<p>I have some input from a parent who sent their child to a pre-college camp at Emory last summer. I agree with a lot of what you are all saying…it really depends on the child and the school. All of you are right.</p>
<p>First, I was encouraging my son to attend a pre-college camp. He was not interested in a four week camp we were looking at Washington University St. Louis, Columbia and a few others. Georgetown offered some shorter camps with some nice exposure to Washington DC. Thought they were all great. He had participated in a service trip abroad the summer before.</p>
<p>Second, why did I want my son to attend a pre-college camp? I wanted him to see what it would be like living in a dorm, being in a new setting, see if he liked the college, and most importantly to determine if he really wanted to be that far away from home.</p>
<p>Why did my son decide to attend? He was not interested even after we had visited many of the colleges. I would never bribe my child, would never work for us. Finally a friend wanted to go and then he was more interested. They both looked at the programs and decided on Emory because they both liked the school, the 10 day program, and had several class options in science, liberal arts, and economics. After the two signed up, two more students decided to join them and off they went to pre college camp at Emory. His friend going with him was the key to make him change his mind. Of course our paid college counselor was horrified, thinking he now might be competing with all of these boys in the application process.</p>
<p>What happened at the pre-college camp? Certainly achieved all the objectives of learning he could live away from home, loved the school, loved the kids he met, loved living in the dorm…everything was great. Of the four boys that attended, each one had a very different approach. Never did I say anything to my son about the importance of doing well, because I did not even think about it. Never did I think my son would take the class seriously. I was just worried if he could get up by himself for class…yes a little over mothering going on over here. He got to class at 9:00 am, did all of his homework, took notes, and participated. Emory also conducted meetings almost every day about their programs. They discussed the admissions process, studying abroad, the admission essay, activities on campus, and other topics. Now what happened at night…after class. Yes they had a really good time. My son decided he could not have as good of time as the other boys, because he had a girlfriend at home. The other boys had the time of their life and did not really care about their classes. At this point I don’t think anyone of us really knew they were being evaluated. Even though my son did not party the 10 days away, it was a great experience for him academically, socially, and preparing him for college. It was worth it.</p>
<p>What happened after the class? In September, he received a transcript from the class. I was amazed what his professor wrote that he was the top of his class in participation, academics, leadership, and ability to be successful in college. I could not have asked for more. I did not realize he would receive a transcript that could be sent to colleges like his grade transcript. I do believe this was an important part of his college application, because it was an additional transcript, recommendation, and a great addition to the resume. The transcript by the college professor rated him excellent in all categories, and included a resounding recommendation.</p>
<p>What happened with admissions? My son was accepted early decision to Emory. We have since gone back to Emory and met with his professor to thank him for his evaluation and let him know that he was an important reason my son applied and decided to attend the college. It is great he already knows a professor in one of his possible majors. My son was also accepted into four other schools and submitted his Emory transcript to each one. My son received generous merit scholarships from two. I think it is great to have a fabulous recommendation from a well-respected college.</p>
<p>What happened to other boys? Two of the friends also applied to Emory and they were waitlisted. They did not receive compelling transcripts, so they did not submit them to the colleges they applied to.</p>
<p>Thus the moral of the story is…if your child does not want to attend, what will they really get out of the experience. Momcinco, if she really does not want to attend, I do not think it is worth it. I never believe in bribing my children. At some point they have to do it for themselves. Now like my son, maybe there is something that will make her change her mind and see the light. The friends that attended with my son did get some of the important elements their parents wanted them to achieve from the experience. However, because they were more social than serious in class, the pre-college program was not the ticket into the college or any other college. </p>
<p>I also had a friend send her son to another top school she hoped he might attend. He took a class for college credit (4 weeks) and he got a “C”! Obviously that was not worth it! Fortunately, the “C” college grade did not hurt him. He was accepted to Rice which is a fabulous school despite his lackluster performance at his precollege program.</p>
<p>I believe there is a lot to gain from a precollege program, but I think it is important for your child to want it also. It might be better for your daughter to stay at home and spend a lot of time doing service work she is interested in, and work on her ACT/SAT scores if she is motivated. Don’t make her do something she does not support. I think service work is another great option for kids to gain a perspective of how great their life is, learn to give back…and okay…is great for the resume. The pre college programs can be a great experience, but there are also a lot of great experiences available if your child is not interested. Good luck!</p>
However the bribes SHE proposed are: