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Model United Nations: Shaping My Character and College Success

University: University of Georgia

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Published: Feb 15, 2024

Words: 677 | Pages: 1 | 4 min read

Joining the mun club, developing leadership skills, future plans.

Throughout my high school experience, I have had the privilege of being involved in various extracurricular activities that have not only shaped my character but also prepared me for success in college. One particular experience that stands out to me is my involvement in the Model United Nations (MUN) club.

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Joining the MUN club in my freshman year was a decision that I will forever be grateful for. Not only did it allow me to explore my passion for international relations and diplomacy, but it also taught me valuable skills that have contributed to my personal growth. One of the most significant achievements during my time in this club was winning the Best Delegate award at a regional MUN conference.

This achievement was significant to me not only because it recognized my hard work and dedication but also because it validated my ability to excel academically and make a meaningful impact. It was a testament to the countless hours spent researching and preparing for debates, as well as the late nights spent collaborating with my fellow delegates to draft impactful resolutions. Through this experience, I learned the importance of academic excellence and the rewards that come with it.

Furthermore, being a part of the MUN club helped me develop leadership skills that I believe will be crucial in my journey through college. As a delegate, I was tasked with representing a country's perspective on various global issues. This required me to not only thoroughly understand the topic at hand but also effectively communicate and negotiate with other delegates to reach consensus. It taught me the importance of empathy, active listening, and compromise - qualities that are essential in any leadership role.

In addition to the skills I gained, the MUN club also exposed me to a diverse range of cultures, perspectives, and worldviews. Interacting with fellow delegates from different backgrounds broadened my horizons and fostered a sense of global awareness and interconnectedness. This experience has prepared me to embrace diversity and thrive in a multicultural environment, which I believe will be invaluable in college.

Looking ahead to my college years at the University of Georgia, I plan to continue pursuing academic excellence and making a positive impact through leadership and service. Firstly, I intend to major in International Affairs to further explore my passion for global issues and diplomacy. I believe that the rigorous curriculum and world-class faculty at the University of Georgia will provide me with the necessary tools and knowledge to excel academically.

Moreover, I plan to continue my involvement in extracurricular activities that align with my interests and values. At the University of Georgia, I am excited to join the International Relations Society, where I can engage in meaningful discussions and debates with like-minded individuals. This will allow me to continue developing my critical thinking and communication skills while also staying updated on current global affairs.

Furthermore, I aim to take advantage of the various leadership opportunities available on campus. Whether it be through student organizations, clubs, or internships, I aspire to take on leadership roles that allow me to make a positive impact on my peers and the community. I believe that leadership is not about authority or titles, but about inspiring and empowering others to reach their full potential.

Lastly, I am committed to serving my community and giving back to those in need. Through volunteering and service-learning opportunities at the University of Georgia, I aim to contribute to local and global causes that align with my values. Whether it be through tutoring underprivileged students, participating in service trips, or raising awareness about social issues, I want to use my skills and abilities to make a tangible difference in the lives of others.

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In conclusion, my involvement in the Model United Nations club in high school has been a transformative experience. It has not only shaped my academic and leadership abilities but also instilled in me a sense of global awareness and a desire to make a positive impact. I am confident that the values of academic excellence, leadership, and service at the University of Georgia align with my personal goals and aspirations. I am excited to continue pursuing academic excellence, embracing leadership opportunities, and making a positive impact through service at the University of Georgia.

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Extracurriculars.

Model UN: Ideal Extracurricular for the Future International Relations Major

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Extracurriculars are an integral part of the high school experience. While many students think of grades, standardized test scores, and academic achievements as the backbone of their college applications, at many selective colleges, extracurricular activities are an increasingly important piece of the puzzle, since most applicants are academically qualified for admissions.

Casual participation, however, is not enough to set you apart when it comes to extracurriculars. In order to truly shine, you need to participate in activities to which you’re truly dedicated. By finding activities that you’re passionate about, you’ll be able to engage in them over a prolonged period, demonstrating your commitment and sometimes building up to increased leadership or recognition.

For some students, it’s easy to find an activity that you’re passionate about pursuing. You might have a sport you’ve played since childhood or a long-standing interest in the visual arts. For other students, you may pursue Math Olympiad or a specific language club.

If you have an interest in international relations, your options will be fewer, but you aren’t out of luck completely. Model UN provides the opportunity to learn more about international relations through education, collaboration, and simulated UN sessions. If you are interested in learning more about Model UN, including what exactly participating in it entails and how you can get involved, read on.

What Is Model UN?

Model UN is a group that allows students to participate in mock United Nations sessions regarding real world international issues. The group was founded in 1920 and was originally named the Model League of Nations, but it changed names when that organization was succeeded by the UN.

Model UN exists worldwide, though there is some variation from country to country regarding how students participate and prepare. It also exists at various age levels, starting in middle school. For the sake of clarity, this article will focus specifically on how Model UN functions at the high school level in the United States.

Model UN is usually run as an extracurricular activity through an established high school team, but this is not the only way to get involved. There are also some independent teams, particularly in the case of homeschool students.

Model UN clubs generally meet regularly throughout the school year to discuss and debate important global issues. Sometimes, teams will prepare for smaller Model UN exercises within their own school, while other times teams will prepare for larger regional, national, or even international conferences.

The culmination of the Model UN experience is a simulation of the United Nations General Assembly. In these simulations, students take on the roles of ambassadors from UN member states to debate current issues on the organization’s agenda. These debates include speeches, resolutions, negotiations, and conflict resolutions. All are carried out according to the Model UN conference rules.

What Is a Model UN Conference?

Model UN Conferences are often the most exciting feature of the Model UN experience. At these large, inter-school events, each school’s team represents a particular country and debates various issues in the best interests of that country. These conferences vary in size, but the largest are usually held over a period of consecutive days and are hosted at large hotels or conference centers. They become truly social events, with participants having plenty of time outside of the simulation to get to know one another.

The first stage in participating in a Model UN conference is preparation. This generally starts before you even register for the event. Before you registert, your team will need to decide which countries it is most interested in representing. Countries are usually assigned on a first-come first-serve basis, with schools listing their preferences when they register for the event.

Choosing a country is not a decision to be made flippantly. Some countries have more responsibilities than others, so you will need to take into account the experience level of your team and the scope of the conference. You may be more comfortable taking on a more significant role at a state or regional conference than you are at a large national or international conference.

While there are 193 countries to choose from along with numerous non-governmental organizations (NGOs), schools most commonly compete for the 15 countries on the Security Council, especially the five permanent members with veto power: China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States. New or less experienced teams often select mid-sized countries, which still play a significant role in debates without being overwhelming. No matter how large or small the country you represent, you will still have one vote in the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, and most other UN committees and agencies. For this reason, it’s worth remembering that even the smallest countries play an important role.

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The Model UN Resources site recommends that teams consider the following when selecting a country to represent:

What would your group like to learn from this experience?
Which countries would help to enhance this learning experience?
How does each country fit into the group’s course of study? For example, an advisor wishing to teach a course on economic development may wish to choose a developing or newly-developed economy.
How much of a challenge does each country pose for the group?
How familiar are the students in the group with each country or region you are considering?
Are there enough participants in the group to represent the countries you have chosen? Most conferences provide a matrix that lists the minimum and maximum numbers of delegates needed to represent each country. You may have enough members to represent just one country or several.

Once you have officially been assigned a country to represent, you will need to research the pertinent issues to be discussed at the conference. The Model UN Resources site provides some research tools to get you started, along with a Model UN Preparation Guide .

Before a conference, participants are given specific topics or problems that will be addressed, which provides them with plenty of prep time to research and draft positions on these issues. Your team is often required to submit a position paper showing that you have a clear understanding of the dealings of your country, as well as its position on the issues that are being discussed at the conference. You can find more information about position papers along with a sample position paper available in the Model UN Preparation Guide.

At the conference, delegates from the school’s team split up to participate in different committees, where they debate and defend their country’s position and eventually draft resolutions. Depending on your role on your team and your team’s role in the conference, you might be responsible for writing and delivering an opening speech, compiling a research binder, or writing a resolution.

During the conference, delegates will take turns delivering speeches, participating in debates, and working with allies to draft resolutions to important global issues. After the presentation of resolutions, the committee votes on whether or not they want a resolution to be passed.

At the conclusion of some conferences, special awards are presented to delegates who particularly stand out for the quantity and quality of their participation, compelling public speaking skills, or leadership in the committee.

Because there is no single international governing body for Model UN, different conferences will abide by slightly different sets of rules and take slightly different formats. If you are competing exclusively in the United States without international competitors, you will likely only encounter the United Nations Association of the U.S.A. (UNA-USA) rules and format, though it never hurts to check in advance.

If you go on to participate in international conferences, you can most likely expect the The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN) or the The United Nations Guide for Model United Nations (UN4MUN) format and rules. While these are similar to the UNA-USA format and rules, there are some significant differences, though none should be too jarring if you are already familiar with UNA-USA and know about the changes in advance. You should always know what kind of format and rules you’ll be expected to follow well in advance of any conference.

Why Should I Join Model UN?

