<p>Hi, I'm the one that's desperate to get off of the waitlist at Stanford. I'm considering attending summer school there this summer---so that I can at least have one quarter of study there, but also so I can meet with professors there, show my interest in the campus, etc.</p>
<p>My other alternatives to summer at Stanford are: 1. Studying abroad in Spain. 2. Taking community college classes that would help me fulfill major requirements for the school I am transferring from. (I think I'll choose Spain if not Stanford).</p>
<p>Summer school at Stanford starts June 20. Waitlist decisions are made "at the end of June". </p>
<p>What do you guys think? Is summer school (~$5000, about the cost of going to Spain) worth it?</p>
<p>Go to spain. Stanford states that they do not consider how much you want to go in the process (ie phone calls, campus visits etc.) so by their own policies it wouldnt help at all. However, I think going to spain would help you (I cant think of anything more boring for an applicant to tell them then "I will be spending my summer on your campus", it seems kind of pathetic). They are big on studying abroad so write them tell that what you are doing and your intrest in spain etc etc. Barring the whole waitlist thing I would still go to spain. It would be fun, different and you wouldnt get the feeling that you wasted your money should you not get accepted.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. I definitely don't want to look pathetic---and I would enjoy Spain. One thing I was thinking, though, is that if I don't get off of the waitlist, I can at least spend one summer on the Stanford campus. On the other hand, I could do that pre-graduate school if necessary.</p>
<p>I think it's far more likely you'll reminisce fondly about Spain 20 years from now than your time in summer school (!?!?) at Stanford in a last ditch, very pathetic attempt to get in as an undergrad. I'd choose Spain over some overpriced course at $tanford any day.</p>
<p>When you get older, you're not gonna be able to take time off to study abroad so carpe diem and go to Spain. I don't have fond memories about any of my summer school experiences at UCLA and Cal and in hindsight I should've just gone backpacking in Europe while I had the chance.</p>
<p>Go to Spain. Be sure to send a letter to the admissions office detailing your summer plans or experiences there, and maybe you can tie it into current programs they offer (just a thought) as a further demonstration of your dedicated interest in their school. . .</p>
<p>BouncingBoy, thanks for the viewpoint. It's funny, but I thought everyone would have the opposite opinion here. Ah, well. I guess I'll have to get moving on my summer plans for Spain.</p>
<p>Hmm... I've already sent a letter telling them about how much I want to attend, etc. What I'm doing in Spain improves my Spanish skills, but doesn't directly affect my long-term goals in any other way.</p>