<p>I would appreciate comments on the various leadership conferences offered in DC for sophomores and juniors. My sophomore S is very interested in poli sci and intl. relations, but I wonder which are legitimate/great and which are scams/poor value. Many thanks.</p>
<p>My soph D just got a mailing, Nat'l Stud. Leadership Cconf, which I suspect is a money-maker disguised as an honor. Wondering if that's one you're reacting to.</p>
<p>I heard these leadership conferences doesn't do anything for your college application stats. But if you are interested in obtaining some knowledge do it otherwise it is just a waste of money.</p>
<p>We've heard from Cong. Student Leadership Conf (CSLC) and Presidential Classroom. Have heard positive things from other students who attended the NYLC, which we have not heard from. I understand that it's not a admissions boost, but would lsend him if it is good learning experience. We have done the DC monuments/capital tours, and have met the politicians' staffs (I don't think the conference kids ever meet the bigwig). Hoping maybe the experience solidifies interest more or turns him off completely. Thanks.</p>
<p>My D attended the NSLC program held at U Md College Park after her sophmore year in HS and loved it. She met kids from all over, stayed in the dorms, checked out DC, and learned about a career area she was exploring. Based on her experience, she decided that a large university suited her but that medical careers did not. She stayed in touch with some of the kids from the program which gave her broader perspectives as she moved through the college search/application process. She liked U Md so much that she applied there. I don't know if mentioning her favorable impression of the school in her application helped, but she was admitted despite only reasonable stats (3.7 GPA and 1990 SAT) to a school that has about a 40% admit rate and doesn't take too many out-of-staters (we're from OH). She may not go there but she was happy to have been accepted. I would recommend the NSLC program although it was somewhat expensive.</p>
<p>These programs are expensive and not selective, so they have no "college admissions value", but kids usually enjoy them.</p>
<p>I attended Global Young Leaders Conference (GYLC), hosted by the Congressional Youth Leadership Conference (CYLC) (also does NYLC but this one is international) and had an absolutely fabulous time. Kids were there from all over the world, we visited governmental talks and embassies, and forum discussions and group debates, got to see DC and then went to NYC for a week and went to NBC studios, the UN... it was amazing. I still keep in touch with a lot of people from my group, people in New Zealand, England, Nigeria, the Caribbean, India, Hong Kong, and about a dozen people in the states.
I hightly recommend it.</p>
<p>Just bumping this post</p>
<p>I posted this on the other thread asking the same question:</p>
<p>Meh. My kids have gotten several of those, and other "invitations", but have never chosen to do any. Yeah, they all come in fancy envelopes, with gold foil inside, official-looking eagles, White-House-looking-emblems, </p>
<p>These programs are not going to give you any kind of "boost" in an admissions process, nor would you even list them in your resume; but we have friends who have participated in the Law one and the Medical one, and they both had a great time.</p>
<p>So, if you are looking for a fun semi-educational expensive trip.....go for it. I believe the costs of the programs are so high because of the fees they pay to the suits in attendance.</p>
<p>Does anyone know if Northwestern's Civic Leadership Institute is worthwhile? Not sure if it fits in the same category as the others--meaning you are basically 'buying' something to list on the resume, worthy of recognition or not. Sounds/looks like a great opportunity even though it's quite pricey. It's offered at JHU, in Chicago and in S.F. this summer. Thanks for the feedback.</p>
<h2>Here's a repeat of a recent post I wrote. In general, I agree that you shouldn't expect something like NYLC to give you an admissions boost on its own, but if it's part of a larger picture showing demonstrated interest in politics or government, then certainly write it down.</h2>
<p>"I recently heard a panel of admissions reps (from elite schools) address this very question at a local private school. I'm paraphrasing, but the bottom line is that programs like this can mean something if it is indicative of a strong interest on the part of the student. Their main concern is that, in general, a student is making productive use of their time. A student is not penalized for their ability to attend a program like this one, just as a student who cannot afford to attend will not be penalized because they did not. The bar is raised higher for kids who have resources - they want to see them take advantage whether it's through community service, exploring an interest, etc. </p>
<p>I do know many kids who have done this program and loved it. It seems to be well run. As far as how selective it is, I would have to say "it depends." I know of some areas where teachers really do nominate the students for this, and in other cases, the students are referred from PSAT scores or past attendees. They are also supposed to have at least a 3.7 GPA, but don't know how strict they are with that."</p>
<p>i attended a leadamerica conference...</p>
<p>total scam. i hope kids reading these threads dont fall for them</p>
<p>My S attended the NYLF on Technology in San Jose last summer and had a great time - it was expensive but they stayed in the Fairmont, visited local colleges and tech companies, and heard some great speakers. Also got the chance to interact with others from across the country on various projects and get a good general idea of how much varied opportunities there were in the field of technology. Entertainment included a day at the Santa Cruz boardwalk, a day in San Francisco, a ball game at Candlestick Park, and the 4th fireworks in San Jose. We also learned quite a bit about the area and our S is now thinking of working there someday (unfortunately Stanford already turned him down). Several students from his school have attended various NYLF programs.</p>
<p>These invitations are starting to arrive again to current sophomores, apparently based on high PSAT scores. Any new input from those who have researched or attended?</p>
<p>I went to one of those, I dont know if they helped me with the college admisions process but i had a great experience there and I tihnk that it was worthwhile.</p>
<p>"These invitations are starting to arrive again to current sophomores, apparently based on high PSAT scores."</p>
<p>They do arrive indeed, but are not based of anything but a giant marketing effort. Everyone meets the sole qualification that is the ability and willingess to pay the fees. That fact alone established its questionable value. Lots of students find the programs interesting, but a larger number will gladly admit that they would not go back. Parents who paid for the experience are not so happy to admit that they erroneously believed it MIGHT help with college applications, and need to find a silver lining somewhere. </p>
<p>All of those programs -wiithout exceptions- are money machines and most of them are run by the same outfit under different names. They are truly "enriching" programs, but NOT in the way parents might expect. There are hundreds better ways to spend your hard earned money than lining the pockets of the people running those organizations from behind an illusory curtain of respectability. </p>
<p>Throw the gold-sealed envelopes away without a second thought.</p>
<p>Check out JSA./.. my D did it in Georgetown (she loves politics) and it was way beyond our expectations</p>
<p>I agree if its a students passion, it will mean something; if it appears to be padding, it won't hurt, but won't help</p>
<p>With my D, it went along with most of her other ECs, so it made sense, and she learned so much, and met some amazing people, and made some good contacts, so outside of college aps, it was good for her in all regards, with college aps, whatever</p>
<p>Agree with Citygirlsmom - my S went because it was his passion and he loved it. We didn't even consider it re college applications.</p>
<p>My son has gotten a bunch of them. We just throw them away. I know people who think there is some great honor or prestige to receiving these invitations, and there isn't. One person I know spent close to $5000 sending her daughter to one of those leadership programs in China last year, thinking the invitation made her kid really really special.</p>
<p>What a hoax.</p>
<p>My neighbor just told me that her daughter got an NSLC invite, and her PSAT score was 158!!!!!!</p>