Best Extracurriculars for Future Political Science Majors

Author: Extracurricular Hub

Article Summary

Find the best extracurriculars for future political science majors including debate, Model UN, government internships, civic engagement, and policy research programs.

Full Article

If you're planning to major in political science, you need extracurriculars that demonstrate your understanding of political systems, passion for civic engagement, and ability to analyze complex policy issues. Top political science programs at universities like Georgetown, Harvard, Stanford, and the University of Chicago look for students who've already engaged with politics, policy, and public service in meaningful ways. What Political Science Programs Want Strong candidates for political science programs show: Analytical thinking - Ability to dissect complex political issues and form reasoned arguments Communication skills - Public speaking, writing, and persuasion abilities Civic engagement - Active participation in democratic processes and community governance Global awareness - Understanding of international relations and diverse political systems Leadership in action - Not just holding titles, but driving real change on issues you care about Debate and Public Speaking Policy Debate Policy debate (also called Cross-Examination or CX debate) is the most research-intensive form of competitive debate. Teams research a single policy topic for the entire year, developing deep expertise in areas like foreign policy, economics, or social welfare. Success in policy debate directly builds skills valued in political science: evidence analysis, argument construction, and quick thinking. Congressional Debate This format simulates Congressional proceedings, with students drafting and debating legislation. It's particularly relevant for aspiring political science majors because it teaches parliamentary procedure and legislative process firsthand. Speech Events National Forensics League (NFL) / National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) events like Original Oratory, Extemporaneous Speaking, and Public Forum debate build the communication skills essential for political science. Model UN and Simulations Model United Nations (MUN) Model UN is perhaps the single best extracurricular for aspiring political science majors. Delegates represent countries in simulated UN committees, researching international issues, drafting resolutions, and negotiating with other delegates. Top conferences include: HMUN (Harvard) - The largest and most prestigious collegiate MUN conference YMUN (Yale) - Highly competitive with specialized committees BMUN (Berkeley) - The oldest continuously running collegiate MUN NAIMUN (Georgetown) - Strong focus on international relations Youth and Government / Model Legislature YMCA Youth and Government programs simulate state legislative processes. Students write bills, debate in a real state capitol, and serve as elected officials in a mock government. This is exceptional preparation for understanding American politics. Browse our Leadership Programs Hub and Competitions Hub. Government and Campaign Internships Congressional Internships Many Congressional offices accept high school interns, especially during the summer. You'll answer constituent calls, attend hearings, research policy issues, and see the legislative process up close. Contact your representative's office directly to apply. State and Local Government Internships Interning with your city council member, state legislator, or county government provides hands-on experience with governance at the level where policies most directly affect communities. Campaign Volunteering Working on a political campaign teaches you about elections, voter engagement, messaging, and grassroots organizing. You can volunteer for candidates at any level, from school board to federal office. Find more at our Internships Hub. Civic Engagement and Advocacy Voter registration drives - Organize voter registration events at your school or in your community Advocacy campaigns - Advocate for a policy issue you care about through research, public testimony, and media outreach Student government - Lead your school's student council or senate Political journalism - Write op-eds, start a political blog, or contribute to your school newspaper's politics section Civic education - Teach civics or government to younger students or community members Summer Programs for Political Science Boys/Girls State - American Legion's week-long government simulation at the state and national level Georgetown University International Relations Program - Pre-college summer program in Washington, DC Stanford Pre-Collegiate International Relations - Intensive study of global affairs Harvard Secondary School Program - Take real Harvard courses including political science Explore summer opportunities at our Summer Programs Hub. Research and Writing Political science is fundamentally about analysis and argumentation. Building a record of political research and writing demonstrates the skills that top programs value most: Independent policy research - Choose a local policy issue, research its history and stakeholders, analyze existing solutions, and propose recommendations. Present your findings at a school assembly, community meeting, or student research symposium Political commentary and journalism - Write regular op-eds for your school newspaper, start a political analysis blog, or contribute to local news outlets. Consistent, thoughtful writing about political issues shows analytical depth and communication ability Academic competitions - Enter essay competitions focused on civics and government, such as the JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest, the United States Institute of Peace National Essay Contest, or the National History Day competition with a political focus International Opportunities For students interested in international relations and global politics: International exchange programs - AFS, Rotary Youth Exchange, and similar programs provide cross-cultural experiences that deepen understanding of global political systems Global MUN conferences - Attending international MUN conferences exposes you to delegates from different countries and political perspectives Language study - Proficiency in a foreign language, particularly Arabic, Mandarin, Russian, or Spanish, significantly strengthens a political science profile and opens doors to international internships and programs Virtual international organizations - Organizations like UNICEF, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch have youth programs that provide meaningful engagement with global issues without requiring travel Students building a political science profile should also consider how their interests connect to other fields. Economics and political science are natural complements, as are psychology (for understanding voter behavior and public opinion) and computer science (for data analysis and election modeling). Read our guide on building a spike to craft a coherent narrative around your civic engagement. Whether you are a freshman exploring political interests or a junior leading debate teams and interning in government, consistency and authentic passion are what matter most to admissions officers. Year-by-Year Roadmap YearFocus FreshmanJoin debate team and Model UN, volunteer for a campaign, take AP Government if offered SophomoreCompete at MUN conferences, run for student government, start civic engagement project JuniorApply for government internships and summer programs, lead debate/MUN team, write political commentary SeniorMentor younger students, pursue policy research, complete major civic project Political Writing and Media Strong writing skills are essential for political science. These activities build your voice and portfolio: School Newspaper Political Reporting Writing a