My kid got an email that she has been admitted to the sailors program. It is awesome opportunity and we are thankful for this opportunity. But we are wondering and comparing this program to other top summer math camp programs. She is interested in computer science and/or related fields.
http://ai.stanford.edu/sailors/
As compare to top math programs how this program will look, she is thinking to defer her math summer camp for next year. This program is free. Please let us know.
I think you should be thinking about what your child wants to do and which programs will best help develop her skills and interests. Not “how it will look” to some stranger somewhere.
It’s free, it’s at Stanford. Why would you not sign her up?
If you are concerned about college apps, for many colleges, it won’t make a difference. For the tippy top colleges, admission rate is around 10% so odds (for everybody) are low no matter what.
I’d do the sailing camp.
Looked it up- it’s an acronym for an AI (artificial intelligence) related camp. Do not worry about her college application resume. Give her the gift of an enjoyable summer without looking for prestige.
Take advantage of it. My son went to some summer gifted camps- being with his peers was as important as the academic stimulation. It was NOT to look good on any college app. She can always do her math camp next year, if at all. This sounds like a fantastic opportunity for her.
Colleges know many kids won’t be able to have the experiences those whose parents can afford summer camps do.
Skip worrying about prestige. I was curious about the “sailing” camp also. That sounds like a fun summer, especially with being free. Finding out it is an invitation only (?) camp makes it an honor.
Yeah, it’s not ‘sailing’ camp at all! Sounds like a great opportunity for her.
The Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory is opening its lab doors with a program aimed at rising 10th grade girls. Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory’s Outreach Summer program is designed to expose high school students in underrepresented populations to the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The two-week, full-time program will provide both broad exposure to AI topics through faculty lectures and industry field trips, as well as an in-depth experience with a research area through hands-on projects. Mentoring and career/personal development sessions with faculty, researchers, and graduate students will further enable personal growth and an opportunity to explore career interests in AI.
Here is the problem I would see for all summer programs. How is anyone on an admissions committee to know if the summer program is good, bad, free, paid or a top summer program as there are so many summer programs out there?
Lets look at the program discussed here, Sailor. Without any definition of Sailor, it is easy to believe it is a sailing program as a few posters believed.
If this program is something your kid wants to do, go for it.
@dadoftwingirls (or anyone concerned about the acronym)
I’m pretty sure kids everywhere are instructed to spell out any acronyms of clubs/organizations for their college applications.
If she is interested in CS, and she has this offer to study or work on some artificial intelligence, this is a golden opportunity!
Summer camps should be about having fun and learning about something that interests you.
The “SAIL” camp seems great if she is interested in STEM
Adcoms know that sort of thing. But also, the kid explains the acronym. And if she’s good, the GC may mention the outside experience. (And/or a math or sci teacher who writes an LoR.)
If she’s interested, it’ only 2 weeks out of her summer. Fwiw, other kids I know who went to S programs had a good time and made friends they stayed in touch with.