<p>I'm a junior becoming senior this fall. </p>
<p>I didn't know much about summer programs.. and I've never heard that it's important.. so I always looked for labwork and local internships instead.</p>
<p>Now that i come to CC and look through, I regret doing so.</p>
<p>Are there any summer programs that are still accepting applicants? would it be okay to apply to college without a summer program?</p>
<p>i will answer your last question:
no, do not apply to any colleges if you don't have a summer program. remember that local community college, even they will reject you.</p>
<p>seriously - how important could it possibly be. just use your summer wisely.</p>
<p>I don't know too much about summer programs, but I imagine they're not too important. I think adcoms are aware that some only do summer programs for extrinsic reasons - that is, tangible rewards such as EC padding. But I don't know how true this is.</p>
<p>Perhaps a precollege program at a college you're looking at may convey interest in going during the admissions season, but that's all I can really imagine making any difference. It's just one of many possible things you could do over your summer. The other summer programs that I think colleges really enjoy seeing are those such as TASP - elite and impressive. I've heard that the rule of thumb is that the program must either be free to those admitted or have really good financial aid (such as JHU-CTY). </p>
<p>I got an email from Brown University saying it's not too late to register for their summer porgram (as if I would ever pay $5,000 for two weeks...lol). I think Columbia is also taking people. If not, just look into finding an internship, a volunteer opportunity, or just get a job. Relax, it's summer! :)</p>
<p>Doing labwork and local internships are definitely are good ways to spend your summer, and much more impressive than going to expensive summer programs such as the ones at Brown and Columbia. As far as showing interest, the Ivies don't care about applicants showing interest as they have exceptional yields year after year.</p>
<p>as long as you do something productive that you like, you have nothing to worry about.</p>
<p>internships are probably better than most summer programs.</p>
<p>Absolutely not. Going to an expensive summer program only tells colleges that your parents have money--and the selective summer programs, like TASP and RSI, are probably more difficult to get into than most elite colleges anyway (so they confer no real advantage on the average candidate).</p>
<p>More impressive, by far, is doing a community service project, landing a job or internship in your area of interest or doing some independent research. These are the kinds of things that show initiative and passion.</p>
<p>However, for Ivy League-quality schools, you should definitely be doing SOMETHING substantive. The applications for many of these schools do contain questions about what you did over the summer and "I played video games" will be a black mark.</p>
<p>Do what you love to do. You will enjoy your summer better that way and it will enhance your life! It will look better on your applications by showing you are following your passion.</p>
<p>I agree with grantedin! I've heard (rumor!) that there are summer techie programs that are smiled upon by MIT or Caltech -- but I'd sure talk to an admission officer to verify that. We've gotten mail from various summer programs that happen to be located on various campuses -- but a little digging and you find out that the camp/program is completely independent of the college. It's just a program that rents some prestigious campus space and has NO connection to college admissions. </p>
<p>Follow your heart -- and work at something that you just love -- and don't forget to ask the supervisor for a letter of reference -- a glowing reference letter that says you put your all into your work (be it chemistry or puppetry) will help your application MUCH more than "went to blah blah internship" If the summer is getting on, go ahead and volunteer at the animal shelter, the food bank or a summer gardening program. Show up on time, every time and know you are making a difference.</p>
<p>Attending a summer program at a university or other large organization is not necessary at all. What you need to do, however, is make the best of whatever you do during your summer. For example, (MIT'12, by the way) all I did was participate in a choir, volunteer at a children's music camp, and attend a community college class. Nothing spectacular, but I made sure to mention that even the most humble summer activity still taught me a lot. As long as you can mention how it has helped you grow as a person, I'm sure whatever you decide to do (as long as it isn't something like "personal evaluation of video games") will be fine in the eyes of the colleges =)</p>
<p>thank you for all your great replies. I am much more relieved. well, I mean, I still am concerned because "WHAT I REALLY WANT TO DO" is the summer camp, especially Sumac. but well they do cost a lot, and i kinda feel that i saved money.</p>
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as long as it isn't something like "personal evaluation of video games"
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<p>Ohh, are you so sure about that... ;)</p>
<p>haha local internships/lab work >>>>>> summer programs (except TASP or RSI or something like that)...if you're talking about things like Harvard SSP, a local internship will look SO much better. I mean, I'm an undergrad at an Ivy League school, and I spent my HS summers after:
9th grade: the one and only summer program I ever did, for 3 weeks at a local college
10th grade: volunteering at nursing home, lab work at local uni
11th: House Page</p>
<p>So yes, you're fine. Chilll :-)</p>