regular political column or covering school board meetings and local elections for your school newspaper demonstrates journalistic skill and civic engagement. Consistently producing well-researched political analysis over multiple years shows sustained commitment and growing sophistication. Many student journalists have leveraged their high school reporting experience into internships at major publications and strong college essays. Independent Political Blog or Podcast Starting a blog or podcast focused on political analysis gives you a platform to demonstrate analytical depth. Cover local, state, and national issues with nuanced perspectives supported by data and sourced evidence. A well-maintained political blog with dozens of thoughtful posts is a powerful portfolio piece that admissions officers can review to assess your thinking and writing quality. Op-Ed Writing Submitting opinion pieces to local newspapers, online publications, or student media platforms demonstrates your ability to construct persuasive arguments on timely issues. Even if not every piece gets published, the practice of crafting evidence-based arguments within word limits is excellent preparation for college-level political science coursework. Some students have had op-eds published in outlets like their city newspaper, The Huffington Post, or Teen Vogue, which significantly strengthens applications. Political Research Projects Independent research demonstrates the analytical skills at the heart of political science: Voter behavior analysis - Use publicly available election data to analyze voting patterns in your state or district. Explore questions like how demographics correlate with turnout, how redistricting affects representation, or how early voting impacts election outcomes. Policy impact studies - Research the effects of a specific policy (minimum wage changes, school choice programs, environmental regulations) on your community using government data and academic sources. Comparative government projects - Compare political systems, electoral processes, or policy approaches across different countries. For example, analyze how different nations handle healthcare, immigration, or climate policy. Local government transparency project - Attend city council meetings, analyze municipal budgets, or create a resource that makes local government more accessible to your community. This hands-on civic work is deeply compelling to admissions committees. For research methodology guidance, visit our Research Programs Hub and read our guide to high school research. Mock Trial and Legal Activities For students interested in the intersection of law and political science: Mock Trial Teams Mock trial teaches case analysis, persuasive argumentation, cross-examination skills, and courtroom procedure. Success in mock trial demonstrates the kind of rigorous analytical thinking valued in political science programs. State and national mock trial competitions are highly respected by admissions committees. Students who can argue both sides of a case convincingly demonstrate intellectual flexibility and depth. Teen Court / Youth Court Many communities have teen court programs where trained youth volunteers serve as jurors, attorneys, and judges for real minor juvenile cases. This provides direct experience with the justice system and its intersection with public policy, offering a unique perspective that classroom learning alone cannot provide. Constitutional Law Study Participating in programs like We the People (a competitive civics education program) or the National Constitution Center's programs deepens your understanding of constitutional law and American political philosophy. The We the People competition involves simulated congressional hearings where students testify as expert witnesses on constitutional issues, which directly mirrors the analytical demands of college political science courses. International Experiences and Global Perspectives Political science increasingly requires global awareness. These experiences build international perspective: Exchange programs - Programs like AFS, Rotary Youth Exchange, and NSLI-Y (National Security Language Initiative for Youth) provide immersive international experiences that deepen cultural understanding and language skills. Language study - Proficiency in languages like Arabic, Mandarin, Russian, or Spanish opens doors in international relations and foreign policy. Many summer language immersion programs offer financial aid and are specifically designed for high school students. International Model UN conferences - Attending conferences abroad (THIMUN in The Hague, LIMUN in London) provides exposure to how students from other countries approach global issues and builds a genuinely international network. Global issues research - Focus your research or writing on transnational challenges like climate change, migration, cybersecurity, or human rights. This demonstrates the global thinking that top political science programs value. Common Mistakes to Avoid Being partisan without being analytical - Political science is about understanding political systems, not advocating for a single party. Show you can analyze multiple perspectives, understand opposing arguments, and engage with complexity. Admissions officers are looking for analytical thinkers, not political activists, though thoughtful advocacy combined with rigorous analysis is compelling. Joining too many clubs without depth - Leading Model UN, excelling in debate, and interning for a legislator is more impressive than superficially participating in ten political clubs. Depth and sustained commitment matter far more than breadth. Neglecting quantitative skills - Modern political science is increasingly data-driven. Take statistics, learn data analysis tools like R or Python, and show you can work with quantitative evidence. Political science programs at top universities require statistics courses, and students who arrive with these skills have a significant advantage. Ignoring local politics - National and international politics are exciting, but engagement with local government often produces the most meaningful and demonstrable impact. Attending city council meetings, analyzing local budgets, or organizing voter registration in your community shows that you understand politics at the level where it most directly affects people's lives. Visit our Political Science Majors resource page for a complete guide to building your profile, and explore our Junior Year Planning Guide for advice on making the most of your most critical year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best extracurriculars for political science majors?

Top extracurriculars include debate (Policy, Congressional, Public Forum), Model UN conferences (HMUN, YMUN, BMUN), YMCA Youth and Government, Congressional or state government internships, campaign volunteering, student government, and political journalism.

Is Model UN good for college applications?

Yes, Model UN is excellent for political science applicants. It demonstrates research skills, public speaking, negotiation ability, and global awareness. Winning awards at prestigious conferences like HMUN or YMUN is particularly impressive, but sustained participation and leadership matter most.

How can I get a government internship in high school?

Contact your Congressional representative's office directly, reach out to state legislators, or apply through your city or county government. Many offices accept unpaid high school interns during summer. Boys/Girls State alumni often receive internship connections as well.

What summer programs are best for aspiring political science majors?

Top programs include Boys/Girls State (free), Georgetown International Relations Program, Stanford Pre-Collegiate International Relations, Harvard Secondary School Program, and the Senate Page Program. Many are free or offer financial aid.