Model UN is a well-recognized and well-respected extracurricular activity. For students with an interest in history, political science, government, law, or similar fields, Model UN can help you to highlight those specialized interests on your application. If you are interested in pursuing international relations or learning more about parliamentary procedure and the interests of foreign countries, Model UN will be a great fit for you.

In addition, Model UN offers the opportunity to hone relevant skills that easily translate to success in the classroom. Throughout your participation in Model UN, you will research, write, present and debate. You will also practice and perfect your public speaking skills.

Finally, Model UN offers a fun social dynamic. Through participation in larger conferences, you’ll meet interesting people who share your interests and may even become lasting friends.

If you are interested in international relations or are considering a career in government, Model UN is a great choice. Not only will you gain insight into the workings of the United Nations, but also if you can sustain your participation and build your skills, you’ll come out with an impressive extracurricular to match.

How Can I Improve at Model UN?

There are many ways to become a better team member and leader for Model UN. The most valuable is simply continuing to be an active participant at Model UN conferences. Be sure to stay actively engaged, asking questions from more experienced participants if you don’t understand what is happening.

There are also several online resources that you can refer to if you want to improve your written work or fine-tune your research. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the Model UN website , especially the Resources for Students link that includes valuable tools for beginners and experienced team members alike. The website Best Delegate also includes some great tips for preparing for conferences, including their guide to 15 Things Every Delegate Should Have in their Research Binder .

Finally, be certain to check out the CollegeVine post, How to Win Best Delegate in Model UN . Here, we review Model UN’s Best Delegate award and outline some strategies for achieving it, including how to compromise effectively, communicate articulately, and assert leadership skills respectfully.

If you’re a student who’s beginning to think about the impact of extracurriculars on your college applications, or you’re just starting to consider which extracurriculars you should focus on during the remainder of your high school years, check out our free guide for 9th graders and our free guide for 10th graders . Our guides go in-depth about subjects ranging from academics , choosing courses , standardized tests , extracurricular activities , and much more !

For more information about extracurriculars and opportunities for students interested in government or politics, see these CollegeVine posts:

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• A Guide to Taking a Foreign Language in High School

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Extracurriculars

Are you interested in politics or international relations and looking for a club that lets you do you hands-on activities? Have you heard of Model UN but aren’t sure exactly what it is?

Read this guide to learn everything you need to know about what Model UN is, what participants in it do, and how to decide if it’s the right extracurricular for you to join.

What Is Model UN?

Model United Nations, often referred to as Model UN or MUN, is an extracurricular most commonly for high school students, but also available to college and middle school students.

Model UN is a simulation of UN organizations such as the UN General Assembly, UN Security Council, UNICEF, and others. Its participants take the roles of ambassadors from various countries and debate current issues. Model UN was developed in the 1950s as a way to give students hands-on learning in international relations, diplomacy, and the United Nations. Over 400,000 students around the world participate in Model UN each year.

What Do Model UN Participants Do?

The core of Model UN is its simulations of UN conferences where students (known as Model UN delegates) role play as UN ambassadors and delegates. If you join Model UN, you will be doing a variety of activities, including researching, debating, and coming up with solutions with members of other countries. These simulations occur at Model UN conferences, which can be regional, national, or international. Conferences can have anywhere from 30 to over 3,000 participants.

When your Model UN team joins a conference, your team will be assigned a country and an issue relevant to that country that is currently being discussed in the UN. You can request a certain country, but you are not guaranteed to get it. For example, you may be chosen to represent Nicaragua at the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). At the conference you attend, you will have to convince the other delegates to make decisions in your country’s favor.

If you have a larger Model UN team, you may be assigned multiple countries or issues, and the team will break into smaller groups to cover each one. Conferences occur throughout the year, but you will be given at least a few weeks, and usually several months, to prepare your position before you attend the conference.

Before the Conference:

In order to prepare for conferences, delegates must study the country and the issue they have been assigned and become well-informed on both. Most conferences require you to write a position paper that outlines your country’s position on the topic as well as suggestions you have for how to resolve the issue.

If you’re representing Nicaragua for the ECLAC, you will need to research topics such as what sectors have the largest impact on the country’s economy, long-term and short-term economic trends in Nicaragua, if there are groups largely excluded from contributing to the economy (such as women or certain ethnic groups), who Nicaragua’s primary trade partners are, what the country imports and exports, and multiple other topics. After discussing these issues in the position paper, you will have to come up with ways to improve Nicaragua’s economic situation.

UN General Assembly Hall in New York City

During the Conference:

Students will be organized based on the committees or councils they are part of, so all the members of the ECLAC would meet together. Each group will have a chair who will moderate the discussions. The chair is often an older student or adult.

Delegates then give a speech outlining their country’s position on the issues and offering possible solutions. Most of this information will come from your position paper. After each delegate has presented their country’s position and potential solutions, there are question and answer sessions and debates (known as “caucusing”).

The main goal during the conference is for your committee to develop a written resolution. After you have discussed different countries’ viewpoints, debated, and agreed on solutions, the entire group will work together to write the resolution. The resolution will explain the issue your committee is focusing on and give a series of guidelines in order to solve it.

After the resolution is written, the committee will vote on it. If your resolution passes, that is a mark of your committee’s ability to work together and compromise well. Awards are also often given out at conferences to top delegates in each committee. These are often delegates who had well-designed position papers, debated effectively, worked well with other members, and took an active role in developing the written resolution.

How Can You Start a Model UN Group at Your School?

If your school already has a Model UN group, you can probably join it the way you would join any other school club.

If there is no Model UN club at your school, then you can also start your own. We have a guide that gives step-by-step instructions on how to start your own club , and we also have some specific tips for starting a Model UN club below.

First, you’ll need a teacher to act as the adviser for your Model UN club. When you apply to start a Model UN team, your school may assign a teacher, but, if not, consider asking a social studies teacher who likely has a strong background in the issues that Model UN discusses.

After you have recruited members and set up meeting times, the next step is to choose which conference(s) to attend. Currently, over 400 conferences take place all over the world. You can search online for conferences, and a list of larger conferences is also available here. For new clubs, you may want to choose a conference that is close to your school in order to make traveling easier and less expensive.

It’s possible for a Model UN team to sign up for multiple conferences, but if your team is just starting out, you may want to begin with only one or two conferences a year to make sure members aren't overwhelmed with work. Also, because new teams usually don't get first pick for what country they'd like to represent, if you'd like to represent a larger country like China or the US, you have a better chance of getting your first choice at a smaller conference. Be aware though that representing a larger country often requires more research and preparation.

Once you have a conference selected, your team will be assigned at least one country and committee to represent. You can now divide up roles and begin researching.

What Are the Benefits of Joining Model UN?

Now that you know what Model UN is, what are the benefits of joining it? Model UN can be a great addition to a resume or college application, and I've discussed four of its most important benefits below.

Benefit #1: Hands-On Experience in Politics, International Relations, and Current Events

If you are planning a career in international relations, politics, or you’re simply really interested in these topics, Model UN is one of the best extracurriculars you can join because it gives you hands-on experience in these areas. Most of the time, students interested in these subjects can only learn about them in class or by reading on their own. While this is a great way to get more information, it usually isn’t a very interactive experience.

Model UN involves many of the same activities that actual UN delegates participate in, which is a great way to learn how different countries and committees work together to solve problems. Model UN conferences also focus on current issues, so you will be learning about relevant current events that are likely being discussed and debated around the world.

Hands-on experience can make understanding ideas and concepts easier, looks stronger on college applications because it requires more work, and is often more fun to participate in as well.

Benefit #2: Improve Public Speaking and Debate Skills

During a Model UN conference, you will spend a lot of your time giving speeches and debating with other delegates, which can really improve your skills in these areas.

Public speaking and debate skills are useful for almost every career, so no matter what kind of job you want in the future, boosting your skills in these areas will likely benefit you down the line.

Benefit #3: Learn Teamwork Skills

Every step of Model UN requires teamwork, whether it’s dividing up research assignments, writing a position paper, or creating a speech. At the conference, teamwork becomes even more important because you must work with the other delegates to come up with solutions that everyone is happy with and write a resolution paper together.

Model UN delegates often gain experience in conflict resolution, consensus building, and negotiations, which are teamwork experiences many other clubs don’t offer.

Strong teamwork skills are very important to colleges because they want to admit students who will work well with their classmates and other students on campus. Having strong teamwork experiences such as the ones you can get through Model UN can help strengthen your college applications.

Benefit #4: Possibility of Travel

If you participate in Model UN, there is also the possibility of traveling to new cities or even new countries. Model UN conferences are held around the world, and if your team can afford to travel to a foreign conference, you can get the added benefits of exploring a new place and culture, as well as meeting students from other countries.

If you join Model UN, you may get to travel to some exciting places for conferences.

So should you join Model UN? If you have enough time in your schedule and are at all interested in international relations, politics, debating, or public speaking, then Model UN can be a great extracurricular to get involved in because it includes a lot of hands-on, relevant work and can be a strong addition to college applications. If you're still unsure, drop by a meeting at your school to get a sense of what joining the club would be like.

