<p>Asian male, junior in HS, no real EC's, a few AP's. 4.0 gpa, but nothing to show for it. The deadline for Clark Scholars just passed. Today, I also learned about the LEDA program, which will be handing out results tomorrow. There seems to be no hope for any summer program this year. The only one I applied to was TASP, and that's a 5% chance at admission. I am doomed.</p>
<p>On the bright side, I hear that if all else fails I can still hope for UCB or UCLA Regents / Smitt Camp. But above that, it's a crapshoot. I really liked the idea of Pomona. Anyways,</p>
<p>There’s always something you can do. It may not be the things you wanted, but summer jobs actually do really help. And you really learn the importance of going to college (or if you decide to do your own thing and not even go.) Also, you still have plenty of time to join some ECs. I know it can be rough missing deadlines, and you should allow yourself some time to feel like crap, but start look for other stuff.</p>
<p>I think I’m almost in the same position as you… My “honors and awards” section is going to be pitifully blank on college apps. But then again, I have to consider who I’m comparing myself to because, really, the number of significant awards out there is limited. (Although I don’t really have an excuse for a lack of notable ECs since my school’s SciBowl and other academic competition teams are actually pretty good.)</p>
<p>Anyway, as clairede said, it’s okay to despair for a while - but don’t obsess too long about what you should or shouldn’t have done in the past. If you can’t get in through the front door, go through the backdoor - or the windows. There are still plenty of opportunities out there. They may not be what everyone else is doing, but colleges aren’t really looking for what “prestigious” program you attended; it’s what you got out of your experience that matters. Find something you’re passionate about (which can be good fodder for your college essay later, more than just saying “I went to X program and Y program. They’re prestigious. Therefore, you should accept me.”)</p>
<p>Other than summer job or volunteering, have you considered taking classes at a local community college? You could get college credit.</p>
<p>You might check out the St. Albans School of Public Service in DC if you like government/public policy/law stuff – I found it sort of late in the summer programs admission cycle and still got in. It has rolling admissions so you are still okay in terms of timing. They do offer some financial aid if that’s an issue. Good luck, all is not lost!</p>
<p>You can still just email profs for research outside of these programs … that’s often where the best research comes from. Frankly I’m suspicious of most of these programs – 90% of them are just out to get your money. There are a few good ones like Clark Scholars, SIMR, etc. but you can often get a superior experience just by contacting profs on your own.
Plus you should also apply to companies. This is a pretty decent time to do so.</p>
<p>Yes, it is truly over. Your attitude has sealed your fate.</p>
<p>I’m almost inclined to point you to a few late-deadline programs, but on second thought, I don’t want to waste my time dealing with a sulking child.</p>
<p>I started searching for programs around this time last year, and I applied to four. I participated in one that was a good experience. So it wasn’t truly over for me. But I wasn’t a quitter or a poor sport about it.</p>
<p>Hey, I would like to point out that I’m not a math / science-oriented guy (which by itself makes up about 80% of all summer programs). I’m more tuned to the humanities, which is why I applied to TASP. More specifically, I’m into philosophy and literature. But seeing as there is a lack of humanities programs in general… does anyone know of any that are still having admissions?</p>
<p>Also, @chaseholl: Thank you for your insightful comment. Hopefully, humanity can benefit from your strong example (obvious sarcasm).</p>
<p>But in all seriousness, the last thing I need right now is another ■■■■■. Go feel good about yourself in another aspect of life.</p>
<p>OP, I’m kinda in the same situation, but I decided that if I don’t get into my “free” programs, I can shell out $$ and do a paid one. Good luck!</p>
<p>You can try signing up for ATDP at UC Berkeley. They have humanities classes that you can even earn high school credit for (i. e. philosophy, writing, literature).</p>
<p>do you all want to be flattering him ? telling him the world is his ? lifting his hopes thinking he can get anywhere ? </p>
<p>it’s not gonna happen , someone has to tell him the truth</p>
<p>and how you want everyone to feel sympathetic to you
why don’t you actually apply to some other programs rather than criticizing people ? i can guarantee you your rants on CC isn’t going to help make your situation better</p>
<p>■■■■■ I am not. Realist I am. But I digress. The last thing you need is a bad outlook. Was it really too harsh to point that out? I was, for a time, interested in your success, but it seems my fears were confirmed: you don’t really want advice.</p>
<p>I never said I wanted the world on a silver platter. I was just venting. I’m already applying to two other programs right now. So if you don’t have any advice to give then please leave.</p>
<p>No, that’s not “spam.” You might want to understand what constitutes spam before labeling comments as such.</p>
<p>Your attitude clearly hasn’t changed, and I don’t understand why. If you want advice, perhaps you shouldn’t be so combative to the community from which you want it offered.</p>
<p>What sort of “real advice” do you want? What to wear? What to bring? What the questions will be? What not to say?</p>
<p>Have you searched old CC threads to read others’ advice from previous years?</p>