<li><p>How do summer programs/events factor into college admissions? I was 1 of 2 kids selected by my school for a HOBY leadership conference, and I’ll be attending Stanford National Debate Institute (2 week summer camp) this summer and wondering how much it would help me. I’m still doing both either way, but I’m curious.</p></li>
<li><p>How do summer courses taken at a community college factor into college admissions? Will taking summer school help me, admissions-wise?</p></li>
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<p>The types of summer programs can positively affect your application. It shows both ability and desire to challenge yourself. Classes taken for credit at community college can bring your HS GPA down as they are not weighted-learn from our "mistake" and don't submit to your HS GS for inclusion on your HS transcript-but do send in the official transcript to the university admissions office---as they will boost your application from their perspective.</p>
<p>The expensive programs don't boost admissions because they basically just show that you're fortunate enough to come from a family that can afford such programs.</p>
<p>Programs like HOBY can boost admissions IF you follow-up on them by doing something like volunteering with HOBY the next year or by initating some HOBY-inspired activity in a school club.</p>
<p>When it comes to admissions to top colleges, lots of applicants have done HOBY, so it's not going to tip you in.</p>
<p>If you're in a select summer program that's free, that could help you. TASP is one example.</p>
<p>Summer classes may or may not help you. Many students take college summer classes basically to try to look good to colleges. They'd stand out more if they did something else that was following their own passions. Being a clerk in a department store might make, for example, an aspiring business major stand out more than if s/he took a summer course in economics.</p>