<p>Check out this article:</p>
<p>Summer</a> pre-college programs not necessary to selective colleges | College Admissions Counseling</p>
<p>My college councilor told me pretty much the same thing and that it is better to stay home over the summer and get an internship, volunteer, and take "for credit" college courses at local universities.</p>
<p>Well if you’re doing some leadership conference/other program just to look good on applications… then colleges can probably see through it. But, if you actually want to go to the program, then go. Not everyone is better off just staying at home.</p>
<p>It depends entirely on what the summer program is and why you are attending it. </p>
<p>If you are doing some program just because you hope to “impress” some college admissions officer, then it is not worth the money because they will see right through that. An internship, volunteering, or classes at the local college would actually be a more effective way (as well as cheaper) to catch their attention.</p>
<p>However, if it is a specialized program that you are attending to pick up some specific skills that you cannot learn in your high school, that is a different case entirely. For example, an intensive summer program in the performing arts – music, dance – or a pre-college program at an art/design school – where you can work on pieces for your admissions portfolio – could be well worth the money.</p>