<p>I am considering going to Cornell Summer College next summer, the summer of my junior year. I have heard by some that these programs, like the harvard summer college, are basically not worth the money, however i have also heard that they are amazingly enlightening and a large hook in the admissions process...</p>
<p>I was just wondering what everyone out there feels about these programs and their effect, (if they have one) on college admissions. I.e. Cornell summer college says that the following year, 164 of their summer college alumni were accepted as students...</p>
<p>your input is greatly appreciated!
:) kayla</p>
<p>I was wondering about this, too. Is it more of a hook to get like an internship that gives work experience and having it relate to what you want to do than going to a summer program? It's really unfair, because I know I can't afford going to a summer program, and I wanted to go to Cornell, too...</p>
<p>i know! i was looking into the architecture one and it is about 8,000 dollars! it is insane! if i apply, which i plan on doing, i am applying to about 93475034953 scholarship and financial aid foundations for summer programs...</p>
<p>From what I understand, it is by no means garunteed admission hook, but it does show colleges that A) You are interested in academic challenges and B) You can thrive in a collegiate academic environment. So in that regard, it can definately be a plus.</p>
<p>From what I understand, it can definetly be helpful for college admissions, but in no way is it a hook. </p>
<p>The key is not so much if you go to the program, but how you do in it. If you go to a legitimate and well-known college program and do well in the classes, it shows that you are competent enough to do challenging work at a top-college level.
Acceptance into a pre-college program is not terribly difficult and if you do one, all it shows is that your family has money. But as I said again, there is a difference between doing it, and doing well in it. </p>
<p>However, I do not believe it has the same impact as a serious internships. They are generally more selective and show more intiative on the studet's part.</p>
<p>my friend who did both harvard's and stanford's (on the campuses) got outright rejected from stanford SCEA...the only thing those prove is that your family is wealthy enough to support the furthering of your education (seriously, when you take into account credits, airfare and housing it's thousands and thousands of dollars)...if you do it only take the courses online so you can still further other interests and be involved in other things locally...in my opinion taking a course online while deepening commitments at home is far better than dropping all other plans to pay thousands and accomplish nothing other than taking a few courses</p>
<p>i agree with others. i was looking into summer programs as well (im currently a sophomore) and was considering cornell. but everything costs too much money so for this summer, im probably just going to take some courses at community colleges and/or work and volunteer.</p>
<p>from what i heard though, is that cornell summer program is really good and is well organized, unlike brown.</p>
<p>Insane provided very accurate assessment above, try to use the following criteria for your decision process:</p>
<ul>
<li>Summer program is well run/highly rated/college credit courses.</li>
<li>take courses that you are <em>truly</em> interested in, not as resume-builders.</li>
<li>do VERY well at these courses, strong grades will be a positive wrt college application.</li>
<li>Bonus: meeting people/making good friends/enjoy the social aspects & activities.</li>
</ul>
<p>That's legit, as many students aren't sure what will be their eventual major subject anyway.
The main factors include:
- choose courses carefully (not frivolously, considering the cost),
do some advanced research on the course content (many courses post online its syllabus & reading list info) & the instructor caliber.
- Work well at the courses, get the most out of both academic & social aspects.
- As an added bonus, with all of the above, you may be able to ask professor(s) for an extra recommendation letter!</p>
<p>"Is it more of a hook to get like an internship that gives work experience and having it relate to what you want to do than going to a summer program?"</p>
<p>Yes, at least for the right internship. Best might be participation in a serious research program.</p>
<p>at cornell, i was intending to choose the architectural element. This is because architecture is my intended major, and, in all honesty, my dream is to go to cornell. </p>
<p>If i took this course, and performed well, the credits i earn count as college credits at cornell. Thus admissions officers would see that and say, "well she obviously can perform to the standard that we are looking for."</p>
<p>also, if i took this summer program, my interview with the cornell architecture college is no longer necessary...</p>
<p>seems like a good deal to me. idk, what do you guys think?</p>
<p>It sucks. NYU doesn't have a boarding summer program. They have a summer program, but its for commuting only. And I'm in CA. My first choice: NYU Stern.</p>
<p>My brother did a summer program like that at GW. I don't think it makes a difference at all for admissions. He loved the program, but I don't think it helped that much for admissions. About 50% of his summer scholars classmates were rejected and the other half were accepted.</p>
<p>dande: good plan; also very worthwhile to get those college credits which is good for if later on attending the same college
(most of the elite colleges do NOT otherwise accept college credits completed during one's HS years).</p>
<p>The main thing is still for people to pursue what they really want to do during the summers.
Those who are academically inclined or want to take major-specific courses,
summer college programs are a good match.
For those with different focus, e.g. athletics, leadership, independent project, entrepreneurial, adventure/exploration,
or wanting to do a major community service project, by all means, pursue it!</p>
<p>I hope to see you guys at Cornell this summer.</p>
<p>Anywayz, if you attended a schools summer session, it isn't by any means a hook, but it shows demonstrated interest in the school (for example, if I applied to Cornell and they saw I went to the summer college two years, they're more likely to think I would actually enroll if I was admitted, which is a plus.)</p>
<p>Something to research about the summer program you are interested in - Is it ACTUALLY sponsored by the school? Many - MANY of these summer programs are using only the facility (for a fee) and the name of the school in the name of their program. Just because it is called the XXXXXX Summer Program doesn't mean it is connected to the academics of that school. I have seen numerous posts after decision day that proclaim - "but I was accepted to their summer program - I thought that would give me an edge in admissions!". A previous post has it right. Unless you can verify a connection save your money for actual undergrad tuition.</p>