<p>How important are summer programs in the summer before 9th grade? I've already gotten into CTY. The sleep away camp where I go is where my best best friends are. I will be entering 9th grade therefore this is the summer that really counts and CTY would be great for college, especially if I want to go to an ivy-league school. Please help I am unsure if I should sacrifice my best friends for my life-long dream: to get into an ivy league school.</p>
<p>Here’s the deal, I went to CTY and I absolutely loved it; it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. However, only do CTY for FUN. Attending CTY will not help too much with you getting into college. The only thing it will do is show adcoms that you score very well in standardized tests and have a lot of money. Also, at CTY, you can make some good connections since the instructors are very highly-qualified in their field and can give you contacts if you want them. So basically, what I’m trying to say is, don’t go to CTY for prestige, go to CTY because you want to learn, have fun, and grow.</p>
<p>My son attended CTY for 3 years (rising 6th, 7th & 8th). We did not get any FA for the 2009 summer & we couldn’t afford to send him.</p>
<p>I agree with everything raiderade said.</p>
<p>Son had great experiences. The professors and TAs (all grad students) were a great resource for info on colleges & programs at colleges. But as a stand alone, CTY hasn’t any prestige for college admit or private High School admit.</p>
<p>As a parent, I think it was a great way for Son to wet his feet in fields outside of “normal” academics. He took Philosophy one year which is not something he could get elsewhere. It was a real eye openner for college majors outside the sciences for him</p>