An issue of decision

Pre-College Issues Summer Programs
1

<p>Wow so here's my situation (a lot of INDECISION!!):
OK, so there are four possibilities which look really interesting but there are issues with each. I will list each possibility, its pros and its cons.</p>

<p>A) This religious program (Im Jewish) in which I go to the concentration camps in Poland for a week. After that, I fly to Ukraine and work in a camp for underpriviledged children for three weeks. After that I fly to Israel. Sounds absolutely AMAZING!!!!!!!
Pros: Just a wonderful experience (especially b/c March of the Living is not offered in my area (MotL is a journey through the concentration camps and then from there to Israel); It's for kids with leadership positions in theri communities so it would also be an experience with other "leaders" so to speak, my parents are in favor of this
Cons: Costs approx. $6500 (cost is not such a major issue), just applying costs approx. $150 which could be a problem if I apply somewhere else, I wouldn't go with my class on their trip to Israel (IF we go - we havent been so good about raising funds; I'm not so interested on going on this trip though)</p>

<p>B) TASP (just applying - DON'T think that I believe I will get in): Even though this is 2nd it is of equal interst as the program above.
Pros: Have an amazing experience, could possibly be in U of M which is convenient cuz my parent works there and I could go home for sabbath (live nearby), it FREE
Cons: My parents are against it (they don't want me to "go to school" during the summer), I may not be put in the U of M program and then that would be a problem, the final decision comes out pretty late which could be a problem if I've already shelled out money to apply for the above program or I've applied to the thing below (a job at a summer camp) and they've already given me a slot - which wouldn't be fair if I got in to TASP and then I would force them to find another person=annoying</p>

<p>C) Job at summer camp for one month as the camp photographer. Took a course last summer at the Art Institute of Chicago and have fallen in love.
Pros: Do what I love and get paid (even if it's not that much) while getting the camp experience, work alongside friends from past summers
Cons: This leaves two months totally open which is a little unsettling (if I went on this I would go with my class on their trip to Israel and that means coming back in the beginning of June), this is a little lower on my list of preferences just because of the two month slot</p>

<p>D) Working at a neuroscience lab - not relaly sure for how long but my friends mom works at one and could get me a job
Pros: Learn a bit about neuroscience and I'm interested in it
Cons: This is lowest on my list of interests, this is not really the track I've been pursuing in HS- I've been following a more humanities oriented track - and can pursuit this more in depth in college</p>

<p>What do you guys think?! Plus, how do I convince my parents that TASP is cool and they should let me go IF i get in.</p>

<p>thanks to all who respond!</p>

2

<p>i'd definitely do the first one, but that's just because i love to travel. it would be an AMAZING experience.</p>

3

<p>Is the first one Svarsas? I know people that went there and really liked it. Do you go to a jewish school, by the way?</p>

<p>All of these sound like really cool experiences. If you're not looking to become a neuroscience major or surgeon or anything, though, then the last choice isn't really necessary (if you need to cut down on your options).</p>

4

<p>No it's called JOLT. Yes I do go to a Jewish school. I want to be a history major and take pre-med then i'm off to med school. those are my plans for now at least.</p>

5

<p>Ooh! I go to a jewish school, too! What school do you go to (and where)? </p>

<p>You can PM me if you want. Is your school modern orthodox?</p>

6

<p>bump 10char</p>

7

<p>TASP has a pretty strict policy so under normal circumtances you will not be able to leave the TASP to go home during the sabbath. They have a pretty good reason as one of the primary purpose of TASP is to build a sense of community and a semi-monastic community at that and students are encouraged not to leave the TASP at any time as to preserve this sense of community. TASP has policies against leaving the TASP and extended visitations. Are you required religiously to go home? I'm not really familiar with this.</p>