<p>I'm a rising high school senior, and I applied for a summer program - Law and Litigation at the University of Chicago. However, I was also considering getting a temporary job over the summer. </p>
<p>1) I'm planning to study law in the future, so this summer program would definitely give me some insight into the field of law. </p>
<p>2) I think a summer job would be an interesting experience. I am sure I would enjoy either option. </p>
<p>Now my dilemma is whether to spend $3~4,000 to participate in the summer law program, or to get a job for some extra money and work experience. I'm also taking the college application process into consideration when I'm deciding; which option would you recommend? I would really appreciate some input. Thank you!</p>
<p>Can you get a park time job in the Hyde Park area while going to the summer program? That way you would get to enjoy the experience of the program, learn more about law, get work experience, and defray the cost (maybe by half) of the program. </p>
<p>If you would spend the money for the program yourself or if your family is lower-income, I would advise you to stay at home instead of participating in the program. If the program is something you are very interested in doing and you can afford it, then by all means do it.</p>
<p>I haven't gotten anything lined up definitely, but I would probably be doing work for the community (at the park district, tutoring, etc.).</p>
<p>corranged, thanks for your input. That's a really interesting idea.</p>
<p>You will have the rest of your life to work. If money is not the issue and Law is what you really want, go to the program. Get a part time job during school if you want some work experience. You can also work next summer before going off to college. However, if $ is an issue, and will be for college, you may want to work. It sounds like you are just interested in some work experience.</p>
<p>In general I don't think you will be penalized for working. Colleges recognize that for many kids earning money has to be a major EC.</p>
<p>That said, there is something to be said for finding out if you are really interested in a field. I had a friend in college who thought she would like to be an archaeologist until the summer before her junior year in college. She went on a dig and hated everything about it. By then it was a little late to think about alternatives. However law is a huge field, and there are many, many ways to be a lawyer.</p>
<p>What is the duration of the Chicago program. For $4000 it could not possibly be the entire summer. </p>
<p>As far as what looks better on your resume, I would say both are fine. It really depends on what you would get out of each. I don't believe that Law & Litigation looks any better than having a summer job. You have shown motivation and initiative, and not spent your summer on the couch!!</p>