<p>I understand that this week-long summer program increases my chances at USMA-West Point, but does it get recognized at other universities as well? I am specifically looking into Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and of course West Point.</p>
<p>i think it would be excellent for your resume. all those schools would love to see 'Summer Leadership Seminar 2009, United States Military Academy' on there no matter what. as for west point, attending will get you wayyy ahead of alot of people. they open your application file, administer your CFA (very helpful), interview you and everything. in my opinion, you cant go wrong attending sls</p>
<p>Realize that attending the Summer Leaders Seminar will not be a pleasant experience unless you embrace the military academy lifestyle. The other colleges you desire to attend (i.e. Harvard, Yale, etc.) are nothing like the United States Military Academy, and I think going to SLS will help you realize whether the USMA will be the right choice for you.</p>
<p>In short, do not attend SLS to better your appeal to colleges, but go to better understand what the USMA is about and if it is the path that you want to take. Otherwise, I think it'll be a waste of your parents' money=</p>
<p>As a USMA grad, I can still remember the horror on the face of the counselor at Harvard who took me on my tour there when I told her that West Point was my first choice. She could not understand how I could possibly consider both schools when they were SO different. I recall her saying something like "But, but...they're just so REGIMENTED...and we're so FREE!" </p>
<p>My son will (hopefully) be attending all 3 seminars this summer. He really wants to go to USAFA, with USNA as a backup. Since dad & I are USMA grads, we'd really like him to see what West Point has to offer and keep his options open. I attended both summer seminars at USMA and USNA and was probably leaning towards USNA until that point, but never considered it after my 5 days there! (Although I did end up being an exchange cadet and spending a semester there which only reinforced my opinion that I'd made the right choice!).</p>
<p>Both of my younger two sons (now in 8th & 10th grades) I would like to at least get to try one of the summer seminars, just to get them to open their minds up to the possibility of an academy. I think at this point they're just doing the sibling thing (my brother's doing it so I don't want to), and realistically I don't think either of them would be well suited to the military life, but don't want them to just write it off for that reason. I think it would be a good growing experience for them if nothing else, and agree with NCRC4 that it would look good on a resume as well, so I don't think I would consider it a waste of money.</p>
<p>SLS will not have a meaningful role on your resume for an Ivy. Honestly, if you do not have other items that are more prominent, you are not a serious candidate for these schools.</p>
<p>Do it, instead, because it is the best window you'll get into life at the academies (although a bit rose-colored). As NCRC4 mentioned, it is also a great way to get a jump (and a boost) in the application process.</p>
<p>Plus - it can be a lot of fun.</p>