<p>I didn't even bring up the subject of summer courses with my parents this year--I didn't want to burden them with the cost. Are there any decent summer programs that aren't exorbitantly expensive? Whether the deadlines have passed is unimportant; I can always keep them in mind for next year. </p>
<p>This isn't an attempt to impress colleges, by the way. It's something I'd honestly love to do, but unlike some families we don't have a spare few thousand dollars available to spend on something like this.</p>
<p>I'm interested in all kinds of things--English, chemistry, psychology, law, philosophy, and more. I tried to get an internship at a literary agency, but the woman I talked to isn't responding to my emails. I was also interested in applying for a research internship at NIH, but I'm six months from their age limit (16 years). As it looks now I'll probably get a minimum-wage job somewhere that doesn't have a 16-year limit. It's a useful experience, and I'm definitely not complaining... but I'm still looking into other possibilities.</p>
<p>Try volunteering at something a little less glamorous. The zoo, the library, a homeless shelter. If you are a consistant volunteer, you will get more and more responsibility. If you apply for other internships next year, the more experience the better in something that shows commitment, consistancy, and that you have some good skills. They don't have to match the internship, but it does show you can be counted on.</p>
<p>My D is interning at City Hall this summer. She is going in three hours every morning. She will do some tediuos stuff and some really interesting stuff. She emailed the guy many times, and finally typed up a resume and went down to his office. Asked if she could make an appointment, but he was available. So go in to the office with resume, available hours all in hand. Dress nicely too!!</p>
<p>If interested in psychology, law, there are child advocacy groups that always need help- fundraising, awareness, with special projects.</p>
<p>As well, if you can't get a class, find ten classic novels- read them this summer...1984, Lord of the Flies, 100 Years of Solitude, or pick some good biographies, it will keep your brain full. And is always good resources for essays etc.</p>
<p>In your city, they may have a volunteer center with all kinds of interesting choices. </p>
<p>There are usually some hotlines and advocacy groups (as citygirlsmom mentioned) that would love you to intern or work for them. It depends on what you're looking for, and where you live. Google can do wonders.
I'd check out congressional aides, but I believe the deadline passed. Those 2-week summer programs are okay-starters.. like NSLC, and the Presidental Classroom. I can't really recommend them, since I didn't go.. I don't think they're really "good, cheap" programs either. You could get into the sciences with COSMOS, which is relatively cheap- you could get financial aid pretty easily..
Internship opportunites are all over the place, you just need to take initative to contact many people. I tried talking to more than two dozen people, and only a handful contacted me back- and only one of those actually had a space open, across the country. Look into college websites- sometimes there are summer opportunities that aren't too much of a financial burden. Try to get in touch with some law firms. Some are nice and would be able to take you... although most prefer law students. You could always intern at any office that you may have connections to.
You could also get a job or do tons of community service. You get to help people with community service, and with a job, you can make some money for whatever.
Good luck!</p>
<p>Many government representatives have local offices. For instance, you local congress person will have a local office they need volunteers in to answer phones, do the mail., etc. As well, your state represetatives have local offices that need volunteers sometimes. Try City Hall, the Museums often have kids programs that need energetic volunteers.</p>
<p>Thank you for all the helpful responses...what I was really looking for, though, was an actual college course. I've been doing some research online and it seems almost impossible to find anything under $2000.</p>
<p>That's not what I meant at all... I do service work during the school year, and I enjoy it very much, but seeing the lists of courses offered at Brown or Yale or UMD posted around my school made me want to try something new for a few weeks in the summer, which unfortunately looks financially impossible.</p>
<p>i heard the carnige mellon summer science and math program is funded by the state; so basically it's free! But, i think the application date passed.</p>
<p>It really depends on what you like.. but here are some ideas.</p>
<p>-Email doctors/law offices/whatever and ask if they need any free help.
-Do you like writing? Set yourself a project to write a book. Drawing? ---Make yourself a sketchbook. Reading? Read some good novels.
-Get ahead in the school year (e.i. i am buying a pre-calculus book and will start learning) that way life will be easier for you next year.
-Have you considered taking classes at a community college? they are usually pretty cheap.
-Get a job and that way you have money for some exciting stuff next summer or just to save up for college.</p>