calling card and/or a cell phone.
Can students bring computers? It is not recommended that students bring their notebook/laptop computers.
Should I bring an alarm clock? All students should bring a watch. Most sleeping rooms will have an alarm clock, but you may want to bring one as a backup.
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