Summer Academic Programs

Parents Forum
101

<p>My son did a 3 week program at Brown last year and loved it. I guess I'd describe him as a mature 15yo with strong academic interests. This was solely his idea; I suggested if he just wanted to "be away" he spend the summer on Cape Cod with his grandmother. He preferred to take the Biotechnology class at Brown; he even went to RI over spring break to meet the teacher because he wanted to make sure his medical issues wouldn't be a problem (Brown was very helpful). </p>

<p>My son was in class from 9-3 everyday. In fact, he sometimes had to go back for more lab time, esp during the end to complete his project. He really enjoyed his class and he used some of what he learned at Brown in his AP BIO class this year. He now thinks this is an area he'd like to pursue in college.</p>

<p>Outide of the classroom, he loved the freedom he was given. I'm surprised at the comments I've read. I thought most kids would love the freedom. We arrived one Friday night (3am actually) and saw tons of kids outside throwing a ball around or listening to music. Seemed to me a "safe alternative" to partying while still having fun. Just part of the experience. I'm not sure he would have been as happy if the school had a strict curfew, etc. Too much like home.</p>

<p>Since he's not real outgoing (and he was young), he found it tough socially during the first couple days. I think the RA had the floor do some things together, go to eat together, etc. That might have helped a bit. Finding friends can be a huge thing and is easier for some than others - that's true in college also. He just did stuff he liked and eventually met kids that did those things too. He wound up being friends with kids from other floors or dorms. Like many on his dorm floor, he was given a single room. He kept his door open and eventually he met others on his floor. He also went to the gym and met other guys playing bball. By the end of the 1st week, he had met a group he enjoyed hanging out with. They went to Boston one weekend. Another weekend we picked him up and took him to Cape Cod. He was anxious to get back early on Sunday so he could meet up with his friends. He also attended a lecture one night and a college fair another night.</p>

<p>I don't think he had too much free time. He went directly from the lab to the gym to play bball with his friends every day. Some of them had easier class schedules and managed to nap every afternoon. After dinner I think they did homework, then went to eat again (Thayer St) or to the movies, or the mall, etc. Sometimes they simply watched a game on tv in someone's room or the lounge or something (we don't have cable tv at home so even this was a hit).</p>

<p>He may have attended some parties but I'm doubtful he drank (would be a problem with his medical condition). Parties are an option here at home too as I suspect they are in most towns across the country. I was concerned about his being the youngest (he only met one other 15yo the entire time he was there) but he tends to relate better to older kids anyway. </p>

<p>All in all, he loved his time at Brown and he's going back this year. He wanted to go to Cornell but he's still too young for most of their programs (he's entering 11th). Again I suggested he take a trip to Cape Cod or FL instead. He's a serious student and I'd like to see him relax a bit more. What I'm beginning to realize is that I can't push my interests on him. While I would prefer traveling or relaxing/reading a good book, that's not his thing. He'd rather spend his time in a classroom or lab or whatever. So I will continue to support him.</p>

<p>Next year he will be old enough to do the Cornell program (or perhaps he'll find another one he likes). He's also looking into internship programs. He had a job during the school year, tutoring HS algebra so he at least has spend money to last the summer. He also got a scholarship from the local ELKS group to attend Brown.</p>

102

<p>Sounds a lot like my D's first summer there. If he wants to go back next summer, he would probably like the longer 7 week courses. Also, Brown gives a nice discount to returning summer students.</p>

103

<p>Quick clarification:</p>

<p>YSS is the regular Yale summer term, with appropriate level of supervision for HS jrs & above, but does not offer the level of org activities mentioned for Exeter type of programs.</p>

<p>There are some evening socials: BBQ, study breaks with ice cream etc.
On weekends there may be trips to NYC, Great Adventure (in MA), or beach.
Otherwise students are free on their own.
There are many Summer Lectures/film screening/concerts/cabaret, either on campus or surround, and all the museums on campus (3 or 4 of these).
YSS students also get a free membership to Yale's Payne Whitney Gym (the largest indoor gym in the <em>world</em>!) with extensive facilities for everything you can imagine.
Other possibilities (do require a bus ride to get there): outdoor tennis at Y Tennis Ctr, Yale Outdoor Edu Ctr (camping, boating, hiking), Y Equestrian & Polo Center (indiv or small grp lessons).</p>

<p>Another advantage is if one ends up going to Yale as an undergrad,
YSS credits fully transfer towards graduation rqmt so it's $$ well spent.
Our son's 2 YSS credits have helped towards Distribution rqmt.
In his case, it worked out to be the "best possible" scenario...</p>

