<p>Well, the title of this post pretty much says it all... what constitutes a program as a scam? Do these money-making programs thus not look good on college apps? For example, I applied to Cosmos ($2,550) and WTP ($3,000). So, because these programs aren't free, does this make them not look good on college apps? Or considered a "scam"? Or not prestigious? Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Programs are scams if you can buy your way in. Lots of summer programs will charge you a ton of money [think $4000 for a week], promising prestige and honor. However, the two you applied to are respected programs and definitely not scams.</p>
<p>Both of those are DEFINITELY NOT scams. COSMOS is sponsored by the UC System, and WTP is sponsered by MIT. Both have competitive admissions, so if you can get in, you should definitely go!</p>
<p>Okay, thanks! I figured they were, but I just wanted to make sure.</p>