Hello everyone,
I’m a HS sophomore from NY. I hope to pursue a degree in International Relations and wish to enter a career in diplomacy or government. I’ve been part of my school’s debate club since the start of my freshman year and have been really successful in my debates and found a community. Recently, I was asked to join my school’s Model UN team. The debate team and Model UN team both meet on the same time and dates. I was told that Model UN is more beneficial for my major than debate is. Is this true? Should I drop debate and join Model UN, or does it no matter what I’m part of? Thank you so much! 
If debate is working for you, I would just stick with that.
Model UN can be fun and rewarding too, and in fact it was one of my major HS activities. But to be real, it is not in fact the same thing as learning International Relations like you would in college.
And meanwhile debate is helping you develop fundamental skills that are relevant to almost every profession, certainly not least government or diplomacy. And debate is also a major college activity, and colleges are always looking for talented kids to replace graduating seniors. For what it is worth, I didn’t do MUN in college, but I did pick up debate, and it was great.
So your ECs don’t have to match your academic interests to begin with, and in this case debate is basically a match anyway. So again, if it is working for you, I would just keep going with that.
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Debate and Model UN are equally fine ECs. If you are doing well in debate and have found a community you enjoy being part of, I see no reason to give that up. The idea of ECs is to be involved in things you enjoy and where you can hopefully make a positive impact.
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Do what you love and love what you do. Please don’t choose an EC based on how you think it will impress some college adcom in a few years. Pick the ECs you truly enjoy.
Both of the ECs you mentioned sound terrific to me…if one is one you truly like!
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It won’t matter. What matters is that you are fulfilled, committed and successful. Both activities are fine for a potential IR major.
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You needn’t have an EC for your major. You need an EC you enjoy. Sports, band, part time job.
That’s my kids major - she worked, walked dogs at the shelter, was a part of The Humane Society etc.
For many colleges, you don’t consider ECs at all.
Do what you enjoy !! This is your life !! Build tenure if you can.
Good luck.
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It doesn’t matter. Do what you makes you happy!
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I’m sure either one will be fine. My son did MUN and really enjoyed it. He continued MUN in college and went on many trips to other colleges for competitions. Made a lot of friends.
Does your school have MUN as a class also?
Stick with Debate! Do what brings you joy, do it well and give back to your Debate community by mentoring new members, picking up leadership duties in the club and volunteering around it. Having done something for a longer period of time, sticking with it, and growing in that community will be better than jumping from one club to another based on stereotypes/what majority of people does. Look into other opportunities you may enjoy participating in to stand out in your choice of school and major - are there international chamber of commerce organizations represented in your area? International non-profits or sister city organizations you can volunteer with or get an internship? Are there student opportunities with your Mayor’s Office? Newcomer & refugee welcome programs with your school district, county, state, city? Can you perfect and improve your foreign language skills? Start or support existing International Night or International Festival in your school. Good luck!
You already answered your own question My kids did both, but their Model UN program was more focused on the single conference trip whereas debate was a more sustained activity with many opportunities to improve research, speech, and presentation skills. Also look into Boys or Girls State your junior summer (if your state has it) - you usually have to be nominated by your HS.
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To add to this: definitely do the one you want, but if you’re thinking from a college perspective also consider that they like seeing depth in ECs. So (assuming you stick with debate)it will have that 4-year advantage on your resume.
(FWIW, although she changed her major later, my D19 was accepted at some good colleges for IR with mock trial as her main EC. Your ECs do not have to be directed at your intended major.)
As stated. Do what you enjoy doing. Never do something because you “think” that is what the college wants. The college wants you to be an active part of their community. Having a few in high school shows them you will continue being active in someway in their college community.
I’ve actually been interning with my state senator for the last few months and have really enjoyed it! I think this will look outstanding on my application. I’m also trilingual with fluency in English and conversational in Spanish and Russian.
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