Hi im going to be a 9th grader and was wonderimg if JSA is worth it. I dont really care about the program itself being fun but I really just want the opportunity to debate and learn as much as I can. I dont really care about fun and games. Or should i do the YMCAs Youth and Government program? What would look better for a good college?
I’ve never heard of either program so can’t tell you which is better, but I can tell you to pick your ec’s based on what you would like to do, not what you think would look better for college.
JSA definitely looks better since it has programs at Princeton, Georgetown, Stanford, and UCLA. YMCA Youth and Government definitely doesn’t hurt ho have on your application, though. If you have both, it look like you are extremely committed to debating and government.
@pinklinks I don’t understand your logic. SO what if JSA exists at those four schools. It just means people AT those schools started chapters. How does this affect how a 10th grader is going to do with his/her schedule?
But OP, like some of the other posters have said, your having this mercenary attitude about “what can I do to look good” is sniffed out as easily as old socks. Your attitude is a dime a dozen.
Being as such, it won’t help you at all and may be a detriment. So do yourself a favor and actually try to expand your self, try to be curious, try to learn something, try to get exposed to new things, try to help people around you. A line on your eventual college app that takes 0.30 seconds to read and is not noted is all what most HS students end up having – so why sell your authenticity for that crap?
@T26E4 I think I misunderstood; I thought OP was talking about the JSA summer programs. OP said “I really just want the opportunity to debate and learn as much as I can.” I think you should take their word for wanting to further their education and interests. I don’t really know how you can rat out someone as unauthentic from one paragraph. OP might have been using how it might look to colleges as a leverage to choose.
I think most aspects of a student’s application is taken into account and JSA/YMCA Youth and Gov demonstrates interest in gov and politics. An EC doesn’t have to be spectacular or outstanding to be considered in the application process.