<p>This might sound really naive to you guys haha
Some people say summers programs are not bad, so why shouldn't i do it? There's nothing to lose.</p>
<p>but... do colleges actually look for them? Do they really help college admissions?</p>
<p>I just heard this from my friend, and now i'm just worried.</p>
<p>they may look nice, but certainly wont be a dealbreaker either way.</p>
<p>if you think its a good way to spend a summer, then go do one.</p>
<p>if you dont, then dont.</p>
<p>just dont spend your whole summer playing games every day till 5. thats what wed call an unproductive summer.</p>
<p>All summer programs are not created equal. There are highly competitive, scholarship based programs which can help college admissions. And there are non-competitive, expensive summer programs, which are better than doing nothing, but do not necessarily help in college admissions just because you attended them. That said, they can be important in helping you to further support your area of interest, to decide what career path you would like to pursue, what type of college you'd like to attend, etc. And they can also help when you're writing admissions essays or doing interviews.</p>
<p>What you possibly have to lose in doing a pay to play summer program: money and the opportunity to do something else more meaningful with your time (eg. work, volunteering)</p>