<p>I'm a sophomore right now and took the PSAT in the fall. I've gotten some mail about summer programs at colleges, and while I've heard about these for several years, I'm not sure exactly what they are and how they help with college admissions.</p>
<p>Which ones do colleges recognize and like seeing during the college application process? What are the differences between summer programs at Johns Hopkins or Stanford and the TASP program? Which ones are most prestigious? When is the best time to apply?</p>
<p>Thanks so much!</p>
<p>It is exactly what it sounds like. A summer program is something you attend to pursue an interest further outside of school. </p>
<p>If it appeals to you, apply. Some people decide to volunteer or get jobs, but it all comes down to what your interests are and where your passion lies. </p>
<p>Obviously, some summer programs carry more weight than others. But these are extremely selective :/</p>
<p>Just spend the summer doing what you want. Writing a book, organizing an amazing community project, etc can be just as fulfilling as attending a summer program.</p>
<p>Do what you want to do in the summer. As far as why TASP is different from more conventional programs, I could go on for an inordinate amount of time that I do not have at this moment because it is very late at night where I live. The most apparent differences are that TASP is free and is a much closer social situation, since you are with the same 18 or 32 students residentially for the entire six weeks and most of your time is yours to spend. It’s amazingly great, but that’s not to say that other programs can’t be great too. I’m by no means an expert, I’ve only been to one “summer program.”</p>
<p>btw just to let you know
most summer programs that are held on the campus of certain colleges are not actually affiliated with the college itself. they are just “borrowing” the campus during the summer to get some extra cash out of the participants.
but some programs are, indeed, help by the university itself.</p>
<p>Okay, thanks. Have any of you attended university-run programs?</p>