<p>Hello, my daughter got into Young Scholars Program (YSP) @UCDavis, and the RISE Program at BU (ResearchinScinece and Engineering), for this summer. Other than what I've read on their websites I'm not certain if one program is more renowned than the other, or might possibly carry more weight when it comes to applying to colleges...? Any advice/input would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!</p>
<p>I spend a fair amount of time on the summer program forum on CC, and built a pretty substantial spreadsheet of science related programs that I thought my D might be interested in based on threads and comments out there over the past year. I have to say, YSP is mentioned much more often than RISE. However, that is more buzz among high school students than among college admissions officers. So take it for what it is worth. :)</p>
<p>Both are “pay to play” and look to have similar costs. I would say that your D should go to whichever one is closest to her area of academic interest, if she can distinguish between them in that regard. The prestige factor is not great for any program you have to pay thousands of dollars for. That does not mean it isn’t worth doing, just that colleges do not see admissions itself into those programs as any kind of attraction. It is what she does with the time and what she learns from it that matters.</p>
<p>After taking a quick look at each of the websites, I’d say that intparent’s second paragraph is spot on.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the reply. These programs are costly; but require on campus residence etc. Uc Davis is local for us; and I’ve heard it is very competitive to get into; my daughter said there were 400 applicants (as posted on their facebook page, possibly more), 40 admitted. Rise admits about 50 from a pool of 250 I think. You’re right, it comes down to what she’s interested in and how the research turns out, thx again</p>
<p>D1 did YSP ages ago (when it was cheaper) and it was a great experience! The plus of the program (besides having a professor write a letter of rec for her college applications) was the paper that the kids have to write and present at the end of the program. She was able to spiff that paper up and sent it in with her applications to targeted science schools. </p>
<p>The minus–after spending weeks full time in a lab that summer, she decided that biology lab work was not where she wanted to spend her life…sigh…well, it was good to find that out early on, I suppose…</p>
<p>I’ve known two kids who have done YSP–both accepted to MIT (as well as other super selective schools). I think the program is known by the big science schools.</p>
<p>Thank you ellemenope, daughter has to decide by month’s end. She feels she worked so hard to get the ysp acceptance; but is also seriously considering BU as she’d like to apply to East coast schools and hasn’t been over there yet. She’s already been assigned a prof. with BU and is interested by the specific topic for research. With YSP, she may may/not get her choice of research…but it’s a great program, very selective–don’t know. Thx again</p>
<p>A very similar-type question: Our rising senior (high school) has been accepted to Boston University’s RISE Program (Physics). And the other option is the Yale Summer Session, to complete an entire (two semester) college-credit Physics course (including labs), alongside college students. While we agree w/ “intparent’s” 2nd paragraph, above (really sound advice), well, we are rookies, and clueless, as to which (if any) of these two very different types of “pay to play” summer programs might hold greater weight w/ admissions offices, for a SCIENCE candidate like our student? Any thoughts, as to which? BU physics internship, or Yale physics course?</p>
<p>Personally, I think it’s more interesting to do something different in the summer, not just take another class. It’s more likely to give your child something interesting to talk about in a college essay. And beyond admissions, it will give them a better idea of what researchers and engineers do, what those career directions entail.</p>
<p>JMO</p>
<p>entomom - What “something different” kinds of things give a getter idea of what researchers and engineers do? I can’t think of any that would be available for rising seniors at this late date, but your advise (maybe even examples) could folks plan for future years. </p>
<p>In retrospect (CO_kids are in college), some of the “pay to play” programs sound neat. If easily affordable, it could help a student tailor college preferences. Summer job experience can be helpful (in different ways)… but those opportunities seem few and far between in many towns.</p>
<p>First off, make sure she wants to go.</p>
<p>Second, have her to go the one she’s more interested in.</p>
<p>I’ve mentored for a number of years at my school and have gotten tired of the unmotivated students that are only there because their parents are making them, or they just want the line in their college application. This has happened enough times I no longer volunteer my time with these programs, and instead choose only to get students from programs aimed at students from disadvantaged schools. Generally their lesser preparation is easily made up by their genuine enthusiasm.</p>
<p>^So true Racin’. </p>
<p>We parents try to be helpful and encourage our kids to take any number of activities that might make the difference on the journey to get into college. Then there are the pay-to-play programs and I become suspicious. (Believe me, I am just as guilty!) I know some are wonderful opportunities for many reasons, but sndsr, be judicious and consider what your DD might find in her own backyard.</p>