Model UN is a club for middle school, high school, or college students whose members simulate UN committees.
Model UN members are assigned at least one country and committee. They research the country and the relevant issues to prepare for a conference.
At the conference, students representing many countries and issues come together to debate their positions and agree on solutions.
Model UN is a great extracurricular for students looking to learn more about politics, current events, or international relations and for students who want to improve their public speaking or debate skills.
You can learn more about Model UN here.

What's Next?

Looking for other after-school activities? We have a list of over 200 extracurricular ideas , and it's sure to include something that interests you!

Considering community service or volunteer work? We have a guide to the nine best places to do community service!

Interested in more opportunities for travel? Read our guide on volunteer abroad programs and learn if they're really the best option for you.

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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Pivotal- How Model United Nations (MUN) Changed My Life

Favorite Quote: "Don't compromise yourself, you are all you've got"--Janice Joplin

“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." said Oscar Wilde. I always liked to believe that I am among the people who are gazing at the shiny dots in the beautiful night sky. The winking lights which seemed to spell out my fate and future if I squinted at them hard enough.

Before I get to the point, there are things that you must know about my country. Taiwan is a tiny island on the far west of the Pacific Ocean, miles away from the Western world. We try to go international, however, there are some controversial political issues on whether we are a real country. That is beyond my point here, what I wanted to say was, no matter what political stances we take, it is undeniable that we are deeply affected by the Chinese culture, therefore, the official language in our country is Chinese. A common phenomenon here is how people have polar opposite dramatic reactions towards Taiwanese English speakers. They either praise you with all their hearts or they despise you. Some deny this but that's exactly what I've personally experienced. Since this is such a disputable issue, let's just call it my personal background instead of something that's part of our "culture". I'm not here to discuss this problem right now though I am planning on writing an article on it some other time.

That being said. Before fifteen, I wasn't shy or anti-social, nor did i have stage fright or anything of that sort. However, I would've been an absolute nobody if it weren't for the fact that I was loud and obvious because my best friends and I were a girl tribe who constantly chatted in English. To the rest of the school it was either miraculous or utterly obnoxious. Otherwise, I was completely invisible in the world of extracurricular activities. I didn't like to be held responsible for anything in public, not even for good things. I edited the school's English magazine but kept my own name out of it, putting my friends name as editor instead while I passed as "co-editor."

I believe that the most life changing moments of my life that contributed to who I am now is how I chose to spend my fifteenth and sixteenth birthday. And it’s not because I lost crazy weight or turned amazingly pretty, even though it would've been nice if that had happened.

On my fifteenth birthday, I wasn’t at a fancy birthday dinner but at GIS 2012. No, not Geography Information System, but Global Initiatives Symposium. There I met the most elite and creative graduates and undergraduates from all around the globe. We discussed into the night on our projects of designing products that could serve as feasible solutions to certain society problems. I first had my eyes opened to the unlimited possibilities of the world and actually started having the desire "to see and be seen." Above all, the people there led me into the world of Model United Nations(MUN).

On my sixteenth birthday, I was in a relatively more birthday celebration kind of situation—at a soirée in a little black dress. However, it wasn’t my birthday party. It was the social event of HSMUN 2013, short for High School Model United Nations. Under the recommendations of the friends I met at GIS 2012, I went to my first MUN conference. There, I was submerged in a pure English environment, meaning that NO ONE gasped or made snarky comments when I spoke in English. It was incredibly liberating , unlike anything you could ever imagine. Finally, it wasn’t about what language I spoke in, but what I said. That, though, is far from the reason MUN changed my life for the better.

MUN is a place where everyone actually cared about international news and affairs--very different from the people I usually get to meet at school. A place where each delegate is so competent it’s difficult to tell which one was better.There are students with one after another Ivy League early acceptances. Imagine sitting in a conference room, everyone dressed immaculately in western business attire, each representing a country while discussing a worldwide issue, trying to come up with a solution to a problem that even the world’s best diplomats and most revered experts cannot solve; attacking, defending, most important of all, compromising. Diplomacy, courtesy, a place where almost everyone (tries to) make the statement ‘ladies and gentlemen’ true. Researching, coming up with practical solutions, establishing consensus and drafting resolutions. For once, internet security, gender equality or the South China Sea dispute has something to do with YOUR decisions. Even though rather than deciding things according to your own opinion you have to speak and act entirely on the behalf of the country you represent, you are involved; even if your resolutions won’t be carried out by the actual UN in the end you’ve had your eyes opened to the different point of views and events in this world.

We had heated debates that trained me to think faster. Also, representing countries that held different positions from my personal opinions enabled me to look things from different perspectives. At HSMUN 2013, I absolutely fell head over heels for MUN. The same way any girl would be totally beyond herself on her first date with Mr. Darcy. (That is, if he really exists and without prejudice of course.) It was summer, it was romantic and surreal, it also got hot and passionate but it was not a summer fling.

If HSMUN 2013 was a memory beautified by my excitement as a first MUNer like how one might view a first date through rose tinted glasses, paging at PAMUN 2013 was the second date where you realize things are not the way you thought they were. They’re even better. Next, NYS 2014 was the kind of third date where you discover not only is this guy hot with nice abs (think Channing Tatum), and if he smolders again you might faint (think Ian Somerhalder), but he also understands you perfectly, is a suave gentlemen and all around awesome. Then it was YMUNT 2014, fourth date, he takes you to the best cupcake store instead of his favorite fancy restaurant because he knows that you love desserts. You figure that he’s a keeper and think “He is it.” (Wow, I just created the ultimate dream date, didn’t I?)

Okay, so the last paragraph that got you drooling and melting was a description about MUN, not a man, sorry to disappoint you. I thought it was a pretty accurate metaphor. Now you get how I’m crazy about it.

With every MUN I attended, my habits and life gradually changed as well. My daily must-read went from Hollywood Life to The New York Times. Instead of simply chitchatting about the latest episode of How I Met Your Mother I started to talk about the latest international affairs.

Don’t let the above misguide you into thinking that we are boring and studies orientated. We can be incredibly fun. Ask any MUNer what his or her motto is. As far as I know, the mass of us seem to have reached a consensus: “ Work hard, play HARDER. ” so aside from seeing us composed and serious during committee sessions, you should also see us at the social events. Delegate dances always start off as a white tie occasion, a formal cocktail reception, delegates mingling and taking pictures. Or you can always go talk to that pretty girl you’ve been watching out for since day one. Then the music starts, the dance floor is opened and delegates start ballroom dancing. Before long, it’s party music blasting through the speaker. Girls are dancing in their dresses and stilettos, guys have their shirts pulled out of their pants and their jackets are nowhere to be seen. Sometimes you can catch delegates at bars or bistros on committee bar nights.

I admit though, MUN can be sleep depriving. I barely sleep at all each time I attend MUN. It’s not like I needed any. Every MUN was like a four day long adrenaline rush for me, whereas I need no food and no sleep. (Bonus: weight loss!)

After two years of being in the world of MUN, I am now one of the most active extra curricular activities participant at school. I’ve been the local representative of culture exchange visits several times, I was also chosen to represent the school at numerous competitions and am an in the process of establishing a MUN club at school, in hope that what helped me find importance in my own being can help more and more people. I take credit for my accomplishments and responsibility for my screw ups. These are things I would’ve never done before the year of 2013. So yes, I do believe that joining MUN was the best decision I've ever made .

MUN really changed my life for the beter and I've been trying to promote it ever since. I wish that the rest of the world could benefit from it the same way I did. I really want to tell the story of how it changed me and why I'm so in love with it. It is difficult to be put into words but I tried.

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Articles & Advice > Student Life > Blog

Five diverse student outside holding four country flags, smiling and laughing

Why Model UN Is the Perfect High School Extracurricular

What is Model UN, why should you participate, and how can it help prepare you for college? Find all the answers to these questions and more now!

by Hannah Chen CollegeXpress Student Writer

Last Updated: Aug 10, 2023

Originally Posted: Apr 15, 2021

Throughout your high school career, you’ll encounter a multitude of extracurricular activities, but one of the most significant is Model UN. As the Public Relations Officer for my school’s Model UN Club, I may be biased in saying this, but Model UN is the perfect extracurricular no matter your college or career goals. But what exactly is Model UN, and why should you join? Read on to find out more about this organization, how to start a club at your school, and why it looks great on college applications.

What is Model UN?

Model UN is an opportunity for students to simulate the UN General Assembly at school. It’s like a form of debate, but rather than arguing about niche topics, Model UN focuses on coming up with solutions to real-life problems the world faces. United Nations Association of the United States of America puts it best: in Model UN, you will “prepare draft resolutions, plot strategy, negotiate with supporters and adversaries, resolve conflicts, and navigate the UN's Rules of Procedure—all in the interest of mobilizing ‘international cooperation’ to resolve problems that affect almost every country on Earth.” You can visit unausa.org/model-un for more information.

What do you do in Model UN?

Model UN chapters have the opportunity to participate in national conferences, which have committees for all interests. There’s GA3 for beginners, UNEP for environmental delegates, CCPCJ for pre-law, WHO for pre-med, and so much more. Depending on the length of the conference, each committee generally tackles one to three pressing issues our world is facing. Each student is a delegate, representing a country and giving speeches on that country’s stance on a topic: what the country’s policies are, what they’re currently doing to fix it, and what their future plans are.

