Political science is, of course, the study of the science of politics, but not science like the biology kind. Instead, students in political science programs study the way governments, public policy, and the political world in general work from both a technical perspective and a more humanities-minded perspective. Students who major in political science often go on to work in policy analysis, for government agencies, as political consultants, and basically any field that interfaces with politics or government in any way.
If you’re interested in majoring in Political Science, you’re not alone. Political Science is the 20th most popular major in the United States, making it one of the most popular niche majors or one of the least popular ‘core’ majors offered by most four-year colleges depending on how you look at it. Either way, tens of thousands of students graduate from universities and colleges in the United States with degrees in Political Science each year.
To pursue a degree in Political Science, you’ll need to pull together an application that amplifies your deep interest in the political world, as well as your ability to think critically about political issues. Your extracurriculars are an amazing place to exhibit this, so it is really important that you bolster your application with activities outside of the classroom that make a difference.
Below are four extracurriculars you should consider doing if you are contemplating a major in Political Science.
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Model United Nations
If your school offers Model United Nations, or Model UN, as an after-school activity or club, you need to join it as soon as possible. Model UN centers on exactly the issues you’ll be digging into when you pursue a Political Science degree, most notably global political issues. Students form a simulation of the UN General Assembly, and through Model UN, you will learn more about current events and how politics works on a global and national scale. You will also become part of a global community of students and educators who care about the same things you care about. You may even be able to participate in events and conferences around the country and internationally!
Mock Trial or Debate Team
While you build up your knowledge of global issues and politics in Model UN, we highly recommend flexing your presentation, argumentation, and teamwork muscles as part of a mock trial or debate team. If your high school does not have a mock trial or debate team, there may be an independent one in your area or a teacher at your school who is willing to support you in starting a team. Either debate or mock trial will challenge you to build up the skills you’ll need working in the political world, and will show colleges that you are already planning ahead to the career you’ll pursue after you graduate.
Summer Course or Program
In the summer before your sophomore or junior year, you should also take a summer course online or at a university close to home, or enroll in an immersive summer program focused on political science. Programs like the Georgetown University Pre-College Summer Programs offer students experiences in a wide variety of fields of study at a nearly-collegiate level and in a collegiate environment. Georgetown, for example, offers programs in politics and government, international law, international relations, among many others. Nearly every prominent university offers similar summer programs in government and politics for high school students, including Harvard, Brown, and Princeton.
Internship
During your junior year, or the early fall of your senior year, you should plan to layer an internship on top of the activities you are already doing. Ideally, this internship would be related to politics in some way, such as a volunteer position with a local politician or elected official. Because you aren’t a college grad yet and don’t have experience, you will most likely be handling small tasks that are crucial to the operation of any team, but that aren’t necessarily thrilling in the moment. This is okay and to be expected — you’re in high school, after all! Instead of focusing on doing something flashy, for this internship we really need you to put your energy into listening and learning. You should aim to commit to spend a few hours a week for at least two months to this internship, but the longer the better!
Studying Political Science will lead you into politics and government, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait until you get your degree to become involved. By taking courses outside of school, pursing extracurriculars like Model UN and debate, and, eventually, landing a local internship, you’ll be able to build your expertise and experience before you even arrive on campus for your freshman year. This will set you up for success in the college admissions process, and far beyond it.
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