I am a junior in high-school currently, and as a sophomore I got a summer internship with my US Senator’s campaign office. I was the only high schooler ever and since their reelection is next year, I was tasked with a lot of different things as the campaign is gearing up. Along with this internship, I have another internship with a candidate running against an incumbent in my congressional district for the US congress. AND next summer, I most likely have an internship with a current US congressman running for governor of my state.
I am all over the board, helping with all campaigns in my state!
My question is, will these internships help me in any way when applying to top schools like Harvard / Stanford?
[also I have a 4.0 gpa - 34 ACT - a TON of extracurriculars and leadership positions - plus 9 APs - varsity sport]
You’ve already posted this and we told you that an internship is not enough to get you into colleges you wouldn’t otherwise be qualified for. You’re only a junior and you need to relax.
Yes, being active in your community outside of school is a great thing to have on your application.
No, there is no magic ticket that’s guarantees you admission to an elite school.
Do well. Apply to safety, match, and reach schools. Pay attention to budget so you can afford wherever you get in.
You will go to college.
@Deaston First of all, you should not tell me to relax when I am trying to figure out my future, as I need to try as hard as I can because of my financial situation. Maybe you could tell me why I’m not qualified and actually help me… because after all this is what this site is about…
@AroundHere Thank you so much! And that is what I’m trying to do, manage budget for these internships because all of them are unpaid, thanks again though! :-bd
They are helpful, but these “internships” for re-election campaigns are not necessarily seen as “high-ranking”. They are most likely on the same level as helping out at a non-profit or volunteering,
I never said you were unqualified, I simply said that the internships themselves will not get you in to a highly selective school with an admit rate of 5%. You will need to run the net price
calculator to determine how much aid you can expect. There maybe schools that will offer you merit aid but they are not the most selective. You can repost this is much as you’d like but you may wish to spend more time ensuring that you have the highest grades and test scores you can achieve and focus on affordability and fit versus selectivity.
What’s the possible major?
If it’s something related to poli sci or govt, of course this experience is good. But I think you may want to dig deeper into just what your targets want and expect, what they’re about. And get a sense of just how fierce the competition is, how many kids do so much.
And I agree with @anxiousenior1 about “high ranking.” You have to step back and look at the validity of what you did, not focus on whether there’s some element of prestige or “special.” In admission to places like HYSG, adcoms don’t tend to ooh and aah, they’ve seen so much, thousands of driven, accomplished applicants. But also, they want and will choose kids with perspective, humility, and more. They’re building a community. When they encounter some “better than” attitude, they can pause.
Without digging past some internships and your stats/rigor, it’s hard to assess your own match, form the best presentation in the app and supps. Think about it. You know what colleges you want, but do you have any solid idea what may make them want you?
@lookingforward that makes so much sense! I appear to have come across as bragging, but I hope you know I’m not, sorry! But what you were saying about how I need to find a reason for them to say “wow, I think he would be great fit” changed so much for me. I will try to think of some ways for that to happen.
And as you rethink, and dig deeper into what these schools look for, try to understand the attributes they want to see, that matter to them.
A lot of people think in hierarchical terms- that the kid who did more, did better, won XX and YY, raised more $$, etc, is a shoo in. But once you establish the stats, and show the depth and breath in ECs, (and those experiences related to your possible major,) it’s about what else comes across about you. Eg, willing to take a chance, stretches, open to new experiences, and more. Show, not just tell.
@lookingforward this is EXACTLY what I needed to hear. I’ve never thought of these college admissions as showing why you would be a good fit and make them want you. I need to explain why these experiences have changed me and show that I am willing to take chances, I am willing to explore something new.
You are the most helpful person on here, thank you! =D>