What is CYLC, and how long has the organization existed? The Congressional Youth Leadership Council (CYLC), an independent, educational organization, was founded in 1985 and is located just outside of Washington, D.C. in Vienna, VA. Our mission is to foster and inspire young people to achieve their full leadership potential. To date, over 200,000 young people representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia, American territories and over 100 countries have participated in CYLC programs.

How is CYLC funded? CYLC is a tuition-based, self-supporting organization, with many students securing financial support from local business, civic, community and leadership organizations. The CYLC online, interactive Student Fundraising Guide helps students identify funding sources and outlines steps for a successful fundraising effort.

Does CYLC have any political affiliation?No, the Congressional Youth Leadership Council is a nonpartisan, educational organization.

What is GYLC? Sponsored by the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, the Global Young Leaders Conference (GYLC) offers students from countries all over the world the unique opportunity to interact with each other and explore global leadership issues. The theme of the program is Today’s Young Leaders Preparing for the Global Challenges of Tomorrow. Specifically, the students focus on various global issues, including communications, peace and security, economics, law and human rights, diplomacy and the role of the United Nations. By participating in activities that highlight these topics and utilizing the resources of Washington, D.C. and New York City; Beijing, Hangzhou and Shanghai; or Vienna, Prague and Berlin. GYLC scholars walk away with a greater understanding of the complexities of global issues as well as their future roles and responsibilities as leaders.

Who participates in GYLC? GYLC accepts students who will be 15-18 years of age during the Conference. These remarkable scholars are nominated by high school educators or CYLC alumni, in conjunction with school officials. In addition, Achievement Nominations are granted based on information provided on voluntary pre-college surveys, such as the National Research Center for College & University Admissions' My College Options survey. Survey participants have requested that the survey information be made available to colleges, universities and other approved educational organizations.

Where can I get a sample schedule? Please click here to view a sample schedule, which is provided to demonstrate the pace and composition of a typical session.

What is the Student Code of Conduct? Click here to read the complete Student Code of Conduct.

Once I submit an Enrollment Application and tuition payment, what happens? Is a space guaranteed? Once you have been invited to attend GYLC, you should follow the guidelines below to ensure that you are enrolled in the program. Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage you to apply early.

• You should enroll online or complete the personalized application located in the invitation and return it along with full tuition payment to our Office of Admissions.
• Once your application and tuition are complete, we will review availability. Should GYLC be full, you will be placed on a wait list and payment will not be processed.
• If you are accepted, we will send an acceptance letter within approximately four weeks. In addition, we will provide a detailed packet of information prior to the start of the program.

What is the Cultural Add-On? As a Global Scholar, you have the option of extending your time at the Global Young Leaders Conference by four days to further immerse yourself in the culture of the host country you choose.

In China, you can choose between Cultural Add-Ons in Hong Kong and Xian. In Europe, you can extend your trip with a visit to Munich, Salzburg, and Bavaria. In the United States, the Cultural Add-On takes place in New York City. During each of these Cultural Add-Ons, you will have the opportunity to explore some of the countrys most popular travel destinations and attractions. To see the schedule for each Add-On, click here.

If you choose to attend GYLC in the United States, you also have the option of participating in a four-day Pre-Program Orientation. Unlike the Cultural Add-Ons, which focus on popular sites and attractions, the Pre-Program Orientation focuses on self-assessment, learning about what it takes to succeed in a global, multicultural environment, and exploring the university admissions process in the United States, including a trip to a local university.

What does GYLC tuition cover? Tuition covers the expenses incurred by CYLC in planning and implementing the program. Included in the tuition costs are housing, all breakfasts and dinners, curriculum materials and private motor coach transportation between and within the Conference host cities. Students will be responsible for transportation to and from the arrival and departure cities. All personal documentation required for international travel to any of the conference locations including passport and travel visas are the sole responsibility of the student to obtain prior to the conference. Students will need money for lunches, souvenirs and other incidentals.

Does CYLC offer financial assistance? The Global Young Leaders Conference is proud to offer a limited number of scholarships to students. Through the scholarship program, CYLC opens the door to young leaders who deserve the opportunity to participate in GYLC.

For nominees who are interested in fundraising to help offset the cost of tuition, CYLC has prepared a Sponsorships & Student Fundraising Guide featuring helpful, step-by-step suggestions and activities that enable nominees to fundraise.

If there is a limited number of spaces in GYLC and Enrollment Applications are processed in the order in which they are received, what if no spaces are available by the time I am able to accrue full tuition through fundraising?We recognize that fundraising may delay the submission of your application, so we encourage you to contact the Office of Admissions once you initiate fundraising efforts. While we cannot guarantee a space in the Conference, your call will make us aware of your fundraising efforts and intent to attend.

Where do I find my Student ID to access the online scholarship application?Your Student ID can be found in the letter and on the Enrollment Application you received in the mail. If you have enrolled in the program, your Student ID can also be found in your acceptance materials. When entering your Student ID, be sure to include the dash. (Ex: 1000000-10000000).