<p>Good luck to all parents & kids in your summer planning!!</p>

104

<p>DS#2 is at a summer program now, this will be his 3rd summer but all three programs were different, at different locales. He and I researched through some books from the library on internships and searched the web and his GC also helped identify some potentials during the school year. Over the years we have located many programs. This summer he has a paid (and residential, they cover room and board) internship at our local univeristy's school of medicine, the funding is one from a federal grant. The summer previous he was at the cross-town rival's school of medicine doing paid cancer research. And his first summer was at another school of medicine's and the National Cancer Institute science program for cancer research. Now that one was across the country and they covered his airfare, room and board. One was from a Howard Hughes' grant and the other was from an NCI grant.</p>

<p>All his programs had some supervision but with more than 400-500 applicants for 15-20 slots the kids aren't going to be "partying" too hard. He has enjoyed his work and has been to see different campuses. He turned down Governor's school for his internships so there were some drawbacks to attending. His first was right after his freshman year in high school. </p>

<p>We had looked at the Brown, WUSTL and Cornell programs but he figured he would rather have them pay him than him pay them!! He was able to get letters of rec from his various PI's so he just includes them in his high school file and his GC includes the respective recs when she sends in her counselor's rec for colleges. </p>

<p>He has learned a great deal (especially lab techniques, micro and some grant writing), how to navigate a crazy bus system in a crazy town, manage his checking and payroll accounts, stick to a physical workout schedule WITHOUT his coaches' supervision (only way coaches let him out of summer practice) and deal with over-worked, stressed-out post-doc students! It has been an eye opener. The background homework he had to catch-up on to be brought up to speed each summer on each project made his APs this year seem much, much easier.</p>

<p>So overall, for us, (especially me, since he isn't here to drive me nuts all day) his summer programs have been wonderful. Extremely valuable.</p>

<p>Kat</p>

105

<p>jerzgrlmom: Yes, my daughter was in class from 9-3 as well (for a 3 week course); again, I think the 3 week courses can certainly be challenging. As I said, her course required a large amount of demanding reading and several papers/essays. She enjoyed her time there, too, and never minded the freedom. She easily found like-minded friends, with whom she has stayed in contact, so it all worked out great. And I think mature kids know how to manage their time, without having to resort to securing mind-expanding drugs or getting sloppy drunk. </p>

<p>But I'm not sure all the classes are that demanding, which may leave some kids with a lot of empty time on their hands. I do think the quality of the courses depends on the course instructor (not necessarily the time frame). I think the 7 week courses, where you also get college credit, would be fine, but most of the kids my daughter met who were there for the 7 week courses, were bored silly by the end of it--not because of the course(s)--but because they were just sick of being in one place (and on a relatively small campus) like that for 7 weeks. So my daughter ended up splitting her time over the summers with various other purposeful activities, which made for a much more interesting school break--for her, anyway. </p>

<p>The 7 week courses, too (as I remember), are structured around Northeastern high schools and their time frames. High schools in the south, where we are, start the AY around mid-August.</p>

106

<p>Thanks, fbc and avoco for the financial info re: Exeter and Yale summer programs! </p>

<p>These other opportunities that HS kids have taken are just amazing as well! Katwkittens, that's fantastic what your son did--paid internships doing cancer reserach, and early in his HS career as well!!</p>

<p>Were there any particular books you found useful in locating such internships? My son enjoys science (won a few awards at fairs, etc.) but really seems to have a facility for math. I thought maybe he could assist a math professor during the summer (just vague idea on my part) but the internship idea is really great!</p>

<p>Fascinating to hear the subtle differences re: the various programs, and the particular fit for each student. My son is also one who benefits from structure and being around other kids who are academically focused.</p>

107

<p>I'll try again - has anyone had a kid who did Stanford EPGY for the summer, i.e. their residential program?</p>

108

<p>We had friends' children who attended the Stanford Summer School (for-credit college courses) - and they were very satisfied, but not the EPGY program.</p>

<p>From the info that Stanford sent (unsolicited),
EPGY sounds similar to Johns Hopkins CTY (Center for Talented Youth) program.</p>

109

<p>For math etc. there are summer math camps, some quite high level
(by selective application including completing math packets to be graded in advance).
I don't have a full list though, I'll try to find some references for J. Smith's inquiry.</p>

