Cosmos 2013

Parents Forum
1

<p>Hi, my son is going to high school next year ( 8th grade now). He applied to UC Davis Cosmos in the new cluster (makers and inventors).. Surprisingly, he got into it.. Now, we are very confused whether we should send him there. For couple of reasons
1) looking at some statistics, Cosmos does not have that many rising freshmen in their classes.. It is very small. It mostly consists of rising juniors and seniors.. Will he be able to find friends and have fun in the midst of older kids..
2) Cosmos alumni can not apply again.. That is what the rules say.. So, he pretty much can not go to cosmos again to do research in other cluster.
3) colleges do not care about what kids do in 8th grade summer.. they only look from 9th grade onwards.. </p>

<p>Are my concerns true? Anyone who went to cosmos as rising freshmen who can give me some advice? </p>

<p>thanks</p>

2

<p>My son was admitted to Davis COSMOS in 8th grade but he did not go. He went to a different camp that also had many juniors and seniors. In the end he made friends with many upper classmen. These upper classmen had a lot of influence on his HS actitities. Age is not a problem for friendship. It’s the mindset that bond them together.
You should not worry about what colleges think about summer program. It’s better to think about how the program helps your kid develop talent and interest.</p>

3

<p>You also should not worry that your kid will not be able to attend COSMOS again. There are other summer programs that have more research focus for HS students. Some of them are free. Some of them provide scholarships.</p>