<p>Over the summer I attended a pre college program. The application required an essay, a teacher and counselor rec, and transcript. The acceptance rate was about 50%. (The school's undergrad acceptance rate is 20%).</p>
<p>At the end of my course I received an evaluation of my work and my professor gave me very high marks. She even said I would succeed at that very school or any other institution I choose to attend.</p>
<p>Do summer college programs give applicants a leg up or an edge? </p>
<p>Basically, no. Colleges like you to think they do, because they make money on the programs and fill what would otherwise be empty dorms and classrooms, but there’s no evidence they help anyone get in.</p>
<p>No, they don’t do anything. COSMOS is a renown science program for UC’s but it really doesn’t do anything when it comes to admissions. </p>
<p>@jomarch It all depends on the program. If it’s a program you really are just paying to attend (but anyone can get in), it may not be seen as impressive. But for example, if that program truly influenced you in some way, I would depict that in your application.
I find it unsettling that people are saying it doesn’t matter. This past summer, I participated in a program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and I definitely believe spending the summer there will not be overlooked or set aside during the admissions process.</p>
<p>You should send in your evaluations as supplementary material to the college to which you’re applying. It would only help, and definitely would not be a disadvantage to you in the admissions process.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>You might want to believe it will help because you’re in the middle of applying, but past experience says that at programs at MIT or Stanford, attendees with even top, top credentials will get passed over for others kids who never attended.</p>