NAIMUN vs ILMUNC: Which Program Is Right for You?
Georgetown's NAIMUN and Penn's ILMUNC are the other two giants of the winter MUN circuit. NAIMUN is famous for committee depth and a DC setting that attracts policy-minded delegates; ILMUNC leans crisis-committee innovation and draws heavily from the mid-Atlantic school circuit. Both fill hotel blocks fast — the choice is usually made by your advisor's calendar.
Below is a live side-by-side comparison of NAIMUN (North American Invitational Model United Nations) and ILMUNC (Ivy League Model United Nations Conference), built from ExtracurricularHub's verified catalog.
| NAIMUN | ILMUNC | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Free |
| Application deadline | October 26, 2026 (verified July 4, 2026) | October 31, 2026 (verified July 4, 2026) |
| Grade eligibility | Grades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 |
| Format | In-person — Washington, DC | In-person — Philadelphia, PA |
| Time commitment | Varies | ~6 hrs/week |
| Organizer | Georgetown International Relations Association | University of Pennsylvania International Affairs Association |
NAIMUN (North American Invitational Model United Nations)
One of the nation's oldest and most prestigious high school MUN conferences.
ILMUNC (Ivy League Model United Nations Conference)
Excel in diplomacy and debate at ILMUNC, a prestigious Model UN competition for high school students. Build leadership skills and boost college applications.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, NAIMUN or ILMUNC?
Both are free: neither NAIMUN nor ILMUNC charges a participation fee. Budget only for travel or materials if the program is in person.
Can I apply to both NAIMUN and ILMUNC?
Yes — applying to both is common and there's no penalty. Selective programs reject strong applicants routinely, so treating NAIMUN and ILMUNC as one combined chance is the smart strategy. Track both deadlines and reuse essay material where the prompts overlap.
Which is better for college applications, NAIMUN or ILMUNC?
Neither is automatically "better" — admissions readers care about what you did there, not the logo. Georgetown's NAIMUN and Penn's ILMUNC are the other two giants of the winter MUN circuit. NAIMUN is famous for committee depth and a DC setting that attracts policy-minded delegates; ILMUNC leans crisis-committee innovation and draws heavily from the mid-Atlantic school circuit. Both fill hotel blocks fast — the choice is usually made by your advisor's calendar. Pick the one whose work you'd actually finish, and go deep.
What grades can apply to NAIMUN and ILMUNC?
NAIMUN: grades 9–12. ILMUNC: grades 9–12. Eligibility can shift between cycles — confirm on each program's official page before planning your year around it.