<p>Hey all, my first post. Anyways, I was looking at some college summer programs and I came across UChicago's. Basically, I was wondering if anyone else had done it, what their experience was, what class they took, how selective the admissions are, etc.</p>
<p>I'm really interested in economics, so the opportunity to take a class or two over the summer at one of (if not the) world's most prestigious centers of economics education kind of excited me. Also, I know that a few of these summer programs that colleges run for high schooler's are almost impossible to get in to, and that a lot more are relatively easy. Just wondering if anyone had any more insight. Thanks for your time.</p>
<p>Programs that costs thousands of dollars and consist of taking summer classes are often not very selective. If you can show them that you will do the work and you will pay, you can go. (This isn't ALWAYS true, but it is at Harvard and Stanford.)</p>
<p>If you want to study economics, there really is no better place than with prize winners! Chicago would be a good place for you to study this, as you know; do you know if they're offering classes you'd want to take this summer?</p>
<p>(Note that nothing I've said comes from experience with UChicago -- it comes from experience with Stanford.)</p>
<p>Yeah its definately expensive. Its a little cheaper for me because I would be a communter student and wouldnt have to pay for room and board, insurance, and other expenses, but they charge $2200 per class (at least the two econ classes I was looking at). Also, if you're a resident they make you take at least two classes at once.</p>
<p>They're offering Introduction to Microeconomics and Introduction to Macroeconomics, two seperate classes that run for four weeks each, meet 3 times a week for 3 hours and 20 minutes each day. Rough, but doable. One thing that would really help me decide is knowing how well taking these classes would prepare me for the AP econ tests- or even if I would have to take the AP tests (maybe getting good grades in these classes would look better than getting 5s on the APs? Wishful thinking? ;P)</p>
<p>Is there even AP testing for the public at the end of the summer? I know that there are a lot of summer programs that offer AP courses specifically, so I'd think people would want to be tested right away. One of them is Northwestern, which is an even easier commute, they offer courses specifically called "AP Microeconomics" and "AP Macroeconomics". Their program is pretty much one of those where you pay and go. The problem is that they're an all-day affair: the Chicago program is from 6PM to 9:20PM, which would allow me keep my Summer intership that I have been doing for the past two years and wanted to do this year.</p>
<p>If it's something you want to do that won't interfere with other things you want to do and the cost is not prohibitive, then by all means do it! Just because it isn't selective doesn't mean that it is not valuable. Doing well in those classes will look infinitely better than a lot of other things you could be doing between 6pm and 9:20pm. ;)</p>
<p>The AP Exams are ONLY offered in May. No exceptions anywhere. If you take one of those summer programs, make sure you actually learn the material and aren't just memorizing, take good notes, and keep the book so you can review in May. It's doable (block schedule kids often take an AP class in the fall block, so when May rolls around it's been 5 months since they've seen the material), but probably not that great.</p>
<p>I would imagine that Econ at UChi would look better than any AP score, but it might be a good idea to get the AP score just to confirm with standardized testing that you know the material the collegeboard (and by proxy, the colleges considering the exam scores for credit) says you should know. </p>
<p>Good luck deciding! Summer classes at a university are a GREAT way to get an idea of the life (though not ideal -- normal students aren't there during the summer) and classes (though also not ideal -- they usually speed up the summer material) there.</p>
<p>It's a great idea if you really want to do it. But if you're just doing it to improve your chances and have it on your college app, don't bother. It really won't make a difference in my opinion.</p>
<p>"Just because it isn't selective doesn't mean that it is not valuable."</p>
<p>Haha thats opposite of what I meant. I was wondering if it was selective because I didnt know if I'd be able to get in! I think I'll apply and see what happens. It definately can't hurt. Its rolling admissions so I'll know in two weeks, and then if accepted I would have 2 weeks to make a decision.</p>
<p>"It's a great idea if you really want to do it. But if you're just doing it to improve your chances and have it on your college app, don't bother. It really won't make a difference in my opinion."</p>
<p>Really? I mean I am interested in economics, but I thought that it would definately help if I apply to colleges as an econ major, especially if I got a good grade or the prof would write me a rec.</p>
<p>I wasn't trying to imply that was the only reason YOU were asking, just that it tends to be the response CCers give -- case in point, jpps1's response.</p>
<p>I believe it does make a difference on your application. After all, you gave up a summer of fun to buckle down for learning that is probably more difficult than what you do the other 9-10 months of the year at high school. If you can do well at the university, you're giving the adcoms proof that you can succeed in the environment. Will it get you in if you were otherwise going to be rejected? No. (I was denied admission to Stanford, though I took and did very well in the summer classes right alongside undergrad and graduate students.) It can only help, though.</p>
<p>I do agree that if that's the /only/ reason you're doing it, reconsider. I don't know that I'd ask a summer prof for a recommendation, either. Otherwise, it seems like a great thing to do.</p>