<p>Hi,
I am the parent of a High School Junior. Recently, my son got an invitation to join Stanford's summer school program. The program is 8 weeks long and costs a little over $11,000 for the resident program. They say that students will be getting a Stanford transcript, which is supposed to be prestigious. The school counsellor has advised us to go in for it; but somehow I am not convinced -11K just seems way too pricey. Is there anyone who has done the summer program- what has your experience been and did it add weightage to your college apps?. Please let me have your feedback. Thank you!</p>
<p>@NSReyi My ds did the Stanford Summer Institutes High School program the summer before his junior year in high school. At the time it was called EPGY Summer Institutes. It was only a three-week residential program and was NOT for college credit. The next year he received literature for the program you mentioned. Like you, it was just too rich for our blood. Additionally, my ds was a grade skip and was not going to meet the age requirement of 16 in time. He opted to do a summer school program for high school students for college credit at another Top 20 university that was geographically closer to us. It was only five weeks, but less expensive (though still quite pricey!) and only a six- or seven-hour drive from our home which also helped keep the cost down. No airfare. He received a transcript from that intitution.</p>
<p>My son very much enjoyed both programs at both schools. His time at Stanford at the high school program was what put it as his top choice. He loved it, and the program was well-run. However, many colleges offer residential summer college programs for high school students which award college credit at a lower (albeit not “low”) price. He had an equally good experience at the summer college program at the other school. </p>
<p>I have no idea whether the Stanford summer high school program or the other top uni’s college program added weightage to his college apps. Both were certainly listed on his college applications. He made an A- and an A+ on his summer college courses and that transcript was submitted with his applications as well. He was accepted to Stanford and is a freshman there now.</p>
<p>HTH.</p>
<p>It’s a great program. My kids enjoyed it immensely and the extra academic credits helped them address some of the shortcomings their HS had.</p>
<p>Before someone asks; I’ve never seen any support for the notion that it helps a regular application to Staford. I’m sure the situations exist where it could go both ways.</p>