<p>The program is nearly $10,000 (correct me if I am wrong, which I hope so) is it worth it? Any CC'ers here attend? Was it helpful in an admissions POV? Please give me some insight!</p>
<p>It's expensive but I didn't think it was $10,000 - closer to $6000. I don't think it is particularly helpful from an admissions point of view but it is a very exciting and enriching program. Great to be able to spend a month in NYC.</p>
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The program is nearly $10,000 (correct me if I am wrong, which I hope so) is it worth it?
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<p>No. Do something meaningful this summer.</p>
<p>It's half the price if you can find relatives to stay with.</p>
<p>What I understand (mainly from C02) is that it does not help you get in. At all. I'm guessing that's the reason you want to go, so if that's the case, listen to C02.</p>
<p>Is this program fun? does it teach high school students anything about college life, etc? Worth the high cost? The high cost must be because of the fact that it is situated in NYC...</p>
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The high cost must be because of the fact that it is situated in NYC...
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<p>All the top colleges' high school programs are money-making ripoffs designed to appeal to naive and manipulatable 16 year olds and their patents' who think there is some inside track to acceptance. It's nothing to do with NYC.</p>
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does it teach high school students anything about college life, etc?
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<p>Yeah, it may be the first time you get to experiment with binge drinking / illegal substances / carefree sex.</p>
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Is this program fun?
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<p>See above.</p>
<p>I disagree with the above. I attended the program and yes it was expensive (stay in a hostel down the street, it will be way cheaper), but it a) lets you know if you like Columbia's atmosphere and b) gives you the chance to work with real professors (who may write you a recommendation). I think some of the large classes might be a joke, but a few of them are small and selective (like the writing workshops). It's a fun program and hey - I got accepted.</p>
<p>Congrats on getting in, but without knowing anything else about you it's hard for us to say that the program helped you get in. Do you think you were up to par with what Columbia was otherwise looking for?</p>
<p>My numbers were not spectacular. The great recommendation I got from one of the MFA professors certainly helped in the admissions process.</p>
<p>i did the program in 2005 and it's around $5000ish.
I originally applied to the Art History/Film Narrative program but after a week's attendance, I found it to be incredibly unstimulating (esp. Film) and very uninteractive. I switched into the Creative Writing program which I got the feeling that the bulk of the kids doing the summer program were in, and loved it. </p>
<p>In terms of gaining admission to CU having done the program, I'd say that a lot of students I knew that summer are at Columbia right now, including my roommate that summer, and 5 others. Obviously, it's not a guarantee, and I have no way of knowing if it genuinely helps, but according to just statistics alone of the kids I knew, it seems like it would help...</p>
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In terms of gaining admission to CU having done the program, I'd say that a lot of students I knew that summer are at Columbia right now, including my roommate that summer, and 5 others. Obviously, it's not a guarantee, and I have no way of knowing if it genuinely helps, but according to just statistics alone of the kids I knew, it seems like it would help...
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<p>Et tu?....</p>
<p>I have been admitted into Columbia University's three week Summer Program for High School Students during Session I as a Residential student, with my course of study being "NYC: An Urban Case Study."</p>
<p>On that note, I would definitely think that if a student partaking in the Columbia HS Summer Program does well and obtains good recommendations it will help in the admissions process, because it shows that the student can handle college level material and succeed in that environment. Plus, it gives that student a leg up because he/she decided to learn and study during summer while others were sitting on the couch doing nothing, so it shows that the student is hardworking and motivated.</p>
<p>After reading some of the positive comments in this thread regarding this CU HS Summer Program helping with admissions and acceptance into CU, even without the best of scores, it makes me feel better about having applied, and I feel that it will benefit me for the above reasons I mentioned. Regardless, it seems like it's a very fun program, and I can't wait to attend.</p>
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On that note, I would definitely think that if a student partaking in the Columbia HS Summer Program does well and obtains good recommendations it will help in the admissions process, because it shows that the student can handle college level material and succeed in that environment. Plus, it gives that student a leg up because he/she decided to learn and study during summer while others were sitting on the couch doing nothing, so it shows that the student is hardworking and motivated.
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<p>So, how exactly do you contend that the CU summer program better than taking classes at a local college?</p>
<p>And do realize that most kids who are competitive Ivy applicants aren't sitting on the couch doing nothing for their summers.</p>
<p>Because like I said, if you partake in the Columbia HS Summer Program and you have a genuine interest in going to Columbia, it shows Columbia that you're highly interested in attending there. Moreover, you'll be able to use the recommendations written from your professor(s) at Columbia to your advantage (depending on the quality of the recommendations) when actually applying for Columbia.</p>
<p>I'd like to know if anyone else who has attended the Columbia HS Summer Program goes to Columbia currently, and if they believe that attending this Summer Program actually helped them gain admission when applying for Columbia.</p>
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Because like I said, if you partake in the Columbia HS Summer Program and you have a genuine interest in going to Columbia, it shows Columbia that you're highly interested in attending there. Moreover, you'll be able to use the recommendations written from your professor(s) at Columbia to your advantage (depending on the quality of the recommendations) when actually applying for Columbia.
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<p>There are bettwe ways to show you're interested in Columbia. And you can get a rec from any college professor per my point above.</p>
<p>I am applying to the program and I was wondering what you wrote in your essay. What do you think were factors that allowed you to get admitted?</p>
<p>C02, I think the program and a local college class are really quite comparable. In my town we have a decent state school, and I decided to take classes there the summer after my sophomore year. The trouble with this was 1) that I did not have the prerequisites to take upper level classes and 2) that very few upper level or even interesting classes were offered (since it was the summer). I ended up taking unchallenging intro classes (like Art History I), most of which, if not all, won't carry over for any credits at Columbia. If a student has to choose between taking an unchallenging class in something they are not interested in and a challenging class at the high school program, I think the HS program is their best bet.</p>
<p>i went last summer
not worth it for academics but the most fun i have ever had in my life, seriously thugh if you want to learn something NOT HERE, i took their business program and on top of the fee and stuff we had to buy a $150 textbook. still though most fun ever</p>
<p>OK, so, for those of you who got a letter of recommendation, how did you achieve that? did you just go and ask the teacher or what did you do?
Also, how big are the classes, because from what I’ve hear they are huge and the teachers don’t even remember your name.</p>
<p>hey everyone,</p>
<p>i can’t really say whether or not the chances of me getting into columbia are heightened by my attendance at the high school program (i’m a junior), but i knew of 5 who applied, where 3 got in and 2 were deferred.</p>
<p>i actually disagree with columbia 2002. columbia seems to stress the importance of making sure the prospective applicant is a good “fit” @ their school, and by attending the program, you can offer a really personal POV and not the generic “why i want to go here” essay. granted, any tech-savvy student can go online and look up a list of school buildings and incorporate that into their essay, but they will never be able to convey the imagery one who attended the program will be able to 
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<p>also, i believe someone mentioend something about… teacher recommendations? at the end of session, everyone receives a reference letter. i was in a psych class of 50 students w/ two professors, and contrary to somebody’s (wasn’t sure who) belief, both the teachers knew my name. if students make the effort to get to know the teacher (i stayed after class to discuss problems i was having with my final project), they will be rewarded the teachers (or at least, mine) were very approachable. </p>
<p>that’s just mpo… good luck!!</p>