(Sorry if this is in the wrong thread)
I was planning on applying for the Georgetown Politics Institute this summer, but my parents can’t afford it. I also wanted to take a two week service trip to either Jamaica or South Africa, yet this idea was also shot down because it’s not financially possible at the moment. I’m worried that colleges will see this as a lack of interest in politics and human rights, my two main interests going into college. What are some other effective ways to show my passion? I’m afraid that no matter where I intern or volunteer this summer, it won’t measure up to the impact/effectiveness of the opportunities that affluent students have. There’s a huge difference between volunteering in South Africa in order to protect people’s human rights and volunteering to Mail letters at a nonpartisan political organization.
A “service trip”? Is that where you (or someone) spends thousands of dollars to transport you somewhere to eat someone else’s food and sleep in someone else’s bed and provide “service” in which you have no expertise whatsoever?
Don’t we have politics and human rights opportunities available domestically?
I know a number of students who have competitively applied to international summer programs that are fully supported. You might try Internet searching for some of those.
Is there LITERALLY NOTHING you can do in your own community??
You should find something closer to home and focus on that. Maybe someone around you is running for some kind of office and you could work or volunteer on their campaign? I feel like there must be something near your area where you can work or volunteer to help people out, if not specifically dealing with human rights
No, it won’t measure up to the amount of money affluent students spend. Colleges aren’t as impressed as you think with kids whose parents buy them these “service” trips. How much do you really think these high school students do to protect South African human rights? Yes, kids with rich parents have opportunities others don’t have. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t meaningful opportunities for everyone. The affluent will always have access others don’t. Some will truly leverage that opportunity, others will squander it. The question is how will you work with the hand you’ve been dealt?
Colleges will be much more impressed with an ongoing commitment to a local organization than a two-week service vacation. Start looking for volunteer opportunities. Reach out to a political organization you believe in. Volunteer to help disadvantaged kids in your community - no, it’s not political, but it does show commitment to your community. Does your school have something like Model UN? If so, participate. If not, see if you can start a chapter. Look locally for something that will truly make an impact. There are plenty of people right here in the US who need someone to speak up for them.
Colleges understand that some applicants have participated in “purchased opportunities.” But you don’t have to purchase an opportunity to help people who are experiencing poverty and other social problems right here in the U.S. People go to Costa Rica or parts of Africa to experience worldly problems but these problems exist in Milwaukee, Baltimore, and many other places. Church groups take students to Appalachia to engage in community service projects, as an example.
Colleges are more impressed with year-long, year-in/year-out commitment to your local community. I’m sure there is something you can do - women’s shelter, food pantry, headstart, voter registration…