Model United Nations

Model UN at Wooster

Model United Nations gives you the opportunity to explore contemporary international issues while learning how the United Nations and its diplomatic processes work. At conferences, you'll take on the role of a delegate representing an assigned country and work with students from other colleges and universities.

Wooster supports students attending two conferences each year: the American Model United Nations Conference in Chicago each fall and the National Model United Nations Conference in New York City each spring. These conferences draw delegations from hundreds of colleges and universities from across the United States and abroad.

As you prepare, you'll learn about the workings of the UN, research your assigned country, and become familiar with UN rules of procedure. Along the way, you'll strengthen your research, debate, public speaking, and leadership skills while building relationships with students who share an interest in international issues.

Explore International Issues

Research contemporary global issues and learn to approach them from the perspective of the country you're assigned to represent.

Develop Your Skills

Build experience in research, debate, public speaking, and UN rules of procedure as you prepare for conference.

Attend National Conferences

Represent Wooster at the American Model United Nations Conference in New York City or Chicago.

Scholarship Opportunity

Model UN Leadership Award

The skills and perspectives nurtured through Model UN strongly connect with Wooster’s mission to prepare graduates to become leaders of character and influence in an interdependent, global community.

The Model UN Leadership Award, valued at $2,000 annually, recognizes first-year applicants who demonstrate leadership and growth through their high school Model UN experiences and intend to continue to do so at Wooster. They will join Wooster’s Model UN, which is consistently recognized for its award-winning success at two national conferences.

In order to renew the scholarship annually, award recipients are expected to fully participate in Wooster’s Model UN activities by trying out for the traveling team at least one semester of each academic year (our Model UN starts fresh to prepare for a new conference each semester). If they are not named to the traveling team, award recipients must contribute as part of the research team.

Please follow the instructions below for full consideration of the Model UN Leadership Award:

Complete Wooster's general Application for Admission. Model UN Leadership Award applicants must apply for admission by November 1, 2026
Complete the Model UN Leadership Award Application by December 1, 2026
Upload a writing sample (see options in the scholarship application)

Join the Model UN Team

How are students selected?

Because of the popularity of Model UN at Wooster, students are selected each semester to participate on either the traveling team or the supporting research team.

During tryouts, prospective team members are assigned a country and asked to discuss an international issue and draft resolutions with other delegates in a simulated UN conference. Officers select traveling team members based on demonstrated skill or potential in areas such as public speaking, leadership, and preparedness.

Other strong participants may be selected for the research team, which supports the traveling team's conference preparation.

A new round of tryouts is held at the beginning of each semester, providing more students with opportunities to participate. Past Model UN experience does not provide an advantage during the selection process.

Preparing for Conference

Model UN members meet weekly to prepare for conference. Meetings introduce students to the workings of the United Nations while providing opportunities to learn UN rules of procedure and develop research, debate, and public speaking skills.

Consistent attendance is an important part of preparing a committed team. Each meeting covers an aspect of conference activities and helps students prepare for the conference experience.