<p>Hi guys, this is the first time I'm posting on this board.
I'm a junior in a Canadian high school right now, and I was wondering if you guys feel if it's better to spend this summer doing charity work in Kenya or going to a college summer camp. I heard that it's better to go to Kenya for your application essays, but I also heard that going to a summer camp puts you on the inside track as they say. I only have the financial aid for one of the two, and I really appreciate any advice given. Thanks.</p>
<p>If I had that choice, I would go to Kenya. It sounds as though it would be an amazing life experience and a great service to the community. Besides, summer is not for studies (in my opinion)! I think it would be better to take challenging classes your senior year to prepare you for college. Look at the big picture-- your whole life doesn’t need to revolve around college applications!</p>
<p>If the Kenya trip and the summer program are both the typical type of opportunities that you pay for, then they are equal in the sense that neither is looked at more favorably than the other for college admissions. The only summer programs that possibly put you on the “inside” track are competitive, scholarship based ones like RSI, TASP, Mites, etc. The Kenya trip may provide you with material for college essays, but be aware that the “how volunteering in a foriegn country changed my life” can be a fairly common and trite essay. You should do the program you are most interested in without regard to how it affects college admissions.</p>
<p>entomom is right.
Do whichever program you’d enjoy most, but don’t expect either to give you an admissions tip when it comes to the most competitive colleges. Your attendance may help you at less competitive colleges, particularly ones looking to increase their # of full pay students.</p>
<p>Lucky you. I’ll be working minimum wage all summer. Alas! I’m so grateful that work is considered an EC.</p>