<p>Bughugs if I can give you one piece of advice it would be to not develop the unwarranted pompous attitude that senate pages often have as so clearly exemplified by donovan. Donovan, your idea that house pages arent as highly regarded is hysterical considering the number of house pages who have gone on to be successful is nearly double that of senate pages. Just look at some of the notable former house pages… Bill gates, and an exhaustive list of senators reps and governors… take a step down off your high horse cause it’s not getting you anywhere</p>
<p>Thanks for the heads up Donovan95. A famous Massachusetts family? lol I hope whoever that is and the others who are connected won’t look down on me! And i’ll be sure to look out for Mr. Hampel too! I really appreciate any info you give me since it’s so hard to find a lot of info about the program online! haha.</p>
<p>And stocker93, I’m sure that Donovan95’s comment wasn’t meant to be as “pompous” as you took it. I mean, I’ve heard all about the senate vs house pages rivalry, I’ll bet that each one of you thinks your branch was better for many different reasons.</p>
<p>Yes, it is true there is an intense rivalry. The reason we Senate Pages feel we are higher up is because we have fewer, have more responsibilities, and our school/program is much more rigorous, and the Senate is the upper body of Congress. Plus, we have yet to have a ‘scandalous relationship’ occur. The only reason I mention it to you, bughugs, is because I want you to understand the prestige and responsibility of Senate Pages. Our program told us numerous times that there was a reason we didn’t work for the House side. Bottom line, either program is very highly regarded.</p>
<p>As for the other well connected pages, don’t worry even a little bit about it. Most of the well connected people attempt (and usually succeed) in keeping their identity a secret. We didn’t even know two of our pages were billionaires children until nearly 3 months in! </p>
<p>There’s a reason the program is not mentioned very much online. The semester program is extremely challenging, and thus, many kids who can’t exactly handle the stress load are asked to leave, and have poor things to say about the teachers, proctors and cloakroom staff. Also, they want to maintain the decorum expected in the Senate.</p>
<p>The proctors are very strict. They will punish you, the first time. No second chances. However, don’t let that stop you having fun. I will PM you some of the stunts we pulled in good ol’ Webster. (It’s not in keeping with the Page Program reputation, thus I don’t want to publish it lol) It’s very much like a secret society or fraternity organization. Once a member, you’ll never not be connected and (I don’t know about summer pages) they’ll always sort of take care of you.</p>
<p>Question for the Senate Page…is it true that we have to sleep in a former funeral home…</p>
<p>and did it feel like one…like scary…lol</p>
<p>Ha yes Webster is a former funeral home. However, it underwent an $18 million renovation to become a dormitory for pages. In fact, it is the most expensive dorm built, per person, at a whopping $529,000 per occupant. It didn’t feel like a funeral home at all. You would never know it unless someone had told you.</p>
<p>Are you a boy or a girl? Cuz then I can tell you more about the room you’ll be staying in.</p>
<p>I’m a girl. Oh okay. I’m just asking because I don’t want anything like haunting on Connecticut happening…is it okay if I PM you questions? I’m interested and from California, I applied to Barbra Boxer already. Actually I called yesterday because I couldn’t find the online application it indicated and I told them that and they didn’t even know it wasn’t up on the site. I think I should get extra points for that. lol.</p>
<p>I have a question on getting the position. Like I mentioned that I worked with SEIU(which is a state worker organization in my state) because my moms a state worker, and I tried to help elect Mary Salas by doin various things…is this something that would help me…or hurt me…lol.</p>
<p>Also, did you ever go into the White HOuse? =D</p>
<p>Donovan95, I’d love a PM lol I’m glad to hear that you guys were still able to have a lot of fun despite the strict proctors.</p>
<p>Ok so I will just keep reaching out to Senator Schumer’s office. I will call my local office first and see what they know. BTW, I know he is a senior senator but did he have a page last summer or during the first summer session. </p>
<p>Should I apply to the House Page Program too? Can anyone tell me some positive perks of being a House Page? Unfortunately my state (NY) has had its share of House scandals
:(</p>
<p>CollegeBound:
Senator Schumer did not have a semester page last semester, or the one before that, or any summer pages that I know of. However, you should still pressure them for an application. If they like you enough, they will request a page, guaranteed. And yes, of course, you want to apply to be a House Page. Apply through your representative for sure. (Hopefully you’re not in Weiner’s district;)I’m not quite familiar with that application process, but it can’t be much different than ours. </p>
<p>Perks of being a House Page: Witnessing Congress firsthand, interacting with some of the most powerful politicians in the world, attending addresses to Congress by foreign dignitaries, the opportunity to live in Washington, D.C. for a semester of school, making very close friends, House pages are allowed to have cell phones and computers (Senate pages are not.)</p>
