<p>You know, the typical summer programs for high schoolers at schools like John Hopkins or at Stanford where you have to apply with a transcript, recommendation letters, SAT score, etc. Are colleges really impressed by them? I really wanted to attend at least one during the course of my high school years, but due to other summer activities and financial issues, I have not been able to go to any. I'll be applying to colleges this fall, and since I won't be able to attend one this summer either, I was wondering if that would put me at a great disadvantage against other applicants who have attended prestigious summer programs.</p>
<p>I’d like to know this too…
From what I’ve read, it looks very good to do the really selective programs (like… RSI maybe?) and do well in them. BUT if your summers have been jam-packed with other activities that demonstrate consistent interest in a particular area, volunteering, something you have a passion for, etc. I’d say that would be great too. I’m not sure, but I think there is some way to tell colleges if you are at a disadvantage because of financial needs… I know that someone explained a low PSAT score because their father died, so I’m guessing you could explain your situation too?</p>
<p>I’m not going to attempt to answer the adcoms being impressed by these programs… I think it’s a complicated issue and there is no one answer. </p>
<p>What I do want to offer is that most of the programs that I am aware of offer free or reduced tuition for students who require financial aide. If your student is interested there is no harm in applying and seeing if you are offered assistance for an otherwise financially unavailable program. There are several colleges that have excellent engineering programs that are sponsored by their Centers for Diversity that have very reasonable fees.</p>
<p>There are reasonably priced programs for every student… it just takes some research.</p>
<p>RSI, yes. Paid for programs? No. Anyone can get in. Everyone gets an A. You’re much better off getting a basic job.</p>
<p>Some have great value in that you actually live on a campus, and hopefully take part in some meaningful classes. But just because “Stanford” or “Hopkins” or “Duke” is the host site – is pretty irrelevant. The biggest thing it shows is your parents have money.</p>
<p>agreed with T26E4
I do not know about the other programs, but the Stanford and Berkeley programs are hosted by some other company on te college campus and it is unaffiliated with the colleges themselves. Basically rich kids pay $3000-5000 to go hangout at stanford campus for a month. If colleges are really impressed if people attend college classes/programs in the summer, they got hell of a lot of kids to be impressed of.</p>
<p>Many colleges and scholarships expect you to explain how you spent the previous summers and how it is relevant to what you want to do. So, "I worked the past two summers at the local (amusement park, grocery store…) to save up money for college or help my parents is a totally acceptable answer. Similarly, I spent so many hours volunteering, practicing sports, doing reserach etc… could be acceptable. For example, “I am interested in the medical profession and spent the last summer volunteering at the local hospital for 8 weeks to get an understanding of careers and occupations in that area”.</p>
<p>It has to be framed in the context of what you did and why you did it and how it has helped. What they are not looking for is someone who spent the entire summer doing nothing.</p>
<p>Some students cannot afford summer classes or they need to do something else like take care of sick relatives etc. Are you going to be dinged because you did not take a summer class? No. Will you be dinged if you are not able to explain how you spent your summer usefully? Possibly.</p>