Has Your Child Been to a Leadership Forum?

[disneygirlatheart]

My dd has been receiving paperwork on a National Youth Leadership Forum on Law and Crime Scene Investigation to be held this summer for 1 week in Washington DC. It is expensive but her grandparents said they would pay if she wanted to go, we are financially unable to at this time. It gives a website of www.nylf.org
She has a 4.0 GPA and is a sophomore in high school. She is interested in law, but is going to pursue an accounting degree. She is exceptional in math. She is doing college level math in high school instead of following along in math with her school since she is so advanced in this subject. The questions I have are..

Has anyone's child been invited to this and did they go?
Is it a scam, the reason I am asking is they spelled her name wrong on the mailing?
Is it worth it, what all did they do, did they enjoy it?
Is it well supervised or are the children left to their own devices?

Sorry for all the questions, I just want to be sure of things before saying she can go. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Sadie22]

There is a long Wikipedia article about this organization. Be sure to read all the way to the end.

There are several for-profit organizations like this that target high school freshmen and sophomores. We found that there were plenty of free and lower cost programs offered through local universities so that our kids had enough to do without us laying out huge sums of money for one-week programs. We wanted to hold onto our college savings for college, and we did. We did invest in Scouting high adventure trips, but those did not cost anywhere near what the other organizations wanted, and the boys went on Scout trips with their friends and leaders we knew well.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

No kids and I don't know of anyone who's been to this, but I did a little Google-fu and found this:

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/347434-national-youth-leadership-forum-worth.html

To sum the opinions, it seems that no, it's not a scam in the sense that kids who go seem to enjoy it and find it worthwhile. But the sales pitch that only certain kids get chosen as an honor isn't true, and it isn't a selling point on a student's application to college.

It might be a fun and educational way for a HS kid who isn't from an urban area to spend the summer and get some ideas and inspiration for his/her future, depending on family price points.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I think this is along the lines of one my ds went to. I think his was around our spring break time in April.

Should note, I didnt want him to go and thought we should save our money, dh over ruled me, sigh, sigh.

He did one about government or military stuff. I cant remember. We were thinking he wanted to go into the fbi etc. etc.

It is very well supervised. My ds had to pick from sime tour options too. They had a list of like 23 and he had to rank his choices. I think he chose some high profile ones. The ones in the middle were embassys and the low ones were historical places. Well of course he got nothing her really wanted. I think he ended up doing Gettysburg and then maybe some naval war college or something like that? When they all regrouped he heard the kids who got the embassys and the things he really wanted were totally bored as their access was restricted to just about the lobbys of these places. He was happy with what he had.

They also had to do some simulation stuff in groups and he was chosen to be the allied commander or something like that.

Just curious if her information stuff includes the monuments at night tour?

My ds had never been away from home before so he enjoyed that. He met another girl who as going on the plane and that mom was freaking out telling ds to watch out for her dd etc.

I think the only bad thing was they dropped him off late for the return flight, so he had to really hustle through the airport to get on his flight etc.

Yes as others have said, it makes no difference whatsoever on a college application.

I think I would save your money for college costs and books and tuition.

It would probably be better to check out your local community college for options.

 

[Hannathy]

Yes my DD did. She went to the NYLF for medicine. It was 2 weeks and she went to the one in Chicago. She loved it! and it wasn't fun and games they worked. And they had very long hours. From 7am to 10 every night.

They got to do and see a lot of things that would be almost impossible to do on your own. It really helped them make their minds up if this was what they wanted to do. They saw surgery, spent a day at a medical school, Spent time at various hospitals, and clinics, had workshops, lectures, discussion groups, and so on.

There were only 2 "leisure" activities during the 2 weeks. 1 afternoon on there own shopping in Chicago and 1 weekend day at 6 Flags, the rest of the time was scheduled.

It was also good for her to see other kids her age from all over the country who also had an interest in medicine and what her competition would be like in getting into schools. She also enjoyed spending time with other kids her age interested in the same thing and working toward the same goal.

