These are some of the more common questions that are asked about NSI.

Applying for the NSI

The NSI Experience

Meeting the qualifications

Language Requirements

Applying for the NSI

• How many applicants do you receive each year?
• In the first year of the NSI program, we received over 100 applications. For the second year of the program, we received over 250 applications.
• How many applicants get to participate in the NSI program?
• The number of NSI student spots available may change each year, based upon a number of factors. However, for the first year in 2008, 20 students were selected. For 2009, 31 students were selected. For future years in the NSI program, we anticipate, but cannot confirm at this time that larger numbers will be admitted for participation in the program.
• Will NSI accept both official and unofficial transcripts?
• Yes, the NSI admissions committee will accept both as part of your complete application submission.
• Is there any special consideration you can make if I’ve passed the application deadline?
• Unfortunately, no. All applications must be submitted no later than end of day on September 30 of each year. No additional applications will be considered after that date.
• If I am notified by NSI that my application was not selected to proceed forward, and that I am not being considered for one of the NSI spots, can I find out the reasons why I was not selected?
• Unfortunately, we will not be able to respond with any information as to why a specific candidate was not selected.
• If I were to go abroad this summer to improve my Arabic language proficiency, where would be the best place for me to go?
• The answer to this question is going to vary from person to person. However, in assessing the NSI candidates who have had overseas immersion experience, the most popular Arabic speaking countries they have studied at were Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Oman and Lebanon.
• Do most of your accepted NSI applicants have overseas immersion or country abroad experience?
• Many do, but it is not the case for the majority of applicants. We do consider an overseas immersion experience on a candidate’s application quite favorably. We know the powerful impact studying abroad has on both one’s language proficiency as well as their enhanced knowledge of people and customs, which impact that person’s’ cultural competencies.
• When submitting my NSI application, should I just state how many semesters of Arabic coursework that I have already taken, or should I state how many Arabic courses I have already taken and will have completed by the end of the school year before NSI starts?
• Please state just how many semesters of Arabic coursework you have already taken.
• Can my references be written in Arabic?
• No, all references must be written in English.