<p>OK parents, I'm having hard time convincing my parents of letting me attend a pre-college, credit-bearing program this summer. (The longest summer programs I've been to were 2 weeks) They know I am responsible, intelligent, trustworthy, and capable, but they still say "probably not." When I ask why not, they mumble stuff like "long time"... "need to visit family"... "far away"... "6 weeks"... and other stuff like that. :)
I have an older sibling in college right now, so its not like I'm their first kid to let go... </p>
<p>sooo I'm asking you as parents, do y'all have any advice as to how I should convince them that I should go? Also, how would you answer the question: why are these programs worth the money?</p>
<p>Well, how responsible are you in other areas? Do you have to be nagged to be on time, to get up, to pick up your dirty socks, etc? If you want to have your parents see that you are responsible enough to do this program, you have to show that you are ready at home! We allowed our dd#2 as a 16yo to head to London with a college group--she did great. So, the next year, she spent four week-long sessions at military academies and then 2 weeks in Rome. She's shown us that she could juggle her time, be where she said she would be, when she said she would be, etc. Perhaps write out a list of pros and cons for the trip and ask for a set time that you could discuss it with them. You may be hitting them at a bad time--set up an appointment and be prepared to justify your request (no whining!). We found the two high school/college trips to be very worthwhile--but each program is different. Good luck!</p>
<p>I have always encouraged my daughters to go away for a few weeks during the summer, starting when they were age 11.</p>
<p>This summer, my 14-year old will be away for 5 weeks, and will be flying alone to the opposite coast.</p>
<p>I am excited for her, as it gives me vicarious pleasure when she goes away, makes good friends, learns to live indepedently, and otherwise enjoys herself.</p>
<p>For your parents, this is probably an emotional, rather than a rational, decision. So I don't know how much luck you will have in using reasons to convince them.</p>
<p>But, I do think there are huge benefits to living on your own for a chunk of time, prior to leaving home for college. You might mention the benefits of being away on your own in a supervised situation, prior to leaving home and living unsupervised. Also, you have been away for a few weeks at a younger age, so it seems like a natural progression to be away for 6 weeks at an older age. (This natural progression is also reflected in the fact that many, perhaps most, programs for teens are longer than two weeks.) Ask them if they have any specific concerns you can address, such as your availability for a family vacation, the cost, their feeling that it would be good for you to be home and work, etc. </p>
<p>What do they want you to do if you stay home? Idle hands are the devil's workshop, so it is good for you to attend this program as a means to spend your summer productively.</p>
<p>My younger son recently asked if he could spend a term in one of the boarding houses at school. He's having that much fun at school, the school play and the varsity soccer team are starting up. He's immersed in various classroom projects. He's trying to earn a Culture Tie (don't ask).</p>
<p>We'd miss him. So we mumble.</p>
<p>Try addressing this issue head on, as in "I know you're going to miss me if I go, so why dont' we plan something special for some other week or weekend?" <em>kiss kiss smooch smooch</em></p>
<p>Look, it's hard for parents to tell kids "We can't do this; it costs too much. Well, we could, but it would REALLY stretch us and we just don't think it's valuable enough to justify the cost." </p>
<p>If your parents have one kid in college...and you'll be starting in one-two years...well..the real reason may be money. </p>
<p>So, if you REALLY want to go, come up with a way to pay for it--or at least a substantial portion of it--yourself.</p>
<p>My older D spent the summer between Jr and Sr year at Cap21 at NYU-great experience in growing and becoming independent and I believe that it really helped her make a wise choice for college. She is a freshman at Northeastern and is a business major looking at Arts Management instead of performance.</p>
<p>Her sister spent last summer doing a 2 week Program in Wash DC and will be traveling to Eastern Europe this summer with another program. These experiences are wonderful growth experiences. </p>
<p>I believe these exeriences actually help you to grow, become independent and assists in the transition from High School Kid to College Student.</p>
<p>Good Luck! Choose your summer activity wisely-take into consideration safety as much as the overall program and it is a better sell to parents!</p>
<p>"You are very welcome, let us know the outcome!"</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for your wonderful advice. I had a talk with my parents, and everything went very well. I have been accepted to and will be attending a 6-week pre-college program this summer, and I'm extremely excited. Again, thanks to all of y'all. I appreciate it so much.</p>