By the end of the conference, delegates will have worked together within blocs—countries with similar ideals to each other—to come up with resolution papers for each topic. The resolution paper is a result of hours of compromising all the bloc’s countries’ interests, beliefs, and future plans. In between these intense sessions of debating, compromising, and solving world peace, you get the opportunity to be with your friends or make new friends with students from all over the country—and in some cases, all over the world.

Related: 3 Easy Ways to Pursue Your Passions in High School

Why should I join Model UN?

If solving world peace with a hypothetical resolution isn’t enough of a reason for you, here are some other reasons to join this extracurricular. Model UN teaches life skills that you can apply to any major or career goal. By participating in Model UN, you will:

Improve your research skills as you explore your country’s stance on a topic;
Nurture your creativity as you come up with resolutions;
Foster your leadership skills as you lead a discussion
Develop your interpersonal skills as you compromise with others;
Strengthen your public speaking skills as you present your research; and
Learn more about current events as you gain more insight into the issues our world is facing.

Opportunities for leadership

Model UN also has endless opportunities for leadership roles to put on your résumé. Not only are there club positions, but most conferences are student run and backed by a nonprofit. Students have the opportunity to apply for prestigious secretariat roles or staffing positions. Secretariats are a nine-person team who essentially run the whole conference, taking care of logistics, finances, media, and other aspects. Staffers are the “Dias” in committees, meaning they run each session and make sure the committee is following UN Rules of Procedure.

It’s fun!

On the nonacademic side, Model UN is a fun chance to spend more time with your friends outside of school while doing a productive activity. During conferences (in non-COVID times), you can stay with your friends in a hotel and spend the weekend debating serious world issues, hanging out, and pulling all-nighters together.

Related: 5 Quick Tips to Help You Choose Your High School Extracurriculars

How will Model UN help me get into college?

Model UN looks great on your high school résumé and college applications. If you’re a delegate, you may have won a few awards, which show off your ability to communicate well in writing, compromise with others, and speak eloquently. If you’re on staff, it indicates strong leadership skills, responsibility, and maturity. Both will show eagerness to learn about current events and dedication to solving current global issues.

Something for every interest

For students interested in international relations or political science , Model UN will be a great extracurricular for you. It’s hands-on experience in the world of politics, and since Model UN follows the same rules as the real UN, it’s as close to the real thing as you can get. Still, whatever you plan to major in, Model UN has a committee for you. There are STEM topics like sustainable space mining, what to do with nuclear waste, or reducing maternal mortality. For future Business majors, there are committees specialized to economics; for Art majors, there are topics on repatriation of art works. The point is, there are topics to fit all types of interests. Model UN gives you exposure to the very global issues you’re going to college to solve.

Boost your college applications

Beyond that, most larger Model UN conferences hold a college workshop, which is a great networking event to meet local admission officers. When writing your college applications, you can detail your experiences in Model UN and what you’ve learned from it. Admission officers are looking for quality over quantity in your extracurricular involvement , and Model UN is an activity with a lot of possibility for quality, allowing you to learn, lead, and develop as a student.

Related: How Extracurriculars Benefit Your College Applications

My school doesn’t have Model UN—how do I start a program?

Most Model UN programs are school-affiliated clubs, but a lot of successful teams can be independent. To start a school-affiliated program, you should follow the normal procedure at your school to start a club. If you need a club advisor, I’d recommend a history or English teacher—someone who is generally interested in current events and helping start this type of club. For independent programs, you’ll just need a group of people who are interested in Model UN and willing to pay the conference fees.

Tips for a successful club

After you’ve started the program and recruited members, I recommend splitting them into two groups: ones that are complete beginners and ones that have some experience. The most intimidating part of Model UN is the Rules of Procedure, which are tedious and have a bit of a learning curve. During meetings, you should focus on teaching Rules of Procedure and having mini-committee sessions with the more beginner members. For the more experienced members, try mimicking a real conference and going through an entire topic from a first speakers list to the resolution paper.

Related: Top 7 Benefits of Joining Model United Nations in College

Model UN is a vital extracurricular activity that any student can participate in. It fosters skills that are applicable to all majors and careers and is an amazing opportunity to discuss solutions to current global issues with fellow students. Furthermore, it offers endless opportunities for leadership roles and looks impressive on your résumé. No matter your goal, Model UN will be able to help you in some way, and I hope you consider participating!

Learn about more great extracurricular options that can strengthen your résumé by clicking the “extracurricular activities” tag .

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Tags: college admission extracurricular activities extracurriculars high school extracurriculars Model UN student activities

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Hannah Chen goes to a STEM-oriented high school. She hopes to major in Biomedical Engineering on a Pre-med track and eventually become a doctor. Hannah has a multitude of interests and currently holds leadership positions in HOSA, Key Club, and MUN. She also volunteers and works as a tutor, teaching English or Java. Outside of school, Hannah enjoys all things creative, like painting, crocheting, and keeping up with the latest fashion trends. She's currently busy binge-watching Gilmore Girls for the third time.

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Publications, a student's perspective of model un.

A student participating in Model UN sits next to a sign that says Kenya.

Model United Nations is a student group whose goal is to simulate the United Nations and UN Committees through attendance of weekly meetings and traveling to conferences across the United States. In years’ past, Gonzaga Model UN students have attended conferences in Portland, OR and New York, NY.

Weekly meetings and conferences consist of simulations that assign students to act as ambassadors from UN member states and encourage debates and negotiation pertaining to pressing world issues. Model UN offers students an atmosphere where they can gain a better understanding of international diplomacy and how UN member states interact with one another.

It also gives students a space to further explore and develop their passion for current world events and social injustices in the world. Further, students improve a wide variety of skills such as public speaking, research, critical thinking, leadership and understanding perspectives other than their own.

Along with academic skills, students also enjoy the social aspect of Model UN. Not only are students able to create a community with other Gonzaga students on campus, but they also have the opportunity to meet students from across the United States and other countries at conferences.

In the fall, Gonzaga’s Model UN opens up applications for prospective members. To apply, email [email protected] to receive an application. The application typically consists of a letter of intent, a short research essay, a letter of recommendation, and an in-person interview. In order to be eligible, students must be available Tuesday nights from 7 to 9pm.

Political Science Department

Model United Nations

The National Model United Nations conference is the largest and one of the most prestigious collegiate political simulations in the world. Last year’s conference brought together more than 5000 students from over 300 colleges and universities around the world to New York City in order to practice international diplomacy across a wide variety of topics. Covering issues ranging from international security and the environment to gender rights and economic development, students are asked to research and advocate the policies of their selected country in an environment intended to mimic real international diplomacy as closely as possible. The result is one of the most unique and challenging academic programs a student may experience as they develop research, writing, public speaking and group cooperation skills.

Union College has attended the conference for the last three years and has established itself as an active and respected participant. While many schools attend as a club or more informal group, Union’s establishment of the Model UN as a class has allowed us to create a more dedicated and academically rigorous approach to the conference. We believe this approach creates more enthusiastic and better prepared delegates, a belief supported by our receipt of eight awards over our last three years of competition. Beginning with a competitive petition process for entry into the class, students are guided through an expanded research program coupled with a focus on their ability to publicly present their work in a concise manner. The result has been the establishment of an already strong tradition of excellence at the conference, and a unique and truly rewarding challenge to the students of Union College.

Student quotes

“The Model UN gives students the opportunity to see how politics works on a level far superior to what a classroom setting can provide – instead of reading about politics in a textbook, students can actually experience it for themselves” – Lea Tessitore (’11)

“Model UN challenges even the brightest and most confident students in a way that no exam or written assignment ever could. Most importantly it broadens your world view, exposing you to new cultures and concepts beyond the traditional confines of the classroom. I would recommend it to anyone, regardless of major or past interest!” – Katherine Murphy (’10)

“I can say that the Model UN was the single most rewarding academic experience I had at Union. I can’t remember another course or project that pushed me to work as hard as I did for Model UN and provided so much in terms of a return on my investment of time and effort.” -Cam Berjoan (’10)

“Model UN was undoubtedly one of the most productive, engaging, and enjoyable things I did during my four years at Union College. In fact, the Model UN program was one of the main reasons why I decided to pursue a post-graduate degree in global politics, ultimately focusing on some of the issues we considered in class.” – Sean Mulkerne (’09)

80+ Real Examples for Writing Your Extracurricular Activity List

Learn how to write an amazing activities list using these extracurricular activity examples for the Common Application 2018. Over 80 extracurricular activity examples to browse from. How was your college application journey? Let us know over at col…

I happen to think the activities list is one of the most underutilized spaces on the college application.

I think your activities list can make the difference in your application.

Want proof? Compare these two:

Created art pieces and organized school club

Founder, Art Honors Society

Organized and ran meetings, set up field trips, brainstormed and created group art activities, wrote and sent newsletter to members.

First description: Who cares?

Second description: Whaaaaaaat?! Rockstar.

Want to know how to write an amazing activity?

Cool. But I’ll keep it short so we can get to the examples.

How to write an amazing activity in your activities list:

State role and organization name in top box.

Emphasize tangible, measurable impact.

Use active verbs!

To save space, use lists and cut extra words. No need for complete sentences.

