Hi guys!
I’ve been accepted to LBW (uPenn), M&TSI (uPenn), and Launch (MIT). MIT Launch’s summer program is for the month of June while LBW and M&TSI overlap during the month of July. I could potentially do two programs. Launch in June, one of the other in July.
I am for sure going to do either LBW or M&TSI. The question is- which one?? Ah!!
Also, should I do Launch as well?
By entering Launch, I sacrifice a possibility of an internship & tennis (I am ranked high in my state so tennis is very important!!). I may be able to contact the MIT Tennis dep. (Division 3) and possibly play tennis on the campus while I’m there. I know Launch is an amazing opportunity for any entrepreneur. A once-in-a-lifetime thing. On one hand, I could potentially learn an immense about business. This experience could really shape my life. But on the other, it might repeat information from the other camps and/or not be very beneficial, as I have already created 3 startups that were moderately successful. I would also arrive 1-2 days late (ACT & school) and leave 1-2 days early for Launch (not good!!).
LBW (Leadership in the Business World) is a non-credit program and accepts 160 people internationally (80 people at each location). I chose Philly over San Fran when I first applied. I think LBW is more relaxed compared to M&TSI - LBW has more field trips, group projects, and lectures form what I’ve heard. Yes, I really want to tone my leadership skills, but I don’t know if M&TSI is a better experience for me.
M&TSI (Management & Technology Summer Institute) is for-credit program and accepts 50 people internationally. I heard there is a huge gender disparity here (like 6 girls, 54 guys - I’m a girl). Since it is for credit, we’ll have a lot more work with assignments, labs, quizzes and all. They also host lectures/seminars daily and a couple field trips. I think this would mostly feel like taking an actual college class, which would be very helpful. We also work closely with uPenn staff! This program has a lot to do with engineering as with computer science and business. My interests and hobbies all revolve around computer science & also business, but I am a total noob when it comes to engineering. I just don’t want to be overly stressed out if I decide to go there
Let me know your thoughts!! Also, if you’re an alumni, I’d love to hear your experience at any of these summer programs.
Aha I shouldn’t be stressing out - this is a good problem to have - but I really need some input on this. Thanks!
@blobtown Congrats! Would you mind sharing your stats in terms of grades and standardized testing and essay content? I applied too but was rejected, and I’m trying to figure out the reason
I’m now in wharton in my freshman year and I recommend you doing Launch ＋LBW. I used to be in lbw and it is extremely selective and prestigious. The classes taught in lbw (like leadership 100)is the same as the freshman classes of wharton, and it indeed hone the teamwork skills and leadership. Also, it REALLY helps a lot if you want to go to wharton or penn although lbw said that it does not guarantee admission to penn. M&T is a great program but I heard that students sleep only some 3 hours a day during the program, it seems too intensive especially for girls. Actually Launch is about technology and computer, so in some way m&t and launch overlap. So it seems that lbw ＋launch is a perfect strategy for you.
I’m sorry, @Kennric, did you just say a program was “too intensive especially for girls”? I think the OP know what they’re getting into here. At most intensive academic summer programs, you’re not going to get much sleep.
To the OP: M&TSI seems like a really incredible experience because it blends your interests, and if you were admitted, they obviously think you have the capability to do the work. If you think Launch and LBW will be too similar, I’d advise you to choose M&TSI.
Seeing that “The classes taught in lbw (like leadership 100)is the same as the freshman classes of wharton,” I was thinking M&TSI would be a more unique and beneficial experience verses LBW. If I get accepted into Penn during college admissions, I would still get to learn the leadership components taught @ LBW in my freshman year.
Also, I really hope I don’t die sleeping only 3 hours a day :’(
Amd shoot… MIT Launch really did not fit in my schedule. I have a business competition in Washington DC for 3 days during the camp’s duration!! So I really cannot go to Launch!!! Agh.
@thefinancekid Thanks for the update. 160 kids on one campus though :O! Anyhow, I’m thinking that being in a smaller group in M&TSI would help me network, actually get to know professors, connect w/ alumni, & all that stuff. Did you get accepted as well? I’m in the Facebook group and now it’s very awkward now that I’m not attending LBW
In all, I have decided to do only M&TSI this summer. Let me know any other information about either of the camps if you guys can. Thanks!
@blobtown Yea i got accepted into LBW. I would’ve applied to M&T cuz of smaller participant size but unfortunately tech and programming is not my thing. M&T is going to be super fun!
@blobtown yea that is pretty brutal lol… it’ll be well worth the 3 weeks though. It’ll be great if u plan to apply to the Jerome Fisher program! r u planning to apply to that?
So I really cannot go to Launch!!! Agh.
Thanks!