<p>Hi, I am a current sophomore in high school. I have been accepted to both the 6-week Interlochen High School Summer Piano Program and the Brown Pre-College Program.</p>
<p>I play piano and I love it, however, I know I am not planning to major in piano in college. I actually want to do something in the medical/neurology field, and possibly minor in music. </p>
<p>The Brown Pre-college Program allows me to take two classes, </p>
<p>one on basic neuroscience (The</a> Secret Life of the Brain: From Shrimps to Humans | Brown University),</p>
<p>and the other on the relationship between music and politics/culture (Music</a> & Politics: From Mozart to M.I.A. | Brown University).</p>
<p>I do not get class credit for either of these. It would be purely for enrichment and introduction to both fields. The courses are three weeks, so if I did Brown, I could possibly do something else over the summer (studying, starting a blog, prepping for a school club next year, giving piano lessons to raise money for college). I do potentially plan on applying to Brown for undergraduates come senior year, but I've heard that the programs may not give any edge at all.</p>
<p>However, I checked some of the forums on this site and it seems that the Brown program is non-competitive (some say it's just full of rich kids who simply paid the tuition and got it), lenient (some classes give no homework and last 2 hours, giving the rest of time for free time.), and possibly detrimental towards college admissions (as it wastes an entire summer).</p>
<p>Interlochen, on the other hand, has gotten some really good reviews. The high school program I have accepted into seems prestigious and competitive (it required an audition). It is 6 weeks long, though, and would knock out most other things for the summer. It is also performance-based, which I definitely do not plan on pursuing, though I love music and piano. Here's the link: <a href="http://camp.interlochen.org/program/music/hs/piano%5B/url%5D">http://camp.interlochen.org/program/music/hs/piano</a></p>
<p>So here's the big question: Should I attend Interlochen for its competitiveness and selectivity, though I will not be a music major? Or Summer@Brown for its interesting classes, despite a potential waste of time? </p>
<p>Would attending Interlochen help me out in terms of college admissions towards pre-med?</p>
<p>Any input, or experiences for either of these programs is greatly appreciated. I am very motivated, and I'm looking for a productive and challenging summer that will get me ahead, not a relaxing one.</p>