Feedback on Cornell summer college program (for high school students)

<p>My daughter M was accepted into Cornell's summer college program for high school students and will be attending at least one session. I would love to hear about the experience of anyone who attended.</p>

<p>In particular:
1) how was the balance of work/free time;</p>

<p>2) how difficult were the classes and did you find that the value of the classes carried over to college/remaining year in HS (M is taking The Business World and possibly the Debate and Rhetoric course)?;</p>

<p>3) did colleges accept the Cornell credits? (each class is 3 credits); and</p>

<p>4) did you find that participation in summer college was helpful in getting into college?</p>

<p>M finishes her classes for HS only a few days before the Cornell program begins and is thus is concerned that jumping into a 6 week intensive program may be difficult without a break. She is definately planning on attending for at least 3 weeks but is weighing whether to participate in one or both 3-week sessions.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>I attended the Cornell summer college in 2012, and am now going to cornell in the fall!</p>

<p>1) Really not that bad. You’ll probably be working two-three hours a day for each course, if you’re aiming for straight A’s (which you really really should be doing)</p>

<p>2) The courses are challenging, but it depends on which courses you sign up for. They’re all manageable though. Honestly, i loved my classes to death and they helped so much with the rest of my HS career, getting into Cornell, and creating opportunities for internships and other programs that wouldn’t have happened without taking those courses. plan them wisely though!</p>

<p>3) Well, I wouldn’t know, since I’m going to Cornell, and obviously they accept their own credit. However, i’ve spoken to a few different colleges about their policies and every one i spoke to said they would</p>

<p>4) Yes!!! Especially for cornell. The only program within the summer college that cornell likes to accept way more students for is hotel management (they have a ~40% acceptance rate from the program), but being able to write a more indepth essay, truly explaining why cornell is your school (your big red factor), is a hugeeee bonus!!! </p>

<p>I had a few friends who did the same, and honestly, do it. The three week programs aren’t nearly as fun, as intense, you don’t have as much bonding time with people (I’ve made so many life-friends just from those six weeks). Plus the credits are less likely to transfer and it isn’t as prestigious as the 6 week program (since 6 week kids are taking actual cornell courses, not ones designed for high school). Plus, if you do the second three weeks, you make much fewer friends, essentially just from the three week kid pool. The 6 weekers all have their own friend groups already</p>

<p>Thanks julieannab! Very helpful! My daughter will be very happy to hear your response - sounds like a great program!</p>

<p>Glad to hear it! I’d love to know if she ends up going! Also, if she ever has any questions about the school next year, I’ll inbox you my email address. </p>

<p>As a parent who just paid 11000 + on for the 6 weeks (my son is planning to take chemistry and python) I find your post really informational and encouraging:-) Please post if there is any more info, julienneb! preppymusicmom, did your daughter attend? How did she like it?</p>

<p>M is enrolled to attend this summer and really looking forward to the experience; she is planning on taking a class in business and the debate and rhetoric course. She was also accepted to the Harvard summer college program but thought the Cornell program looked like a better fit. I will post later this summer with feedback.</p>

<p>Cornell Summer College was the worst/best decision of my life.</p>

<p>First of all…
my class was WAY too hard. I got consistent F’s on tests, and I am a high school student who has one of the best GPA’s at my school. I literally stayed up until 3 am every night trying to finish my readings, and still did not perform well on my tests.
There were tutors given to those who received financial aid, which doesn’t seem fair, because had i known that there were tutors available, i would have asked them for their help.
And I’m not just saying this because I didn’t try to get help…I reached out to all of the “head haunchos” and they did not really give me any valuable insight.
I had such a hard time finding a place to study…some places were too noisy, others were too quiet.
Ok now for the good things…
Food is great!
campus is beautiful!
you will get in shape from all of the uphill walking. (good for your legs)
You will form close friendships with those around you</p>

<p>Preppymusicmom - how is she liking it so far? My daughter is there and isn’t overly thrilled with the program. In my opinion it was a cheap way to realize that Cornell may not be the school for her. </p>

<p>Hello Preppymusicmom: Can you speak more on your daughter’s experience on Cornell Summer Program especially on Business and Debate. I have a daughter who is thinking doing the same programs but not sure signing up for a 6 week program. Any feedback is welcome.</p>

<p>My daughter finished the 6 week program in Architecture. She was in class at 9am every morning and got home from the lab at 10pm every night. The work was way more than I (and she) was expecting. Many of the students had to pull multiple all nighters. She learned tons, and got great experience that will help her as she applies to colleges. The kids in the other programs did not spend half of that time on classwork, and had a fair amount of free time.</p>

<p>@tooexpensive‌ Sounds like a good exposure to the realities of an Architecture major. One college roommate of mine was Architecture, and she pulled a significant number of all nighters.</p>