anyways, i just did a 6 day summer program in D.C. Its called the NSLC (national student leadership conference) in intelligence and national security. I am wondering whether this helps a lot in the college applications. Also, the program gives the opportunity to high schoolers to do college credit, by writing a number of papers and mailing them in on their due date, and a professor from American University grades them. It costs 525, but it is not scam or anything, its fully valid. Does anyone think that doing this will help out a lot on college applications… or not? thanks all
<p>It will help if you mention that you do take classes for credit. But how are 6 days going to help you get credit? Most summer classes are at least six weeks (give or take a week or two).</p>
<p>Doing something in the summer (other than watching TV) always helps on college applications--it shows you're taking an initiative for your own education. But the program is important too. NSLC is decent program, but if you're interested in intelligence and national security, there are programs for high school students that allow you to study for six weeks at university in that field, while providing access to key note speakers that NSLC also provides. </p>
<p>Junior Statesmen of America have programs at Stanford, Georgetown, and Yale to name a few in that field. The program at Georgetown also provides many opportunities to visit D.C. and meet with officials. It was one of the programs I considered (though I opted for something else in the end).</p>
<p>Nonetheless, NSLC would be a good choice if you're really interested in it.</p>
<p>Personally, I think the NSLC program will only help you in the case that you are on par with another applicant, just like the Who's Who Among American High School Students and the National Honor Roll awards. When I make this assertion, I need to point out that I am assuming that you are shooting for a tier one college such as Harvard, Princeton, etc.
Primarily, you need to look at the qualifications for NSLC. Even though in the mail they send you they include a nice certificate (artificial in value), you need to realize that only participation from a nondescript organization, such as Key Club International, and a mediocre GPA, (3.8 +) are needed to qualify, making it banal for the pool of applicants for top colleges.
Secondly, although I did not chose to attend NSLC for internship reasons (I would have if I had nothing else to do during the summer), I think, judging by its descriptions, that this program will just let you meet important people and go to special places, but is not actually conducive to a purely educational environment.
Finally, in regards to college credit, many applicants can gain college credit easily through other means.
In conclusion, while I believe that this program is definetely of some use, and I recommend it if you have nothing else to do (and if you can afford it. . .), NSLC will not provide you the edge as some of the other programs, such as RSI. I think if you expand on what you gained from your experience with NSLC, you will gain a greater edge.</p>
<p>Any summer program will help a little. I attended that same NSLC program in DC last Spring, and last summer I went to the JSA Princeton summer school for 6 weeks. I honestly believe that these programs helped my admission into some of my schools. I got into UMich, GWU, BU, and Michigan State with a 30 ACT, 1340 SAT, 3.75gpa, and a few extracurriculars.</p>
<p>I think the JSA Program helps more than the NSLC program because of the classes that you take.</p>
<p>I did a summer program at UCLA and I am convinced that helped me get in to Berkeley, UCLA, Georgetown, and Washington and Lee with a 1270 SAT I, 4.0 UW GPA, and extracurriculars.</p>
<p>Hey. . .can anyone get me non-bias information on the JSA program or other programs. . .I need to start thinking about what to do for the summer after my Junior year (hopefully RSI, but who am I kidding?)</p>
<p>Though I never attended the JSA Program, it was under serious consideration. With the descriptions and depth of courses listed (as well as their instituitions), I would recommend JSA. However, in the end, I opted for a more open program that allowed me to take any class I wanted at UCLA, while living with other high school students. It was more fun, and probably a lot less professional than JSA, but it was worth the experience. </p>
<p>The program is Summer Discovery. I did <a href="mailto:SD@UCLA">SD@UCLA</a>. You take classes at the university (with no restrictions) and you're not in special college courses just for high school students, but actual regular courses. It was a good experience and I enjoyed it. Not to mention that the program takes you out on trips every weekend and always has something to do. Again, it's definitely less academic than JSA. We did have admission officers come in, including universities from Stanford and Georgetown.</p>
<p>Yo, consider Northwestern's summer program, too. I loved it, most people do. You don't get college credit, I believe, but you do get high school credit and you take one class for three weeks. they offer APs. My bro took AP USH there over the summer and when the test rolled around the next spring he shot a 5.</p>
<p>Summer Discovery is definitely not as competitive. You basically take college classes with regular students at the university and SD provides trips to places for fun and what not. From what I'm gathering, Summer Discovery may not for you as you're seeking something more serious and professional.</p>
<p>There are programs at Stanford, Harvard, and Cornell (independent from third parties like JSA) that offer students an opportunity to study/research there and those are competitive.</p>
<p>Northwestern's is the Center for Talent Development, or CTD. It's probably not as prestigious or as hardcore as such things as RSI, Harvard Summer School, etc., but you know what? You work hard and it's honestly a good time. The friends I've made there are the best ones I have. Two three-week sessions each summer, some go for both, most go for the first or the second only.</p>
<p>I went to NSLC last summer! It was absolutely awesome... although I didn't do any of the college credits. I think just by going to the program and paying that nice spiffy 3000 bucks was enough. Besides, I don't know if all the colleges will recognize the credits. Just like the deal with AP exams... You might have to call the admissions.</p>
<p>Most universities do take a limited amount of credits from universities; but these units may not necessarily be applied to requirements, but rather, elective units. And you can also file a petition to get credits given, if they deny.</p>
<p>But yes, you do take the risk of having non-transferable units.</p>