Does Boys/Girls Nation Help With College Admissions?

Boys Nation and Girls Nation are premier citizenship training programs sponsored by the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary respectively. Each program selects 100 high school juniors annually to participate in a week-long mock government experience in Washington, D.C., where two participants are elected to serve as president of their respective programs. The position of Boys/Girls Nation President represents one of the most prestigious leadership achievements available to American high school students, demonstrating exceptional public speaking ability, political acumen, and peer recognition at the national level.

Both programs aim to increase understanding of democratic government processes and develop youth leadership through hands-on experience in a mock federal government setting.

Approximately 20,000 students participate in Boys State programs across 49 states annually, with similar numbers for Girls State. From these participants, each state selects two senators to attend the national programs, creating a pool of 98-100 delegates for each gender's national session. The programs maintain separate but parallel structures, with Boys Nation typically held in late July and Girls Nation in mid-July at various locations in the Washington, D.C. area.

Notable alumni include President Bill Clinton (Boys Nation 1963), Senator Susan Collins (Girls Nation 1971), and numerous other political leaders, judges, and public servants. The programs have produced 16 U.S. Senators, 7 Governors, and over 100 members of Congress throughout their history. Selection as Boys/Girls Nation President places students among approximately 150 individuals who have held these titles since the programs' inception.

Participation requires U.S. citizenship or permanent residency and completion of junior year in high school. Students must first attend their state's Boys/Girls State program, typically a week-long session in late May or early June, where they engage in mock government activities at the state level. State programs select their two national senators through various methods including elections, interviews, and evaluation of participation quality.

Structure and Details

Boys/Girls Nation operates as an intensive seven-day program combining educational sessions, mock government proceedings, and interactions with federal officials. Delegates divide into two political parties - Federalists and Nationalists - that develop platforms, nominate candidates, and conduct elections for president, vice president, and other offices. The presidential election typically occurs on the fourth or fifth day of the program.

Presidential candidates must secure their party's nomination through a convention process involving speeches, caucuses, and delegate voting. Nominees then campaign across party lines, participating in debates, delivering speeches, and meeting with fellow senators. The general election uses a two-round system if no candidate achieves a majority in the first round. Winners serve as program president for the remainder of the session, presiding over the mock Senate and representing their cohort at various ceremonial functions.

Daily schedules run from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, including committee meetings, general assemblies, guest speakers, and tours of government facilities. Senators draft, debate, and vote on legislation addressing current national issues. Past sessions have considered bills on healthcare reform, climate policy, immigration, and education funding. The program includes meetings with actual U.S. Senators, Supreme Court visits, and wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery.

Program costs vary by state for the preliminary Boys/Girls State programs, ranging from free (fully sponsored) to $500. The national programs cover all expenses once students arrive in Washington, D.C., though participants must arrange transportation to and from the capital. Some states provide travel stipends or group transportation for their national senators.

Time commitments include one week for state programs (late May to early June), one week for national programs (July), and potentially 10-20 hours of preparation studying government procedures and current events. Many participants spend additional time developing their political platforms and practicing public speaking before attending.

College Admissions Impact

Admissions officers at highly selective universities recognize Boys/Girls Nation President as a premier leadership credential demonstrating exceptional communication skills, peer recognition, and civic engagement. The achievement carries particular weight at institutions with strong political science, public policy, and government programs including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Georgetown, and American University.

The credential's impact varies by institutional type and student context. At Ivy League and equivalent institutions receiving numerous applications from student government presidents and debate champions, Boys/Girls Nation President provides meaningful differentiation. The achievement signals success in a nationally competitive environment beyond typical school or regional activities. Admissions data from Georgetown's School of Foreign Service indicates that Boys/Girls Nation participants have acceptance rates approximately 15% higher than the general applicant pool.

State universities often provide specific recognition for Boys/Girls Nation participants through scholarship programs or honors college automatic consideration. The University of Virginia, University of Michigan, and University of North Carolina offer dedicated scholarship opportunities for program alumni. Military academies particularly value the leadership demonstration, with West Point and the Naval Academy maintaining liaison relationships with both programs.

