<p>I don't know how many people are very familiar with HOBY, but I was selected one of the representatives from my state to the international seminar in D.C. and was wondering how much of an effect, if any, it has on an application. I'll appreciate any input.</p>
<p>It's a pretty big deal, I'm told. It'll show that you are interested in leadership. And besides, even if it DIRECTLY doesn't help you in college admissions, it will help you when you apply/run for positions in your Junior and Senior years (say "I was selected from the entire STATE to go to the WLC"). And even if it doesn't help, it's a whole lot of fun. Did you enjoy HOBY?</p>
<p>How it impacts your application will depend on where you're applying and what you got out of the experience.</p>
<p>I am very familiar with HOBY. S went through it and has volunteered regionally with it. I have volunteered with it. Even regionally, it is an outstanding program. </p>
<p>I have heard that HOBY World Leadership conference is even more remarkable particularly since about 40% or so of the attendees are from other countries including some war-torn ones. From what I hear, too, you'll get plenty of opportunity to interact with the international students since you stay in 4-student suites at GW, and probably 2 of your rommies will be from abroad.</p>
<p>If after you return home, you take some kind of action (such as start some kind of program or do research on an issue that you learned about at HOBY) that was inspired by the program, that would be very impressive to colleges since it would demonstrate that you are the type of person who is inspired by learning situations. That would differentiate you from the students who simply go to HOBY to use it for resume dressing.</p>
<p>I thought the regional seminar was awesome. I'm from Mississippi, so it took place in Millsaps College in Jackson. I'm definitely going to help out next year at the seminar. I'm still fairly surprised that they chose me, so I was wondering how it helps to distinguish you among applicants in highly selective colleges.</p>
<p>At places like HPYS, it will be nice, but not an exceptional hook since many applicants will have such a distinction. Being selected as a representative to HOBY World could make you stand out if you write a thoughtful essay about your experience ("thoughtful" means it would be more insightful than a "I learned that people are people" essay) and if you do something afterward that implements some of the things that you learned at HOBY such as starting some kind of project related to your HOBY experience. An example could be organizing a CLEW.</p>
<p>If your HOBY World also is one of several major leadership experiences you've had, that also could make you stand out as demonstrating a passion for leadership. As always, this would be impressive to places like HPYS if your application reflected that your leadership accomplished some impressive things. That would differentiate you from the many students who are leaders in name only.</p>
<p>As I am from Mississippi, I've always been under the impression that I would benefit from the lack of applicants to places like HYPS from my state. Since the HOBY World distinction will greatly distinguish me in regards to my state, will this not work greatly in my favor?</p>
<p>I also have a question regarding ECs. I go to a very small school where, unless you play a contact sport, there are virtually no opportunities available. The student government is also more of a popularity contest than a valid organization. Will getting involved in HOBY regional and in the community overcome this? I hate to bombard you with questions, but you have been very helpful.</p>
<p>Is Hoby a medical type thing? I want to join or start the club; how can I do that?</p>
<p>no, it's a leadership seminar you are selected to attend in your state.</p>
<p>Yes, being from a very underrepresented state like Mississippi is a big hook when it comes to places like HPYS.</p>
<p>Being selected for HOBY World from such a state, and being willing to go to HOBY World also will make you stand out. If you were from, for instance, Boston, these activities wouldn't be as big a deal because there are so many ECs that students in Boston can easily do, and it's not that impressive for a student from one large East Coast city to be willing to travel to a conference in another large East Coast city.</p>
<p>This is, though, a very different situation for you since you live in a region where the people aren't likely to travel as much, and where EC opportunities are more limited.</p>
<p>Incidentally, student government activities at many schools provide very few leadership activities. That's why adcoms are far more impressed by examples of leadership activities that a student has created or organized than they are by mere titles. It takes far more leadership skills to take the helm in establishing a CLEW, for instance, than it takes being head of many SGAs where the officers are figureheads and the advisors are doing most of the work.</p>
<p>Thank you very much, northstarmom. I am very interested in starting a CLEW. How do I go about that? Thanks.</p>
<p>whats a clew?</p>
<p>Community Leadership Workshops</p>
<p>How would I go about starting a CLEW?</p>
<p>Re: CLEWs: Check the HOBY web site. There's info there. Good luck!</p>