<p>Wow pixiedanzer you and I are so alike!!! I did the Oxbridge program in 2003 then JSA at Yale in 2004!!!!! That is such a strange coincidence!!! </p>
<p>For those interested, both programs were amazing! Oxford was less demanding and it is worth it for all the cultural experiences. There's so much to do and see all over Oxford and you have a lot of independence. There were also trips to London and Stratford. It is pretty pricey but definitely worth it. JSA was a lot more academically challenging but also a lot fun. Between the two I would recommend the Oxbridge program over JSA or any other program in the US. </p>
<p>I do think it helps with college admissions. They will see that you have spent your summer productively rather than sitting around doing nothing. And as a side note, I got into Stanford last December, and I think my summer programs definitely helped a lot.</p>