Ivy Scholars at Yale / Summer Programs for High Schoolers

<p>Hi. I'm a freshman and will be a rising sophomore this summer. I was thinking of applying to Ivy Scholars APPLE. I think I can get in, but I don't know if it will be too intense for me as a freshman. I'm really interested in all the topics it covers, but I don't want it to be too rigorous. Please list any opinions or past experiences, especially if you have attended APPLE of ivy scholars as a rising sophomore. If I don't do it this year, then maybe next year or the year after. I really need help decided if I'm going to do this program, and when I'm going to do it. Are there any other good programs you recommend? i.e. Columbia, Brown, etc. I was also looking into Exeter and SIG at Dartmouth. Leave comments about any of those!!!!</p>