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What do i do in high school to show I’m interested in political science?

nr548grad21nr548grad21 16 replies13 threads Junior Member
in College Admissions
I am going into junior year and I participate in debate, ethics, and mock trial. What else could I do to show my interest in politics and law without having to pay for programs?
14 replies
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Replies to: What do i do in high school to show I’m interested in political science?

  • LoveTheBardLoveTheBard 2132 replies20 threads Senior Member
    Debate, ethics and Mock Trial are among the most relevant extracurriculars. Have you taken on any leadership roles in any of these activities?
    You might consider trying to find an internship with a local congressperson's office or volunteer with a local or national political campaign.
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  • gardenstategalgardenstategal 6711 replies10 threads Senior Member
    Get involved with a campaign. Work as a reporter on your local town meetings. Get involved in a lobbying effort. But do it because you are interested, not because you want to put something on your college application.
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  • Bromfield2Bromfield2 3976 replies38 threads Senior Member
    Adding to the suggestions above—Model UN or get involved in student government at your high school.
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  • lookingforwardlookingforward 35412 replies399 threads Senior Member
    Odd question, because if you're that interested, you'd get involved. Much more than just in the high school.
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  • MYOS1634MYOS1634 43281 replies471 threads Senior Member
    There's got to be a campaign looking for interns near you - between the Democratic primary's gadzillion candidates, House races, State races, council races... There's no shortage of places you can gain experience at.
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  • happy1happy1 24165 replies2425 threads Super Moderator
    Hint -- its an election year.
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  • ucbalumnusucbalumnus 83820 replies743 threads Senior Member
    MYOS1634 wrote: »
    There's got to be a campaign looking for interns near you - between the Democratic primary's gadzillion candidates, House races, State races, council races... There's no shortage of places you can gain experience at.

    Someone interested in political science (i.e. the study of politics) is not necessarily one with strong enough political views that are closely aligned with a particular candidate or party.
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  • lookingforwardlookingforward 35412 replies399 threads Senior Member
    ^ Doesn't matter. The idea is to get out of the hs box. If you're aiming high, personal preferences and college expectations aren't the same.
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  • ucbalumnusucbalumnus 83820 replies743 threads Senior Member
    edited July 2019
    lookingforward wrote: »
    ^ Doesn't matter. The idea is to get out of the hs box. If you're aiming high, personal preferences and college expectations aren't the same.

    So much for telling high school students to be themselves rather than choosing every activity from the viewpoint of impressing college admissions readers.

    Also, it is unlikely that every political science professor at a college is a strongly partisan activist closely aligned with some political party or politician.
    edited July 2019
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  • lookingforwardlookingforward 35412 replies399 threads Senior Member
    For heaven's sake, OP's list includes Brown, Dart, and GTown.

    Lol, I don't tell them just to "be themselves." WTH, you're applying to college, not dating.

    It's not about just "impresssing college adcoms." If they want a type, you need to be that type. That includes climbing out of the cozy hs box, not just being in hs clubs or leaning back, because that's "you." Top colleges aren't looking for kids who lean back.

    No one is asking for "partisan activists." Just kids who can see opportunities and take them on. For heaven's sake, these kids have to have some interests they can pursue- not just proclaim they want this or like that. Same for comm service- not just some club that darts in and out for an hour of "service."

    OP has debate and mock trial. Clearly, he or she can settle on a position and proceed.
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  • MYOS1634MYOS1634 43281 replies471 threads Senior Member
    edited July 2019
    Also, it doesn't matter if you're an *Elizabeth Warren Superfan and there's a *Cory Booker office nearby. You don't sit iddly around in case an *EW office is set up next door. You get involved, get experience, and learn.

    *= used as random names for the purpose of the example
    edited July 2019
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  • CheddarcheeseMNCheddarcheeseMN 3717 replies14 threads Senior Member
    edited July 2019
    You don’t need to be for a particular candidate to be involved in an election. OP could work for a voter registration or election awareness drive. One example is working with local organization to register high school kids who will be 18 at election time.
    edited July 2019
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  • lookingforwardlookingforward 35412 replies399 threads Senior Member
    Even better to register folks in the community, not just another in-school thing.
    Or find an advocacy group, adults working for a cause, pressing for change, working *with* the political system.
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  • PublisherPublisher 11560 replies155 threads Senior Member
    Vote.
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