<p>Hello all. This is my first post, although I have been reading the forums for a long time. My question is as follows:(bear in mind I am a high school freshman) I got some mail yesterday from the 'Congressional Youth Leadership Council' inviting me to the 'National Young Leaders State Conference.' It sounds pretty interesting, but I wanted to see if it was legite. Have any of you ever heard of it, or gone to it? It looks and sounds very professional, with guest speakers such as William Rehnquist(chief justice of the U.S.), Janet Reno(US attorney general), and Howard Schultz(CEO of Starbucks), along with many other important figures. Also, the board of advisors is made up of Senators and Congressmen/women. My question is, do you think I shosuld attend it? ( <a href="http://www.cylc.org%5B/url%5D">www.cylc.org</a> )</p>
<p>Anyone?(10 char)</p>
<p>From what I've heard about these organizations, they're pretty legitimate, and most people who go have fun, but they're expensive and don't really mean anything in terms of college applications. I've received mail about youth conferences on medicine and the like, so there are different kinds of such organizations. </p>
<p>I personally don't know anyone who's gone to these conferences, but I think there are many people on CC who have attended, and from their posts, I gather that they enjoyed the experience. However, like I said, while they're fun, if you have college applications in mind, they don't have much weight. </p>
<p>I think the people who run these things are pretty much taking advantage of the college craze these days - that people will do anything to give themselves a boost in the admissions process. And things like leadership conferences and such are supposed to "look good," but colleges know that these are more about money than anything else.</p>
<p>And these aren't exactly exclusive. Many, many people get these invitations.</p>
<p>Thanks. Anyone else?</p>
<p>They are useless and just a way to make money. Many people from my school have gotten it (even ones with 2.0 GPA's)</p>
<p>william rhenquist isn't the chief justice of the US supreme court anymore. he stepped down in 2005, i believe, and he died shortly after sandra day o'conner stepped down. </p>
<p>yeah, sounds sketch.</p>
<p>I've gotten that piece of mail multiple times too, bu I'm going to have to go with demeter... they're probably a lot of fun, but they're ridiculous in terms of cost. They really don't hold a lot of weight in admissions... there are, however, programs that do. Search for them on the forums :)</p>
<p>a lot of people from my school (including myself) go on those kins of things. I've gotten mailed a packet for that specific one in the mail as well. They look good on college apps because it looks like you're actually doing something, not just taking classes and getting grades, contradictory to what some people have said. I talked to an admissions officer recently and he said extra things (like that) look good and they're what make you stand out.</p>
<p>What they're actually asking you to attend is the National Young REPUBLICANS State Conference.</p>
<p>So, if you're one of the "elite, outstanding young people" that the organization targets AND ready to be indoctrinated at a young age, then by all means go. However, don't go for the college apps. It's 1) a waste of money and 2) really not good to listen to certain right-wing politicians at such an influential time in your life. ;)</p>
<p>Honestly, though, a lot of people are invited to this, even those that really aren't "outstanding young people". I don't want to burst your bubble, so sorry if I did. But chances are if you are on CC before 9th grade, you are on your way to much more unique, enriching, and exciting opportunities that will benefit both YOU and your apps. </p>
<p>Best of luck.</p>
<p>omg i hate those! they're so annoying. i get like 5 of those every month and they always end up in the trash. cmon its like $2000 for a 1 week thing. spend it on something better. on one of the ones that i received, my parents would have to pay $5000 for 3 college credits. 3! what a ripoff</p>
<p>CYLC is actually the best organization I've aprticipated with. I didn't go to the state one, but I went to National Young Leaders Conference and Global Young Leaders Conference. They were definitately NOT right-wing, they were very good about presenting both positions, and it was more about the government of the US and (for GLYC) the world and how it works, not about each wing. On the otherhand, I went to Presidential Classroom last summer and though they were "Nonpartisan" I would beg to differ since most of the speakers were FAR, FAR left. It was a learning experience I guess. </p>
<p>As to the students who went, NYLC seemed to have a few more "average" people, but on the whole they were high achievers who weren't just rich kids spending their parents money, I actually haven't met anyone in my 3 experiences that was like that. GYLC was definitely a higher caliber of students just because it was made of students from around the world. </p>
<p>Overall, there is a vast difference between different organizations, and some are hoaxes. But I know that everyone I've met who has attended something with CYLC has had an amazing experience (I've had a few friends from school attend as well). If you can afford it, it's great. They were definitely the best experiences of my life, just because it changes your perspective. I would personally wait until you get material for the national conference, but that won't be until your sophmore year.</p>
<p>And just FYI, yes I'm a Republican but msot of my friends at these conferences were hard-core liberals, and maybe that was the best part: finding common ground and being friends with people completely different that you.</p>