<p>How does "Qualified for DECA International Career and Development Conference" look on a college application to the top tier Ivies? I couldn't go because of IB exams though, so who knew how I would place there?</p>
<p>The point is: Is DECA a "legitimate" organization? I've heard that it's a joke.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Of course it is. Don’t look at rumors, and actually go attend a conference. </p>
<p>It’s a legit organization, but my sense is that lots of people make the Internationals (based on what I see in my school district, where tons of kids make it), so it’s probably not as impressive to the colleges as, say, the International Math Olympiad might be. 
Besides, you can’t make it anyway, so who cares?</p>
<p>DECA helped me a lot IMO. My GPA is eh, but I qualified for it every year (9-11) and actually won 1st junior year. Definitely go if you can afford Lots of people qualify, but winning is a huge factor IMO.</p>