<p>I got picked from my school to attend this introduction to medicine program at UCLA (I think). You like live there and get a feel for medicine. The thing is that I couldn't go because it conflicted with my schedule because the program was like a week long.</p>
<p>So is this something I could put on my apps. or does it mean nothing since I didn't go?</p>
<p>The most you could say is you were selected, but that doesn’t really mean anything unless it was something substantially known, but even then I would consider it a minor honor at the very best.</p>
<p>Getting selected for a summer program only matters if you actually went and got the experience/education from it.</p>
<p>D has gotten lots of these invites. We checked with her guidance counselor who said they would be a ‘nice’ experience but not something that is going to impress the admissions counselors. You would probably be better off taking summer school classes at your local CC and perhaps working with a professor there. Besides those programs are quite expensive…money better set aside for your real college costs.</p>
<p>so i got selected for this biological internship this summer…apparently i was one of 2 who got picked out of like 20ish. problem was it was all the way over in some random place in ny that i’d never heard of and the program wouldn’t provide food or housing. basically it would be a very lonely 9 weeks. </p>
<p>but should i put this on my app?</p>
<p>No. Only put the programs you actually went to.</p>
<p>What if it was a nationally very well-known program that you had to turn down?</p>
<p>If it’s that important and prestigious, then write about being chosen and turning it down in your essay. Otherwise, I’d leave it out. But of course, it’s your application and your choice.</p>
<p>I agree with Chedva. Many of the nationally and well-known programs - though they send out fancy and very exclusive-looking invitations - are not as much of an “honor” as they would like you to believe. If they also requested payment of tuition, then it is an academic enrichment program, not an honor. If you do attend, put it on your application as academic enrichment. If it is a fee or tuition-dependent program, it would not be appropriate to list it as an “honor.”</p>
<p>(sry to sort of steal this thread) But I know it’s not a scam- it’s not like NYLC or People to People or something… It’s very well known for it’s subject area and very selective. Do you think it’s okay to mention that I was accepted, even though I ended up attending another program in another subject area?</p>
<p>I think it is fine to mention the acceptance in the “Other” section if you want. Just don’t believe it would have that big an impact, not like the one that you actually went to.</p>
<p>As stated above, it is YOUR application, so do what you think is right and best prersents your case.</p>
<p>His question was whether it would count as an EC activity. Seeing as you didn’t actually participate, no.</p>
<p>Don’t make it a big priority. Focus on the things that you’ve done, and if you have the space, then put it on the app. I’m only telling you to mention if it was selective- otherwise, it’s useless to say that you got an invite.</p>
<p>classof09, I did not in any way say that the programs that charge tuition are a “scam,” I said that they are not an honor. They are an academic enrichment program - and some of them are very valuable. If your “Nationally very well known and very selective” program charges tuition, then it is not something you have been awarded, it is something you have the option to purchase.</p>
<p>I understand where you are coming from, but it’s general consensus on this board that many of the programs charging high tuitions are worth on a college application only what the student has gained from the program itself. There are, however, several programs that are highly selective in nature and (one “could” say consequentially) somewhat prestigious. I’m sorry if it came out wrong, but when I went to ask my guidance counselor about several brochures I received in the mail, she straight up told me that it would not be worth it to attend, unless my family had more than enough money to spare, and that similar experiences would cost less outside of the programs. </p>
<p>Now, my story… Unfortunately (and fortunately), one summer I was admitted to two highly selective programs- one in the field of my future career, and one in the field of my “main extracurricular” and what will be a lifelong hobby. After discussing it with my parents, I decided that the one that pertains to my majors and careers of interest would be more rewarding. Although the program pertaining to my hobby does charge tuition, it has a very low admissions rate after a grueling process… and those in the know consider attending the program a great honor for a high schooler. My question is merely whether it’s worth mentioning on my application that I was accepted, even if I ultimately did not attend.</p>
<p>Let me repeat: No, it is not worth mentioning on your application. The reason is this: The things that got you into the program will be reflected on your application. The admissions counselors at School A don’t care about the evaluation that Program B gave to those things; it is irrelevant to their analysis of your qualifications.</p>
<p>Northwestern doesn’t care that you got into Harvard last year but couldn’t go so took a gap year. All they care about is their own evaluation of your qualifications.</p>
<p>However, it is your application. You obviously want to mention it. So go ahead. (But if you are going to argue with the answers, why did you ask the question?)</p>