<p>Please HELP answer a debate my husband and I are having...Daughter, who is a H.S. sophomore, has been mailed several invitations to attend summer academic programs at various colleges. She is a solid A student at a very small prep school and she anticipates applying to many top small, private LACs (i.e., Washington and Lee, Colgate as reaches, Hamilton, Bucknell as targets, DePauw, St. Lawrence as safeties). Her ECs are excellent, and she does 50 -75 hours of Community Svc. a year. D. is very interested in attending a summer program (loves the idea of experiencing college before college). One of her parents thinks she should attend a pre-college Summer academic program to give her profile an extra edge. The other parent (I'm not telling you which so as not to bias anyone...!) thinks these are simply programs for "rich kids" (costs range from $2500 -$5000 for 1 to 3 weeks) and won't help D any. Last summer, D. spent 3 weeks in Europe on a People to People Student Ambassador trip. One parent is tired of forking over money for summer programs if these are inconsequential to Admissions personnel. PLEASE ADVISE!!!!</p>
<p>My son attended the Duke Tip prorgam from 7th grare to pre-Junior year. We did it as enrichment program for him and so he could get a feel for being on his own, in an intellectual community and be able to hang with kids “just like him” (we jokingly and lovingly called it nerd camp). He loved every minute of it, made some great friends and matured through the process.</p>
<p>That being said…most of these enrichment programs are just that and are not taken into consideration for any admissions. There really isn’t even a spot on he Common App to let the schools know that you may have attended the program. So many high acheiving kids attend these programs that it is not a “stand-out” on applications. Many of the programs bear the name of the school, but are actually sponsored by an off site organizations (like Duke TIP…just not held at Duke) In fact he did one year at Davidson and 3 at Duke.</p>
<p>I’d say, if your child is interested and passionate about wanting to explore her options, meet friends, learn about new things in a stimulating environment, AND you have the cash right now to afford it, then by all means, go for it. It was a good choice for us and I’m glad my son got to do it for 4 years. BUT…it is not the type of thing that is going to push an admission counselor over the edge in being sure your child gets admitted to that particular college. JMHO.</p>
<p>PS We just finished the admisssion process…I can tell you that wasn’t the thing that got my son into Amherst College ED…he didn’t even include it anywhere on the application.</p>
<p>I fully concur with RJM’s advice. Having interviewed for my HYP alma mater for almost 20 yrs, I’ve seen lots of great kids. Some were clearly enhanced by attending such programs, some were just phenomenal kids who worked at dad’s grocery store for the summer or acted as a volunteer counselor at their church’s summer camp. </p>
<p>As my oldest is about to sprout wings (she’s 12 now), I’d like to expose her to different things as well. However, a strong emphasis that her mom and I want for her is to earn these luxuries (summer programs). That will mean paid work projects at home (above her normal chores) or a part time job when she’s old enough.</p>
<p>Like RJM said, some of these programs can really be enhancing a student. However, the really outstanding students I meet actively seek out their own growth be it with a pre-college summer program or just some other passionate activity. Don’t be swayed by the marketing of the programs (they are profit ventures after all) and their promises of “boosting the application file”. They are commonplace and can be had for deep enough pockets. </p>
<p>It’s the kid, not the program – I’m convinced</p>
<p>The only programs I would suggest are those that give you a “tangible” extra edge - college credit for the classes. My d did Cornell’s summer program, took a class that looked “interesting” (which is now part of her major, but hadn’t been on the radar until then!), and got 3 credits for it. Her college accepted those credits.</p>
<p>Of course, if your d wants to do the program because she’s interested in it, that’s fine, but not for an extra edge.</p>
<p>Chedva: you just answered the post I was about to write…if a student is receiving college credit, especially for intro courses, it may not help for admissions, but I agree it would certainly help for colleges that accept those credits (and especially for students, who for whatever reason, do not have access to AP courses in high school)…</p>
<p>itsmygop: Make the same post over on the Parents forum. You’ll get more from their perspectives which may help you and spouse decide. Good luck to you</p>
<p>My older son did two summer academic enrichment programs, one was the CA Math-Science Scholars program at a relatively modest price and no college credit, just enrichment, and the other was the Harvard Summer School program, very expensive and for college credit. They were both beneficial to him personally and probably did enhance his college applications. In fact, in CA, the UCs give extra points to applicants who attended CMSS. </p>
<p>Summer programs, even the top ones, will not influence college admissions at the ultra selective universities, imo, but for some colleges, it doesn’t hurt and might help. In particular, programs geared specifically to getting to know more about that university’s programs or about specific majors. </p>
<p>On a recent visit, I chatted with a mom who believed that her son’s participation in a summer program at UM’s Ross business school helped her son gain a coveted spot as a freshman pre-admit to that program. Not just because he attended but because by attending he was able to sharpen his focus in his application essays about why he was a good fit for Ross.</p>
<p>When it comes to the very top colleges, attending summer programs that you pay for – even those at top colleges – will not help. Far better would be a student’s working a job – with humble jobs being of most benefit – or creating a summer activity for themselves such as deciding to read all of the great books or creating a volunteer project.</p>
<p>The summer programs that would help are the ones that are free and are ultracompetitive such as RSI.</p>
<p>Pricey summer programs can be nice enrichment opportunities for students who enjoy such things but they are a waste of time for students whose main reason is to have a leg up in admissions to top colleges.</p>
<p>I think you need to distinguish between programs that are open to anyone who can pay tuition, and programs that require SAT scores or other qualifications to get in. Programs such as CTY, TIP and EPGY are probably positive, mostly to the degree that they demonstrate a desire on the student’s part to explore some particular intellectual avenue(s) not available at regular school. TASP is certainly very prestigious. Non of these things should, IMHO, be undertaken simply in order to buff a college application.</p>
<p>" Programs such as CTY, TIP and EPGY are probably positive, mostly to the degree that they demonstrate a desire on the student’s part to explore some particular intellectual avenue(s) not available at regular school. "</p>
<p>I sent my S to CTY and TIP, but don’t think that such programs help with top college admissions. They are expensive. While one needs high SAT/ACT scores to qualify, those are the type of scores that most applicants to top colleges have. </p>
<p>My S thoroughly enjoyed the programs, so the money was worth it, but I wouldn’t have sent him if his only interest in going was to look good to colleges. He went because he was genuinely interested in the academics, and loved being around bright students who shared his interests.</p>
<p>I personally don’t think it is worth the money. My D has received several invitation from famous school and she never attended them. Although, you can put your summer program as an activity on the common application, I do not think it will increase the chance for your kid to be accepted by top school. My D and my coworker’s S, who has perfect score, both are accepted by all UCs. If you really want the college credit, it will be cheaper to take a community class or take AP test. You will get the same credit as those summper program. Besides, you kid may not want to go to the same school that offers summer program. In this situation, your credit serves no purpose at all. I would suggest you to spend the money for a prep class so your kid can get a high score on SAT/ACT.</p>