My mom is convinced that attending Summer@Brown (or some other similar summer program) will help my resume come application time (I’m a current junior so I’ll be applying fall of this year), but I really don’t think it will… Almost everyone who has satisfactory grades and can pay gets admitted so how would that help my resume? I would love to go to one of these programs for the experience and learning environment but I think my summer before senior year would be better spent doing other things. I wish i had gone to one of these programs last summer, but it’s too late for that now.
So basically my question is, is spending maybe 5 weeks of the summer before senior year (and I’m hoping to start applications in early August) at a pre college summer program worth it? Will it really add anything to my application?
Another alternative to how I’d spend my summer is going to Guatemala with my piano teacher to teach church members in a small town how to play the piano - I helped my piano teacher start a non for profit as part of my IB personal project in 10th grade, and what we do is teach them through Skype. It’s been a very rewarding experience so far and I would absolutely love to actually meet the kids I’ve been teaching. Plus I think it would add al ot more to my application than just going to a summer program like every other rich kid who applies… thoughts?
Do pre-college programs help with admissions? Not a huge amount.
Colleges want to see that you’ve done something productive with your summers. Anything productive is positive, but attending a non-competitive, paid program won’t make you stand out. In some cases, these are just a place for people with money to park their kids for the summer. Getting a job, internship, or doing research at a local university may show more initiative. In some cases, a summer college program may build on an existing interest and fit into a bigger picture, in which case it will be seen in a slightly more positive light.
Funded, competitive programs are different. These can have a major impact on admissions. They are much, much harder to get.
Anything that shows initiative and which is off the beaten path is very good. Anything that fits into an overall narrative is also very good.
Your Guatemala program sounds MUCH more interesting, and would likely be more impressive to colleges. It’s different, and off the beaten path. It shows initiative. You would be doing something constructive, it integrates with your music and IB activities, and you would probably learn a ton. It would be a great topic for essays, and your piano teacher would be great for a supplemental recommendation. Most importantly, it clearly calls to you and inspires you. Adcoms love kids who follow their passions.
This seems like a no-brainer to me. Your Mom is steering you wrong.
@renaissancedad that’s what i was thinking too. thanks!