What Makes a Great Application?

How Can You Make your RYEP Application Stand Out?

A Self-Driven Community Service Project

Strong applications will be those that detail a strong, feasible, and well-thought-out community service project in their essays. You may not yet know completely what you want to do, and that’s okay! In fact, it’s likely that the experience in the United States will influence your plans and environmental goals. However, your initial community service project idea and details should demonstrate that you are committed to addressing environmental issues in your community.

Please detail your community service project in your application essay. Identify the result you want to produce, how you will achieve it, and what obstacles you may face. Your community service project will likely not be funded by RYEP, so be sure to recognize that it will need to be driven by you and other volunteers or community members.

A Record of Community Service

Successful RYEP finalists will demonstrate a clear commitment to and record of volunteering and community service. While volunteer experience does not need to be tied to the environment, activities and service associated with environmental issues will be prioritized.

Applicants that lack this experience are still highly encouraged to apply.

A Great Essay

The essay is one of the most important components of the application! This is your chance to explain who you are and discuss your interest in and background in environmental issues. You should clearly explain why you are applying and how you plan on using this experience after you return home. You should also explain how you are a community leader and elaborate on your volunteering experience if applicable. Finally, you’ll need to put forward your ideas about your community service project. You can read more about that on the ‘Community Service Project’ section of this website.