<p>Which would you personally rather do? Which do you think looks better on college apps? Which sounds more fun to you?</p>
<p>I'm just wondering because of my own situation. I am trying to find something to do this summer. While I would love to do a summer program/research, I also LOVE summer camp (I have already applied to three camps). I'm just curious as to how everyone else feels about these different summer plans.</p>
<p>Summer camp for sure. JObs are great for applications. You learn terrific skills, plus have fun! My d worked at a camp last summer and will again this year. I also think it is important for her to have some “down time” away from academics. She attended camp as a camper from age 8-15. It is an impt part of her life!</p>
<p>If I’m understanding “summer camp” correctly, that’s not something you would ever put on a college app, is it?
Summer programs are just as fun as camps, IMO. In my experience, camps are fun not because of the activities you do but b/c of the people you hang out with - you can develop those same friendships in a summer/research program, there’s really no difference in that respect.
If you’re going to go to a summer program, go to a free one, like Governor’s School, since they’ll look good on your college app. The residential ones are the most fun, but tend to not be the research programs. An NSLC type paid camp is really, really fun, and you actually learn quite a bit, but it’s not something that’ll get you into college, so you might as well just go to summer camp.
Research internships are good only if you’re into research, b/c there’s usually significantly less interaction time with other people your own age. But a lot of research internships pay, and they probably look better on your app than a Gov School type program, since you actually get a product out of it. So it’s both the experience of being in a lab and the fact that you have a piece of research to present to colleges.</p>
<p>edit:// OH being a counselor, duh xP
Sorry, I’m slow today… I thought you meant Camp Kanata or something ahaha. I suppose that depends on whether or not you need the service hours then. Because I personally think summer programs and research are at least 10 times more fun than camp counseling.</p>
<p>I’m a bit confused by your question. From posts on the MIT forum I thought you are currently a senior applying to college. If so, college apps aren’t a factor any longer. I’d go for a paying job. If being a camp counselor pays and is fun, so much the better.</p>
<p>Go with the camp counseling. Assuming you’re a high school senior, it’d be one last time to be a carefree youngster before you dive into fast paced college life.</p>
<p>My D continued as a counselor between her college freshman and sophomore years. Tried to go retail, but couldn’t resist the lure!</p>