Good alternatives to summer programs?

Pre-College Issues Summer Programs
1

<p>Frankly, I don't get the hype for super expensive college summer programs (2k+ for 6 weeks or less? Jeez, people.) so instead I'm simply taking classes at the local community college. I kind of got backstabbed and all the classes I had wanted to take got filled up (like Psych and Chem and Physics), so instead I'm just taking Public Speaking (ewwwww but I suck at it so at least I can try to improve?) this summer. I plan to do the same next summer and so on (I'm an incoming junior), as a way to try and nail down an area of study I would be interested in.</p>

<p>So basically the point of this post is to ask what are good alternatives to summer programs other than work, volunteering, etc.</p>

2

<p>?
I don't know any other good alternatives to do with your summer</p>

<p>You should either:
work
volunteer
or be involved in a summer program</p>

3

<p>Yeah, now that I reread my post, it doesn't really make sense. >>;</p>

<p>Okay, how about this: would taking classes at a local community college be just as good as doing a summer program? I mean, you DO do college-level work, only it's faaaaar cheaper.</p>

4

<p>In my opinion, taking one course at a community college for the whole summer does not look too impressive. Taking a class on top of working or volunteering is good; or taking a few classes is good.</p>

5

<p>Apply to selective -free- summer programs (TASP, RSI, etc.)</p>

6

<p>^^^Those can be sort of a crapshoot though, esp. if you're not very good at writing or research. </p>

<p>I second JJG's idea- take classes and volunteer and work a real job. You're learning, helping the community, and making money- nothing better than that!</p>

7

<p>try CMU's pre-college for diversity -- it's the same as the paid program, but you save the $7k (i should have tried for it, guh). more info here --> <a href="http://www.cmu.edu/enrollment/summerprogramsfordiversity/index.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.cmu.edu/enrollment/summerprogramsfordiversity/index.html&lt;/a> </p>

<p>AP/EA is the one bearing college credit.</p>

8

<p>Does your state have a governor's honors program? My D went to ours for six weeks this summer at no cost!</p>