Summer Programs That Look Good on College Applications

EducationOD · May 6, 2011, 8:18pm

Well, there are some called itechs or something along those lines, but if I were you, I would work on independent research with things like technology. Idk, if you know nearby camps or programs, google is your friend.

sunshine02 · May 7, 2011, 11:05pm

Are there any prestigious summer programs for students interested in chemistry?

Geometrizer · May 15, 2011, 1:03pm

Would you say that participating in local math programs looks good?

Because I want to go to a summer math camp but my parents won’t let me.

cqm547 · May 27, 2011, 6:02pm

I’ve basically been really swamped as it’s been spring of junior year, and I thought my family was going to be busy this summer so I ignored all the emails I got about summer programs, but those plans were suddenly cancelled and now I’m racing to try and get something for the summer. What should I do???

Just for some kind of frame: Ivies are my reaches and the tier below the Ivies is where I’m at. I’m interested in political science, international relations, history, law, and languages. I hate science and math.

My tentative ideas:

-I’ll probably be a volunteer paralegal for my cousin.

-I hosted a French girl last summer, so the plan is that I’ll visit her for 2 weeks and she’ll visit me for 2 weeks, probably while my family’s on vacation.

-I could try to go to the still open summer program at BU for a couple weeks and take journalism and law.
Problems:

BU’s not that great and I could’ve gotten into some really great programs had I applied to them earlier.
It’s like $3260, and I’ve read that colleges don’t like people who pay a lot to go to these??

-I could try to go to Girl’s State (Question: how helpful would this actually be? Are they actually good programs? I live in Illinois.)

-Volunteering somewhere?

-Taking French classes somewhere? I can’t take French next year because of schedule conflicts, but I do take Italian as well and language is a focus of mine.

I didn’t much at all freshman year summer or sophomore year summer- how bad is that?

EducationOD · May 27, 2011, 6:07pm

Really, posts like this are soo unaware of ivy league admissions. How are supposed to judge somebody based on what they did or didn’t do over the summer?

Stodaire · May 30, 2011, 4:40pm

Hey, what summer is good for aerospace engineering or astrophysics for an intl high shcool?

stanbrown3695 · June 1, 2011, 2:55am

Does anyone here know any good summer programs for medicine (besides SIMR and NIH SIP)? I’d also prefer programs that only require applicants to pay for transportation… Thanks.

asiero · June 24, 2011, 12:29pm

If you haven’t already made up your mind, then I hope the following will help. I work with a university admissions department and I have seen way too many students waste their summers away before applying to college.

<ul>
<li>If you are going to volunteer, make sure that you are volunteering with an organization that you are truly passionate about. Studies have shown that people that work for companies that support causes they believe in are much more dedicated and reliable then people who work for companies with fewer community ties. Schools know that students who support a particular cause are more likely to work harder and would likely make better candidates than a “Biology” major volunteering as a library assistant just because it’s close to home. If you enjoy your time with the org, then it will likely be evident in your personal essay.</li>
<li>If you work this summer, make sure it is related to your field of study. If you will be working in a paralegal office than I assume you are interested in becoming a lawyer. Be cautious about where you do end up working because ultimately if you are not AT LEAST reaping the benefits of gaining experience for your resume/application. Remember any money you make in your name that is reported to the federal government may/will affect your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) if you are considering applying for Financial Aid in the future. </li>
<li>If you are going to be taking coursework at a university/college, do NOT spend the exhorbitant amount of money to go to a private university. Save your money and take classes at a community college. The grades/GPA are weighted just the same from one to the next so long as you’re not taking a pottery or drawing class. Save your money for when you do finally get into college. Foreign languages are always good because college coursework (at least C or better depending on the school) or AP test scores (at least a 4 on your foreign language subject) will likely fulfill your foreign language requirement at most universities when you do apply (Check with that college’s admissions or registrar department).</li>
</ul>

Things NOT to do all summer:

Nothing! Do not NOT do anything this summer. Show that you have initiative and at least join a club sport or learn to play an instrument but do not become a couch potato!
Working at the mall does NOT get you anywhere UNLESS it’s the only job you can find and you have to support your family somehow. If your family is willing to send you to France for the summer, then it doesn’t sound like your family is starving.

You know what interests you most and that’s usually the best intuition. Follow your passions and you’ll be fine by the time you do finally apply to schools.

Best of luck!

LaPrincesa · June 28, 2011, 12:06am

sooo i’m looking into program that are offered in california and for high school students. i want to be a doctor so preferably, science/bio research programs or something medically-related. any suggestions? i know the ccic program at stanford has been discontinued. i know there is a program called simr at stanford which is extremely competitive to get into. if anybody has heard of any other summer internships/programs in california, please post. or if anybody has had experience with the stanford simr program, i’d love to hear about your experience. thanks!

drumwriter22 · June 28, 2011, 7:18am

I applied to simr for this summer and was rejected. The acceptance rate is like 5%. I’ve heard its amazing though. There is another program I applied to (also denied, it was a rough summer) called city of hope. It is also very competitive <10% I believe. I think they give preference to Cal and socal residents. Thats all I know…hope it helps!

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anyother · July 8, 2011, 3:05am

This summer I’m a rising sophomore, and I’m looking into programs for next summer (2012). The problem is, many programs require you be 16, and I’m towards the younger end of my grade and will turn 16 in late August of 2012. The two that I’m most interested in, the House or Senate Page Program and TASP, I’ll need to wait until the summer of 2013.
Does anyone have any suggestions for me? I’m open to anything in the humanities, history, english/writing, political or legal area.
Preferably prestigious/will look good, and hopefully free or low-cost. Thank you!

amyh125 · July 13, 2011, 12:37am

Is CTY better or is Academic Connections in UCSD better?

Amuchan · July 23, 2011, 10:31pm

What about Duke TIP? Does it look good and is it hard to get into?

Nin10dude317 · July 24, 2011, 4:09am

Probably too late for most, but for 11th graders, Boys and Girls State by the American Legion, especially for government/law prospectives.

jluvsoccer · August 1, 2011, 3:53pm

Another good, substantive summer program (which is highly prestigious in the eyes of colleges) is the Bronfman Youth Fellowships in Israel. It is a free, 5-week trip to Israel which focuses on education and pluralism. You have to be a rising senior and consider yourself Jewish to attend, but your level of observance is inconsequential. The website is bronfman.org (you apply during your Junior year).

megustamath · August 26, 2011, 2:43am

CTY’s age limit is age 16. They probably did something after that(?)
I mean, if they got in RSI after CTY, I’m pretty sure no college would reject them…

sheldonxp · August 26, 2011, 8:41am

Would a summer consisting of:

1 Week of Soccer Camp
3 Weeks of College visits
1 Week of Internship/Volunteer work (As a side note, this isn’t in anything I’m interested in studying, and was conceived through grandparent relations–would putting this on application hurt me?)
The other two weeks spent studying/relaxing.

count as a productive enough summer? I mean surely colleges won’t see anything wrong with a 17 year old taking some time off in the summer?

Nin10dude317 · August 27, 2011, 3:26am

Sure, as long as you’re doing something. Then again, colleges can’t exactly verify you visited colleges for 2 weeks either. If you can, add a summer program for your two weeks of study time. Nobody really commits to studying in the summer.