<p>I know it sounds crazy, but somone told me if you have been to a lot of countries, it help your application. I have been to Bahamas, Canada, Italy, Spain, France, Isreal, and China.</p>
<p>Well I did mention that I travel a lot in my app. I’ve been to about 16 countries and I’ve gone to school in 3 different countries.</p>
<p>I guess the international experience couldn’t hurt; it makes you stand out. Don’t expect to get a huge boost from it though.</p>
<p>That’s not a lot of countries, AdamArmy! I took my son to that many countries on a single 5-week trip. And, no, merely visiting a lot of countries is not going to make much difference in your college application – unless you did something significant while there (getting tossed in jail doesn’t count 
)</p>
<p>If it’s on family vacations, no.</p>
<p>Same question for me, except I’ve been to: 30 US States, Canada, Mexico, Honduras, Colombia, The Bahamas, Haiti, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Morocco, China, Israel, England, Spain, The Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, Turkey, Russia, Lithuania, Croatia, Greece, France, Denmark, Vatican City (technically), Monaco (technically), Portugal, Australia, and New Zealand. :p</p>
<p>It only makes a difference if you did something there that was noteworthy. For example, you started a charity here in the USA and you went to all these countries to increase awareness in you charity and what you aim to do. Or if you went for a bunch of mission trips. That’d be ok too.</p>
<p>yeah, i agree with glassesarechic. If it’s for vacation then it would show that you have experienced other cultures but it probably would have minimal effect on their decision. If these were community service trips where you helped build houses or dig wells or something then of course it would help more.
But even if not you could still play it to your advantage by talking about your love of traveling and new experiences and stuff like that.</p>
<p>Extensive travel, especially to Third World countries WAS a big deal maybe 8-10 years ago; back then it was pretty much the exclusive domain of students who had a real interest in world culture. Alas, any angle that temporarily gives applicants an edge in college admissions is soon picked up by “college consultants” who keep an eye out for recent successful trends and by entrepreneurs who put together international package tours for high school students. Today it’s no longer rare and thus no longer gives you an edge in admissions.</p>
<p>You’ll fare better if you travel to do charitable work, but even that angle has become suspect: How does an adcom distinguish between a truly dedicated volunteer and a resume-padder who happens to be taking an exotic vacation? If you want to impress an adcom today, go help build houses in inner-city Detroit rather than in Bolivia; or start an ESL class for local immigrants right at home rather than doing so in SE Asia – then you’re showing true community service dedication, not mere travel lust.</p>
<p>Please note that travel is its OWN reward. I’ve been to 69 different countries over the last few decades (many 3-4 times) and have enjoyed every minute. If you can afford it, take a gap year before starting college and see some of our amazing world up-close and in person.</p>
<p>At need aware schools it will indicate they probably don’t need to give you any FA.</p>
<p>At schools with competitive admisisons, “pleasure travel” to many countries indicates nothing about your academic skills or college readiness. Even foreign travel for charitable works begs the question, why not put in the effort in US communities? Especially as it costs a family more to send a kid to a work project in Africa than across town or somewhere in the US.</p>
<p>There is a difference when, eg, your family was in the military and relocated often. Then, the experiences “can” show your adaptability. And, if you still managed to perform well in hs, then it looks good. Not a hook, but a strength.</p>
<p>The biggest bang for your buck will be at the shinier 3rd/4th tier privates. It can indicate you are the sort who values those experiences, is likely to want a future life in which you can continue such trips… and might work hard to afford that, marry well, or maybe inherit well. Ie, that you may be a good catch for future donations to the school.</p>
<p>Gee, every HS kid has the opportunity to travel to lots of different countries. So when adcoms are looking over apps, those that elected to take advantage of that opportunity are seen in a better light than the vast majority that chose not to expose themselves to other cultures and lands.</p>
<p>Oh, wait. Only a tiny slice of the public is wealthy enough to travel abroad frequently. So having visited a bunch of countries conveys nothing except family wealth. Never mind…</p>
<p>It does give you a good excuse for why you haven’t had time to visit colleges. :-)</p>