Aim for variety.

Avoid extreme language.

Wanna know more about these tips?

Click here for 10 tips on how to up-level your list of activities . Click here for tips on deciding which extracurricular activities to write about.

Below are a ton of extracurricular activities examples to give you an idea of what a great activities list description looks like.

Extra Curricular Activities Examples (3).jpg

Extracurricular Activity Examples

Member (9th/10th) Treasurer (11th/12th) National Honors Society, Ridgefield High School Chapter We are amongst the highest academically achieving students at our school, who collectively and consistently participate in community service projects.

Student, Class TA Robotics Fundamentals, Online Course at Carnegie Mellon University Learned the fundamentals of computer programming, robot assembly, and worked as a team in competitions.

Intern (Summer 2019) Center for Advanced Head & Neck Surgery, Paid Summer Internship Learned how to operate screening & diagnostic technologies under Dr. Anderson; assisted in patient care & diagnosis in Otolaryngology & Oncology.

Leader/Concertmaster (10th-12th) AMAC Youth Chamber Ensemble (AYCE), audition-based community choir Lead ensemble in rehearsal and performance, coordinate rehearsal times, aid younger members in learning music, present free community concerts yearly.

Volunteer (June 2012 - August 2012) Boys & Girls Club, youth tutoring/mentorship afterschool program Served as mentor for K-8 grade kids. Helped prepare lunch, entertain, and tutor students in math and science 25 hrs/wk, 4 wks/yr.

Number 3 Singles Starter (August 30th, 2013 - November 11th, 2015) Varsity Girls Tennis, Little Creek High School Practiced and conditioned daily, led daily stretches, competed in district and regional matches against other schools (13 hrs/wk, 11 wks/yr).

Number 1 Doubles Starter (9th-12th), Captain (11th-12th) JV/V Beverly Hills High School Tennis Team Three year League Champions; planned and hosted team banquet; led team warmups and meetings; Coach's Award Recipient (11th); Team Spirit Award (12th).

Local Violin Tutor (Summer 2018) Independent, self-started business Provided foundational instruction on music and basics of classical violin, demonstrated proper technique, developed strong interpersonal/musical skills.

Part-time EMT (11th - 12th) Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, 1 of 5 EMTs selected for job out of 100 Responded to emergency calls, performed BLS protocols, interacted with patients/families, assisted paramedics, organized ambulance rigs (24 hr/week).

Volunteer (9th-12th) American Red Cross, Baskins High School Club Assisted supervisors, filed paperwork, made phone calls to donors, prepared facilities for training programs by helping with class planning.

Treasurer (11th-12th), elected by majority vote Medical Science Academy Student Government Two year Top Class Performer & Best Medical Presentation Awardee, led club meetings, & presented annual budget breakdown to panels of parents and faculty.

Staff Member (11th) Music Makes Miracles, community youth theater Staged and performed in four benefit concerts throughout the school year, coordinated club events and fundraisers, raised money for American Red Cross.

Producer/Host (11th-12th) School-sponsored television program Worked camera, sound board, and teleprompter every morning with my peers to produce daily broadcast. Co-hosted and scripted news segment every Tues/Thurs.

Student (10th) Brown University Intensive Summer Program, Leadership and Global Health Class Reinforced background knowledge on issues of social justice; investigated biopsychosocial determinants of the Global Burden of Disease (35 hrs/wk, 2 wks/yr).

Volunteer (June, 2012-June, 2013) Children’s Institute Inc., non-profit dedicated to children with special needs Organized parties for kids, set up crafts, led activities, baked cookies, supervised children aged 6-12, and cleaned facility (5 hrs/wk, 5 wks/yr).

Orchestra 1 Treasurer (10th-11th), Concertmaster (12th) Orchestra Council, musical leadership group at Prince High School Assisted orchestra directors, planned orchestra events, worked during concerts and tours by loading/unloading trucks, setting up, cleaning.

Peer Advisor (11th-12th) Erving High School Student Ambassador Program, selective application-based leadership team Organized and led orientation; served as a year round leader, mentor, tutor, and friend to freshmen; helped with class scheduling.

Student Coach (9th - 12th) Middle School MathCounts Team Taught strategies, selected competitors, hosted weekly practice sessions and lectures. Led team to 2nd place victory at State Mathematics competition (11th).

Chief Facilitator (11th) Reimagining Leadership Conference, annual convention on youth leadership strategies Developed lesson plans, lobbied businesses for sponsorships, held marketing sessions, established partnerships to run leadership camp (65 hrs/wk, 4 wks/yr).

Protein Modeling Team Leader (10th) Science Olympiad, Burke High School Club Supervised building of protein molecule model, taught peers to use 3D molecular program Jmol; placed in top ten in 2017 regional competition.

Leader (11th) Books on Global Health Equity and Social Justice, advocacy-focused peer discussion group Researched global health equity/social justice , assigned weekly readings for group discussion, brainstormed questions to generate input from members.

Webmaster and Secretary LEO Club, organization devoted to promoting good government and citizenship Managed club website; organized club activities with club officers; brainstormed events to increase membership and strengthen LIONS Club International.

Junior World Affairs Council President (9th-12th) Academy of Global Studies, 4 year research program combining a published thesis and capstone project Researched impact of education on child marriage for girls in India, synthesized data, published and presented findings to peers and program professors.

President (9th-12th) National Art Honor Society, only one student inducted from each eligible high school per year Ran public workshops and art critiques, displayed work in five gallery shows, participated in art community service, and coordinated field trips.

Teen Volunteer (Summer 2019) Centreville Medical Center Interacted with patients; assisted nursing staff in providing clinical care; designed, produced, and delivered holiday greeting cards to patients.

Extra Curricular Activities Examples.jpg

ANOTHER GREAT READ: HOW TO WRITE YOUR COMMON APP college ACTIVITIES LIST

Co-Founder and Tutor (10th-12th) Taurus Peer Tutoring Program, self-started business Launched program through which students can request coaching in math/science, instructed concepts in chemistry and precalculus (1 hr/wk; 30 wks/yr).

Concertmaster (11th-12th) Jordan High School Symphony Orchestra Lead violins in rehearsals and concerts, tuned/warmed up orchestra, assisted the directors in orchestra functions; Outstanding Musicianship Award (12th).

Founder/Leader (10th - 12th) Engaged Art Afterschool Program, self-started event for youth to learn about and make art Organized art-related activities for elementary school aged students every day, researched teaching pedagogy, provided positive feedback to encourage kids.

President (10th-12th) Robotics Club, Bryson High School Recruited club members, organized seminars for freshmen, and coordinated team preparation for various competitions. State Champions (11th).

Competitor (9th) British English Olympics Preparation, opt-in afterschool training offered for Raleigh HS students 8 months intensive preparation on English language proficiency and presentation skills for British English Olympics. Won 6th place out of 50 schools.

Tutor - (10th) Creekside Elementary Afterschool Tutoring Program Personally asked to tutor six special education 5th grade students at an elementary school, who did not pass the STAAR test (2 hrs/day for 3 wks).

Head of Media Team (10th) MUN Club, Meadows School Recruited and assigned team members as photographers, writers, editors, and marketing advisers. Developed, designed, and maintained club website.

Editor/Cover Artist - (10th - 12th) Visions Literary Arts Magazine, Granite Bay High School Lead team in creating an annual 80-page publication and drew cover art for each edition. Organized, workshopped, and critiqued submissions.

Counselor In Training (Summer 2018) Educational Prep Programs, leadership training program for aspiring counselors Learned leadership and group dynamic skills, focusing on responsibility, maturity, and accountability, with a final project of cleaning the camp.

Volunteer (July 2015 - October 2015) Museum of Life and Science Sold souvenirs in museum gift shop, took inventory, managed sales/financial accounts, and completed all administrative tasks 14 hrs/wk, 16 wks/yr).

Academic/Personal Mentor (9th-12th) Henderson Youth Center, community resources for underprivileged youth in Henderson County Responsible for helping 11-12 year olds on school work and planning activities, all while enhancing their self-esteem, social skills, and respect for others.

Manager (12th) Falling Whistles, local indie rock band Attended benefit concerts and other fundraising events, helped organize fundraisers, scheduled gigs, and organized sponsors.

Graffiti Removal Team Leader (11th) Towson County Youth Commission, youth-led faction of the Towson government dedicated to civil service Lead a group of classmates in coordination with the city to remove graffiti, in an effort to reduce crime based on the broken window theory.

Manager/Administrator (Summer 2019) ViolinMan Resource, secondhand store for renting used musical instruments Approved and updated online information database on classical music instruments for use by music enthusiasts. Cleaned and distributed instruments for use.

Starting Center Midfielder (9th - 12th) United Club Soccer Premier level team, practice every weekday, traveled out of state for tournaments, competed against nationally ranked teams, State Cup Finalist 2017.

Intern (Summer 2018, 2019) Faircloth & Supply, feminist fashion blog Wrote blog posts about women and education, photographed for website, used InDesign to help with graphic design, assisted with social media accounts.

Theater Volunteer (11th-12th) Non-Profit American Cinematheque, community blackbox theater Collected tickets, mounted posters, distributed flyers, answered phone calls, assisted with organizing film forum panels, photographed events.

