<p>I’d like to know the answer to a previously asked question, how does one formally ask for sponsorship from a member?</p>
<p>There’s no edit option?</p>
<p>Anyway, found the answer to my previous question. Though, I have a new one. When is the application deadline for a session (submitting it to your Representative’s office for sponsorship), six months or so before said session begins? Just curious.</p>
<p>While this thread seems to have died away, I have a few questions. I’m looking to apply for the 1st summer session of 2011 but I’m not sure how early I should approach my Congressman.</p>
<p>Also, in terms of asking for sponsership, how did former pages approach a member? Did you call their office or email? Thank you!</p>
<p>^I’m right there with you. Hopefully I’ll see you next summer!!</p>
<p>Most Congresspeople will send announcements to school districts in their district. The way it worked at my school was my guidance councilor received the papers five days before the application was due to my member’s office. She picked me out of the 1000+ students, and I submitted my papers. I’m not sure how other schools do it though.</p>
<p>I think some members also put applications on their sites, or else Google either the Senate/House Page program and see if the official site has a pdf application.</p>
<p>I didn’t need to personally contact my representative. Once the application went to my member, they sent on the qualified students who met minimum requirements (and who the member liked), and they were sent to DC for review by a special committee under Nancy Pelosi (i think). Then, the new pages were picked from this pool. I was told by my councilor and another rep. that ‘you didn’t need to contact your member, because they don’t personally make the final cut. They send along a bunch of applications to DC.’</p>
<p>Good luck next year, you guys!</p>
<p>Thanks isimarie, that was very insightful!</p>
<p>I’m wondering if my age will be a problem. If I would be admitted into the specific session I would want, I’d be 17. That shouldn’t be a problem right?</p>
<p>Actually, the page website says to contact your Congressman for an application and to start the process. I hope to get more information on how to apply once school starts.</p>
<p>shyoo: like i said it’s probably different for each Congressperson. I think it was easier using my guidance councilor to help me because you need recommendations on your school/district letterhead from teachers, and a transcript…</p>
<p>My advice for all of you would be to let your guidance councilor know this fall that you want to apply for the Page program. That way, if they hear something about it, they should have you in the back of their mind; or, if they don’t hear anything, most guidance councilors will keep a note about your interest in your file and the date that the application comes out (not sure when this is). I would suggest you find the date yourself and write it down on a calender or put it somewhere where you will see it so that when the time comes – if your councilor doesn’t talk to you about it – you can ask your Congressperson for an application and then try to schedule a (short) meeting with your councilor at school so that you and he/she can get your full application together. (Like I said, you need a teacher recommendation and a transcript…the majority of schools won’t just hand those to a student and let them mail it themselves. My school requires all applications that require these to go through the guidance office; the student provides the envelope and stamp, and the office will mail it).</p>
<p>P.S. The House’s Page Program site says that you should contact a member to get started, but like I said, my member contacted my councilor himself.</p>
<p>Coste: The House’s Page site says that you must be at least 16. I can’t remember exactly what it said on my application about age, so I would suggest checking out the website or emailing your member. Good luck!</p>
<p>Hope this helps/clears things up a bit. :)</p>
<p>Quick question, when is the average application due to a congressman’s office? I know everyone is different, but surely there’s a ballpark.</p>
<p>I’m thinking of fall of 2011, so I think it’s still too early to contact anyone yet. I just wanted a time line because nobody offers one on their website.</p>
<p>When I applied for the summer session, my application was due mid-March…I’m assuming that it would be around that much time (March until July, so about four months) before Fall 2011, but don’t quote me on that! 
I looked on a few Congresspeople’s sites and on the House Page Program site, but they don’t mention deadlines… Maybe talk to your guidance councilor this fall/winter to ask if they know about it. If they don’t, contact your representative this winter/early spring and ask for an application.</p>
<p>Just make sure you are a junior who is 16, but not yet 17, with at least a 3.0 GPA at the time you apply. Get good recs and ECs and don’t wait until the last minute to do your essays. Good luck Coste!</p>
<p>Ok, was thinking that would be around that time. I’m weary of talking with my counselor’s because they seem so clueless on such things, but it’s worth mentioning.</p>
<p>I’m currently a sophomore, 16. So I’m all good on those fronts because my birthday isn’t until May and I’ve read on a couple sites that being 17 wont hinder you. I’m planning on contacting a congressmen this week to help out with his campaign. I’m just weary of being affiliated with any party that will lose and the other party will take the House. I’ve read it doesn’t really matter, though.</p>
<p>I know I can get good recs! Thanks for all your help Isi!</p>
<p>I called in earlier this year and they said late december for my congressman. I’m really worried about the age thing though, I just turned 15 and i’m a junior but for the 2011 program I would not be 16 yet. Do you guys think this will be a major problem…</p>
<p>What session will you be applying too?</p>
<p>The only way to find out for sure is to ask your congressperson. Most sites make it clear that you have to be 16 and a junior when you serve (or before or after junior year). I would just ask since you’re in a unique situation.</p>
<p>I hate this, I’m having problems getting a volunteer position with my representative. Besides that, debate/speech club isn’t up yet. I feel like I’m running out of time to boost my resume.</p>
<p>Are there any creative ways to show a passion for government? I’m constantly looking in the paper to write an opinion, a section my paper has. Any ideas would be appreciated. </p>
<p>(This is just to show passion for government. I have extracurriculars and leadership positions already.)</p>
<p>The volunteer position doesn’t have to be with your rep…it could be with the growing campaigns for up-coming candidates, that type of thing, also.</p>
<p>One idea you could do that is pretty creative (in my opinion) is to start a regular blog (that has many readers/viewers) on topics focusing on the government…I know someone who did this and it seemed to give their resume an extra something :)</p>
<p>Question: When you say “to boost my resume”, does this mean to add to your already good list of government/politics related ECs, or that you need some because you have few? Just wondering, it might help give a better idea of what type of EC you need :)</p>
<p>I have few EC’s related to government. </p>
<p>I actually think I’m pretty lacking in EC’s completely, just because of my time spent on one particular. My student council takes up a ton of time, I put in a lot of work (it’s not a council that does nothing. I hold a position in office for that and another officer position in our academic club (not NHS). I was looking into joining Debate/Speech, but because Student Council is a class, I can’t take it. Which means I think I’m ineligible for the team.</p>
<p>I realize I’m lacking compared to many other applicants, so I’m being pretty realistic with my chances of getting in. I know I still have time though, so I hope to do what I can. I want to go with my representative because I feel like I can represent his district well. Most public schools within this district lack when it comes to ambitious students. I hope I can sort of count this as a hook.</p>
<p>I don’t know. I still have time, so I’ve been looking into things I can do. Problem is that it just doesn’t seem many options are open for me because my school doesn’t have many clubs related to government.</p>
<p>i’m thinking of applying for the spring 2012 congress page program and had a few questions about the page school. What subjects do you study and what level math do you study? From the description on websites I have found, it sounds like you hardly have any time other than school, working, and homework…is this true? If you have been a page before, you’re advice would be very helpful!! Thanks</p>
<p>@liberty
i remember reading somewhere that there are options for you to choose for regarding what a “typical” junior is taking and what you actually are such as spanish & french, alg 2 & precalc, us history, english, etc</p>
<p>I have already studied AP Calculus BC, AP physics, AP Chemistry and Political science by time I graduate sophomore year, so is it even remotely worth it for me? I want the experience, and perhaps I’ll just apply for summer, since I’m applying for Andover anyways.</p>
<p>does anyone know what the dates are for the summer 2011 program?</p>