<p>My son, who is a 7th grader, will be going to CTY for the first time this summer. He is looking forward not only to the course itself, but to being with kids who are as interested in learning as he is, and to not hearing "Is this going to be on the test?".</p>
<p>CTY won't help you for college because it's a generic program that doesn't show any real achievement because all you do is pay for it (and pass some minimal prerequisites). If you have 3,000+ dollars to spend, and some extra time, sure. Go ahead and do it. </p>
<p>There are a lot more impressive things you could be doing during the summer. The classes are pretty good, but CTY more a social summer camp than anything else (and from what I understand, colleges view it only as such unless you're taking courses for actual credit). </p>
<p>Honestly, if you're a high school student, I would take classes at the local community college because they are waaaay cheaper, or research other more competitive programs/things to do that match your hook/interests. CTY is something more that I'd recommend for a rich middle school student who wants to be social with other smart kids rather than a high school student focusing on building a resume for university.</p>
<p>If you're doing it from a college admissions standpoint, no, it's not worth it at all. </p>
<p>If you want to take an amazing fast paced course in something you're interested in (and most likely can't take at school) with terrific instructors and an engaged class...not to mention make some of the best friends/have the best times of your life...then CTY is absolutely unequivocally worth it</p>
<p>I took bio and genetics at CTY...</p>
<p>and when my hs wouldn't accept credits, I just took bio and AP bio... slept through class or stared blankly every lecture and aced the test since I already knew everything.</p>