<p>For those of you who don’t know about HOBY:</p>
<p>HOBY: Stands for Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership. Throughout the US, high school sophomores can be nominated by their schools, based on such things as applications and interviews. From each high school each year, 1 or 2 students are nominated to attend various HOBY leadership conferences.</p>
<p>So, here’s the thing. I’m a sophomore, and I received the alternate nomination (1st runner up, 2nd place, whatever you want to refer to it as). Meaning, if the person nominated to go can’t go, obviously I would take her place.</p>
<p>Now, I just got an email from the people at HOBY saying that it’s different this year. This year it’s going to be on a space-available basis, so all of the people who were alternates can go too.</p>
<p>It will cost me $350 to go. While I know I can get a lot out of the seminar, whether it be learning leadership qualities or improving communication skills, I have another question:</p>
<li><p>Even if I DO NOT attend, can I still put ‘HOBY Alternate Nominee’ under the Awards section of my college app? Or do I have to go?</p></li>
<li><p>I’ve heard HOBY is one of the leadership programs/seminars that holds a little more weight in college admissions because only 2 sophomores can be picked from each school. How good does it look on a college app, even if I was the second choice/alternate?</p></li>
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<p>Hi! As a HOBY Alum (I'm currently a senior) I can say that although it was not a life-shattering experience, it was very worthwhile and (for me) helped me "break out of my shell" more. I would definitely recommend it. In retrospect, I was always very nerdy and awkward, though not quiet... after HOBY, I was still nerdy at heart and occasionally awkward, but less so. The success of the program is that it forces you to behave in a way that challenges what you think about yourself.</p>
<p>(This isn't to say that I had an atypically good experience. I strongly disliked my senior advisor - "senior" is here used to designate "older," she was 65+. She nominated another girl for the world program instead, and I suspect the reason is because she thought I didn't smile enough or behave "ladylike" enough... I also did not go out of my way to impress her with "credentials" as another boy in the group did; he went to the world program. I definitely suggest that you remember that HOBY is also an "extended interview" of sorts.)</p>
<p>Pay the $350... it should be worth it. You can probably also raise some money from local businesses. Listing "HOBY Alternate" simply isn't as great... but if you go, and got to the World program, you won't regret it. =)</p>
<p>hoby was the lamest **** ever...then again im very outspoken. if youre awkward and shy, it may be a good thing. i almost forgot to put it on my college apps bc it was forgettable.</p>
<p>my son is quiet and he got alot out of HOBY -- he wasn't thrilled to go, but after the program he still claims it was an exceptional experience. I would say go.</p>
<p>as far as the world program -- any person who has attended the HOBY leadership seminar can sign up and go. The difference is that a few kids are selected from each state conference to go on scholarship.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.hoby.org/wlc/eligibility.shtml%5B/url%5D">http://www.hoby.org/wlc/eligibility.shtml</a></p>
<p>I'm a HOBY alum! i love hoby soooooooooo much! the state program really wasn't tooooo spectacular...too short and small and not as interesting. I must say however that the HOBY world leadership congress was one of the best programs i've ever been on. the most amazing kids from ALLL over the united states and like 20 countries, including places like Iraq and Afghanistan. My roomates were from rural Oregan, LA, and South Korea (I'm from CT) and we'd just stay up all night talking. You stay right at GWU in DC and you even get to meet Hugh O'Brien (awesome guy!) At WLC the speakers were amazing and its a really empowering experience where you make the BEST friends ever. Seriously, even if you're not wowed by the state seminar (which is still fun though) definitly go to the World one.</p>
<p>HOBY is truly a wonderful experience, the best summer program i have attended.
Some state seminars are better than others. Mine happens to be exceptionally good (our chair was named volunteer of the year by HOBY). In fact, i am returning this year as a junior facilitator.<br>
I did not go to the WLC, so I cannot comment on that. I think it's great that they nominate two people from each seminar, but i think it's cheap how any alumni can also buy their way in.</p>
$350? I went to HOBY for free; for, I was sponsored, but it wasn’t just given to me. Anyone with the money can go to HOBY, so I don’t think it looks as good on an application. It just shows that you were able to afford to go as some students can’t. I earned my ticket to HOBY out of my entire sophomore class and I thinks that’s more meaningful to colleges than just having the money to attend a summer event.