<p>How important are summer activities ( particularly music camps or talent programs) for admission officers?</p>
<p>If it's a competitve program, such as RSI, it's very helpful. If it's something that anyone can get into if they can afford it, then it won't help much, unless you do something amazing w/ it.</p>
<p>what if you can't go because you can't afford it?</p>
<p>Hey!</p>
<p>How's your break? When's the TOK advertisement project due?</p>
<p>Back to your question: Admission officers look for useful summer activities, but it definitely doesn't have to be a summer "ivy" program. It could be summer school, independent research, volunteer work, paid work, travel, etc. I did volunteer work, independent research, and UT's honors colloquium crap.</p>
<p>whoa, who is this?? ...i don't know a paul in ib... haha</p>
<p>They can help, but don't go all out. I got into yale, but I never did any research or academic pursuit during the summer. I did however volunteer as a camp counselor (which was an AWESOME experience). So, I had a lot of fun doing it, and it helped me get into Yale. Good times.</p>
<p>I'm the guy who shouldn't be here anymore, but since I'm addicted, I can't help it! Oh and Paul is definitely not my name, although my name does start with P!</p>