How and when will I receive notification that I have been either awarded or denied a scholarship?Scholarship applicants should expect notification by e-mail approximately two weeks after the scholarship deadline date has passed. Scholarship applicants who do not provide an operable e-mail address will receive notification by mail, approximately three weeks after the scholarship deadline date has passed. The scholarship deadline date is listed on the Tuition & Financial Assistance page.

How are students supervised? Students are closely supervised 24 hours a day. Our staff includes faculty advisors (who serve as educational facilitators and chaperones), security personnel, operations personnel, as well as the program director. The student-to-staff ratio is 17-to-1. Faculty advisors take attendance several times a day at every conference site and perform room checks every evening. Hall monitors are employed to ensure that students remain in their rooms and to provide support for students who become ill or have an emergency at night.

What safety measures does GYLC follow?

• We greet students at the airport and provide transportation to the Conference site.
• We only provide single-sex dorm rooms.
• The student-to-staff ratio is 17-to-1.
• Students are supervised at all times.
• Our staff is comprised of highly trained and experienced faculty advisors.
• Security officers or late night hall monitors are on duty each evening.
• Evening bed/security checks occur each night.
• Students travel by private motor coach and never use public transportation.

Where will I stay while at GYLC?Students and staff reside at local hotels and universities in the United States and in hotels and conference centers in China and Europe. Students will be housed three to a room, and each student will have his or her own bed. Please be aware that roommate requests are not accepted. Please confirm that your scholar has enrolled in the desired session before making any travel arrangements.

Why does GYLC ask for my passport information or U.S. social security information after I enroll?

• If you are applying to enroll in GYLC that takes place in Washington, D.C. and New York City, this information is required for major conference components, including entering the U.S. Department of State, Embassy Visits and the United Nations.
• U.S. citizens, only your U.S. social security number and driver's license number and state are required. We do not need passport information.
• Non U.S. citizens, only your passport details are required.
• If you are applying to enroll in GYLC that takes place in Beijing, Hangzhou and Shanghai, or Vienna, Prague and Berlin, this information is required for securing your hotel sleeping room. All scholars are required to have a passport.
• For all scholars, all passport details are required. We do not need U.S. social security numbers.

Can I request a roommate? If not, how are roommates selected? Roommate requests are not accepted. We randomly assign rooms and roommates prior to your arrival day. This is done to give scholars the opportunity to get to know peers from other countries. We strongly believe that learning about - and from - other young leaders from all over the world provides a significant leadership development opportunity.

Can I book my flight directly through CYLC? The Congressional Youth Leadership Council (CYLC) has selected WorldTEK, a travel management company, to serve as its official travel agency. We highly recommend that CYLC families contact WorldTEK to determine the lowest available airfares and arrange their travel. Click here to learn more.

What is the Tuition and Travel Protection Plan? Each student has the option of enrolling in our Tuition and Travel Protection Plan for an additional fee. This trip cancellation insurance is recommended and can be purchased during enrollment. If you would like to know more specifics about the Tuition and Travel Protection Plan, please call the plan administrator, Nationwide, toll-free at (866) 282-3987.

What is the pre-Conference assignment FUEL? The first step of your journey includes assessing your strengths and opportunities for growth. To aid in this assessment, you must complete a pre-Conference assignment entitled Feedback for Understanding Emerging Leaders (FUEL).

When is the deadline to submit my FUEL form? Is the assignment mandatory? Please ask your mentors and peers to complete the survey no later than one week prior to your arrival at the Conference. You will see the results on the first day of the Conference. The assignment is mandatory for all scholars.

How many people need to complete my survey? All students must complete a self-evaluation form and select at least five mentors, (8th and 9th grade students must also select at least five peers) whom you know and respect, and ask them to complete a short survey. The mentors you select may be teachers, coaches, youth group leaders or other adult mentors you know. The peers you select may be friends, classmates, teammates or other people your age who interact with you on a regular basis. You will need to ask your mentors and peers to go to this web site: http://www.cylc.org/gylc/fuel/ . They will need to enter your Student ID number, which can be found in your acceptance letter. Please ask your mentors and peers to complete the survey no later than one week prior to your arrival at GYLC. You will see the results on the first day of the Conference.

Can special dietary needs be met? Vegetarian options are always available, and kosher meals can be made available upon request. All dietary needs must be indicated on the online Travel and Information Form, and, if necessary, a staff member will contact you to discuss any special arrangements that need to be made for you.

What if my son/daughter loses something, or forgets to bring a personal item home after the Conference?All lost and found items are retained by conference staff for 2 weeks following the Conference. Items of higher monetary value are retained for 30 days after the Conference concludes. After 30 days, all items remaining are discarded or donated. We strongly recommend following the advice provided in the suggested packing list, which includes placing your child's name on all personal belongings that he or she will be bringing to the Conference.

My question is not listed.If your question is not listed above, please click here to contact the Office of Admissions.