Hired Quartet (11th-12th) Symphony Orchestra III, well-known touring orchestra in Virginia State Perform for professional gigs, from mayor’s banquet to Boy Scout ceremonies; often hired to play at community centers, local churches, and hotels.

Co-Head Coach (9th - 12th) AYSO Girls Soccer, recreational soccer league for girls aged 6-12 Organized drills, modeled proper soccer technique for practices, prepared line-up, coached team, sent emails to parents to coordinate drop offs and pickups.

Student (Summer 2020) Harvard University Summer School, synchronous online class on Public Speaking Obtained confident & powerful public speaking techniques, explored professional speeches, mastered improvised speech, & incorporated theatrical skills.

Medical Volunteer (9th-12th) Trips to Thailand, NGO that coordinates trips to Thailand for infrastructure/healthcare development Networking with local health workers and ngo officials; assisted pharmacists delivering medicine to mountain tribes (18 trips, 108 hrs/wk, 2 wks/yr).

Drummer (9th-12th) Raspberry Jam, audition-based jazz band at Elton High Schoo l Played drums at community meetings, performed at three school concerts per year, selected songs to perform, adapted sheet music for percussion section.

Co-Founder/Manager (10th-12th) Choice Performance Club Coordinated monthly performances at community venues, opportunity for performers in theater, music, poetry, etc. to serve others through talent.

Staff Member (11th-12th) Yearbook, Crestview High School Traveled to photograph sporting events, worked with Photoshop and InDesign, mentored new staff members, and helped run a summer editing workshop.

Extra Curricular Activities Examples (2).jpg

Graphics Editor and Editorial Writer (9th - 11th) East Side High School Newspaper Designed graphics (backgrounds, typesets, layouts, digital drawings); wrote and proofread peer articles; updated print newspaper to digital format.

Team Member (10th), Captain (11th-12th) Science Bowl Team, Westing Charter School Directed practices, assigned each member roles, supervised preparation for competition, coordinated transportation to competitions (2 hrs/wk, 28 wks/yr).

Co-President (12th) Foreign Film Club, Bayside High School Selected several international films, facilitated discussions, updated members about local film events, watched The Motorcycle Diaries , Mustang , etc.

Student (Summer 2018) Turley Program for Gifted Artists, intensive summer program for 100 selected HS artists in the Bay Area Sketched drawings of still life sets/real life models, developed ability to creative ideate and engage with unconventional materials in critical workshops.

Volunteer (10th-11th) Alzheimer’s Family Services Center Taught watercolor classes to Alzheimer’s patients; encouraged greater patient participation & creative expression to mitigate the effects of dementia.

President (10th - 12th) National Latin Honors Society Organized weekly class meetings, sent official announcements, led first council in school history to host non-profit fundraisers (2 hrs/wk, 30 wks/yr).

Public Forum Debater (9th-12th) Speech and Debate Team, Broadview High School Researched monthly topics on political and social issues, organized evidence, developed ability to speak extemporaneously, coached younger debaters.

Volunteer (Summer 2018) CACH Medical Center Aided Renal, Labor, and Delivery departments by monitoring front desk and organizing six years worth of backlogged medical records (8 hrs/wk, 20 wks/yr).

Sprinter/Hurdler (9th-12th), Captain (12th) Cross Country/Track Team, Golden Oak High School Top-3 Soph/Frosh runner, led boy’s sprinting team in meets and races, aided coaches in organizing daily workouts, emotionally supported team members.

Coxswain (9th - 10th) Varsity Crew Team, Summerfield High School Executed drills in boat and indoor training, discussed strategies and plans with coaches, assessed strengths and weaknesses of individual rowers.

Student (Summer 2019) Georgetown U’s Medical Institute, intensive summer program for high schoolers interested in medicine Studied medical techniques (took vital signs, drew blood, analyzed human cadavers) to prepare for clinical medicine career. Treated patient simulator.

Lead Decorator (12th) La Familia Club, school club devoted to increasing cultural awareness about the Latinx community Organized community cultural events about Latinx cooking and holidays, coordinated creation of traditional Mexican art mural installation on campus.

Mentor (9th-10th) Girl Scouts Troop 43250 Mentored 10 young girls in arts and crafts; spearheaded troop exhibit representing Italy at cultural community fair; brainstormed troop activities.

Student (10th) Brown University’s Online Pilot Course: Making an Impact Selected participant in Brown University’s Leadership Institute, analyzed social change model of leadership development and applied lessons to GCLI.

Flute First Chair (11th-12th) Concert Band, Oakwood High School 500+ hrs. over 4 yrs. 8 tournaments, 22 concerts. Received Div.1 at 2016 Solo and Ensemble Contest. Attended band trips to Dallas/Austin/Orlando.

Starting Point Guard (10th - 12th) Varsity Girl’s Basketball Team, Foothill Academy 500+ hrs. over 4 yrs. Conference title. Learned the value of strategy, teamwork, and positivity. Led warmups. Trained everyday afterschool.

Volunteer (9th) Doha Beach Clean Project Participated in beach cleanups and environmental education for locals and expats, spread the word about organization events in school and local community.

Chief Volunteer (10th-11th) Tutor of Peers in Education, cross-cultural tutoring program between American and Korean students Developed study plans for tests, taught fundamental math skills to 3 underprivileged students in Siheung, established interpersonal connections with tutees.

Team Member (9th-12th), Captain (11th-12th) JV and Varsity Tennis Team, River Fork Academy Number 1 Singles, Number 2 Doubles. Attended the University of Notre Dame and Pepperdine University tennis camps to improve accuracy and strength of shot.

Intern (Summer 2017) Holston Medical Center - Neurology Department Recruited students for study on relation between cerebral microbleeds and head contact sports, used data to expand Center’s ability to provide effective care.

Delegate (9th-12th), Captain (12th) Model United Nations, Dulaney High School Debated world issues with peers in various conferences; Selected and traveled to UC Berkeley and London to compete in a conference. (See Add’l info.)

Founder (11th-12th) Global Connective Leadership Institute, an international nonprofit organization with 501c3 status Distributed international social justice resources to the local community. See additional info and short extracurricular essay for details. www.gcli.net

Board Member (10th-12th) Parish Services Board, in charge of arts funding for partner Title I school First trimester leader for the community service board. Led the chapel talks and schoolwide fundraising events, chose each trimester beneficiary.

Representative (10th-12th), Commissioner of Media (11th-12th) Sophomore Class Council, Brady High School Brainstormed ideas for school events, coordinated weekly grade-level meetings and activities. Produced, and edited all short films for school events.

Math Tutor (Summer 2020) Self-started tutoring business Dedicated one-on-one tutoring for arithmetic/geometric sequences and series, trigonometry identities analysis, and factorial/exponential combinations.

Volunteer (10th-12th) Boys and Girls Club, Pearson County Local Chapter Tutored students and facilitated games once a week, established and taught a summer tennis clinic for a group of ten year old students.

Founder & President (10th-11th) SAT Skill Building Club, Shady Hill Charter School Organized weekly meetings and lessons, coached students on techniques for the three parts of the test, raised money for resource costs and upcoming lessons.

Co-founder and Vice President (10th-12th) Feed2Food, outreach organization providing food/shelter for homeless people in Kansas City Helped alleviate homelessness and develop relationships by collecting toiletries and handing them out to the homeless in Midtown, Westport, and Armour Hills.

President (August 30th 2015 - June 9th, 2016) National Art Honors Society Organized and ran meetings, set up field trips, brainstormed and created group art activities, wrote and sent newsletter to members (5 hrs/wk, 20 wks/yr).

Delegate (10th-12th), Director of Technology (12th) Model United Nations Supervised conference technology access, managed MUN website to optimize navigation. Improved public speaking and research skills serving as a delegate.

Academic Interviewer (11th-12th) Student Ambassador Club, Hillside High School Personally talked to undecided students about their plans for the future both academically and non-academically, provided guidance and moral support.

Secretary (11th) Teen Educational Foundation, youth group focused on increasing access to critical educational resources Fundraised for our community/surrounding communities, organized City Council/Board of Education forums, and donated grants to High School clubs.

Volunteer (Summer 2015, 2016) Special Olympics World Games, annual sports event for children with special needs Ran the information booth, gave parking directions, escorted athletes to venues, organized shuttles, helped athletes navigate the activity booths.

Junior Volunteer (Summer 2019) Meredith Hospital Led 2 hours of music therapy tri-monthly for patients, visitors, staff; assisted with paperwork, patient needs, cleaning, and orienting hospital visitors.

another great read: 160+ college interview questions from top universities

Intern (Summer 2016, 2017, 2018) Crouch Engineering Corporation Assembled semiconductors by applying thin film coating, used metal evaporator machine, and diced semiconductor wafers (8 hrs/wk, 32 wks/yr).

Member (9th-12th) Rotary Club of Calcutta Set up and maintained a school for 80 children in a slum area. Provided primary education, cleaned clothes, prepared a midday meal, and taught English.

Intern (September 2013 - June 2016) Steward Mental Hospital Used art as therapy for those with Bipolar depression/schizophrenia, set up patient art shows, taught art lessons, organized field trips for patients.

