<p>I was chosen to participate in this program by my school. How to colleges generally regard this program? Is it prestigious/ worthwhile? </p>
<p>Any response is valued and much appreciated.</p>
<p>I’m also attending this program this summer (but the one for girls). It seems pretty prestigious. I’m sure if you go and perform well there and make an impression whether that’s being elected to some position or getting a bill passed, it’ll look really good. </p>
<p>I’m not sure about your program, but at my program you have the chance to write your own bill and have that bill actually pass in the state. I’m sure if you were able to get a bill passed it would look impressive to any college. </p>
<p>It seems like it’ll be a lot of fun so make sure you enjoy yourself there and don’t worry too much about “how it’s going to look”. I think the fact that your spending your time at a summer program is impressive enough. Just make your time there worthwhile meaning have fun while adding new things to your resume. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you! Good luck to you too. That’s very cool that the bill can actually be passed. It seems like it’ll be a good experience although it seems a little militaristic and I’m not necessarily about that life. But I was doing some research and there’s a picture of Bill Clinton meeting JFK that was taken at the Boys Nation. Apparently that inspired him to become a public figure. Check it out:
[Bill</a> Clinton Meets President John F. Kennedy - WorldHistoryProject.org](<a href=“Discover, Record and Share History with World History Project | World History Project”>Bill Clinton Meets President John F. Kennedy | World History Project)</p>
<p>That’s so cool! My Girls State coordinator told us that two girls get chosen to attend Girls Nation and there, they meet the president. That would be pretty amazing! </p>
<p>What state are you in? I’m in Florida.</p>
<p>Whoops,
Here it is:
[A</a> Future President Meets JFK - YouTube](<a href=“A Future President Meets JFK - YouTube”>A Future President Meets JFK - YouTube)</p>
<p>To be honest, I don’t think that colleges are all that impressed by Boys State on an applicant’s record. It doesn’t take much time (1 week) or effort to participate. Selection for the activity is competitive at the local level. That’s something, I guess.</p>
<p>I was an attendee at Boys State in CA many years ago. For me, it wasn’t really worth it. To be honest, I would have rather participated in a leadership conference, performed community service, or gone to an athletic skills camp. At Boys State, we organized ourselves into local, county, and state government groups. We created bills on random things, voted on those bills, and “elected” people for various positions. I was struck by how fake everything seemed. Voting for the “governor” was a baseless popularity contest. The guy promised to do a bunch of things at the national level, and we never found out if he followed through on the litany of promises he made. Big woop. I didn’t really learn anything from the camp. The recreational activities were sort of fun, though. </p>
<p>It’s an honor to be selected for the program and the cost of camp is paid for by a local chapter of the American Legion…but I can think of far more productive ways of spending that week. I met my first sleazy, politically-minded kids my age at Boys State. I was kind of shocked that a handful of people really got into the role-playing. On the other hand, I did meet some cool people whom I later encountered at various CIF playoffs (CA sports). Small world.</p>
<p>In CA, YMCA has a different program called “Youth & Government.” Attendees pay to participate. Not sure if it’s any better than American Legion’s Boys State…but at least the YMCA version is co-ed.</p>
<p>If you were selected for the program, congratulations. Go and have the best time possible. Try to learn as much as you can about how government works. Having been a participant and seen what goes on there, I just can’t see how a well-informed college admissions officer would be impressed by it.</p>
<p>Hope this info helps…</p>
<p>As a former attendee of Girls State and Nation as well as a counselor at both programs this summer, I’d say that the program is definitely worthwhile. I also think it really gives you a leg up on college/scholarship admissions, if you are genuine in your intentions. Merely attending might only help a little but if you succeed or grow then you’ll find that it is a hugely beneficial program. A huge portion of Nation alumni go on to attend top 20 schools, military academies, or receive incredible scholarships.</p>
<p>
@unodosytracy:
Are you implying that the reason such students were accepted at top 20 schools/military academies and received scholarships…is that they were involved with Boys/Girls State? I really don’t think that’s the case at all. Correlation does not prove causation.</p>
<p>FWIW, I’m not sure what sort of “growth” can be experienced from a one-week camp. The American Legion’s mission is laudable, for sure, but I don’t think that simulated government is very effective at getting kids to be more interested in the political process. Perhaps the American Legion should be helping kids develop student-mentor relationships with government officials at the local level…where they can see real change implemented.</p>
<p>Just finished my week at Boys State.
