Our administrators and faculty have recently started to receive the annual flow of requests from “student experience” organizations requesting that the staff “nominate” students to attend their various offerings around the US and overseas. These offerings are commonly made by organizations with names suggesting that they sponsor national “conferences” or have an affiliation with Congress or other institutions of the US Government and they often list an impressive board of advisors including various elected officials and retired dignitaries.  Please note that:

 

1) Most of these organizations are genuine in that they offer a structured “experience” usually comprising opportunities publicly available but sometimes including some unique aspect that they have arranged

2) Many students have perfectly enjoyable experiences and do indeed benefit from the activities   

3) Being “nominated” whether by school staff or anyone else is not an “honor” and will not be looked upon as impressive if included in a college application or resume

4) The school does not endorse any of these programs

5) Colleges will not usually give any weight to attendance; counselors have explained that they will treat them as akin to a summer camp activity that reflects an interest in a particular subject area  

6) Many of these offerings are very similar and yet their prices vary dramatically. If interested, shop around

7) We do not grant high school credit for the time spent at these activities even though many organizers supply a letter certifying hours spent and usually classifying it as “Social Studies”  

8) Attendance during the school year will be an unexcused absence. If you want to send your student to one of these offerings please select an attendance date outside of the school-year

8) Some organizers offer college credit from reputable accredited colleges. This credit usually (appropriately) involves both a supplemental fee to the college and the completion of academic work (usually essays)