Legitimacy of National Student Leadership Conference

Hey guys, I've been looking into attending the National Student Leadership Conference to bolster my extracurriculars, but I want to know if it's legit. Does anyone have experience with the program? Is it well-regarded in college admissions?

The National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) is a legitimate organization that offers summer programs for high school students to explore career fields, develop leadership skills, and experience college life. However, when it comes to college admissions, attending an NSLC program may not have the kind of impact you're hoping for.

While the program can be enriching and help you explore your interests, it's worth noting that the NSLC is not particularly selective and can be quite expensive. College admissions officers are often more impressed by selective and low-cost summer programs that are focused on specific areas of interest or skill development. For example, leadership programs like HOBY and RYLA tend to be more recognized and respected among admissions committees due to their selective nature and community impact.

Additionally, if you're looking to boost your extracurriculars for college applications, it might be beneficial to focus on activities that demonstrate consistent involvement, a genuine passion for a specific area, and tangible achievements or impact. For instance, starting or leading a club at school, volunteering regularly at a local organization, or participating in research projects are all ways to build a strong, well-rounded application.

In summary, while attending the NSLC won't hurt your application, it may not have the substantial impact you're looking for in the college admissions process. Instead, invest your time and resources in more selective summer programs or focus on meaningful extracurricular activities that align with your passions and interests.

For some suggestions of reputable summer programs to get involved in, check out this series of blog posts from CollegeVine, which breaks down options organized by geographic area, or academic area of interest: https://blog.collegevine.com/category/extracurricular-activities/summer-activities/

Or, if you want ideas for extracurriculars that could be enriching for you, CollegeVine's blog also has a list of 900 options for you to consider: https://blog.collegevine.com/your-complete-list-of-extracurricular-activities/. While you definitely don't need to participate in all 900, this extremely comprehensive list will hopefully present a few possibilities that inspire you.

Good luck with your extracurricular involvements!