<p>Papa-</p>
<p>Not a scam,but not worth the time or money. We live in DC area, one or two kids in my daughter's hs went. Pointless. Watch C-Span and visit DC for a couple of days. Would be cheaper.</p>
<p>Xmere</p>
<p>DD just finished a NSLC program in DC. Yes it was costly, but no more so than any other "camp" experience. It was very worthwhile, she met tons of nice kids from all over, the seminars on Health Care and Medicine were interesting, and the sightseeing was great. She didn't do this to "get an edge of college admissions". She did it because she like the program. She was not disappointed at all. If you are doing these "pay as you go" programs, they are not to pad your resume for college. They are experiences. I will say that if I lived in DC, I would NOT have sent my kid to a program like this in DC...They offer these things all over the place. For us, part of the appeal for DD was the sightseeing opportunity. He class didn't get to do the 8th grade trip to DC because it was right after 9/11 (would think that a lot of rising seniors had that experience). Sending her to DC even for the sightseeing would have been worth it to us.</p>
<p>My S was offered the opportunity too. In fact, he was offered the opportunity about 4 times because I kept throwing the invitation in the garbage. Know two people who did it and said it was fun, but no different than any "academic camp" kind of thing. Guidance counselor said if you have nothing else to write about as your EC's, then do it, if not.....throw it in the garbage. Most colleges know it really isn't such a unique thing.</p>
<p>We sent one of our kids a few years ago. He had a great time. It is a nice experience for those students who cannot get to Washington, D.C. to visit. It is no more an EC than debate camp, athletic camp etc....it's something you do because you have an interest in government and history, not something you do to pad a resume.</p>
<p>there's also free programs, i got into boys state by the american legion, that was prettty cool (all dudes though, that was kinda a bumm) but other than that i had fun</p>
<p>but boys tate is pretty selective, only about 900 kids (about 1 per high school) are chosen around the state (at least in california) and its only for a week. I did go on NSLC and that was off the chain</p>
<p>My D did this about 4 years ago during the summer. We figured it was a good way for a west coast kid to learn about DC without us having to go. Think of it as a vaguely educational tour, not very academically demanding, and go from there. She did learn more than I expected about the workings of government.</p>
<p>One of my sons went because he has an intense interest in politics, government and history, even though he had visited D.C. several times. (I grew up there and have family there.) I thought the sightseeing would not necessarily be redundant because as you age and learn you see things from a different perspective. However, before I made my decision I called parents of students from his school who had attended to get their and their students' opinions of the program. The most brilliant student thought that it was worth it only if you snagged an important role in the student congress, and that the majority of the attendees contributed little. The more typical students uniformly loved the whole experience, and showed much enthusiasm. I think it is a decent program if money is no problem, but there are cheaper alternatives. Also, student comfort is NOT a priority. My strapping son spent his 11 nights on a rollaway in a crowded hotel room with his feet hanging off the bed.</p>
<p>NYLC is truly an amazing experience that shouldn't be passed up by anyone. I recently attended a summer session, which I went into not knowing what to expect. I figured this would be a quick 11 days that would allow me to get a good letter of recommendation for college. However, from the moment the conference started I was put in a comfortable environment where I was intellectually challenged. I was given opportunities to see breath taking monuments and meet interesting people. I know that I couldn't have gotten these opportunities with any other program. The staff and scholars formed a relationship where friendship and respect merged. Most importantly, the bond that I made with other scholars is irreplaceable. Leaving the conference was one of the hardest things I've had to do, but I left a different person. NYLC is a great opportunity and a life changing experience.</p>
<p>In terms of selectivity, the parents' financial statement is a more important criteria than anything from the student's background. That said, I have heard mixed reviews. This is not a scam, though. It's a legitimate enrichment program, however would have no impact on admissions.</p>
<p>Girls or Boys State is highly selective and can be very meaningful on college applications.</p>
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<blockquote> <p>impact on admissions>></p> </blockquote>
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<p>Some students attend these summer programs and do NOT expect them to have an impact on college admissions. They attend because they are interested in the topic and their families can afford to send them. I don't view this as a problem. Why shouldn't students be able to do a summer activity that does NOT pad their college resume?</p>
<p>I returned home from the NYLC just a month ago, and I would not trade my experiences for anything in the world. However, I did not go in the fall, so it did not interfere with my school work, and it was also for 12 days, not 6. The staff at the conference were some of the nicest people I have ever met in my life, and I learned more on this trip than I ever would sitting in a classroom taking notes. While not only seeing all the historic monuments and museums, I was able to listen to highly educated speakers in places such as the National Press Club and the Capitol building, which was an honor that most teenagers will never have the chance to experience. I meet some of the most amazing people during the conference, and I made tons of friends that I still talk to almost everyday. It was also a good experience to get away from home and see what it is like to share a room with someone else. The NYLC is in NO WAY A SCAM, and has given me not only the added benefit of putting such a prestigious event on my college application, but has given me the "upperhand" if I ever want to get a job working with the government. The amount of money paid is absolutely worth it, and I would highly recommend this trip to anyone who is invited.</p>
<p>It looks like the above poster works for the NYLC.</p>
<p>I went a few years ago. It's fun if you have the money to do it, but it is not prestigious for college admissions. If you don't have the money to do it without fundraising, don't bother going. I had to fundraise for it, and wish I hadn't wasted the time, even though it was a decent experience.</p>
<p>It's absurd to say (as the previous poster did) that it will help you get a job working for the government. Think of it as a guided tour around DC and a chance to hear some decent speakers.</p>
<p>You will learn more in the classroom than you do on this "conference." The people you meet are no different than any other HS students interested in politics. Think of the fact this program invites almost anyone to go. Use your own judgment.</p>
<p>While I do agree with some things the above poster said, I just wanted to clarify that I do not work for the NYLC, I went as a student participant.</p>
<p>I went to the NYLF-Law (I'm from CA and had never been to DC) and loved it...got to exercise my public speaking skills and really determine a career path ...</p>
<p>I just got back from NYLC about a month ago and it was the best experience OF MY LIFE! I met people from all over and got to experience government at its epicenter. I saw the sights around DC and my eyes were opened to the world. I never thought it would affect me so much but I still keep in touch with everybody I met and I wish I could go back. It is worth every cent and more...I say let your son go because he will come back more aware and will have had the most amazing experience EVER!!!!!!!!!! Trust me it was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>I recently returned from NYLC and it was the most amazing experience I have ever had in my life. It was soooo hard to leave because of the AMAZING people I met, the challenging environment and the sights I saw. I cannot think of anything in my life that has made me more aware or had as big of an impact on me. I don't think it matters whether it is prestigious or not because it was the best time of my life. You wont find anything better. I cant think of one bad thing about it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>I recently returned from this conference and I HAD THE TIMEOF MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!! I met amazing people, was in a challenging environment and it has never been so hard for me to leave something. I am more aware of the world and opportunities around me and if your son or daughter has the opportunity to attend NYLC she/he should HANDS DOWN GO! Never have I been changed so much in 11 days...NYLC IS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>Welcome to CC, livedoutloud - glad you had a great time. My friend's son attended early this year and had a great experience.</p>
<p>i recently returned from a trip to nylc and I have never had a better experience in my life. I made friends, saw everything and was in a group of kids who were just as passionate as me about seizing opportunity and living life to the fullest. I came back more aware of my world and very different. I could not have asked for a better experience. I had the time of my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>