<p>btw, the Imagine magazine published by Johns Hopkins CTY & SET (Study of Exceptional Talents) is a great resource.
They list programs & contests for various areas (science, math, computer programming, drama, lit, music, perf arts, politics, leadership, archaeology, languages, ecology, ....)
They also have profiles & reports on all these areas, plus college search tips.</p>

<p>We get it free (due to kids qualified for SET).
Try cty.jhu.edu/imagine for subscription info....</p>

110

<p>You see, I sent both my kids to an alternative progressive school. They never even had grades until high school. When they took those Stanford tests or whatever they were they got to grade them themselves. As a result, I never had them take SATs or anything. D is off to college in the fall, didn't take SATI until spring of junior year, only took them once. S is now a rising sophomore and hasn't taken anything either. </p>

<p>To get qualified for all this stuff - they would have had to take SATs etc. So now I am not in the world of enrichment programs etc. Luckily, the private high school they go to is wonderful. But EPGY would be great because it is right next door and S is a little bored in high school, even with all honors etc. He isn't the math-is-all type, but I was thinking if it was a good program he might love the humanities part.</p>

<p>Heck, I guess I could just walk over there. Or ask some of his teachers who are Stanford alum....</p>

111

<p>Well, the program is nearing an end, and I must say it was a major disapointment for my D. The mini-course that was supposed to run from 9-3 met about 2 hours a day and on a rare occasion 3hrs. After my initial post here at CC, the section on their website about students being in class from approx. 9-3 mysteriously disapeared from the Summer@Brown website. (someone here at CC must have sent an email to a staff member) She worked diligently to complete her writing assignments and her course instructor has yet (she only has 4 days left) to correct a single paper or comment on her writing. Her last excuse was that she locked herself out of her apartment and couldn't correct the papers. That was over 7 days ago and my D still hasn't had any comments about her writing. I have sent 3 emails to Brown and still haven't received a response with an explanation. She said the experience was traumatic for her, i.e., the sexual activities of some of the students, and by the way not all 16 years of age, deeply disturbed her. She couldn't sleep in her room because of the noise so she switched rooms and has been sleeping on the floor of another student to get away from her previous roommate. The weekend I went to pick her up to take her home for a few days the dorm hallway smelled like alcohol. I had hoped that the academic challenge would compensate for the other problems, but it didn't. Her experience there was also a let down.</p>

112

<p>My dd just returned from Cornell (and went into a non-academic program - but that's a different story), and had a wonderful time. She got her papers back reasonably and with good comments. Her TA had office hours during which he'd read her papers and give her concrete suggestions for improving them. She developed a great relationship with him and with her professor. She learned how to organize both her papers and her time, and her writing improved tremendously. Academically and intellectually, a roaring success.</p>

<p>Socially, there were drugs and sex in the dorm but not on her floor, nor with her friends (or so she tells me). Kids caught breaking the rules were dealt with swiftly and harshly, but it always depended on getting caught. Noise was kept to a minimum, and there was no alcohol.</p>

<p>I'd whole-heartedly recommend this program for a self-confident, possessed, independent kid.</p>

113

<p>I empathize with your dilemma. My friend's daughter is also attending Brown summer program (she's a rising senior) and my friend has very similar complaints and has contacted the administration regarding the amount of free time and the lack of time spent on coursework. My son attended JHU/Cty every summer and did plenty of work, had plenty of fun, and it was very well supervised (in my mind). He is away at a university in the Midwest this summer for a two week program for high school upperclassmen. I have only sketchy details, but it seems like he's doing a lot of coursework, but with less supervision than at CTY. He's 17, so hopefully he's mature enough to handle it.</p>

114

<p>Friend's D is attending Harvard summer school. She dropped by our house the other day and told us that a few kids had been expelled for drinking. She has a heavy workload with lots of reading. She has a great roommate, has made many friends and seems very happy with her experience.</p>

115

<p>My D spent five weeks at the University of Memphis for Governor's School (International Studies). I wish I could show you the booklet (schedule) they gave us when we dropped our children off there. They had very little free time and when one of the parents mentioned that, the director said they had planned it that way ... said it prevented problems that can occur when kids have too much free time. D said they were well-supervised and it was expected that everyone would follow the rules. There were a couple of boys who got in to some trouble, but when the director threatened to send them home, they straightened up. There were 79 kids in total and they seemed to really enjoy it. They've already got "reunion" plans in the works.</p>

116

<p>Raichel - I'm so sorry your daughter is not having the kind of experience you'd hoped and paid for. Thank you for sharing it with us so we can all be better informed when we look at summer programs next year.</p>

