Junior National Young Leaders Conference - Legit or No?

[Anonymous]

My DD just received an invitation in the mail to attend the Junior National Young Leaders Conference. The letter looks official and says she was nominated by her teachers. However, I can't help but think that this is just another money making scheme (kind of like the the Who's Who of American H.S. Students that our parents all fell for...). Has anybody's child ever participated in this? Did you find it worthwhile or not? Thank you!

[Anonymous]

We got tons of those things and tossed them all. They are very expensive, not sure if they are valuable, and colleges won't care one iota about them. Plus most of the ones we got were based in DC, which would be possibly interesting if we didn't already live here. Both my DCs did internships on Capitol Hill instead - free and much more interesting.

[Anonymous]

Is this the one that offers college credit? Or is that only the NYLC and NYLF?

As a person working in higher ed, if you're doing it for the experience, great. If you're doing it expecting to have valuable college credit, it's a waste.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this the one that offers college credit? Or is that only the NYLC and NYLF?

As a person working in higher ed, if you're doing it for the experience, great. If you're doing it expecting to have valuable college credit, it's a waste.

OP here - it's not even that. She is in 6th grade. Having the teacher's name attached made me think it was something DD was truly considered for, but it seems more like they could've invited everyone in Mrs. So&So's class.

[Anonymous]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/19/education/edlife/leadership-t.html?pagewanted=all


It's probably not.

[Anonymous]

I'm a middle school teacher in the area and it is legit that her teacher recommended her. That's how they got her name. The program is definitely legit, but I'm not sure how valuable it is. It maybe be fantastic, it may be boring. But I can attest that it is legit.

[Anonymous]

Used to work for the company years ago...not totally ligit as in anyone can be nominated....even parents can nominate their own child. The programs are good but the staff is poorly trained so execution of the program varies greatly. It is run by a for-profit company that tries to look non profit (IMO) by using fancy nomination letters and acceptance packages. They almost lost their accreditation with the BBB after obama's first inauguration because of so many complaints. (they also have NYSP, CYLC, and a bunch of other programs)There has been a lot of change with leadership and management but I would still do your research carefully!

[Anonymous]

Think of it as an expensive camp.

[Anonymous]

I did NYLC (not Junior NYLC) one summer in high school around 1995. We were definitely tricked into thinking it was selective and realized afterwards that it really wasn't. That said, it was a great experience and I felt like I did learn quite a bit. It wound up making me change my mind and pursue a career in politics. I like the pp that said to think of it as an expensive camp. Almost 20 years later, it's probably changed some, but the formatting sounds quite similar.

Also, my MIL still brags about DH being in the Who's Who book almost 20 years later. I wish I still had the letter inviting my parents to pay the fee so I could show her it was a scam.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did NYLC (not Junior NYLC) one summer in high school around 1995. We were definitely tricked into thinking it was selective and realized afterwards that it really wasn't. That said, it was a great experience and I felt like I did learn quite a bit. It wound up making me change my mind and pursue a career in politics. I like the pp that said to think of it as an expensive camp. Almost 20 years later, it's probably changed some, but the formatting sounds quite similar.

Also, my MIL still brags about DH being in the Who's Who book almost 20 years later. I wish I still had the letter inviting my parents to pay the fee so I could show her it was a scam.

I'm a Who's Who, (why, yes, I'd be glad to send you an autograph), and I don't remember there being a fee. I think the only "fee" was the $80 for a copy of the annual book. I know my parents did not buy the book, but I was still in it. I just photocopied my entry page from the library. Not to say that it was prestigious or anything, but I wouldn't call it a "scam." I'd put it in the same category as NYLC.

[Anonymous]

I got the notice that I was a Who's Who and an order form for the book. A few of my friends got the same. Only one of their parents bought the book and they were the only one of us who was actually listed in the book. I assumed ordering the book was what made them list your name.

[Anonymous]

So does anyone know of a program that IS worth the tuition? Can anyone recommend a group/organization that they felt their child experienced or could have experienced that really is beneficial and not about the for-profit company?

[Anonymous]

Its an expensive camp. Teacher's do recommend but bottom line is that it is a "for profit" camp.

[Anonymous]

I had a fun experience at NYLC in HS. If you are from this area, though, probably not worth it.

[Anonymous]

I worked for the program. It's basically camp. Especially for the elementary-aged kids.