Would going to a national competition look that good to colleges?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

I got 1st place in my state in an event for Business Professionals of America (BPA), and I qualified for nationals. I don’t really want to go to nationals because it costs a lot of money, and it ends the day before my AP exam. If I do go, do you think it would look that good to colleges? And if I end up winning my event nationally, do you think that would also look good to colleges?

2

You are answering your own question. But winning state is also a big deal. You don’t need to go to nationals if studying for your AP exam is a higher priority but what AP exam is it?

3

It’s AP US Government. Do you think going to nationals outweighs the importance of that?

4

I guess it depends what your going into. First you have to see if you can afford it. Many schools have grants etc to help you. Also sure anything on a national stage is better then a local stage. Even if you went to nationals and placed in the top 50. That’s kinda cool. My son placed 21 in a chess tournament in the United States at that one tournament. He definitely let the college know since that was his personal best. He also placed second at a qualifier round for shot put… Again another personal best(by distance). He let the college know that he has the determination, work ethic and mental strength to try to reach his best. Don’t you think colleges would find those positive attributes for a college student? Pushing yourself to the next level is great. Not everyone can be the winner. Got it?

5

If you have been doing well in your AP US government course, then you should be able to do well on the AP exam, even if you have no last-few-days cramming time before the AP exam due to the scheduling of the national championship that you can compete in. Also, it is not all that assured that any possible score difference from lack of last-few-days cramming time will matter anyway for either college admission or subject credit in college.

Now, if the cost is an issue, that may be a more significant factor in deciding to compete in the national championship. But yes, winning the national championship will look good at colleges that consider extracurriculars, even better than winning the state championship (which is still good and a lot better than typical extracurricular lists of starting a few clubs at the school or whatever).

6

Check to see if makeup dates for AP exams are offered at your school/in your area.

7

You should go to nationals if:

  1. You and your family agree that you all can afford it
  2. You want to
  3. You want to put the work into it
  4. You have thought about what happens if you put the money into it and you do not win