As this is my first post on an account created recently, many of you will probably be suspicous of my post. I have been following this forum for a few years now without an account, and have created one now to talk about the NRHS’ RailCamp, and it’s absolutely asenine acceptance process.
Let me set the stage here. I am a freshman in high school. Last year, I was rejected by a program at Michigan Tech University. I originally intended to reapply, however the program took a hybrid only stance this year. So, after doing some searching, I stumbled upon a few different camps. Between a camp in Wisconsin, a program operated by the TVRM, and RailCamp Northeast, I found myself most excited for RailCamp. I was especially excited by the prospect of seeing how maintainance works in modern day railroading, working with machinery, and seeing the history of railroad at Strasburg. So I got to work on my application, taking my time and finally mailing it out on April 1st, the mailing deadline (this will be important later).
I received my results 6 days later via email, and was dissapointed to put it lightly. I was informed that I had been rejected from the camp for a few reasons. The first was that since I had been rejected largely in part due to the fact I was a freshman in high school. Being rejected for this reason did not make much sense, considering that freshman are listed as completely eligible on the NRHS webage with the details about RailCamp. The other reason was because they had "been reviewing candidated for 3 months’. Now, this is my big issue. Whoever set this up clearly does not understand how deadlines work. A deadline is the latest date you can submit or complete something for consideration. I completed my application and had it postmarked by the deadline, however I was not considered. It makes no sense. To be clear, my issue is not that the amount of time available is restricting. But it needs to be made clear the amount of time you have. If you can submi
As with college applications, which you’ll be learning about all too soon (and hopefully not the way I did!) you need to file material EARLY, especially if you’re asking for consideration along with those an organization may think are ‘better suited to the opportunity’ – i.e. older, bigger, more experienced in what is actually expected rather than what is touted or advertised.
The time to be making your bona fides to the NRHS people was as early as they started considering applications. Now you know that that happens “three months earlier” and, even if you may not be on the same playing field as some with more advantages, you can get noticed and, if necessary, demonstrate your ability, fitness to be attending, and potential contributions to the ‘experience’.
I strongly recommend you set up an account over on RyPN, and ask (politely and humbly) what the strengths to build are, and who the people to meet as friends, supporters, or possible mentors might be. It’s possible that the right kind of volunteering might help – but all too many current ‘museums’ are more old fud’s clubs where you do scutwork for little reward or attention.
Reapply, early, next year, and be prepared to self-promote on skills and abilities you would bring to camp.
You see, I would have made sure to have applied earlier if it was made clear that odds of acceptance would be much greater if you got in your application earlier. My issue here is that things were not made clear enough by the NRHS and somehow I am to blame for that. I was taking my time to make sure my application was thorough and well done.
Sounds like you were considered, but were not chosen. Sucks; but that’s life. I’m wondering if since they didn’t have railcamps last couple years, they gave preference to juniors/seniors since they didn’t have a shot to go before. While you, being a freshman, still have a couple more years to try again.
And waiting until the last day to apply probably didn’t help you. When I went to college in the dark ages, they told us when you apply earlier, they are more generous who they let in. As crunchtime nears, and applications come flooding in, they start being more picky.
As I said, I most certainly wasn’t considered. It was made clear in the rejection email I was sent that my application was not looked at. And once again, if there was an indication given that candidates who applied earlier would have a better chance, I would have been fine with this. A deadline isn’t a deadline if you can apply within the deadline and not be considered.
And to address what you said about volunteering, as I stated in my second-to-last paragraph, this is part of an overarching problem of a lack of opportunity. I’ve been seeking out volunteer opportunities since I was 10. Pretty much everything requires you to be 18. This isn’t me not wanting to volunteer or get involved, it’s me being unable to.
Sounds like a lot of sour grapes here. Waiting until the last minute to submit an application is never a smart move in any endeavor. It’s quite possible that a sufficient amount of qualified applicants were already under consideration before your app was even received.
