<p>I'm currently a junior. The last two summers were spent working summer jobs; I haven't attended any of those summer programs. I got lots of invitations, but they weren't selective. Most of the selective ones that were actually prestigious required good test scores being submitted; I got a 2400 on my SAT so I'll be applying to a couple of summer programs before senior year. Anyways, I was just wondering: do these summer programs that colleges have really matter? I have an international award for DECA, a couple national awards for FBLA, and some other national awards in addition to a lot of state awards, leadership positions, and projects I set up. And I started my own semi-successful business. Does going to those summer programs really bolster your college application any? I normally don't do anything for the sake of strengthening my college app, and I don't have much genuine interest in attending most of those summer programs/conferences so I'm just wondering if I'll be "okay" if I don't go to any. </p>
<p>It sounds like you’ve had productive summers, summer programs are in no way necessary to a strong application. </p>
<p>If you’re a current jr, it may be too late to apply to most of the selective programs for this summer, I think they were due this winter. See the Summer Programs forum for more info.</p>