Freelance Artist (Summer 2016, 2017) Self-started business Staged and framed personal artwork to be sold, displayed art at Carrack Gallery, consulted buyers, donated all proceeds (~$800) to school art program.

Volunteer (Summer 2015, 2016) Revlon Breast Cancer Marathon Coordinated pre-registration and raffle off, distributed cups of water, encouraged runners, checked-in participants, and monitored runner health.

Team Member (11th-12th) Varsity Cross Country, Bright High School Ran 20 miles a week for practice, organized middle school cross country meets, qualified to go to state, 2nd place at annual Bull City XC Run.

Tutor (10th) Spanish Honors Society, Lincoln High School Tutored students in Spanish, promoted interest in Hispanic studies, updated tutees about cultural events in the surrounding Philadelphia community.

Executive Officer (10th-12th) Association of Latin American Students, affinity group for student of Latin American descent at Woodland HS Organized meetings and trips to conferences/colleges, advertised cultural events, planned fundraisers, delegated responsibilities between members.

Extra Curricular Activities Examples (4).jpg

Co-President/Co-Founder (11th-12th) Cookies for Cancer, fundraising organization for families who can’t afford chemotherapy Orchestrated & publicized bi-weekly bake sales, led club members, maintained accounting, raised $2000 for the Children's Cancer Research Fund.

Volunteer (Summer 2019) Migrants’ Rights Advocacy Center, org campaigning against exploitation of worker rights in Qatar Translated and spread information regarding rights in Nepalese and provided health aid, organized fund drive to financially support workers’ families.

Secretary (10th-12th) Working Towards The Future, national career advising and academic resource hub for high school students Organized meeting discussions, informed students of financial aid opportunities, and recorded minutes for cabinet meetings (3 hrs/wk, 40 wks/yr).

Member (11th - 12th) The Giving Society, charity organization Raised funds for new advocacy org each semester. Causes include: homelessness (Urban Ministries), climate change (Sunrise), animal cruelty (ASPCA).

Vice President (10th - 12th) Key Club, international service organization for high students Led both officer and club meetings, arranged club events with community venues, planned fundraising yoga nights, encouraged activity of members.

Intern (10th - 12th) Ovarian Cancer Lab Published journals, conducted independent projects, facilitated cell maintenance, attended lab meetings, collaborated with fellows and graduate students.

School Tour Guide (9th - 12th) Northview Academy Student Ambassador Club, application based position Toured prospective families and visitors around campus and presented information about course offerings, facilities, student life, etc.

Vice President (12th) Pajama Mama Club, Cypress Charter School Sewed pajamas each semester using recycled materials, donated the handmade pajamas to over 50 children of Alexandria’s House, a non-profit organization.

"Model United Nations"

Columbia University

2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

250 - 650 words

My fascination with geopolitical and economic issues were what kept me committed to MUN. But by the end of sophomore year, the co-presidents were fed up. “Henry, we know how hard you try, but there are only so many spots for each conference...” said one. “You’re wasting space, you should quit,” said the other.

Why This Essay Works:

Strong Narrative : This essay has a compelling story, starting from this author's early struggles with public speaking and developing into their later successes with Model UN. Using a central theme—in this case public speaking—is an effective way of creating a cohesive essay. By having a main idea, you can tie in multiple moments or achievements without them coming across unrelated.
Shows Humility : This student talks about their achievements with a humble attitude. To reference your successes, it's equally important to address your failures. By expressing your challenges, it will make your later achievements seem more impactful in contrast. This student also is less "me-focused" and instead is interested in others dealing with the same struggles. By connecting to people in your life, values, or interesting ideas, you can reference your accomplishments without coming off as bragging.

What They Might Change:

Needs More Reflection : This essay has moments of reflection, such as "math and programming made sense... people didn't". However, most of these ideas are cut short, without going much deeper. When you strike upon a potentially interesting idea, keep going with it. Try to explain the nuances, or broaden your idea to more universal themes. Find what is most interesting about your experience and share that with admissions.
Unnecessary Descriptions : Stories are important, but make sure all your descriptions are critical for the story. In this essay, the author describes things that don't add to the story, such as the appearance of other people or what they were wearing. These ultimately don't relate to their main idea—overcoming public speaking challenges—and instead are distracting.

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Competitive Model UN Essay

Model UN is a competition for some. Fact. The goal of a resolution is diplomatic achievement. Lobbying and persuasion are part of the gave. People who practice Model UN want to learn to be more effective.That is not to say that a Model UN committee can’t be a warm loving place. It should be a place to experiment. It can also have the education seeker and the competitor in the same room. Also, the competitor should realize that this is learning for real life and not go too low and also make sure they are learning as well.

I admit that I was very competitive, but ask all of my students and you will hear that I don’t drive competition in my classes, and try to create a warm environment in the class. A place to experiment and learn. However, if not for my competitive drive I would never have got the habits, skills and information I do. Also, after my competitive days ended, and I stopped the ‘mental working out in the gym of the Model UN in the same way, all I was left with were the hard-earned skills.

Competitive or not, what comes easy goes easy and to get these skills you will need to work and work hard. I see a MUN culture where we improve each other by striving to be better. I see rooms where people aren’t taking advantage of shy first timers but a room of 20 delegates who all have 20 conferences under their belt evolving and improving their game to further refine their skill. I see the working on skills to make them memorable in a room of perfect speeches, I see a room where everyone does their prep on everyone else and comes with clashes and calls to action ready to engage. I see a room where after a speech everyone has a proper assessment of their fellow delegates and each speech has multiple layers of subtext and a different message is heard by 6 different people, and each interpretation intentional.

These skills can only come from practice and drive and I feel that it doesn’t matter if you’re coming from competition or curiosity. As long as you aren’t immoral, and don’t bribe or get someone else disqualified, and play within the very stretched confines of the game, it doesn’t matter why you’re doing it. You will respect who is good and who is serious, whether they are competing or not. In the end, you will respect who is good and who worked hard. In the end, you might be friends with this person, and it will be because of the quality of their actions and not their intentions.

This book can be used for competitive Model Uners. This book can also be used by people who want to study and better understand the human psyche and what makes people tick. This book can be used by curious people who want to understand the complex world of Model UN. I don’t discriminate and think all should be accepted. If you put in the work, gain the skills and love what you do all the power to you. In Model Un people can get hurt, and sometimes we fail, get outmaneuvered and don’t achieve our goals, whether by being bested or because of mistakes we made.

This is how things work in real life as well. Pain is part of the process. Model UN isn’t about a safe space from some aggressive or strategic diplomats. We are lucky that at the end of the day no one pays the price for our wrong choices, even if we unanimously decide to bomb a country or dismantle all the nuclear power plants in the world. The place to do with, with others, is the safe space and biosphere which you will not find anywhere else. This is the place to try and learn and experiment. This is the place to put yourself out there, lose and learn. I have seen students of mine get “destroyed” only to learn from it and, with a specific committee, I chaired in mind, watched all of my students who “lost” in that room ALL take the best delegate at the next conference they took part in.

The specific story I might recount later in this book but the moral here is clear to me. You can’t make an omelet without breaking some eggs and what you do here, both for those who put a little and those who put a lot, will last a lifetime. Don’t be afraid of hardship. Do your best and love what you do. It was this environment which changed my life and instead of thinking who is competitive or here for the wrong reasons, this who can I learn from. Who, when I watch them is an artist at work? When we engage with the greats, we become better. Engage with the greats. Even if they have different motivations than you do, or the same when it’s done you will have lessons and stories that you won’t find anywhere else. Go get them.

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Auburn Model United Nations team wins numerous awards at spring competition

Group of students standing in front of a building

The Auburn Model United Nations (MUN) competition team competed at the Southern Regional Model United Nations (SRMUN) competition in Charlotte, North Carolina, from March 21-23, 2024. Twenty undergraduate students competed at the competition, the most Auburn has fielded at SRMUN Charlotte. This year's team was comprised of more than ten first-year members.

Team members represented the delegations of the Russian Federation, South Africa and Nepal. The Russian Federation Team placed in the top seven overall delegations and received a Distinguished Delegation Award for its overall representation of the nation on a range of committees, including the General Assembly Plenary, the Security Council, the Peacebuilding Commission, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and UN Habitat.

Additionally, Political Science senior and MUN team president Joanne Kim received individual honors by being recognized for the Best Position Paper, receiving a perfect score of 100/100, and Best Delegation on the UN Security Council.

Auburn's Model UN team is supported and housed in the Department of Political Science and College of Liberal Arts.

For additional information about Auburn’s Model UN team, find team information on AUInvolve or email the team’s faculty advisor, Dr. Matthew Clary at [email protected] .

Tags: Students Political Science

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Do Certain Colleges Value Model UN More Than Others?

One of the goals of Best Delegate is to help high school students use Model UN to get into college. We released a free e-book, How Model UN Can Help You Get into College , wrote 10 Tips on How to Write your College Application Essay , and talked about 5 Ways to Show Leadership in Model UN .

Several days ago, Ryan and I were having a discussion about college admissions and college rankings when I brought up an interesting question: Do certain colleges seem to value Model UN more than others?

