<p>Just wondering--I've heard numerous different theories.</p>
<p>They show that you actually did something productive over the summer. They can show your passion for a certain area. And they can be good material for application essays.</p>
<p>They can. Usually they do not help that much. They can also hurt. Easier for them to hurt if you do poorly or have problems at those programs than for them to help if you do well.</p>
<p>In performing arts, they can really help if the same folks doing the auditions are running the camps. But for most academic classes, the profs do not get involved in admissions. They may write a ref for a kid, but in the cases where I saw that happen, the kids did not get accepted despite the fact that they may have spent a number of summers at the summer program of an institution, did well there, and were good candidates to boot. Those are the most selective schools. </p>
<p>For schools that are not as selective, it could make a difference as it can let the school know that you know and like the school.</p>
<p>hmmm...how can they hurt?</p>
<p>They really aren't the type of things that make or break an application unless you get into an extremely prestigious one.. (There's probably only 1000-1500 people in the NATION who are involved with those so it obviously is going to be very impressive.)</p>
<p>However, they do help.. sometimes a bit.. sometimes a little, and sometimes it doesn't help at all.. but they're good experiences however.</p>
<p>of course it will. To the degree can be disputed. Its like an "ec" and shows what you are doing over the summer. Of course programs like rsi, Tasp, SSP, Clarks etc are probably more "helpful" than maybe a summer program where most who apply can get in.
I don't think anyone doubts that summer programs are positive and can help you, but will they make or break your app, who knows.</p>
<p>I'm sure it's more of a case-by-case basis. Likely the kids who would need such a program to boost their app aren't impressive enough in the first place, at least for selective colleges with subjective admissions.</p>
<p>I think the biggest mistake people make is expecting these programs to be impressive in and of themselves. They're not. They have to make sense in the context of the student and take a part in furthering their defining interests. A music geek (in the most positive connotation of the word :)) attending, say, Interlochen would make sense. A science guy wouldn't really get much from that. There's no need to force a certain program onto yourself if it isn't going to make you better at something you really love. </p>
<p>Camps can't ignite a passion, or even indicate one when presented alone. But they can help to define one and to create mechanisms to further an individual's study of a particular interest.</p>
<p>Depends on what kind of summer program. If it's something like RSI, then yes. However, if a program isn't very difficult to get into and is very expensive, it'll only show you have rich parents.</p>