Just wondering…what is everyone’s opinions on summer programs, are they worth the money? Do colleges use them much in admissions? I’m doing one at Cornell this summer in architecture (luckily we got a good financial aid package so it’s semi-affordable) and I’m really excited. It’s a six-week program and I’ll be recieving a letter grade in two 3-credit courses. If I earn A’s in these courses, will that be much of an asset on my applications? If anyone has any personal experience, I’d love to hear from you…
<p>Go for the fun of it. If you are going for your app, it is not worth the money.</p>
<p>But it will help your app in certain ways (in your case, primarily at Cornell). It shows interest. An outstanding rec from a professor would be a huge plus.</p>
<p>Other than that, those are the only benefits UNLESS the program is hard to get into. If it is, then it can be a major boost. RSI, the med program, is almost guaranteed admission to many top universities.</p>
<p>i don't think rsi is just a med program...</p>
<p>If you have other plans, don't cancel them for summer programs.</p>
<p>Thanks, I really am looking forward to it, and I definitely am doing it for more than an admissions boost (though I'm planning to apply ED to Cornell, so I can't say the idea didn't cross my mind). I was just hoping for a little icing on the cake :)</p>
<p>If you are going to summer programs that pertain to your major then yes. My school's valedictorian is off to Harvard with nearly a full scholarship after doing those summer programs at places like UPenn. Good luck.</p>
<p>D did two summers at Brown, taking 7 week courses with Brown upper classmen. She had a great time, didn't want to come home. She took courses, with great professors, that you could never get in high school. The Brown high school students were treated as college students, completely independent. While the summer programs don't have a large impact on applications, I believe it varies with the type of course work and whether it is a regular college class. It also matters whether you pursue interests that transcend the summer program. We'll never know if it mattered, but D was admitted to HYP, Columbia, Dart, Brown, Amherst, Williams, Swarthmore, among others for this fall.</p>
<p>"My school's valedictorian is off to Harvard with nearly a full scholarship after doing those summer programs at places like UPenn. Good luck."</p>
<p>You do know that Harvard gives only need based aid, no merit aid. Your stats have no bearing on your aid package, only your family financial situation.</p>
<p>Go to shorter summer programs..
Like a 1.5 Week summer engineering program at NC State..</p>
<p>Went to the NC State engineering program last summer. It was great--just the right amount of time. I'm going to Tennessee Governor's School--it's five weeks. Yikes--I know it'll be great, but by the time I get back I''ll have to cram in my AP English reading. It was free though, so that helps, and I'll get 6 college credits.</p>