I'm glad she went and think it was worth the money. As far as the college application I think it does make some difference. It shows interest in what you want to do and it is always good to have extra curricular s on your application.
It also can help not so much getting into the college but in getting into a specific program within the college earlier.

 

[mjkacmom]

We got a letter yesterday for some leadership conference in DC. I'm saving my $ for tuition.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

My DD and my niece (and numerous friends) were accepted/nominated/whatever to the Junior level one.
My DH and I researched it. Seems to be a for-profit educational camp. My DD isn't interested in politics. I would prefer to take a family vacation to Washington, DC and hit the museums (which are free btw) together. As my DD was more interested in the "honor" of being accepted and the wedding-like invite it came in, we passed.

That being said, my niece went and had a good time. She said she learned something. They did take the high road and paid for the entire thing out of their own pocket. It is a glorified expensive summer camp. I'm not saying it's a bad camp, it's just an educational camp.

On my husband's side of the family, his nephew's kid was accepted into the program. The wife is acting as if the kid is the next nobel prize winner. And she is on facebook begging for money.

My thoughts (and they are just my thoughts ), if your child is interested in the program and your family (grandparents included) is willing to pay for the experience, then it is right for you. If you need to beg your facebook friends to pay for your kid's summer camp, then maybe you need to re-think.

 

[dislaney]

No kids and I don't know of anyone who's been to this, but I did a little Google-fu and found this:

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/347434-national-youth-leadership-forum-worth.html

To sum the opinions, it seems that no, it's not a scam in the sense that kids who go seem to enjoy it and find it worthwhile. But the sales pitch that only certain kids get chosen as an honor isn't true, and it isn't a selling point on a student's application to college.

It might be a fun and educational way for a HS kid who isn't from an urban area to spend the summer and get some ideas and inspiration for his/her future, depending on family price points.

This pretty much sums it up. I know of a few people that have gone and they have enjoyed it, but it is not as selective as they might lead you to believe. I think if you have the extra money and your child is interested- by all means send them.

 

[MrsPete]

As a high school teacher, I can tell you that lots of kids get these "honors offers". Few of my students attend -- mainly because of cost.

They all seem to have a great time. As someone else said, it can be a good tool for the students to determine their own interest level in the subject. However, these experiences will not provide them with any long-term "leg up" for college or the career world.

Also, you should look into programs available in your own area. We have excellent programs offered for medicine, law, and construction in the summer. And things that're leadership-related. Probably much more, but that's what comes to mind right now. And these things are all very reasonably priced. Entrance into about half these programs is competative, and those programs DO help the student with college admissions.

Programs like this one are profit-oriented trips. Someone is making big money from them -- not that that's a bad thing, but realize what you're getting into.

In closing, if the child's grandparents can easily afford it (and she wants to go), look into it further. But if it's a financial sacrafice at all, skip it. If money is an issue, it'd be better to save it for college needs. Having a high school senior, I can tell you that the big bills start rolling in senior year!

 

[klacey1]

Yes my DD did. She went to the NYLF for medicine. It was 2 weeks and she went to the one in Chicago. She loved it! and it wasn't fun and games they worked. And they had very long hours. From 7 to 10 every night.

They got to do and see a lot of things that would be almost impossible to do on your own. It really helped them make their minds up if this was what they wanted to do. They saw surgery, spent a day at a medical school, Spent time at various hospitals, and clinics, had workshops, lectures, discussion groups, and so on.

There were only 2 "leisure" activities during the 2 days. 1 afternoon on there own shopping in Chicago and 1 weekend day at 6 Flags, the rest of the time was scheduled.

It was also good for her to see other kids her age from all over the country who also had an interest in medicine and what her competition would be like in getting into schools. She also enjoyed spending time with other kids her age interested in the same thing and working toward the same goal.

