My son did this program, too. Yes, expensive but he enjoyed and benefited. Plus it’s a field he’s potentially interested in. For us, it was as much about giving him a taste of independence. Flying somewhere solo, dorm living, etc. I think he went to NYLF-National Security fall of sophomore year. Both our S and D went to a number of programs from 9th - 11th grade. Some were highly competitive and held/sponsored by universities (MIT, Stony Brook, Michigan State, McGill, Waterloo). Many were free if you got in. Others were somewhat competitive and somewhat expensive… Our D attended FTE, for example, and found the experience great, especially since her HS didn’t offer economics. I think the program was $1,000. For us, though, it was mostly about giving them the experience of being on their own and the chance to explore academic areas they were potentially interested in. Their experiences there gave them something to write about in several of their supplemental essays. I will say both S and D ran into many of the other kids from the program at tours, accepted students days, etc. as they were going through the application process. And they’ve each run into a couple of kids they met at programs years ago at their respective colleges.
I’ll also add that we got a lot of mail after PSAT scores from colleges and universities, most of which were not of interest. S and D did, however, get quite a few letters / mailings that offered “fee waivers” - we took a look at some of these schools and each ended up applying to a couple - mostly because they were a “fit” in the safety category. It was in a few cases that PSAT-triggered fee waiver that tipped the scales to apply - resulting in us contributing further to the glut of applications!
My daughter did fairly well on the PSAT (over ten points above the National Merit Semi-Finalist cut off for our state). Several of her friends’ parents were talking about how their kids are being inundated with mail from colleges after the PSAT and I started wondering why my daughter wasn’t getting any of this mail. Then at a meeting with the college counseling office at her high school, they said “by now, your kids must be getting lots of mail from colleges” and I turned to my daughter and asked “why aren’t you getting any of this mail?” and she said “I didn’t check the box. Why would I want to get mail from colleges I am not interested in attending?”
I teach English at a small community college. Even we pay for lists of students in our state who get high test scores. My department chair and I had quite the laugh when my daughter’s name crossed his desk. Utterly meaningless.
Congrats on the high PSAT score!
They won’t send you mail, but look into your state’s governor’s schools. Some states have free or almost free summer camps by field of interest that are extremely competitive. That will look good on college apps, as well as be a great experience.
My older DD did Junior National Leadership Conference. It isn’t a scam…they do have a program on the topics they adverstise. Is it a tremendous “honor”? No, But for my DD it was a taste of independence (she did a 7th grade program) and a chance to explore Washington with her peers. My Niece did People to People Ambassadors…she had a single mom and lived in a trailer…but this program gave her a chance to spend a Month in Australia which she would have never done otherwise.
I don’t think it’s high test scores. My youngest got medium good test scores and is getting all that crap as well. Cha-ching. Look at them as you would look at any camp. A great experience you can BUY.