Best Delegate Model UN

Best Delegate Model UN_Rec.jpg

Best Delegate is a highly reputable Model UN program that runs robust summer camps and workshops to help kids expand and excel in competitions. Best Delegate has recently pivoted to include “The Virtual Model United Nations Institute is a year-round educational experience for highly-motivated high school and middle school students ages 11-18 who want an engaging way to learn about the world, build confidence in their public speaking skills, make new friends, and start leading their community.”

Note: Best Delegate has pivoted very nicely to online programs that provide students with training opportunities throughout the school year. This is a COVID-friendly option that is likely to extend beyond the pandemic.

How do I get started? Check out the Best Delegate website for more information.

How do I expand this narrative arc?

  • Convene a Youth Town Hall in your community to start a dialogue between young people and community leaders.

  • Launch a Speaker’s Corner at your school to provide a forum for discussion and debate of issues that are important to fellow students.

  • Consider one of the many summer programs run by The New York Times Summer Academy, including Whistleblower Journalism in D.C.

  • Engage in political role play at one of the exciting competitions run by National Model U.S. Congress

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT SUMMER PROGRAMS: College admissions officers are very adept at identifying “resume padders”: expensive, one-off programs paid for by your parents which do not mesh with your narrative arc. Therefore, make sure any summer program or course you consider falls into one (or more) of these four buckets: 

  • Highly selective/competitive

  • Totally unique + linked to your narrative arc

  • Evidence of adulthood (long hours, multi-year commitment or simply hard work)

  • A jumping off point or expansion for an authentic narrative arc. 

If none of the above apply, a program could still have value to you if it allows you to test a potential interest. However, if it does not end up being a jumping off point for further interests, then you may not want to mention it in your high school resume



Summer ProgramBetsy PutnamDo From Anywhere, Social Sciences