I'm glad she went and think it was worth the money. As far as the college application I think it does make some difference. It shows interest in what you want to do and it is always good to have extra curricular s on your application.
It also can help not so much getting into the college but in getting into a specific program within the college earlier.

I have heard good things about the medical NYLF. A friend of mine attended in high school and said they even saw cadavers being worked on-- so it does seem like they do legit activities. I think it's also beneficial for the social experience of it-- leaving home, making new friends, having a mini-college experience.
However, there are much cheaper options that provide close to the same thing. Rotary International runs a great leadership camp-- and they pay for all expenses.

 

[cabanafrau]

Mine have not, but we have a close friend who did so twice. She had a great time, but I don't think it's money all that well spent. Spend some time checking into summer programs offered by different universities in areas of interest to your child. Most of the time they are significantly more affordable.

Another benefit is your kid gets a very good idea about the living situation and offerings of that particular university.

I absolutely believe that when it comes to extracurriculars on college applications, long-term participation in something and extensive volunteer and community service work garner a much more favorable view than a five to ten day trip mom & dad paid for. DD says many recruiters, admissions officers and even engineering professors have a lot of interest in the fact she has been a dancer for 13 years and want to know how she has found the time to participate routinely in support of several good causes with her academic workload.

 

[crazyme5kids]

My son went to the one for military/government/diplomatic, sorry, I don't remember the exact name of it, but he really enjoyed it.

When we debated about sending him, I posted here on the Dis too for opinions. Maybe you can find the thread, but it's old so it might not even exist anymore.

 

[monarchsfan16]

I went to NYLF Medicine back in 2003. It was a fantastic experience. It really opened my eyes to the world of medicine, what it takes to get there, and all potential careers in medicine...not just MD. Like a previous poster said, the days are LONG and jam packed. We simulated the admissions process to med school, had ethics debates, etc. We also took field trips to med schools and shadowed doctors and nurses at hospitals. I went to the program in Boston and my field trips were to Harvard Med School, the BU School of Public Health, and New England Medical Center at Tufts. Our FA's (group leaders) were almost all med school students themselves, and were very open about their experiences, which gave us an even more in-depth look at the process of becoming a doctor.

It was a VERY worthwhile experience for getting an in-depth look at the field of medicine. I don't know that it did anything for me on my college applications. But it did help me to get a better understanding of the medical profession.

 

[crazyme5kids]

I just want to add, when we decided to let my son go we viewed it as strictly a camp/vacation experience, not as something that would benefit him or look good on a college application.

 

[disneygirlatheart]

Thanks for all the replies. I also shook my head at begging for money on Facebook for a trip that is basically an extra-curricular activity. Thanks for the link to the website, useful info on there. I am going to check 2 universities that are somewhat close to me. I have not thought about that, maybe they have an accounting program for the summer.

I will just give it some thought and keep researching. If we can find something less expensive closer to home that would be great and save the grandparents some money also. If she is still determined to go, then I guess we will let her.

Thanks again and I am so glad the children that did participate were able to meet new friends, make new memories, and enjoyed themselves along the way. I think it is great for young people to get those kinds of opportunities, it helps them grow.

 

[vttkdmom]

My son did a People To People program to California, he hated it. Was bored and thought it was "too much like school"

My daughter did a People to People program to DC, loved it, really enjoyed the history, had access to parts of the capital that the 'average' tourist doesn't see. This was an expensive trip, paid out of pocket. She also went on a Governor's Institute trip to a relative local college. She stayed on campus and had seminars/classes with other students. I think she got MUCH more out of this experience. We applied for and received tuition assistance for this so it was MUCH less expensive.

She also got the same 'invitation' as your child, we are passing on this one. I am sure she would enjoy it, but for the $2k or so, she could spend a week in Europe!!

 

[Chelley00]

My son keeps getting the same paperwork from the same place for law. If they take the PSAT and say they are interested in law, they get on that mailing list. It has nothing to do with their GPA or PSAT scores just so you know.