<p>I have a daughter currently in 8th grade who is interested in the Freshman Scholars Program at Princeton. I am looking for reviews/feedback from anyone who knows anything about this particular program or others that focus on history/government or international relations. Program is very costly so before she applies, I want to find out a little more about it. </p>
<p>The description online states" The program fosters a close-knit, supportive and intellectual community for the exploration of political leadership. The curriculum includes robust academics with Advanced Placement U.S. Government in the morning, plus a dynamic and interactive Congressional Workshop in the afternoon and evening, where students discuss and debate important issues, thus enhancing their analytic and communication skills as well as their appreciation and respect for diverse ideas, new points of view, teamwork and problem solving processes."</p>
<p>So $4850 plus airfare, and anything off campus that is pricey for an AP Govt class. AP Govt is a 1 semester course at your local high school and the only fee is the AP exam unless your high school pays or your student is eligible for a fee waiver.</p>
<p>If what you are paying for is the experience of a summer on a great campus that is another issue. If you are looking to boost an app later on down the road that I would not advise. As the parent of a p’ton alum my kiddo did not do this. He did take the AP at his local high school and spent his summers NOT paying for an expensive summer program. </p>
<p>Depends on your child’s goals and motivations.</p>
<p>Thanks Kat, Looking for the experience. Plenty of AP classes D can take at her school, including AP Govt. Not looking boost her college app either, she will only be entering 9th grade. She goes to a rigorous school and is most likely not ivy league material. She will end up in a good place for her without us having to do extras. The cost will be a stretch and she will have to give up her beloved basketball camp but we can probably swing the cost. It is scheduled the same dates as her beloved basketball camp, but that will be her decision to make. It was something she asked about, will ask her advisor at school for her opinion also, so I figured I would do some research. </p>
<p>For that price, she could travel internationally. Would that be a better experience? It sounds like be a fine program, but it is rather expensive, and I’m not sure it offers much she wouldn’t get at her own school (our AP gov class includes things like model congress.), other than that sleep-away campus experience. Also, I believe she would have to wait until May to take the AP exam.</p>