<p>For the folks with summers that are broken up with short term programs and family vacations…</p>
<p>It really is OK if your teen spends a few weeks doing nothing. It really is OK if they spend some time reading trashy novels, hanging out with friends, sleeping late, etc. They do not have to have every minute of the summer packed with things. I do think that a whole summer with nothing going on is not a good idea, not from a college application perspective, but just because it isn’t good for the kids to be idle for 3 months. But a few weeks of idleness will not hurt your teen and may help them feel more refreshed and relaxed when school starts again in the fall. IMHO…</p>
<p>What state do you live in? I did a lot of searching for summer programs that were affordable, and if you live near me, I would be happy to share some of the info with you.</p>
<p>New Jersey - Rutgers has what looks like a great microbiology summer day program for high school students. There’s a BIG catch, however - it’s not just summer, and a biology teacher from your child’s high school has to attend. Plus, the program continues through the school year. Our town is about an hour west of RU, and many of our teachers live in PA, so I am doubtful that one of our teachers would be willing to spend three weeks commuting to New Brunswick. I don’t see a tuition associated with it, but there may be a small fee.</p>
<p>I agree with all that work for money is best. I hire for our management development program often. I am baffled and so disappointed with the number of college students that load their resume with unpaid internships but have never received a paycheck. Working for money is a wonderful life lesson. </p>
<p>My D has asked to attend a summer program, however I vetoed it in favor of her working. She has started her search now.</p>
<p>It’s an organization that tries to get girls from the midwest to selective summer programs. It has scholarships so it might be worth investigating. </p>
<p>Moderators: please don’t see this as spam. I have no connection with the org but just passing along info.</p>
<p>$1200 for 3 week residential camp. Included room/board/classes/ trips. We flew my son there and back, it was his first experience flying by himself. Airfare on southest was $160 round trip. Cheaper than driving! So the program was still a good deal.</p>
<p>My son spent his high school summers working at the local triple A level baseball park, selling lemonade and cotton candy. He wrote a great essay about how baseball mirrors life. No pricey programs ( but he was valedictorian of his IB class with many good ECs) and he was accepted to all the schools to which he applied, including Ivies. Is now a grad student at UVA</p>
<p>Echoing a job. Sometimes you have to give up to get and we have all been there…that point in life where you simply can’t do “everything” anymore. I really have no doubt in my mind that pricey summer enrichment programs = jobs in terms of weight given in college admissions. If a parent can afford it fine. But if the budget is stretching because of some belief that it is somehow “better” to pay for an enrichment experience than bus tables I, for one, don’t buy it. Not to mention that every kid should have a paying job of some sort before they pound pavement as young adults, the skills learned as someone pointed are are invaluable.</p>
<p>just as an FYI, my son worked a part time job, and took a few community college classes between Junior and Senior year. The job has been a wonderful growth experience for hm, and like other people, I highly recommend it!</p>