Running for VP for 2 academic clubs

Parents Forum
1

Hi Everyone,

First post so hopefully it’s in the right place!

My son has two extracurricular which he really enjoys and they are taking up the majority of his time outside of school. He is currently the Treasurer for both the Speech & Debate club and Model UN club at school. He has not earned any awards for Speech & Debate because it’s very competitive. He has gone into Octofinals a few times, which is great in my eyes but compared to students who go to state and nationals, his achievements does not stand out. He only started Model UN this year and has won awards at pretty much every conference attended so far. My son is driven and wants to run for VP for both clubs next year. The debate club requires a time commitment of 5 hrs each week during the weekdays. The Model UN club only requires about 2 hours commitment weekly. These time commitments are for running practices after school and mentoring students. Academically, he will have a heavy workload next year as a Junior, and I am trying to convince him to run for VP for only one club. Should he run for the debate VP position next year? My concern is he would burn out. He is aware of my concerns and knows it would be hard to juggle everything next year, but he still insists on running. In the eyes of the AO, I am not sure if adding another leadership position would move the needle. Especially since he is not able to reach state or nationals. Given his projected workload next year, I am not sure if this will change.

We live in California and he is aiming for selective UC schools and LAC. Should he run for both VP positions or just the Model UN one? Any advice is appreciated!

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Take UCs and other selective schools out of the mix.

I see two things that are paramount:

  1. Academics
  2. His life / stress - he’s a kid

Pursue one - I’d go the two hour club. And be a part of the other

One doesn’t need awards. One needs tenure and impact. Awards are not doing things - there is something behind that award. And so many things in life have no recognition - a job at a grocery store, walking dogs at the shelter etc.

Best of luck.

1 Like
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I am feeling a lot of stress in your post. My goal would be to achieve balance.

I would try for VP for one, not both, and I would choose the one he prefers.

It’s really about making an impact, as noted above. He doesn’t need 2 VP titles to do that.

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I’d let your son decide.

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Since Terms of Service prohibits multiple accounts, I am closing this thread.