<p>I was thinking of attending LeadAmerica for Medicine and Healthcare next year. But I have some questions...</p>
<ul>
<li>Do colleges actually like this program? </li>
<li>Is this program a scam?</li>
<li>Do they look down on it because of the cost?</li>
<li>Can past attendees tell me of their experience?</li>
</ul>
<p>bumppppppppp</p>
<p>I think I can answer that for you.
Colleges really like the program, mine did and so did many others. I don't think they can look down on it because of the cost, you can get scholarships for it, or fundraise. It definietly was not a scam, I went to the law and medicine conferences (junior and senior year) and learned a ton from them. I am a pre-law student now. I heard from some pretty good speakers, and the simulations were fun and thought provoking. I even got college credit for the programs. They are stimulating, you are there to learn (you have fun too). All in all, I'd do it again. I don't know if it still applies, but I would register early, I waited until April my senior year and I was put on a waitlist, but I got in.</p>
<p>Hope this helps</p>
<p>What colllege to you go to?</p>
<p>University of Georgia. I had other schools in mind to, like The Citadel, UVA, Georgia Tech. But I got a full ride to UGA. Things like Lead America really set you apart from others. Everybody does Student Council, yearbook, sports, etc, but when you have that stuff PLUS Lead America it really makes a difference. Plus you make a bunch of new friends.</p>
<p>My son found the Lead America conference a COMPLETE waste of money and time. He went to the conference at Stanford University from July 22, 2008 thru July 27th, 2008. It was geared toward middle school kids, not high school students. Out of the entire week, there was only 1 or 2 good speakers. The break out "leadership" sessions were terrible. The attendees weren't challenged and did stupid things like playing elementary games such as, "Who can jump into their partner's arms the fastest". One leadership game even required the participants to sing ABC's and Happy Birthday. Unbelievable! At another session, attendees tried building Legos blindfolded for an hour. </p>
<p>Other sessions lacked substance. On public speaking session was cut short due to time constraints. The session was a "winged" discussion on the basics of public speaking - don't chew gum, make eye contact, speak loudly. All great advice for elementary kids, not high school students, IMHO.</p>
<p>This was his first time attending Lead America.<br>
I'm really upset because it cost $1600, plus airfare and other travel expenses.</p>
<p>He talked to the counselors at Lead America while attending the sessions about the poor content.</p>
<p>Did anyone else have similar experiences?</p>
<p>^I attended the CSLC program (that'd be the 10-day one). I thought the legos thing was really fun because we weren't allowed to talk, so it was a really good communication exercise.</p>
<p>I did think it was a bit odd that they did the Jr High and High School lectures together (only sometimes), but overall I had a WONDERFUL experience and I still talk to the kids I met there frequently over a year later. Our public speakers were really good as well. I've heard often, however, that the 10-day programs are much better than the shorter ones.</p>