<p>Hey, I'm applying to JSA at Georgetown- Constitunial Law- has anyone ever gone to the Georgetown one? if so what did you think?</p>
<p>I was accepted at JSA Georgetown for this summer (AP US Gov). I did the Princeton program last year (US History) and loved it. I'd be glad to answer any questions.</p>
<p>Maybe even see you there this summer!</p>
<p>Sweet.
I attended the Brown Summer School last year, it was defiqantly a relzxed atmosphere, which i liked. I here that JSA is really intensive and regimented- which i can deal with, but i just wanted to make sure that you can still have some fun, you know?</p>
<p>What did you think of the classes themselves?</p>
<p>Mock
DO NOT GO TO JSA GEORGETOWN!!!!</p>
<p>The summer I spent at JSA was terrible. If I were to choose again I would certainly not spend my last summer at JSA. To be honest, almost every aspect of the JSA program is bad. The academics are quite ugly, I mean you can get actual college credit at a program like Harvard but instead, at JSA you get an overpriced AP course. The speaker program is terrible at JSA, they advertise many big ticket speakers, but the fact of the matter is... the program is unable to real in the big names.(they even admitted when they had Colin Powell as a speaker it was both by luck and because the State department made a mistake). The "debate" program at JSA is terrible, this aspect of the program should not be an attraction because it is simply a bias debate style that doesn't exist anywhere outside of JSA. If you are an LD, Policy, or PF debater you will want to puke when you see this style. The majority of the kids at JSA, believe it or not, know little about politics and just simply that they have a love for politics. It seemed that most of the students had no logic to back up their political beliefs, but instead, they just were liberal or conservative because their parents were liberal or conservative. </p>
<p>So please please dont make the same mistake I did, DON'T GO TO JSA!! It is terrible, and will be terrible especially after a summer in such a great program</p>
<p>My son was at JSA ConLaw Georgetown last summer (1st session) and really liked it. My only direct experience was seeing the kids at the graduation ceremony, and they were quite a joyful and animated group. The comments of the instructors during this time spoke well of the students and the program. It was both more work and more fun than my son anticipated.</p>
<p>Yeah, I've heard a lot of people say that they didn't like JSA. But don't definitely listen to me because I don't have first hand experience.</p>
<p>I just got back from JSA Georgetown and here is my experience:</p>
<p>-amazing professor, you learn so much so fast, but i could feel myself soaking in the information as i took notes on it. 3 hour classes are long, but if you’ve got a good professor they usually give you breaks and its not bad at all. You have a mid-term and (which I only studied for the night before and did totally fine) a final (only studied for the night before, did great!) which are, when it comes down to it, based on either A. how much you listened B. how good your notes were or C. how fast you can cram and memorize alot of information
Lastly, you have a 10 page reseach paper on a topic of your choice (within limitations, it has to relate to the course you’re taking) Everyone freaks out at the sound of it, but honestly ten pages comes extremely fast, and most people end up writing more like 18 to 22 pages.
Overall, I did not find it to be extremely difficult work, but a challenge in time management and focus, which is much like college.
TIP: if you’re attending one of these, start your research paper in the second week. You will feel so relieved at the fact that while everyone else is staying up til 5 am, you get to sleep (something thats literally SO RARE at JSA, but you survive just fine)</p>
<p>Congressional Workshop is the debate-like part of Summer School. If you’ve never debated before and are nervous about public speaking, dont worry at all. Its really laid back and after a while everyone comes out of thier shells. I came into it with a significant amount of debate experience and found that I actually did improve because of it. CW is really not that hard at all.
TIP: prepare your main speech WITH your opposition partner if you want an A. Then you can both have points to rebute each other with and rack up the points. </p>
<p>Next, they really need to get thier priorities straight as far as rules at JSA. Its a great place and I felt safe at all times, but they’re semi-nazis about some things. Like nametags; they won’t talk to you if you’re not wearing it. Or like being late; every one minute you’re late is 2 minutes off your Saturday night curfew. Or my personal favorite; you’re allowed to grind to the point people dont want to watch at the dance, or hookup in the back stairwell, but you’re not allowed to leave the dance with the opposite sex. umm alright…??
Lastly, make sure you get on your RAs good side. And if you dont - dont be afraid to pull pranks on them (they will NOT send you home for a really, really good prank) Our professor was telling us about a few of his students who stole the keys to the tank, tied up the RAs, and held them hostage for 3 hours. PRIME.
TIP: they always threaten to send you home… don’t get too worried about it. they’re more worried about thier reputation as reliable caretakers than punishing you literally. They’re not going to call your parents and say “whoops sorry, we couldn’t control your kid because we’re incapable and irresponsible”</p>
<p>As for things to bring; I would bring at least four or five speakers outfits if you’re going to Georgetown. There’s alot of days where you’ve gotta dress up. Most girls dont wear suits… so bring skirts and nice shirts or “blouses” as they call them in the briefings the night before. Dont bother bringing a fan, a desklamp (??), or a mirror because you’ll have all those things in your dorm. I suggest bringing everything you own as far as clothes, and still planning on doing laundry. Bring at least 2 pillowcases. Bring several pairs of heels because you’re going to get blisters and you better have something different to wear the next day. </p>
<p>If you need to practice your sport while you’re there, from 4-6:30/7 everyday you get free time and most people work out then, dont worry about being the only one; everyone does. </p>
<p>As far as spending money, bring at least $450. M street has the best shopping around, and even the girls spend over $250 on food because Leo’s (the free dining hall) only covers two of your meals a day. </p>
<p>The best thing about JSA is the different people and the friends you make. Before I went I had seen that same statement on the internet and was really skeptical about it. My friends from home and I would joke about how i was headed off to “nerd camp” and hopefully i would survive. But honestly not even half the people there are weird and you’ll find people so easily. No one knows anyone so everyone’s really friendly. I swear you’ll leave there feeling like you’ve known your group since you were little. </p>
<p>the only negative that I really remember being upset about was the speakers program. They say they get all these big names to come, but in reality the staff has to give you a packet the night before informing you who the heck Kiley Johnson even is and what questions pertain to her work. It’s very misleading in the sense that you’re not going to meet the President, or Karl Rove, or even Joe the Plummer. Alot of kids did get to meet with thier Senators though.</p>
<p>however, thats how they get people to summer school, which was overall an experience i wouldn’t trade for anything. if you have any doubts about whether its worth your time and money; dont think twice. get out there and fundraise. its so worth it.</p>