<p>There are many benefits to being a page for both bodies of congress. Also, consider applying through Sen. Gillibrand’s office as well. Many junior and even freshman senators are granted pages as political favors.</p>
<p>AlterEgoo:
Feel free to PM me. And just FYI, your political affiliations will not affect your selection. My family members are very well known Republicans in my state, and I was given the appointment through a Democrat. They will look at your experience as political activism. I do have reservations about applying through Sen. Boxer’s office, as they have not appointed a page in nearly 6 years. (Or Sen. Feinstein’s office for that matter.) However, there is always a first time. Don’t worry about that. If they like you and feel you fit the part, they will request a page.</p>
<p>PM me if you want, and yes, we did get to visit the White House.</p>
<p>Also, be sure to spell her name correctly: Barbara Boxer.</p>
<p>Donovan: I will. This summer I will email, call, and write to Schumer’s office. On his website, it said applications were to e faxed between November 1st and March 15th so I guess this year he was granted a page. My representative (not Weiner :D) was a given a page from my school this year and though he is a ranking member of the House (regarding tenure) he is not without scandal in Washington and at home. Did Gillibrand have a page? I tried to look for an application on her website but I could not find anything.</p>
<p>Why isnt every senator appointed a page? Or is the purpose of the program to work with every senator and not just the one from your state?</p>
<p>While every senator has an application on their website, it doesn’t necessarily mean they get a page, but the fact that they advertise it obviously increases your chances. Senators’ offices won’t know if they get a page for first semester until late June or July, and about the second semester until November or December. I don’t believe Senator Gillibrand has ever had a page before. And only 30 pageships are given total, thus not even every state gets a page let alone every senator. This year, our breakdown was like this:
Washington State: 1- Murray
Montana:2- Baucus, Tester
Wyoming: 1- Enzi
Hawaii: 1- Akaka
Oklahoma: 1- Coburn
Arizona: 1- Kyl
Kentucky: 2- McConnell (both)
Maine: 1- Snowe
D.C.: 1- Collins*
Vermont: 1- Leahy
Virginia: 2- Warner and Reid** (D-NV)
Indiana: 1- Lugar
Utah: 1- Hatch***
Tennessee: 1- Alexander
Rhode Island: 1- Whitehouse
Texas: 2- Kay Bailey Hutchison and Reid** (D-NV)
Ohio: 1- Brown (D-OH)
New Hampshire: 1- Shaheen
Mississippi: 2- Wicker and Cochrane
Alabama: 1- Shelby
Michigan: 1- Levin
Florida: 1- Nelson (D-FL)
Illinois: 1- Durbin</p>
<p>*Our page from D.C. was appointed by Senator Collins of Maine.</p>
<p>**Senator Reid appointed two pages not from his state. Both were patronage, however, he has appointed pages from his state before.</p>
<p>***Our page from Utah resided in Salt Lake, but went to boarding school in Massachusetts.</p>
<p>The pages don’t exactly work WITH the senators, more like for the cloakrooms. We work for the party of our appointing senator. The Majority (Democrats) is granted 16 pages, the Minority (Republicans) are granted 14.</p>
<p>I am going to apply for summer 2012. Hopefully Senator Schumer will get chosen to have a page. Or like you said another senator can sponsor me. BTW when should I get started on the process? I would like to get things started earlier. I can complete the cover letter and even have one letter of recommendation from my club advisor. For the rec’s, did your senator have a formal sheet or did you ask for a recommendation? Schumer’s website is unclear about this.</p>
<p>I started my application the end of my freshman year. I got a copy of the app and familiarized myself with the questions, essay portions and written requirements. Then, I put it away and pulled it every once in a while to work on it. However, I’m assuming you’re going to be a junior this year and so you don’t have the luxury of time. My advice is to get it done ASAP and definitely before school. I’m sure you already missed the application deadline for the fall application deadline, and may have missed the spring one as well. These were my senator’s offices deadlines:
SPRING (Jan. 29 - June 8) appointment Oct/Nov
Application due May
FALL (Sept. - mid January) appointment July
Application due in January</p>
<p>SUMMER (3 weeks after July 4th) appointment April
SUMMER (3 weeks end of July-early Aug) appointment April
Application for the summer due November</p>
<p>Senator Schumer’s may be different. My senator’s sheet required three recommendations, and I had one from a well known business leader, one from a teacher and another from another community leader whom I met through community service. Even if they do not formally require them, I would definitely attach two no matter what. At least ask for your recommendations soon, that way the person(s) have plenty of time to write a quality rec. Having more time to work on it is better, this way you can thoroughly go through it and make sure every part sounds and reads exactly how you want it. So start today.</p>
<p>Did your senator have a recommendation sheet or did you write your own?</p>
<p>Schumer’s website says:
All applicants are requested to submit a cover letter, a listing of extracurricular activities, and three letters of recommendation. Ordinarily, all materials should be placed in one packet and mailed between November 1 and March 15 for the following summer sessions. However, until timely mail delivery resumes to the United States Senate, please fax your materials to (202) 228-3027.
