CAA vs. Columbia

Pre-College Issues Summer Programs
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<p>I'm a freshman in high school right now, so I've been wanting to become more aware of my ECs. I know summer programs help [at least, I think they help]. But ever since the summer after fifth grade, I've been going to this program called CTY when I got a letter from them asking if I was interested.</p>

<p>I know it's really good and all, but this year I didn't retake the SATs, so my scores that were eligible for those who were currently in 8th aren't eligible for the 9th grade scores. However, it is good enough for the "lesser" version of CTY, called CAA. Coincidentally, I'm also getting slightly bored of going to CTY year after year and wanted to try something new.</p>

<p>My parents have something programmed in their brains that I'm just automatically going to CTY every summer possible [I can also go when I'm entering senior year, thanks to my late birthday], but I definitely do NOT want to go past the summer I'm entering junior year. So my dad suggested that I just retake the SATs January...something I don't remember. A little late so that I may not even get the classes I want...but...</p>

<p>Instead, I looked around for other choices, and my brother, a senior, took a summer class at Harvard, which he ended up getting accepted into, so I guess you can say that inspired me to look at Columbia, which is my starting-to-look-like-a-semi-unrealistic-dream-college-choice for me right now. =[</p>

<p>BUT STILL. My brother says that although Harvard was fun, it was just like a extended visit for him. He says that if I REALLY wanted to go to Columbia, I should try it out, but it's basically a program that if you have money for it, you can go. =&lt;/p>

<p>So uh, sorry for rambling. I'm really bored and frustrated right now [and then I have to babysit in like one hour...errrggghhh]. But my parents are really starting to bug me about what summer program I should do, and you guys are all so much older and smarter and stuff, so I thought that if I asked you for your advice, it would help clear things up so I can make my decision. =]</p>

<p>So basically the choices are just like; CAA, Columbia, or take a chance and retake the SAT and then go to CTY.</p>

<p>Actually, if you had any other suggestions as well, that would help a lotttt too. =]</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

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<p>Buttery, once you've qualified for CTY you've qualified. If you took the SAT as a 7th or 8th grader and qualified, you do not need to requalify as a 9th grader. My daughter started going to CTY the summer after 6th grade; she would be eligible this summer (she turns 16 at the end of July) but told me she didn't want to go. Last year she did two sessions and told me that this year she was ready to do something different so I completely understand you wanting to do something else. If you go to <a href="http://www.cogito.org%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.cogito.org&lt;/a>, there is a link on the left hand side of the screen "Summer Programs". You might be able to find something there that looks more interesting than CTY. It's worth exploring.</p>

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<p>I found a veterinary program on there looks interesting [that's one thing I might want to be]. I'm going to look into some more. =]</p>

<p>Thanks sabaray!</p>