I need help deciding between four programs

Pre-College Issues Summer Programs
1

<p>Since I obviously won’t be accepted to TASP, I went out in search of classes that genuinely interest me and I found ones that are exactly what I want to study in college (cornell’s) so here they are:</p>

<li>Brown, Just a mini-course because it’s my last summer and I honestly want to keep my last summer as being ‘a kid’ if you know what I mean</li>
<li>Cornell Summer College, I’m looking and the Genius and madness in German Lit. course (for credit)</li>
<li>Berkeley, last year they had a similar course to the one in the Cornell program but I couldn’t do it, nothing has come out so far (they are very secretive!) (for credit)</li>
<li>Stanford, I just really want to go here for college, but it’s so expensive and they say it doesn’t help at all when you apply there (for credit)</li>
</ol>

<p>Okay so I know none of them are prestigious, but which one would look the best on college apps/is most selective? How hard is it to get in?
Which one has the best social aspect?
Is it worth the price?
For the credit courses, how hard is it to get an A? I don’t want to start my college transcript off with C’s or B’s. I have no problem working for it, but if they are known for being incredibly stingy then it might not be worth it. It’s my summer, I want a somewhat relaxing last one.
Other info?</p>

2

<p>Academic summer programs at these schools are as competitive as regular admissions. Apply to all four and, if lucky, you might get into one.</p>

3

<p>Actually, academic summer programs are significantly less competitive than regular admissions. Stanford, Cornell, and Brown all accept pretty much everyone who's qualified, applies early, and can afford to pay full price. TASP is the only humanities-based program with real prestige, IMHO.</p>

4

<p>They're all about the same. Go to the cheapest one.</p>