NRA Youth Education Summit Application Portal
Each summer, up to 40 high school students from around the country come together for a week of hands-on learning experiences and networking in our Nation’s Capital through the NRA’s Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.) program.
The mission of Y.E.S. is to give students an opportunity to expand their knowledge of our American government, Bill of Rights, and the U.S. Constitution; encourage them to become active participants in the uniquely American democratic process; and give them the tools and confidence to return to their communities as articulate, committed leaders on behalf of the Second Amendment.
The week wraps up with a celebratory banquet where college scholarships are awarded to those outstanding students who embody leadership as both individuals and as a collective. After the summit, students with an interest in becoming NRA Ambassadors for a year can start NRA programs in their communities, then submit an additional application for the Grand Scholarship. More than $40,000 in scholarships are awarded through these End-of-Week Scholarships and Grand Scholarships each year.
Entry into the Y.E.S. program requires submission of a completed application form, high school transcript, a three-page essay on the Second Amendment, a one-page personal statement, and three letters of recommendation. These students are the best and brightest among their high school peers, actively engaging in academic, leadership, and community service.
Since its inception in 1996, more than 1,200 students have graduated from Y.E.S and over $700,000 in scholarships have been awarded.
If you have already applied, you cannot attend again.
Sign in or create an account to apply for the 2025 session of Y.E.S.
New? Create an account.
An Overview of the Application
Step 1: Applicant Information- includes basic contact information.
Step 2: Your School Details- Applicant must currently be enrolled in an accredited or equivalent high school and must currently be a sophomore or junior (no exceptions) with a minimum 3.0 on a 4.0 GPA scale. If your school does not use a 4.0 grading scale, please calculate and convert your GPA to the equivalent on a 4.0 scale.
Step 3: Your Activities and Hobbies- Applicant will list extracurricular activities, community service, shooting sports activities, and other relevant hobbies in chronological order. This includes school and community clubs and associations, leadership positions held, awards received, etc.
Step 4: Your Essay- Applicant will need to write an original double spaced, typed, two-to-three-page essay, covering ONE of the following topics. Correct spelling and grammar are expected. Research and credit to appropriate sources and/or bibliography must be included.
Choose ONE of the following topics to address in your essay:
- Does the Second Amendment still hold the same meaning today as it did to our forefathers? Is it still relevant in present-day American society? Why or why not?
- Where do you stand on the issue of gun control? Does the government have the right to step in and disarm the American people, even though the right to bear arms is one of the foundational principles of this country?
- What are the pros and cons of gun control? Discuss each side thoroughly.
Step 5: Your Personal Statement- Explain why you are a good candidate for this year’s Y.E.S. Please state why you should be selected, why you are passionate about participating, and what you want to get out of this program. You may choose between writing your personal statement or recording a video of yourself.
Step 6: Your Transcripts- You will upload an official copy of your current high school transcript in this section. Home schooled students will need to provide a notification of evaluation.
Step 7: Your Recommendations- You will need three letters of recommendation from any of the following: teacher, school administrator, clergy, employer, business owner, Scout or other youth group leader, community leader, politician, or outstanding member of the community. Recommendations by family members are prohibited. Please ask them to read the attached recommendation form before writing the letter.
Step 8: Submit your application- Review your application before submitting. By completing this section, you certify that all information provided is accurate to the best of your knowledge and authorize the verification of this information as necessary.
DEADLINE
The deadline to apply for the 2025 Y.E.S. is 5pm EST on Sunday, January 19, 2025. Any applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
*If you are an Idaho resident, you must attend the Idaho State Summit before participating in the National Summit. The Idaho State Summit will be held from March 6-9, 2025. For any questions regarding the Idaho State Summit and to obtain an application to apply, please contact [email protected] or visit https://yes.nra.org/state-summits/ to download the application.
Need Help 
Contact Riley Hoaglin, Y.E.S. Coordinator at 703-267-1363 or [email protected]