117

<p>Well, my son just began his 3 week program at Brown yesterday so I'll let you know how it's going when I find out. He didn't want us to take him there this yr. Feeling independent. His 18 yr old sister moved him in and I haven't heard much yet other than he doesn't like this yr's dorm as much as last yr. I think it's more that his old dorm was closer to campus. This yr's class is also located further away (past the BIO bld) and begins at 8:30am. He's the type to not miss a class so he's not thrilled to be getting up even earlier than last yr - and then has to walk much further. I think this is good - he says he'd like to go to a large college but I keep reminding him that a big campus involves tons of walking (or buses). We'll see how the social aspect works out. He's a bit young (16). Won't have to contend with roommates because he has a single. That could be a problem making friends (or not). I think he plans to hit the gym and meet others to play bball with. We'll see how it goes.</p>

118

<p>My son went to COSMOS at UC Irvine and loved it. They were well supervised and could not leave campus without a chaperone RA. This was fine since he was only 15. He was in class or lab most of the day but there was plenty of fun time. There was absolutely no alcohol or drugs which I think was great. I am disappointed to read about these other programs where the kids run wild. I do realize that kids have to grow up some time but I would have been ****ed off to pay a huge amount of money if my child got nothing out of it academically. I would actually complain to the administration of the program that the atmosphere is so party like.</p>

119

<p>My son just started this yr's summer pgm at Brown and when I called him, he had to head back to his dorm because he has a curfew. He was not happy about it (was more lenient last yr). With this yr's curfew, he has to be in his dorm in the late evening. Last yr, he hung out watching ball games late at night with friends from other dorms - he still got his work done and made it to all his classes (8:30 am class). I liked that he had to decide when and where to study and play. He usually played ball after he finished class (4pm). If he wanted to go out at night or watch a ball game in another dorm, he would get his reading/labs done BEFORE he went out. Now he has to be back in his own dorm, regardless of where his friends happen to be. </p>

<p>Some kids apparently took advantage of the past loopholes so there are more rules now. I'm hoping it's not too structured. Kids get tired of always being told where to be, what to do and how to do it. I think kids should be deciding some of these things for themselves - yes, WITH SUPERVISION before everyone jumps on me. I know we picked up my son last yr and took him to Cape Cod for the weekend and he had all kinds of red tape to deal with so he could leave. Maybe some floor RAs are stricter than others? I'm not complaining. I think the RA should know that the students are in their rooms at night. OTOH, I don't think the school needs to have structured activities planned for every afternoon and evening, the way they do at summer camp (Brown does offer activities several times a week). Most kids this age are capable of making friends and prefer to choose activities on their own. Part of the fun was going to eat on Thayer Street or to the movies or shopping at the mall. My son took his first taxi last summer with a bunch to a fancy restaurant downtown for their farewell dinner. I will say that the trip to Boston could have been a bit more structured - some kids had no clue what to do when they were dropped off (and had never been in a real city before). That spells trouble to me and more guides would have been helpful and SHOULD have been provided.</p>

<p>I think Brown sets up their pgm like a real college environment, not a camp. I agree that some kids just aren't ready yet. Unfortunately, that's true of some kids that are actually moving away this fall. They're the ones I worry about. The ones that never had to make choices for themselves. I had roommates like that. They went wild the first time they had freedom.</p>

<p>I agree with you TenthTimeAround - I WILL complain if the academics are a joke. They weren't last yr but I will wait to see how this yr works out. My son hits the books without my involvement so I know he will complain if it's boring academically. Last yr's class had a lab so it was lengthy but I don't think it was as hard as he expected. I don't think these classes are as tough as our AP classes. They're more of an introduction to a topic, so a student can explore an interest. Raichel, I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter's experience. She must have been so frustrated to do the work and get no feedback - what's the point of that? I would have been furious and also would have complained. My son's Bio work was graded last yr, including a lab he had to develop, a power point presentation and a paper. After returning home, he received a written (lengthy) review of his work from his teacher so he could use it as a reference in the future.</p>

120

<p>I asked S about PROMYS, which takes in rising hs freshmen to rising college freshmen. Dorms are segregated. In fact, boys and girls are housed in different towers. Eleven PM curfew, even for Harry Potter day. Some counselors, who are allowed to be out later, walked to B&N and bought copies for other students. As for any kind of trouble, S says they are so overworked they have no time to get into trouble. However, they seem to have time to play a lot of board games.</p>