<p>It really varies by States. Usually its more significant in states with an interview and application; if it only takes a nomination then go if you want but it probably doesn’t make a difference if you find something else to do with your summer. I couldn’t go to mine because of TASP, but I heard positive things about the experience, but that it was more like summer camp, ie people sneaking in alcohol and getting cliquey. </p>
<p>So to the OP (or one of them), if you feel like the habitat for humanity thing more suits you, do that. Boys/Girls state is just another one of those things to show that you do constructive things with your time. It doesn’t seem to carry any exceptional weight in college admissions outside the service academies and for some reason Notre Dame? (in my experience). It seems to carry the most weight with people who did boys state.</p>