<p>I'm new to this site, so forgive me if I'm posting in the wrong forum or something.</p>
<p>I'm a high school sophomore with good grades (straight As), so I've been looking into summer programs. I had pretty much settled on a week-long astronomy program at Alfred University in up-state New York, but now I'm second-guessing my decision. A lot of my academically-inclined friends are going to places like Brown, Johns Hopkins, etc. for summer programs, and the people here on CC are going to similarly prestigious places.</p>
<p>My problem is that I'm worrying whether my attendance at Alfred will mean anything to colleges. I'm not just doing a summer program because it looks good for college (I'm genuinely interested in astronomy), but I do wonder if going to a not-as-well-known school will be to my detriment. I've heard people on CC saying that a lot of summer programs are scams in that they are just moneymakers for the school. I'm not willing to spend the 2000+ dollars for a three-week program, especially since my dad just got a job after seven months of unemployment.</p>
<p>So are these "prestigious" programs (I'm not including the clearly selective programs like TASP and MITES) really worth it? I know I'll enjoy my cheap week-long program, but will colleges even care?</p>
<p>The important thing is to show some consistency and in-depth interest in your ECs. If you are interested in Astronomy, then you should go to this program. Don’t let your head by turned by what other students do/can afford. My D went to a “less prestigious” program last summer (applied to quite a few “more prestigious” programs, did not get in), and had a fine experience. She got into U of Chicago EA this year, so it doesn’t seem to have hurt her (and she did not have a super GPA, although she had good test scores). Focus in on YOUR interests, and the things you can control (like studying for your SAT, good grades, and some depth in the ECs that interest you the most).</p>
<p>Once you’re out of the range of the more selective summer programs, “well-known” factors very little into whether or not the program will help/hurt you during the college process. Regardless of whether it’s Summer@Brown or this weeklong astronomy camp, a college’s perception of your participation in the program will hinge almost entirely on what YOU gain from it. You’ve already mentioned that you’ll enjoy the program, that you’re interested in astronomy, and that it’s a fiscally wiser decision. It sounds like the choice should be easy for you! Have fun :)</p>