<p>I will be a rising senior this summer and I'm not sure what to do regarding my summer plans. For three summers in a row, I attended the Talented and Gifted Program (TAG) at Southern Methodist University; last summer, I went to the Texas Governor's School at the University of North Texas. I'm considering going to SMU's College Experience program this summer, but I also want to get some work experience. (Probably something in retail, nothing serious.) I was wondering, should I continue my history of summer camps or should I get a job? Which would look better on a college application? And would other colleges that I apply to look down upon the fact that I attended a camp at SMU for three years, and didn't go to a camp at their college?</p>
<p>The great physicist Feynman spent his high school and college summers working at resort hotels in the kitchen and maintenance; summers throughout his career he took research jobs in areas other then physics to broaden his thinking.</p>
<p>Adding one more year of the same thing is not a college app hook. In fact it is kind of boring. College want interesting and well rounded, not boring. Move on.</p>
<p>Try taking on the job. I would’ve done an internship the summer after my junior year, but I haven’t really been “out there” so I decided to do a summer program. Since you’ve already done numerous programs in the past, try something new. Colleges like students who have variety, but also make sure there is a connection and focus amongst your activities.</p>
<p>I agree that you should round out your experience with a job. I think it will look better to colleges that you took on the responsibility of a job, and when you go to college, that experience will help you get the next job!</p>