<p>Hi, I'm currently a junior in high school, I just registered to go on a ten-day educational trip to Greece hosted by my school. I am quite aware that this will not be anything close to a major factor in my admission to a good college, so I feel the compulsion to say that I am doing quite well in school, as I am maintaining a 4.23 GPA at a high school renowned for its academics. Additionally, I am taking as many AP courses as I can, I'm one of only 12 juniors in my entire class of 360 to be taking calculus, and I'm one of only 17 to be taking two languages (Latin/Greek). I do partake in extracurricular activities: I'm on scholastic bowl, I'm an editor for the school literary magazine, and I am part of a school organization that tutors children at local grade schools. But I digress...would school travel look good on my college application in the future?</p>
<p>It’s a point of interest only. It may point to your relative socio economic background. Won’t be much help unless you’re applying to schools that really are focused on students of high income/full pay.</p>
<p>Anything that obviously looks like you’re trying to buy your way in won’t count for much. They aren’t impressed. Go because you’ll enjoy it, but you probably shouldn’t make it the focus of your essays or anything like that. There was a recent article about how admissions officers joke about the “Mission Trip Essay”, where someone goes off to help people in some faraway country for a week and it totally transforms their worldview. You could probably accomplish the same thing for a lot less money by volunteering at your local homeless shelter.</p>
<p>I’d say an educational tour won’t add too much to your application, though if you have a unique/genuine experience there, it could make for an interesting essay, especially if you are applying to be an international relations, language or linguistics major. If you really want to take educational travel and have it impact your application, you need to do an immersive program, ie: long term exchange student or long term study program. So, for instance, you spend the summer between junior and senior year at a language school abroad, or you spend your senior year or a gap year as a full year exchange student. A tour, which is essentially a tourist excursion, just doesn’t have the same impact as forcing yourself out of your comfort zone and immersing yourself in another culture. Does that make sense? If you want information on this, I was an exchange student and also worked for an educational tour/school/exchange company for several years.</p>
<p>It’s not the idea of a legit mission trip to a needy area, where you work hard, that is a problem. It’s those cliche, superficial essays. And yes, volunteer with the needy, at home. </p>
<p>There’s also a lot more SES variety on some of these cultural or academic trips, btw, as the school groups work to raise the funds. Not always, but more and more.</p>
<p>Okay. Not the answer I was hoping to receive, but thanks to all for giving candid and helpful responses. 
My thought was that since many college students travel abroad these days, my already having experience might somehow give me an edge over some other applicants. I feel kind of stupid now. </p>
<p>Don’t feel stupid! It’s never a bad thing to have cultural and travel experiences on your resume–anything that expands your worldview is a positive. But if you’re applying to elite schools you’ll be competing against similarly privileged students that have also traveled abroad. However, like I said, if you’re applying for a major where international travel/languages is a component, that it will weigh more in your favor than otherwise.</p>
<p>No, don’t feel stupid. It will be enriching. It is a very neat connection to your Greek studies (though that’s Ancient Greek, right?) It seems the trip makes sense- and adcoms will see that. It’s just not a tip, as “travel.” </p>
<p>Yes, it is Ancient Greek. My class is currently reading the entire Odyssey in the language. I will be taking the trip with a number of my classmates and my teacher.</p>
<p>Like proud and lookingforward said, don’t feel bad at all! It sounds like a wonderful and enriching opportunity. I’m jealous! Just don’t be tempted to overplay it in terms of a college game changer. It should be a natural component of your profile as a hungry learner – that’s what you want to showcase.</p>
<p>sure, its a great sign to colleges that you’ll likely be able to pay full freight. Many colleges take need into account; its only the most well known that have the huge endowments and claim to be “need-blind”. Being a full-freight applicant, one that has already demonstrated parents will throw money at education, may tip the bucket in your favor at some schools.</p>
<p>Reading Ancient Greek and going to see the actual sites is very cool, even if it adds nothing to your admission. (And I can actually see a way to write an essay that is not cliched here.) Sometimes, education and learning for their own sake are the very best thing.</p>
<p>I would call that a vacation. Just enjoy it, I wouldn’t mention it in a college essay. Are you doing any actual service? </p>
<p>@Alfonsia Yes, I am doing actual service. As I said, I tutor children at local middle schools, most of which are underperforming and are located in developing neighborhoods. I am also going on a service trip this coming summer. My school offers optional one-week long service opportunities at various parts of the country over summer, but I haven’t decided which one I am going to attend.</p>
<p>@Alfonsia Yes, I am doing actual service. As I said, I tutor children at local middle schools, most of which are underperforming and are located in developing neighborhoods. I am also going on a service trip this coming summer. My school offers optional one-week long service opportunities at various parts of the country over summer, but I haven’t decided which one I am going to attend.</p>
<p>@MrMom62 Could you refer me to the article you mentioned about admissions directors joking about mission trip essays? I’m interested in reading it. Thanks in advance!</p>
<pre><code> Tutoring is great, I think that paid for service trips hawked by private schools and companies are the complete opposite of an “edge”. Have you considered organizing your own service rather than having it organised for you? I assume that has to be a better learning experience for you to find your own path. JMO though.
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