University of California, Los Angeles

Part of my inquiry was derived from a 2009 press release I saw from my alma mater, UCLA, where Model UN was mentioned next to many other prestigious accomplishments of admitted students:

UCLA, the most popular campus in the nation, with 55,676 freshman applicants, announced today that it had admitted 12,098 prospective freshmen for fall 2009. Among them were 175 student body presidents; more than 150 National AP Scholars; 400 most valuable players in their sports; nearly 900 outstanding musicians; almost 300 Eagle Scouts and Girl Scout leaders; more than 200 black belts in various martial arts; some 500 Science Olympians; about 500 recipients of book awards from Harvard, Yale, Cornell, Princeton and other universities; more than 150 Model United Nations delegates ; more than 150 recipients of Rotary Youth Leadership Awards; and 3,000 who indicated they were captains of their sports or academic teams.

UCLA seems to value Model UN. But does it value it more than USC? How about when we compare the University of Chicago with Northwestern? Or Michigan State and Illinois-Chicago against their respective state flagship rivals? And how do Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, and Penn stack up against each other?

When we take two similar-caliber universities and compare their Model UN programs, we can see big differences:

University of Chicago

Case A : The University of Chicago (ranked #9 in the 2011 US News Rankings) has a powerhouse Model UN program with a gigantic high school conference, one of the top crisis-based college conferences, one of the best travel teams in the college circuit, and leadership in UNA-USA’s Global Classrooms Chicago program. Neighboring Northwestern University (ranked #12) has a mid-sized high school conference that is only in its seventh year in existence.

Case B : The University of California, Los Angeles (ranked #25) is also one of the top Model UN programs in the country with a large high school conference, a growing college conference, a strong travel team, and leadership in UNA-USA’s Global Classrooms Los Angeles program. Cross-town rival the University of Southern California (ranked #23) only has a small travel team.

There are also multiple examples where the state’s flagship public university does not have the premier Model UN program in the state:

Michigan State University

Case C : Michigan State University (ranked #79) has one of the largest high school conferences in the Midwest, a competitive travel team, and active participation in UNA-USA’s Global Classrooms program, while the flagship University of Michigan (#29) focuses on hosting a mid-sized high school conference.

Case D : University of Illinois-Chicago (ranked #143) hosts a large high school conference, fields a competitive travel team, and helped found the Model UN Development Organization, while the flagship University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign (#47) operates a smaller high school conference, a recently-started college conference, and travels locally.

Finally, let’s take a look at the very top of the US News Rankings where several Ivy League institutions and their peers reside:

Yale University

Case E : Harvard (ranked #1), Yale (ranked #3) and Penn (tied for #5) have developed mega-sized conferences and elite travel teams. Simply put, these three universities have some of the top Model UN programs in the world. Comparable universities such as Princeton (ranked #2) and Stanford (tied for #5) have strong Model UN programs, but they haven’t developed to the extent that Harvard, Yale, and Penn have in terms of conference size at the high school and college levels (Stanford doesn’t have a college conference) and competitiveness and funding of their travel teams. Why is that the case?

Do certain colleges value Model UN more than others and therefore accept more students with quality Model UN experience? Or do these colleges with strong Model UN programs simply have a more conducive environment to MUN? Regardless, they are all looking for leadership experience and that means you need to be able to communicate your accomplishments and experience in your application, essay, and interviews.

For help with your college essays or to learn more about which universities have top Model UN programs, email us at [email protected] .

Do you think certain colleges value Model UN more than others? Let us know in the comments!

Editor’s Note: Today is the deadline for students applying to the University of California system. Best Delegate wishes good luck to all those who are applying!

Next post: Conference Previews: PMUNC, RHSMUN, and LAIMUN

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COMMENTS

What Does Model UN Mean To You? 10 Tips on How to Write Your College
College application essays and the personal statement are opportunities to write about meaningful experiences. Not every high school student who does MUN should write about it. But if you read Best Delegate , then Model UN is most likely a meaningful part of your high school career.
Model United Nations: Shaping My Character and College Success
Read an admission essay sample, "Model United Nations: Shaping My Character and College Success", with 677 words. Get ideas for your college application essay.
Model United Nations
Model United Nations or National Speech. You'll learn how to delegate important and critical issues currently facing the world, such as internet privacy, artificial intelligence, debt sustainability, combating human trafficking, or combating climate change. You'll collaborate with diverse and socially conscious students who are also seeking ...
Model UN: Ideal Extracurricular for the Future ...
Model UN is a group that allows students to participate in mock United Nations sessions regarding real world international issues. The group was founded in 1920 and was originally named the Model League of Nations, but it changed names when that organization was succeeded by the UN. Model UN exists worldwide, though there is some variation from ...
College Admissions Tips: 5 Ways to Show Leadership in Model UN
College admissions officers look for examples of leadership in college applications, essays, and interviews. Model UN offers many opportunities to show leadership — here are 5 ways: Win Awards. Every moment in committee is an opportunity to show leadership. Whether it's making speeches, building alliances, or debating resolutions, you are ...
What Is Model UN? 4 Reasons to Join
Benefit #4: Possibility of Travel. If you participate in Model UN, there is also the possibility of traveling to new cities or even new countries. Model UN conferences are held around the world, and if your team can afford to travel to a foreign conference, you can get the added benefits of exploring a new place and culture, as well as meeting ...
Top 7 Benefits of Joining Model United Nations in College
1. Boost your résumé. Employers love to see extracurricular activities; they give you more of the hands-on experiential learning you'll need on the job. Plus, Model United Nations opens you up for great interview conversations about your experiences and what you've learned. Academically, it's a perfect way to diversify.
Pivotal- How Model United Nations (MUN) Changed My Life
MUN really changed my life for the beter and I've been trying to promote it ever since. I wish that the rest of the world could benefit from it the same way I did. I really want to tell the story ...
Why Model UN Is the Perfect High School Extracurricular
Model UN looks great on your high school résumé and college applications. If you're a delegate, you may have won a few awards, which show off your ability to communicate well in writing, compromise with others, and speak eloquently. If you're on staff, it indicates strong leadership skills, responsibility, and maturity.
A Student Perspective of Model UN
January 13, 2020. |. McKenzie Gallagher ('20) Model United Nations is a student group whose goal is to simulate the United Nations and UN Committees through attendance of weekly meetings and traveling to conferences across the United States. In years' past, Gonzaga Model UN students have attended conferences in Portland, OR and New York, NY.
Model United Nations
The National Model United Nations conference is the largest and one of the most prestigious collegiate political simulations in the world. Last year's conference brought together more than 5000 students from over 300 colleges and universities around the world to New York City in order to practice international diplomacy across a wide variety of topics.
PDF Copy of 2021 Edition
Model United Nations provides unparalleled opportunities for cultural. understanding, personal growth and career exploration. As a. representative from Cote D'Ivoire on the United Nations Development. Fund For Women at NAIMUN Model United Nations conference in Washington, D.C. last year, I was transfixed by a Nigerian woman
Extracurricular Activity Examples
Extracurricular Activity Examples. Member (9th/10th) Treasurer (11th/12th) National Honors Society, Ridgefield High School Chapter. We are amongst the highest academically achieving students at our school, who collectively and consistently participate in community service projects. Student, Class TA.
"Model United Nations" Common App Essay That Worked
Why This Essay Works: Strong Narrative: This essay has a compelling story, starting from this author's early struggles with public speaking and developing into their later successes with Model UN. Using a central theme—in this case public speaking—is an effective way of creating a cohesive essay. By having a main idea, you can tie in multiple moments or achievements without them coming ...
Competitive Model UN Essay
Competitive Model UN Essay. Model UN is a competition for some. Fact. The goal of a resolution is diplomatic achievement. Lobbying and persuasion are part of the gave. People who practice Model UN want to learn to be more effective.That is not to say that a Model UN committee can't be a warm loving place. It should be a place to experiment.
Auburn Model United Nations team wins numerous awards at spring
The Auburn Model United Nations (MUN) competition team competed at the Southern Regional Model United Nations (SRMUN) competition in Charlotte, North Carolina, from March 21-23, 2024. ... Auburn's Model UN team is supported and housed in the Department of Political Science and College of Liberal Arts. ... Watkins' essay, "Designing an ...
Reflections: How MUN Has Changed Our Lives
Model UN has helped us grow into leaders, discover our futures, become confident in ourselves, and form lasting friendships with people from all over the world. This article was written by you, the Best Delegate community, and it shows stories about how MUN has made us the people we are today. While these are only a small number of the ...
Teen Girls Confront an Epidemic of Deepfake Nudes in Schools
Child sexual exploitation experts say the use of nonconsensual, A.I.-generated images to harass, humiliate and bully young women can harm their mental health, reputations and physical safety as ...
Do Certain Colleges Value Model UN More Than Others?
Case A: The University of Chicago (ranked #9 in the 2011 US News Rankings) has a powerhouse Model UN program with a gigantic high school conference, one of the top crisis-based college conferences, one of the best travel teams in the college circuit, and leadership in UNA-USA's Global Classrooms Chicago program. Neighboring Northwestern University (ranked #12) has a mid-sized high school ...
How One Family Lost $900,000 in a Timeshare Scam
The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan ...

Model United Nations: Shaping My Character and College Success

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