Job or volunteer work is more highly regarded

Pre-College Issues Summer Programs
1

<p>I know others have posted in the same vein, but here goes.</p>

<p>having spoken to several admission officers over the years on the issue of big-name or exclusive summer programs, every single one of them has had the same response....</p>

<p>These camps, programs etc. are often a red flag for an over-pampered kid (or a kid with an anxious helicopter parent) who lacks real life experience in finding a job, working at a job, using his summer down-time creatively, etc. These were admissions people in upper tier "public ivies" and a small LAC.</p>

<p>Since getting this advice during my oldest D's application process, I now happily throw all such envelopes bearing "invitations" to apply into the trash!</p>

2

<p>if they sent invitations to apply, I doubt they’re very prestigious.</p>

<p>Also, UC’s have stated that attending COSMOS gives bonus points in the admissions process.</p>

3

<p>I got invitations to apply to both TASP and SSP. Both of those are pretty prestigious.</p>

4

<p>I think we should decide on prestige based on selectivity, not whether its mailed out or not. Some prestigious programs do mail invitations based on PSAT scores for publicity, but remain very selective. </p>

<p>But if comparing those programs like the National Youth Leadership Forum, etc., which aren’t very selective, then I think that a good ol’ job looks better. Especially if you need to financially support your family/yourself. That being said, I wouldn’t think that some of those camps are warning signs.
I went to NYLF last summer because I was able to afford it, and I learned alot while having fun. Was it worth the price? I don’t know for sure, but it wasn’t a waste of my time.
I did work too though…</p>

5

<p>Was that your only motivation for doing a summer program? for college apps? I did a summer program and it was the best experience of my life. I know it doesn’t have any weight when looked at by a college, but I still learned a lot from it. I hope you don’t limit your children’s experiences simply because it doesn’t look good on an application.</p>

6

<p>@Ellie: by trashing those invites based on what you think college admissions will want to see, aren’t you doing exactly what those “anxious helicopter parents” do? Why not let your child decide how she spends her summer by herself? These programs are prestigious for a reason.</p>