Hello guys, I am a current rising junior looking for summer programs to apply to for the 2018 summer. I would like to know the more prestigious ones, the ones that kind of “hook” you at certain places. I am aware of TASP, and as well as UPenn’s LEAD. Are there any more programs you suggest?
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A summer program isn’t a hook. The kids who get into the most prestigious programs were going to have great college admissions results with or without those programs. So don’t think about it that way. Think of it like this:
- A summer program should give you a chance to explore a possible career option or deepen an interest you already have or build skills in an EC area you enjoy.
- It is fine if a summer program shows you what you DON’T want to do in college. That is valuable, too.
- If you really want to do a program, treat it a bit like colleges. Have a couple “reaches” (like TASP), but have backup or less well known options, too. One challenge with that is timing. It isn’t like colleges with one date where they all want an answer if you will be attending. My kid waited a bit to apply to less prestigious programs – she didn’t miss the dates, but purposely lagged a bit so she could see if she got any traction with better known programs.
- Guess what? She ended up at a less well known program, and it mostly showed her what she DIDN’T want to major in. But she still got into every college she applied to, including some top schools.
- You can stay home and not to a program, and still get into great colleges. Lots of students can’t afford them. They might get involved in their community or pursue some personal interest in depth, and do just as well in admissions as someone who went to a program.