<p>I just looked at some college apps and noticed that little section about "Summer Programs"</p>
<p>Um. I didnt really do any. I worked at Columbia University both my freshman, and sophmore research, and plan on doing it this summer as well.</p>
<p>Freshmen year i basically went to China for a month, and learned about Cardiothoracic surgery (i actually saw open heart surgeries daily)</p>
<p>Sophmore year i actually conducted experiments on behalf of a professor- his ideas, not mine. But i basically carried out his experiments under his protocols.</p>
<p>This summer, I plan on doing an actual project for Intel/Westinghouse- </p>
<p>Do you guys know if this counts as a "Summer Program"? And if it doesn't... am i Kinda screwed? But essentially, i didn't sit on my ass all summer and drink kool-aid. I have letters of "reccs" (more like evidence that i worked there) from both professors/surgeons.</p>
<p>All of those are "summer programs" and are excellent. Summarize them on the form, and then include an activity-list attachment. I recommend that you get a copy of "Acing the College Application" by Michelle Hernandez. It is a nice compact admissions guide that details how to make the best possible looking app.</p>
<p>A lot more people say they're going to do STS/SWC than actually end up doing it. Research is intensive and time-consuming. Most people don't realize that until they start.</p>
<p>But yeah working and that stuff you've done is better than Summer@Brown or whatever college for sure.</p>
<p>No? I mean... it's not like "OFFICIAL" as i guess putting down 'Harvard Summer school'. ANd for the latter you can submit grades, courses taken... all i can really do is send them an abstract and 'describe' the experience in like 10 words</p>
<p>Don't worry about the official part. You can put together a great activity-list. If you don't chose to do one of the "creative" essays, then write about your interests in an essay. You have better summer activities than the "Harvard Summer School". There is an element to the expensive summer programs that just involves paying the money in order to improve your resume. This is better.</p>
<p>dude...you have just classified yourself as the true "CCer" (the one that everyone on the site jokes about but pretty much secretly is). beautiful summer programs. i'll bet you're absolutely brilliant too ;) no worries, Doogie!</p>