That’s all. Im going to call in the morning to get some answers.</p>
<p>Good plan. Calling does three things: 1. Sets you apart from those other kids who didn’t bother to call and do it wrong. 2. Connects you directly to his office. (Call the D.C. office, not your local ones.) 3. When the interns who answer the phone have no idea what the heck you are talking about, they will ask somebody who matters. That person will think, “hmmmmm… maybe I should mention to Chuck that we want a page.” Therefore, they’re more likely to get a spot, and think of “that kid who kept asking questions” (you) first. No, my senator didn’t have a form. It basically said what Sen. Schumer’s says, minus the cover letter part. (I sent one anyway). P.S. Don’t elaborate on your extracurrics. They will ask you questions during your interview about how you managed your time with all of those activities, and you’ll be left fumbling for a lie. If it were me, I would fax and mail. That way they definitely get it, and if it gets left on somebody’s desk and accidentally knocked into the trash (happens more than you think), another copy will be arriving via that “untimely mail system.” It is untimely, mind you. It often took 3 weeks to a month to get our mail. Mail a copy no later than Feb. 1st. You sound like you’re pretty on top of things… it will help in the long run.</p>
<p>Hey Question, </p>
<p>Once your done being a Senate Page,
What does it help with after wards? Does it look good on college application if you have done Senate Page rather than attending another summer program? Who are some successful people that were senate pages?(if you know)</p>
<p>And that situation happened with me. Where with my senators intern was like…what are you talking about…and he had to actually go on the site to see what I was talking about lol. And then he told me to email the person in charge.Would you think they would remember that I was the one that sent it? </p>
<p>I’m excited about this program because my life dream is to become a judge for the Supreme Court=)</p>
<p>Well, the semester program has many successful graduates. If possible, (meaning you’re a rising SOPHOMORE) I would recommend applying for the semester program. It’s longer and much more esteemed. </p>
<p>Current senators Mark Pryor (D-AR) and Mike Lee (R-UT) were both pages, as well as MANY essential employees of the Senate. But it’s not going to just get you a job. You have to work hard in life, too. Are you interested in being a Supreme Court Justice? a clerk? I’m not sure what you mean by ‘judge for the Supreme Court.’ I believe the semester programs have also graduated six Rhodes scholars.</p>
<p>This program looks incredible on CERTAIN college applications. If you’re applying to the biggies, which I assume you are based on your career aspirations, than they will recognize the program and bring you to the top of their list. Ivies do this, as well as Georgetown and most other prestigious institutions (NYU, Boston College, Tufts, UVa, William and Mary, Duke, etc.). College admissions officers know this is a highly selective program meant for hard workers. However, if you’re applying to the rinky dinky local school no one really knows about, chances are they’ll have absolutely no idea about it.</p>
<p>There is no other program, except for possibly TASPs, that could look better. (I’m biased of course), but seriously. This is a biggie. However, if you’re only going to get into a good college, don’t apply. You’re taking an opportunity from a kid who actually cares about politics just so you can get into college. That’s just a dick move.</p>
<p>The program doesn’t have a whole lot to deal with the Supreme Court. (The court is only open til 4:30, so you won’t have time to visit it.) However, if you care about politics, public policy, foreign policy and current events, this is pretty much the best program for ya.</p>
<p>***Collegebound: Mail a copy on Feb. 1 only if they have not yet contacted you about the application, or sent a receipt of package or so forth. No need to be abusive to those poor, poor mail room clerks. Haha.</p>