<p>My daughter is a jr and has been accepted to two summer programs for STEM. One is at one of her top pick schools, a private polytech but is a "fee-based" program (although still somewhat selective-she needed transcripts, PSAT/SAT cut offs and recs to apply). The other is a free program that is funded by our state at a large State U and admits only 40 students statewide (also required all of the above). At the former she would have access to professors she may eventually study with, hands on experience with biotech lab equipment and procedures, be able to clarify her research and career interests a bit more, and learn a lot more about a school she intends to apply to. The latter program would provide biochemistry coursework (not college credit), and a supervised research project. However, she has no intention of going to this school. </p>
<p>We are torn--which would be the better choice? </p>
<p>Would one look better than the other to college admissions staff?
Would NOT choosing the offering at the preferred school damage her chances of getting in there?</p>
<p>Having either on her list of activities could be good, but college admins also know that students pad their applications with various summer activities to ‘look good.’ </p>
<p>What you need to ask your D is what program would be more stimulating for her? Which program will help her understand her interests better? </p>
<p>Last but not least, what is your budget? If your income is such that you need to apply for financial aid, I would never suggest the fee-based program, which can run into the thousands of dollars. Instead, I would strongly encourage the state program which will also help her develop her interests and understanding of science and labs.</p>
<p>Since you don’t know what school she will attend, and it is unlikely as a freshman that she will work with these professors in depth, I wouldn’t try to connect this private school summer program with specific benefits once she’s at college, because she may not even go there for college.</p>
<p>Free, competitive programs get respect. Paid for programs just peg you as affluent.</p>
<p>Agreed! and I already posted on the thread about the large state u, but I went there, I’m going to columbia and a lot of people got into mit, harvard, caltech, princeton, uchicago, northwestern, etc. from there. I’m not saying that the program caused it, but there are definitely great students who go there!</p>