By Raushan Melton
Staff Writer
The next time an elaborate letter, inked on cardstock paper with official gold seals, claiming that one has been inducted into an honor program, think twice as to if it really is an honor.
If you have never received one of these in the mail, companies such as the National Youth Leadership Forum and the Congressional Youth Leadership Council create events that invite students from all over the country to attend. They use laudatory words to describe how appreciative they are for the nominee, and then ask for large price tag for their extravagant program. It is not an actual inducted honor if people have to pay a hefty price for acclaimed program that many can be selected to get into.
One may have been selected because they are an easy target. These companies focus on the idea of offering students a once in a lifetime opportunity for a price. This can seem beneficial to anyone who wants to add to their transcript for saying they attended this grand convention or out of state trip. What is sold is an eye-opening experience with renowned people in the specific field, combined with limited hands on experience. Though students may learn about innovative ideas to come, new work ethics, or meet other students much like them, these companies do not add much to one’s’ transcripts like many would like.
It is also no where near as exclusive as the companies’ say; hundreds of students are nominated from each high school to participate. To find students, The National Youth Leadership Forum and the Congressional Youth Leadership Council can write to high school principals and guidance counsellors to ask for top students. However, upon receiving the letter, students can see that the company still asks for the student’s’ GPA. This question rings up the topic that if the program has to ask students for their GPAs it suggests that the program didn’t take the precautions to examine the student that is being “honored”. Also, further into the Envision’s website, the GPA must be above a 3.5, which is something many students can achieve. Students are also given the ability to self-nominate or enroll online on the Envision website, meaning the program is available to anyone who can afford.
According to the Envision Leadership Program, they can examine information from the College Board, so if a student checks interested in medicine on their SAT form, companies can ask to send a list of those who checked “yes”. It is practically a form of flattering spam mail. Overall, the companies purposely create an overabundance of applicants to ensure they reach their target audience and funding.
The National Youth Leadership Forum does offer limited amounts of scholarships, but they state they cannot assist to every nominee. According to the Envisions’ website, students are suggested to coordinate fundraising to pay for the expenses as well if they cannot solely afford it.Colleges are also aware that people who can list these “leadership conferences” are affluent due to the ability to afford them according to Dr. Jane S Gabin, a member of the National Association for College Admissions Counseling.
Mira Costa has high-achieving students, many are invited throughout the course of the year and go to the courses offered. According to Junior Bridget Johnson, who was invited last year to the National Academy for Future Physicians and Medical Students, the programs are engaging.
According to Johnson who attended one of these events, they resemble more of a social mixer for achieving students and provides little to no academic benefit for those who attend.
Overall, these programs can be intriguing, interesting, and beneficial for a student, but these programs are also businesses. Companies like the National Youth Leadership Forum or Envisions earn money from the sales of students who want to add something to their transcript. Though these programs themselves may offer sufficient benefits, and could indeed be worth the cost, they seem to have no effect for admission into a dream college, so be wary if that is one’s intention for the use of your nomination.
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