<p>If you want to go on one of the programs, you can apply. You don't need to be nominated. This program is not selective; it is a paid program, like a camp. Many people have great experiences with it, and you might get some good ideas for your college essays. The programs are very expensive but if you can afford it, kids really enjoy it. To see all the programs offered this year and fill out the application form for one that interests you, just go to the web site.</p>
<p>I went on a P2P trip to Australia between freshman and sophomore year. It was an utter waste of time. Perhaps its because I come from a less than amazing area academically, but admission was not "selective." I believe two of the maybe 100 people interviewed were denied. One guy bragged about how he still managed to pass despite being hungover, and he was far from the brightest person I've ever met. Personally, I know I flubbed my interview. There were perhaps two or three tolerable people of the thirty or so who went on my particular trip, but the rest ruined the experience. Don't be pulled in by the ambassador nonsense; true, you stay with a family for a day or three, but the program is little more than a glorified money sink. I believe you'd be better served saving your thousands of dollars to travel, either this summer or a later one, with your family or alone, and avoid the restrictedness of the program as well as the stigma of being one of thirty purple shirted kids. Take some classes at the community college this summer; it'll look better than P2P, and if you're on College Confidential, you'll probably appreciate it more as well.</p>
<p>I got a letter from them today (or my parents did, as it was addressed to “the parents of”). They list a bunch of presidents as “honorary chairmen” and sound really pro. I was pretty excited at first especially with the line, “We identified ___ (me) as a result of her participation in the College board student search service, the organization that administers the SAT and PSAT.” Then I was thinking, “Um duh. It’s kind of dumb to state the obvious like that…” but I was so excited that I didn’t give other oddities a second thought. It said I’d go to Italy, France, Switzerland, and Austria. Can’t you see why I was so excited? Now, I’m feeling really gullible after reading what so many people are saying. Quickly I had reserved a place at their meeting or whatever, but now, of course, I don’t think I’ll go.
Sheesh, they made the letter sound so great and official and everything too…did anyone really get to meet anyone special or do anything worth doing? Or is it really just a vacation? :/</p>