<p>Hi CC,</p>
<p>How beneficial are paid summer programs/ courses offered at Ivy League/top colleges towards applying in those college. My son will be a senior in the fall of 2011. Any other suggestions for how to get the maximum out of summer of senior year towards applying to college admission??? Any help will be appreciated...</p>
<p>Depends on the program; there is a wide range. Some are directly affiliated with the host school, while others are just renting the space.</p>
<p>One that gives a big bonus is the pricey (and challenging)summer program at Carnegie Mellon. Students who complete two college courses satisfactorily in 8 weeks are give the chance at Early Admission, something CMU does not offer to other applicants. (They do offer ED.)The student would also have the college credits from the two courses, which would be transferable in most cases.</p>
<p>My daughter did a 6-week precollege program at CMU this summer in one of their arts concentrations (which is different from the college courses program mentioned by Midwesterner). The program was excellent, and on top of six weeks well-spent, she was offered at the end of the program non-binding admission to CMU this fall in her area of interest, which apparently they occasionally do. Needless to say, we are delighted!</p>