<p>The common app has a space for college courses taken. If you're applying to Upenn or others, and they already see their school on your common app, they're going to take notice. What says I love you to a school more than I was willing to take time out of my summer to "test drive" you.</p>
<p>ALso, it is an excellent time to forge some relationships with others on the campus who may have a position of influence with admissions if you are particularly interested in their field and you can tkae the time to meet with them to get more information (informal interview type things)...and they might just put a good word in for you through admissions.</p>
<p>Coming from an economically disadvantaged family I hope that these programs aren't factored into admission because that would be truly elistist. I don't think its prudent for my family to spend a third of its yearly income paying for my summer program at some university. I'm going to work and volunteer this summer and explain to colleges my parents don't have 5 grand to throw around.</p>
<p>tn819, it's not "throwing around 5 grand." and boasting that you're going to work and volunteer instead doesnt make a grander statement on an application versus a college summer program. you should watch how you state your opinions.</p>
<p>Those considering applying to a Service Academy should apply for their respective summer seminars. The programs are run by the cadets and affords an opportunity to see first hand what that experience would be like compared to other colleges and universities. It costs about $350 plus transportation and there is probably help available for those who can't afford to go. </p>
<p>Applying for the summer seminar also gives you a leg up in the application process going into your senior year. It's competitive, and even if you are not selected, you can still recieve an appointment. I think the Air Force Academy took about 700 of the 1800 who applied last year.</p>
<p>I can only speak from my experience, but I do believe strongly that attending the Carleton Summer Writing Program this past summer helped me significantly in getting into Carleton. It's a 3 week intensive writing program, staffed by their professors, and you earn 6 Carleton English credits(equivalent to one class at Carleton). I had truly an amazing time, and the three weeks I spent there made me fall in love with the school.</p>
<p>Although I didn't hear this myself, my best friend told me that one of the counselors at the camp told a group of campers that of last years program(2005), 41 campers out of 89 ended up matriculating to Carleton in the fall of 2006. That's 46% of the campers, and that's 16% higher than the published acceptance rate from that year. That also is the matriculation rate, which means that the acceptance rate would have been even higher, because assumably not every camper that applied and got accepted to Carleton decided to attend.</p>
<p>I think it largely depends on the institution. I know many Ivy league schools publically state that attending a summer program has no impact, but as others have said, it does present a more personalized "Why ____?" essay. In my experience, I believe it helped significantly.</p>
<p>My DS went to HCSSiM last summer (which was highly selective) and costs a <em>lot</em> less than what I've seen other posters talk about paying. He turned down a paying internship to do this program and in retrospect, we all agree it was absolutely the right decision for him. (Disclaimer: Your Mileage May Vary!! Much depends on the program and/or the internship. We were so surprised he even HAD a choice, as he was competing against juniors and seniors for the internship, and kids who have been competing at high levels in math for years.)</p>
<p>How I think it will help him with college apps is that it helped to solidify his interests and give him some definite direction about other activities, competitions, etc. to participate in over his junior and senior years. </p>
<p>For some schools, who know of the program, it might well work to his advantage; but as other posters have also mentioned, it's what you do with that opportunity moving forward that counts.</p>
<p>If a college program is something that a student wants to do, and it looks like it would be a worthwhile activity, by all means, give it a try. There are many wonderful things you can get out of those programs. But do not go into them with the expectation that you have a "hook" for entrance to the college, particularly with the more selective programs and schools. </p>
<p>A warning, do not go into these programs if you are not willing to WORK. A lousy grade could impact your acceptances to colleges. Yes, you can hide the experience, but if applying to that college, it is not a good idea. I know some kids who did bomb some science programs where there was some serious work done, and they thought they were there for fun. THis is not something for parents to push their kid to do. </p>
<p>For kids at schools where the courses are not challenging, (few AP Courses, for example) and where the graduates do not tend to go to selective schools, if you are thinking about applying to top schools, it is advisable to check out these programs. If money is an issue, look at local colleges or anywhere you can take courses to demonstrate to the colleges that you can do high level work and that you are motivated to "look beyond' what your highschool offers.</p>
<p>I think personally, it depends on what program exactly. If for example, it's a program that lets you take advanced courses on a subject, and you write in your application, "Since my school didn't offer that many APs, I thought of going out of my bubble to challenge myself", it'd be a great way to show your dedication. It depends on how you present it to the officers. If it's just another thing on a laundry list, obviously, you've wasted your money. But if you've really grown from it, and you express this to the colleges, they'll be sure to be impressed!! I also think that this shows how serious you are, and how you don't tend to waste your summers away doing nothing. Making your summers useful are keys to a good applications.</p>
<p>When I took classes at Cornell's hotel school during the summer, the admissions dean actually came in and talked to our class about admissions. Someone even asked if going to this program would help thier chances, and she said that they LOOOVEE kids who went to their summer program (and did well), and its a BIG bonus. She explained that they like seeing people who have explored and have experience with knowledge in the hospitality industry, and the summer program gave high school students just that.</p>
<p>THen again, not many people actually wanna go into hospitality management.</p>
<p>I can recall pretty clearly when I attended the University of Chicago Graham School summer program that I heard U of C adcoms are very pleased when applicants attend their summer courses and projects. </p>
<p>It means that on top of being interested in the course offerings, candidates who attend summer programs know intrinsically more about the school, thus leading to more people being interested in the school = higher yield. </p>