The achievement's value depends significantly on presentation context and supporting activities. Students who connect their Boys/Girls Nation experience to sustained civic engagement, policy interests, or leadership in related areas maximize its impact. Those who treat it as an isolated achievement or fail to demonstrate continued growth afterward may not realize its full potential. The credential works most effectively when integrated into a coherent narrative about leadership development and public service interests.

Liberal arts colleges focusing on civic engagement and social responsibility particularly appreciate Boys/Girls Nation participation. Institutions like Swarthmore, Oberlin, and Macalester view the experience as evidence of values alignment with their educational missions. However, STEM-focused institutions may place less emphasis on the achievement unless students effectively connect it to leadership in scientific or technical contexts.

Getting Started and Excelling

Students interested in Boys/Girls Nation should begin preparing during sophomore year by developing public speaking skills, studying American government, and building leadership credentials. Joining debate team, Model UN, or student government provides relevant experience in parliamentary procedure and political discourse. Advanced Placement Government and Politics coursework offers valuable background knowledge, though it is not required.

Initial steps focus on qualifying for state Boys/Girls State programs. Selection processes vary by state and typically occur in March or April of junior year. Most states require school counselor or American Legion post nominations, essays about civic interests, and sometimes interviews. Competitive states like California and Texas may have regional selection events. Students should contact their school counselor by January of junior year to understand local procedures.

Preparation for state programs should emphasize understanding governmental structures, current political issues, and Robert's Rules of Order. Successful participants actively engage in all program activities, volunteer for leadership positions, and demonstrate genuine interest in governance processes. Many state programs offer awards or recognitions that factor into national senator selection.

Students selected for Boys/Girls Nation should prepare extensively during the three to four weeks between state and national programs. This includes studying federal government operations, developing positions on major policy issues, and practicing impromptu speaking. Reviewing past presidential speeches from the programs and understanding the mock legislative process proves valuable. Some states organize preparation sessions for their national senators.

Campaign strategy for presidential candidates requires building coalitions across party lines while maintaining authentic positions on issues. Successful candidates typically combine strong public speaking abilities with genuine interpersonal connections. The compressed timeline rewards students who can quickly assess the political landscape and adapt their approach accordingly.

Strategic Considerations

Pursuing Boys/Girls Nation President requires significant time investment concentrated in May through July, potentially conflicting with summer academic programs, internships, or athletic commitments. Students must weigh the opportunity cost against other prestigious summer activities like research programs or selective summer schools. The concentrated timeline makes the activity compatible with August programs or split summer commitments.

Geographic disparities exist in program competitiveness and support. States with strong American Legion presence and established program traditions like Kansas, Illinois, and Missouri typically provide more resources and preparation opportunities. Students in less active states may need to independently research program expectations and preparation strategies. Some states limit participation to certain schools or regions, requiring early investigation of eligibility.

The activity aligns naturally with interests in law, politics, public policy, journalism, and history. Students pursuing STEM fields can leverage the leadership demonstration but should prepare to articulate connections to their primary interests. The experience provides compelling material for essays about leadership, civic responsibility, or overcoming challenges, particularly for students who do not win the presidency but gain insights from the attempt.

Financial considerations remain minimal compared to many prestigious summer programs. However, students should budget for appropriate attire (business formal for the full week), potential state program fees, and transportation to Washington, D.C. Some American Legion posts offer sponsorships for financial hardship cases. The programs provide all meals and accommodations during the national session.

Students should consider Boys/Girls Nation as part of a broader leadership portfolio rather than a standalone achievement. The experience complements activities like debate, Model Congress, campaign volunteering, or political internships. Those unable to attend due to conflicts might explore alternative high-level leadership opportunities while still participating in state programs for the experience and recognition.