My issue isn’t that I was rejected. If I was told that I had my application looked at and the organization decided with other candidates, I would be just fine with that. My issue is that I didn’t have my application looked at despite it being within the deadline. If that last minute is too late for the NRHS, they should move up the deadline, not make me guess if their deadline is actually a deadline.
Listen to the wise old geezers here son, they’ve been “around the block” quite a few times more than you have, have taken quite a few hits themselves, and know how the world works. REALLY works.
You’re getting some good advice, just make sure you follow it and you’ll have better luck next time.
I feel as though I need to clarify something. I’m not here because I got rejected by the NRHS. If that’s why I was here, I’d be complaining about the program at Michigan Tech. What I AM here about is the fact that this was determined by chronological order, not merit (which is contrary to the way the program was described), and that my application was not looked at despite it being in by the deadline. If the deadline the NRHS set is too late for them to consider applications, then it’s on them to move up the application mailing deadline. It shouldn’t be my job to guess when the actual deadline is because the NRHS can’t work with the deadline they set and were fully capable of changing.
Apart from Railcamp you might approach various preservation groups in your area directly. Reach out to people, offer to help out in any capacity, and put together your own deal without Railcamp.
Well since I got my application in by the deadline, filled it out completely, mailed it in, and was told by the NRHS that applications were being looked at, I do feel as though I was entitled to have my application looked at. And I have tried going to the NRHS directly, their email inbox seems as though it has some cobwebs on it.
This will sound snarky but I mean it seriously. Maybe the OP’s application wasn’t as impressive as he seems to think? I’m sure everyone who applied was a teenage railfan and his app was just “run of the mill”. Also, how many open spots were there and how many applications did they receive. Like Zug mentioned, maybe they wer going with older applicants who missed it the last couple of years. That makes perfect sense.
I mean if my application was just run of the mill and not something that stood out to them, I would understand. I’m just kinda ticked off that they never actually saw my application.
Yeah, it would seem as though their “looked at” isn’t really what it should be. I guess that’s kinda why I made this, I figured after the NRHS blew me off I would try to come here to shine some light on it and warn th
Here’s a hard question for you to answer. It appears that you think that the only result of being “looked at” is to get them to invite you. What do you think makes your application superior? What did you actually write on why they should accept you? Remember, everyone else applying is also a teenage railfan. What makes your application distinct?
GrandTrunkWestern
As I said, I most certainly wasn’t considered. It was made clear in the rejection email I was sent that my application was not looked at. And once again, if there was an indication given that candidates who applied earlier would have a better chance, I would have been fine with this. A deadline isn’t a deadline if you can apply within the deadline and not be considered.
You’re young. Not everything is spelled out completely all the time. That’s life.
Ditch the entitlement attitude and move on, try again, or go complain to the NRHS directly.
Well since I got my application in by the deadline, filled it out completely, mailed it in, and was told by the NRHS that applications were being looked at, I do feel as though I was entitled to have my application looked at. And I have tried going to the NRHS directly, their email inbox seems as though it has some cobwebs on it.
Their ‘looked at’ and your ‘looked at’ are two different looked ats. Their’s wins. Remember the Golden Rule - those with the gold make the rules.
Yeah, it would seem as though their “looked at” isn’t really what it should be. I guess that’s kinda why I made this, I figured after the NRHS blew me off
GrandTrunkWestern
As I said, I most certainly wasn’t considered. It was made clear in the rejection email I was sent that my application was not looked at. And once again, if there was an indication given that candidates who applied earlier would have a better chance, I would have been fine with this. A deadline isn’t a deadline if you can apply within the deadline and not be considered.
You’re young. Not everything is spelled out completely all the time. That’s life.
Ditch the entitlement attitude and move on, try again, or go complain to the NRHS directly.
Well since I got my application in by the deadline, filled it out completely, mailed it in, and was told by the NRHS that applications were being looked at, I do feel as though I was entitled to have my application looked at. And I have tried going to the NRHS directly, their email inbox seems as though it has some cobwebs on it.
Their ‘looked at’ and your ‘looked at’ are two different looked ats. Their’s wins. Remember the Golden Rule - those with the gold make the rules.