<p>I'm a junior and I have one summer left to make the most of before college apps. I know the stanford summer college isn't that selective, but I'm sure that merely taking summer college classes counts for something. However, if I am lacking any real volunteerism outside of school clubs, would it be more worth while for me to spend my summer volunteering at a local library for like 4 hrs a week? Money isn't too much of an issue, even though the Stanford thing costs a crap load. Any suggestions are appreciated!</p>
<p>May I suggest a few other options? Most of these brand name summer programs prove only that you have money and are capable of college level work-which, if you have decent h.s. grades and an AP exam or two, the schools already know. </p>
<p>Why not attend a program that lets you check out some particular passion of yours? Forget the brand name-pick the program that matches your interest or a class at a local community college that is relevent to your potential major. Alternatively, if volunteering at the library isn’t your passion, why not volunteer with a nonprofit that does something you care about? There are tons of animal shelters, environmental groups, social service groups, ESOL/literacy organizations, clinics, and businesses that would love to have a smart, literate, reliable volunteer for four weeks-and maybe you’ll be engaged enough to continue next year. Or good enough that they offer to pay you to stay on. (My D is the IT guru at a small nonprofit-started as a volunteer, now they pay her a small stipend.)</p>
<p>Don’t do it because colleges ‘want to see volunteer work’ or ‘want to see college level work.’ Do whatever you choose because you could have the most rewarding experience of your life or at least get exposure to people who are passionate and committed and want to make a difference in the world-always an interesting group to be around.</p>