Application Presentation

Activity descriptions should emphasize the selective nature and national scope of the achievement. Effective descriptions quantify the selection process and highlight specific accomplishments. For example: "Elected President of Boys Nation from 100 delegates representing 49 states. Presided over mock Senate sessions, delivered keynote addresses to program participants and government officials, and represented the organization at Arlington National Cemetery ceremony."

Essays featuring Boys/Girls Nation experiences work best when focusing on specific moments of growth or insight rather than summarizing the entire program. Strong topics include navigating political disagreements, building unexpected coalitions, or discovering leadership approaches. Avoid essays that merely describe the program's prestige or list activities without personal reflection. The experience provides rich material for essays about intellectual curiosity, as students engage with complex policy issues and diverse perspectives.

Interview discussions should prepare specific anecdotes demonstrating leadership skills developed through the program. Examples might include mediating between opposing factions, adapting communication styles for different audiences, or managing time pressures during the campaign. Students should articulate how the experience influenced their academic and career interests without overstating political ambitions unless genuine.

Common application mistakes include overemphasizing the title while underplaying the learning experience, failing to connect the achievement to broader interests, and assuming admissions officers understand the program's selectivity without explanation. Students should also avoid partisan political statements that might alienate readers, instead focusing on the governmental process and leadership lessons learned.

Resume presentation should list the achievement prominently under leadership or honors sections. Include selection statistics when space allows: "Boys Nation President (1 of 2 elected from 100 national delegates selected from ~20,000 state participants)." Supporting materials might include news coverage of the achievement, though most admissions offices will not review extensive supplementary materials.

Additional Insights

Recent program adaptations include increased emphasis on cybersecurity, social media governance, and pandemic response policies reflecting contemporary challenges. The 2020 programs operated virtually due to COVID-19, while 2021 implemented hybrid models. These adaptations demonstrated the programs' resilience while potentially reducing the full impact of in-person networking and site visits.

Accessibility accommodations are available for students with disabilities, including mobility aids for Capitol tours, dietary accommodations, and modified schedules when needed. Programs have welcomed participants with various disabilities, though the intensive schedule and physical demands of touring Washington require advance coordination. State programs vary in accessibility, requiring individual inquiry.

Post-program opportunities include alumni networks, American Legion scholarship programs, and invitations to speak at Legion events. Many participants maintain connections with fellow senators, creating valuable networks for college and career development. Some states organize reunions or ongoing leadership development programs for alumni.

International students and DACA recipients face eligibility restrictions due to citizenship requirements, though some states permit participation in state programs for permanent residents. Alternative programs like Model UN, Junior State of America, or YMCA Youth and Government provide similar experiences without citizenship restrictions.

College-level participation opportunities include internships with the American Legion, serving as counselors for state programs, or joining collegiate public policy competitions. Many universities have American Legion scholarship recipients who form informal networks. The experience also provides strong foundation for pursuing Capitol Hill internships or campaign positions during college.

Related Activities and Further Exploration

Students drawn to the governmental simulation and leadership aspects of Boys/Girls Nation often excel in competitive academic programs that require similar skills in research, argumentation, and peer collaboration. Those who enjoy the scientific policy debates within the program frequently pursue International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) - Gold or engage with environmental policy through scientific competition. The collaborative problem-solving required in Boys/Girls Nation parallels the teamwork essential for success in International Young Physicists' Tournament (IYPT) Winner, where students must defend scientific solutions before expert panels.

The research and presentation skills developed through preparing policy positions translate well to science fair competitions, with many students finding success in Siemens Competition National Finalist by applying their communication abilities to scientific topics. Similarly, those interested in the intersection of science and policy often pursue International Biology Olympiad (IBO) Medalist, where understanding biological systems connects to public health policy debates common in Boys/Girls Nation sessions.

Students who particularly enjoy the public speaking and performance aspects of campaigning for Boys/Girls Nation President often discover similar satisfaction in Poetry Out Loud National Champion, where memorization, interpretation, and stage presence determine success. The most academically ambitious participants frequently channel their research and analytical skills into Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) Top 10, where independent investigation and clear communication of complex ideas to diverse audiences mirrors the skills needed for effective political leadership.