I was recently invited by a few Ivy league schools to their summer programs, and I am unsure if it will ultimately be worthwhile. I am interested in enriching my academic experience in any way to better my overall college experience, but is it worth dropping my summer job and paying to attend these programs? I do not have the grades to be admitted into Ivy League colleges right now, so I am worried that I also won’t be accepted into their programs.
I, honestly, have no knowledge of these programs other than what the schools have provided, so I was hoping to get advice from someone with experience. If anyone knows about the competitiveness of these programs, how the classes are, and if the experience is beneficial, please let me know.
These programs will not miraculously get you admitted to any place that you aren’t otherwise qualified for. But those places would love you to think that so they can separate you from your hard-earned money. If you need a summer job to help save up for college, then that is what you should focus on.
My D18 attended a summer program at McGill. An admissions officer there told the students that their participation in the summer program IN NO WAY would help with admissions to the university. D sacrificed her summer job and competitive swim season to attend this program, but she still felt it was worthwhile because:
She got to preview what college life is like and spend two weeks in a fun city very different from home.
She found the classes and workshops very interesting.
She met friends from all over the world, some of whom she still communicates with frequently.
So, basically, it was all for fun. If the cost of a summer program is a stretch, I’d think long and hard about whether it’s really worth it, especially if those lost summer earnings will limit your college choices.
You also need to look at them carefully. Many of them are not even run by the University. A company is just renting space on campus so that they can use the name…
I definitely recommend doing some type of program at a college or university. Weather PS sport or a class even as most 3 to 4 days is strongly recommended to see what college life is about. Many of the ivy league and well-known colleges charge exorbitant fees for their programs and that would be very careful on going to those programs.