<p>Suppose if I take Notre Dame's Introduction To Engineering Program over the Summer or North Carolina State's Robotics Workshop, would I be able to list these on my college application for next year? In which category would they be under - maybe EC's? Would they even improve my chances at all?</p>
<p>1) Yes, you could list either on your app - especially if you're applying to one of the schools where the program is held.
2) In the same area as ECs, I'm not entirely sure... if there's any place for programs or whatever, either of these would go there.
3) It'll show you're passionate enough about learning to go to a summer camp about learning. Even if it doesn't help a lot, it should help a little. After all, it's an extra space on your application.</p>
<p>There isn't a place to put summer programs on Common App, but you can put them under ECs. I had a lot of school-year things to put under ECs, so I attached an additional sheet entitled "Summer Activities."</p>
<p>Kids from our "economically-advantaged" school have tried all the summer programs and according to our guidance counselor, "It doesn't help with admissions to those schools". I'd still put it on your resume or application to show you may be serious about engineering.</p>