<p>Thank you for the help. I did search cc and found the info on different summer programs. I was very distressed to see what had been written about the program at Brown so I thought it would be best to hear from anyone that had actually sent their children to this program to find out their opinions. Since it is pricey, I wanted to know if it is worth the money. My s. is very interested in law and would like to go. I want to know if the program provides enough instruction and supervision to be worth it. So if anyone knows someone that has participated in the National Youth Leadership Forum on Law, please let me know what you think.</p>
<p>S did not go to the law forum, but did attend the 10-day summer NYLF-medicine program. He had a wonderful experience and highly recommends the program. Our motivation for sending him was to have him get some first hand experience to really see if medicine was what he wanted to pursue or to eliminate it from his future plans. He went on hospital rounds with a doc, observed surgery from inside the OR, met with med students and med school adcoms, met the US Surgeon General, participated in seminars on medical ethics, HMOs and malpractice insurance. I will tell you that not all time was spent academically, they did tour DC and attend a show at the Kennedy Center. There were also other recreational events.</p>
<p>The program was very well run and supervised and I would not hesitate to send another one of my kids. S came home more convinced than ever that the medical field is for him. He is still in touch with many of the kids he met there 2 years ago. Prestigious, no, but a very worthwhile learning experience for our S.</p>
<p>My S took Constitutional Law at TIP program (Duke). If this is of interest, let me know</p>
<p>Thank you, my-three-sons for telling me about the experience your s. had. I didn't know there was a summer program. My s. received information on the program that takes place in Oct. or Nov. It's for 5 days and costs $1,200. My motivation to send him would be the same. He'll be a senior this coming year and doesn't know if he wants to continue in music or switch to law or a related field. He'll be attending a one-week Music Academy at UCLA tomorrow. I was thinking the NYLF could answer questions for him about law. My s. attends a public school so I save money for enrichment programs. I was concerned about supervision and a structured program.</p>
<p>I haven't heard about the TIP program at Duke. Perhaps you could fill me in. My s. will be a senior this year but I have lots of friends that would be interested. Brochures always look so promising and it's great to have parents sharing their experiences.</p>
<p>i was 'nominated' to take part in this program and decided not to. i have many friends who have and loved it. its deff not the brown type of program with tons of free time for students to party, go out etc. it is a very structured, pre-career type of thing. i personally decided not to go because of the cost. i just felt as though that amount of money could be spent on other things, and that i could do other productive things during my summer for free. ex; community service, taking classes at local colleges etc. good luck!</p>
<p>My s. is just the opposite. He's had years of community service, some college classes but not enough exposure to help him with finding his "direction" in college. I was hoping this program might provide more answers for him. If your friends have enjoyed and benefited from participating, I feel it's worth the cost. I wasn't thinking this would give him any kind of advantage in applying to a college. It's more for his personal benefit.</p>
<p>My D was nominated, went, loved it. The people who run it are passionate about public service.</p>
<p>TIP is the program for kids who did well on SATs in 7th grade. Duke and Davidson are the destinations for southeastern kids. I believe Johns Hopkins serves the northern teens. Its a 3 week program, offered several times thru the summer. My S preferred this "college" experience to a regular summer camp. I don't have phone number, but try <a href="http://www.tip.duke.edu%5B/url%5D">www.tip.duke.edu</a></p>
<p>How did you all even know to have your kids take the SAT in 7th grade?>??????</p>
<p>if money isnt an issue then go for it, i hope your s has an amazing time!!!</p>
<p>It sounds like the majority of you think it's a worthwhile program so I think I'll invest the money and send my s. He's never been to Washington DC so it should be an enjoyable experience for him. Thank you for all of your insight. It's my first time on this site which was recommended by a friend. This is a tremendous resource and I'll use it again. To Alumother, some schools in California recommend testing for gifted kids in middle school. It doesn't mean they are sending out their scores, they're just practicing. Then they can qualify for John Hopkins programs. It also helps them overcome their fear of the test.</p>
<p>Alumother, my sons had both been involved in the JHU CTY Talent Search by 5th grade, and as ladybug says, CTY encourages participants to take the SAT in 7th grade. Based on the results, they're offered positions in summer programs or school year weekend programs, and provided with academic counseling in some cases. It wouldn't have occurred to me to have them take it otherwise.</p>
<p>How did you know about the JHU CTY Talent Search? I first heard about it on this board. I'm guessing it's because I sent my kids to an alternative private school that specializes in camping trips and pottery. Or maybe they wouldn't have fit the profile?</p>
<p>Hi, Alumother:</p>
<p>My son also did the Johns Hopkins cTY program, which we found out about through his public school. My son also started taking the SAT in the 7th grade, so he had lots of practice when it came time for the real thing.</p>
<p>Alu, our school has its own annual testing in elementary school and sends home an info sheet about JHU CTY for any student in the 97th national percentile or above (which is part of the Talent Search criteria). Although I am a JHU alum and was aware of the program in general, it did not even cross my mind for my own kids until the school alerted us to it.</p>
<p>Oops, we've threadjacked this discussion, sorry OP! If there's more interest in CTY topics we could start another thread.</p>
<p>A kid very close to me (his parents and I call him my "almost son") did NYL several years ago...he's going to Tufts in August, majoring in international relations, an interest he developed (big time) at NYL...the whole public policy thing really "grabbed" him...he got into Model UN, did an internship in a Cong'l office, really took off w/the interest...he plans on making it his life's work...and it was the NYL program that started him on this path...</p>
<p>Now, his mother works at the company that runs the program and a more passionate advocate of this very good program you'll never find.</p>
<p>I suggest calling them...they'll spend all the time you need talking to you about how the program works and what its benefits are...they'll also tell the "truth"...if there are "bugs" or spots that might be a problem for your child, they'll tell you so.</p>
<p>I'm a fan...if you have the money and your child has the interest, it's a great choice on how to spend some time...</p>
<p>"It sounds like the majority of you think it's a worthwhile program so I think I'll invest the money and send my s."</p>
<p>While it is true that the majority of posters in this thread recognize the program as being worthwhile, that is not the majority opinion on CC. In the past years, there have been many threads about the various organizations that offer similar programs. The consensus is that the programs are not prestigious, are overpriced, and will not contribute a SINGLE thing to a college application -if not for the same yawns or deriding smiles that the stories of candidates returning from the programs garner when being published in the social sections of the local newspapers. As far as prestige, the programs are the same level as the various Who is Who directories. People who spent their money will NEVER admit it was a waste of money. </p>
<p>The bottom line is that one should analyze those programs with great scrutiny and make sure it fits the character of the student. If it seems interesting, go for it, but be realistic in that it offers little to no value in the context of the issues discussed on College Confidential. Do not expect many accolades or kudos when discussing it, and be prepared NOT to list it anywhere on your applications. </p>
<p>As far as admissions are concerned, there are virtually hundreds of better ways to spend money and time.</p>
<p>We have gotten "nominations" for several programs, all arriving in exquisite card-stock, gold seals, White-House and eagle emblems adorning the envelope and letterhead, all based in DC. </p>
<p>For the cost of the NYLF program for 1 child, your entire family could fly to DC and have a 5 day vacation.</p>
<p>xiggi, I don't think this thread has focused on whether or not the program is helpful for admissions. The question is really whether or not it is worthwhile in other ways. It's not always about making the application more impressive. And the program, while somewhat pricey, is still far less expensive than many, many other non-selective programs that I've seen.</p>