After an experience of a lifetime, here is my mini-guide to NYSF and it's application process!
✰ What is NYSF?✰ NYSF, also known as the National Youth Science Forum is a program aimed for Year 11 students going into Year 12 the following year that intends to pursue an interest in STEM. This program is specifically targeted to those with a very strong interest in STEM only. NYSF originated at ANU in Canberra and now they hold 3 sessions each year, 2 at Canberra and 1 in Brisbane.
It is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
It WILL change your life. ✰ What do you get in the program?✰ There is a certain mystery around NYSF which it is known for so I can't tell a lot about this. The things I can say however is that NYSF is filled with workshops, guest speakers, exclusive events and pretty much everything you could think of depending on the interest group you select in your application. This is a 'full-on' and quite an intensive program which is jammed packed with many things (including discos/formal dinners/parties). You will also pick an interest group where the majority of your STEM visits will be centred around. (Engineering, Biology, Medicine, Computer Science, Environment, Physics, Chemistry etc).
Who knows, you might get to do a speed talking activity with a whole pack of scientists or maybe even a live stream to NASA or Antarctica. What happens at NYSF stays at NYSF. One of the best things about the program other than the STEM visits is the number of lifelong friends you will make. (Yes, I'm looking at you interest group and floor group buddies). I don't think I've ever enjoyed myself as much as I did during this program and it was painful separating from your new friends. You will meet so many inspiring people that are so passionate about STEM from different interest groups and you will have connections for life.
✰ Who can apply to the program and how?✰ To be eligible for the program, you must meet
all the following requirements:
Be a Year 11 in the year of application and must be going into year 12 the following year
Must be considering going to university (preferably Australian) and studying something related to STEM.
Be an Australian citizen/resident and/or studying full-time at an Australian high school
Applications are only available to those in Year 11 going into Year 12 the following year who intend to go to university to study something related to STEM. I cannot stress this enough but NYSF will only take people in that want to do something related to STEM (especially if you get to the interview). They usually take high achieving students in STEM-based subjects into the program, however, they also take people that are very passionate about science that may not be able to pursue science without NYSF. In the end, it all boils down to
SCIENCE. Applications to the program usually open in March and then end in May so be quick to secure your spot!
Since the fee of the program is quite large (around $3000 ish), NYSF, highly recommends applying for Equity Scholarships or by getting a Rotary Club to endorse your application. Each Rotary Club has different endorsement procedures from interviews, asking for school reports, references and sometimes your application you submitted to NYSF. Rotary Clubs can choose how much they would like to financially support you on this program. Your school may be involved with a local Rotary Club and if they are, I would highly recommend talking to them and getting involved in any programs they may run!
To get into NYSF, it starts with the online application which must be submitted by the due date and is then filtered down to an interview.
✰ Ok, I got invited for an interview, now what?✰ You got through the first stage! Congrats!
So first of all, depending on which district you are in for Rotary, the competition to get in may be higher or lower or there may be certain requirements per district. (My Rotary district is in the CBD which is filled with selective schools students so this interview process is based on this district. It probably is similar for other districts too) This part of getting into NYSF is the most crucial and also the hardest bit to get right.
The short answer to getting in is to be yourself. If you are truly passionate about science it
will show when they start asking you questions.
The interview consists of two parts (not sure what it's like in other states), where the first part consists of a Rotarian who helps fill in a separate application regarding all the legal stuff and some
very important questions about Rotary. The question will have multiple lines underneath for writing and you need to work with the Rotarian you are paired with to fill out as much as you can.
You will also be asked what subjects you do. For my Victorian people out there that do a Unit 3/4 sequence, do mention this and if it happens to be a Maths/Science-based subject, really emphasise why you wanted to do it (enjoyment, wants to pursue a career in it, etc). If you happen to do a subject that isn't STEM-related, also explain why you chose it (e.g. I chose to learn a language as it would broaden my opportunities to make connections as well as communicate effectively with people in my future career (STEM).) The main point of this mini interview with the Rotarian is to make sure you can't search up answers to the Rotary questions and to see how well of a communicator you are.
(and some other stuff I can't spoil) The second part of the interview will consist of a new Rotarian and a former NYSF student.
This is where they will start to bombard you with all the STEM questions. Make sure you have reread your application you submitted to NYSF as they will go over it again and ask you the same questions (with hopefully similar answers). These guys will ask you the generic questions like what you want to study in the future and where. The main goal of these guys is to see how
passionate you are, your overall personality as well as how you want to help others in the future. They will also go over any academic results and achievements you may have. Do mention these and the significance of them. Once you get to this part of the interview, they aren't too focused on your academic achievements but rather your future aspirations. Since everyone at this stage of the interviewing process are high achievers, you aim to show how much you want to study science. They will ask a range of questions targeted to your application and my best advice I can give is to
be yourself. If you reflect the NYSF values, you will have nothing to worry about, trust me. Usually, there are a few pairs of Interviewers which at the end of the day will all come together and pick a small number of students each.
(around 15 for my district out of 100+)Once you have passed the interview, you will be officially part of NYSF!
If you made it this far thanks for reading my mini-application process! If you have any questions regarding the program please ask them! Would love to see the Year 11s apply to this.