<p>Is it better to go to a (possibly prestigious) summer program, get an internship or volunteer job, or take a college course during the summer, particularly if you want to go to an Ivy League?</p>
<p>Depends on the summer program. Here is the tipping point on that…“prestigious” means it is free or you get paid to go. “Prestigious” is not something that you pay a lot of money to at a highly ranked university (eg, a paid program at an Ivy).</p>
<p>Your best bet is to do something that deepens/broadens an interest you already have been pursuing, preferably something a little bit “against the flow” of what everyone else is doing.</p>
<p>If you have not read the book “How To Be a High School Superstar” by Cal Newport, give that a read. It will help you see how to make choices set yourself apart from the crowd and still do what interests you.</p>
<p>Ah, good to know! Never knew that 
Better for me, anyway- not paying for a summer program. Sorry, but it’d be out of my own pocket.</p>
<p>Also, not that I need whatever I do to be in August… I won’t be in the States in July. I haven’t found any August programs yet. All July.</p>
<p>Bump? (Are bumps allowed here?)</p>
<p>Do something volunteer , not a fancy program . My D volunteered on a farm abroad before college .</p>
<p>Last year, I volunteered at an eco place in another country Any other suggestions?</p>
<p>Also, I’m still volunteering at that place, but half the summer. Then, I’m coming back to the states in August, so I need something to do here. :)</p>
<p>Bumping this thread</p>
<p>The internship my D thought was a sure bet just fell through. She feels that she missed the boat on planning for the summer. Any advice? She is going to be a senior next year and is aiming for some top schools.</p>
<p>^@ Chinablue I sent you a pm with a long message
Honestly…sleep
But of course we all wish we could do that but don’t get to haha. I know it sounds corny but the most important thing to be doing is someting, anything! It depends on what your interests/what you feel most like doing-
Volunteer: At the hospital, library, old home, soup kitchen
Intern/research- if your lucky enought to snag one jump on it
Study: take classes at CC or online or somthing!
Work: $$$ is important and awesome trust me</p>
<p>Oh man mango, I so agree with you. Summer after Freshmen year, I slept 12 hours a night for a whole month. Summer after sophomore year, I was always tired and I had a job. Junior year has been the worst so far ((I’ve been “fortunate” to have 4 hours in nap time today, and MIGHT give myself one later… have to get ready for school in three hours, ugh.)) in terms of sleep, so I am NOT looking forward to the summer. I wanna’ just hibernate and reeeaadd!!! T_T</p>
<p>But thank you! Anyone else have an opinion on this? I’m probably going to do what’s available (which seems kinda’ obvious) but if there are “better availabilities,” so to speak, then… I’ll choose the better one? XD</p>
<p>You’re too late for anything “prestigious” this summer. Those apps were due awhile ago. </p>
<p>Just volunteer in your field of interest, take a CC class, get a job, etc. and yes, SLEEP! I feel you on the lack of sleep thing. Junior year truly is awful. I cannot wait for this time next year.</p>
<p>Ah. That sucks. >_< Hopefully I’ll find something where I could sleep. I’d actually love to take a CC class. I feel colleges might think I’m boring… but I just think it’d be so awesome. One class and no others? I’m almost guaranteed to ace it, it’d be such a blessing and possibly an interesting experience. (gosh I sound so nerdy but eh w/e) And I could potentially multitask (class, job, volunteer, etc.), it’s just, if I took a summer program, well… I’m stuck there. XD Does this mean I should not take a summer program, then, and other stuff would look better?</p>
<p>Bump bump bump</p>
<p>Heheh! Thanks chinablue :)</p>
<p>I’m thinking about getting a paying job (or two) since my mom broke our laptop and I REALLY want a Mac. (which would probably also help me out in college)</p>
<p>Well, the laptop works now… so now I can really do anything again</p>
<p>Bumping this thread</p>
<p>Get a job! It looks great for colleges and it’ll teach you a new kind of work ethic. You can save the money for other stuff (app fees and college are coming up). </p>
<p>You could get a job and take a class if you want.</p>
<p>Anything specific? I doubt I’ll get anything fancy. I mean seriously, would it look good if I ended up making sandwiches in a deli? LOL. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but I’m just saying!</p>
<p>I would love to do that, though. :)</p>