Bartleby, I totally get what you’re saying about how superfluous the whole thing is, but it was a great experience in my opinion. The program is extremely well-run. I met a lot of great guys and won the Samsung scholarship. So needless to say, I am extremely glad that I partook in Boys State.</p>
<p>Just got back from Florida’s Girls’ State and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I made countless friends and learned so much about the government. It’s an amazing program and if you have the opportunity, you should definitely take it.</p>
<p>I’m very happy that you guys found the program worthwhile.</p>
<p>I maintain that college admissions officials aren’t very impressed by a one-week camp on an application. I went to college with a guy who, as a teenager, was the mayor of his small town in Arkansas. That accomplishment…was unique and impressive! I recall being rather put off by his political earnestness when he ran for a leadership position in student government. He’s now the owner of a successful consulting firm specializing in the gaming industry and casino management. Frankly, I’m not surprised that he ended up where he is today.</p>
<p>Superficial* I meant to say.</p>
<p>I’m glad that you enjoyed yourself, babyonemoretime. Your username makes me cringe a little bit.</p>
<p>Bartleby007,</p>
<p>To be quite frank myself, I am not from Bum****, Arkansas. The town that I live in only allows those who are legally adults to hold public office - that and every other town that I’m aware of. </p>
<p>I’m having trouble understanding what the point of your anecdote was. I am truly curious as to what kind of a response you thought you might receive when you were writing the above. Did you expect me to say, “Wow, what an idiot I am! I shouldn’t have attended Boys State - I should have tried to become my town Mayor instead! Now THAT would really knock the socks off of those admissions counselors!” </p>
<p>I understand that you do not regard this “one-week camp” as being very impressive. So what, then, would have been a better way to spend the week? Which “one-week camps” DO you find impressive? Space Camp? Scout Camp? Band Camp? I remind you that Boys State is a free program. It is also a well-run and highly regarded program, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I understand that you think otherwise, but Boys State is impressive enough in my eyes, and that’s good enough for me. </p>
<p>Good day Sir</p>
<p>P.S.
Cool story bro</p>
<p>
In your original post, you asked how colleges generally regard this program and whether it is prestigious/worthwhile. You said that “any response is valued and much appreciated.” </p>
<p>I’m going to ignore the sarcastic tone of your previous post and attempt to break it down for you…
[ul]
[<em>]Sophisticated admissions officers at top-tier colleges are not impressed by a high school applicant’s participation in a one-week summer camp. They are, however, familiar with the selection process for Boys State (possible nomination by school administrator, input from local American Legion post, etc.).
[</em>]If you are a politically-minded individual, there are other activities which are far more impressive than participation in Boys State from the perspective of a college admissions committee. Engaging in real-life politics at the local level represents a more sustained, meaningful learning experience and says more about what drives you as a person than a one-week, flash-in-the-pan, dip-your-toe-in-the-water political simulation. Holding a political office in local government as a teenager is one such example.
[<em>]I have never stated in this thread that I think Boys State is poorly run. I’m sure that the Legion members and adult counselors coordinating the program do a very good job given the time limitations and mission objectives of the camp.
[</em>]I’d advise you to stop selecting your activities based on what you think is more “impressive.” Time is scarce. If you are passionate about something, pursue that interest…and don’t give a second thought to what others think about it. You’ll be happier in the long-run.
[/ul]</p>