<p>I would like to know because i have ehard alot of people say that alot of these programs you just need okay scores and the money... so what programs are not like this?</p>
<p>the following are not ranked in any way by me. im just writing them down as i think.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>carnegie mellon's summer program for diversity. its free (except air tickets and some personal expenses). if you get into AP/EA under it, it's the same as the pre-college program that costs $7k.
<a href="http://www.cmu.edu/enrollment/summerprogramsfordiversity%5B/url%5D">www.cmu.edu/enrollment/summerprogramsfordiversity</a></p></li>
<li><p>Research Science Institute at MIT. its free as well. the admission is very rigorous and one needs a very strong math/science background to be admitted. great PSAT score is necessary. i'd say a 220 should put you on the level where they just look at your other achievements.
i know some RSI participants, most of them got into the best universities (harvard, princeton, mit, etc.). rising seniors only
<a href="http://www.cee.org/rsi/%5B/url%5D">http://www.cee.org/rsi/</a></p></li>
<li><p>mathcamp. it costs around $2000. but the admission is a lot harder than programs like harvard ssp, cornell summer, or yale summer session. if you have a strong background in math and can do very well on AMC12/AIME/USAMTS, it's a very good experience and it's certainly a great thing to put on college apps.
<a href="http://www.mathcamp.org/%5B/url%5D">http://www.mathcamp.org/</a></p></li>
<li><p>TASP. im not very familiar with this. all i know is that its free and its a 6-week program at a great university (Cornell, UT Austin, U Michigan, Wash U).
<a href="http://www.tellurideassociation.org/tasp1.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.tellurideassociation.org/tasp1.html</a></p></li>
</ol>
<p>any others?</p>
<p>ssp (summer science program)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.summerscience.org%5B/url%5D">www.summerscience.org</a></p>
<p>Anything that is selective usually is regarded as good, even if they do make you pay.</p>
<p>i think that is what the thread author is aiming for: tough selection/meritocracy.</p>
<p>yes, to clarify, i am not asking for free or cheap programs, i am wonder which programs are selective, and are looked on higher then just okay scores and money</p>
<p>This is from MIT's website: (I love their site!) XD</p>
<p>
[quote]
Summer Programs
If you'd rather study the human genome or build a robot than master the finer points of archery or memorize this year's summer TV reruns, we've got the programs for you:</p>
<p>MIT's residential summer programs offer a great way to keep your brain fizzing happily, get a feel for what it might be like to attend MIT for real, and meet a lot of other young people who also get a kick out of using their heads.</p>
<p>Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science (MITES) Program is an intensive six-week residential academic enrichment program for about 80 promising high school juniors who intend to pursue careers in science, engineering and entrepreneurship, especially those from minority backgrounds and other underrepresented segments of the population. The program is free of charge to participating students, not including transportation. </p>
<p>Research Science Institute (RSI) brings together about 70 high school students each summer for six stimulating weeks at MIT. This rigorous academic program stresses advanced theory and research in mathematics, the sciences and engineering. Participants attend college-level classes taught by distinguished faculty members and complete hands-on research, which they often then use to enter science competitions. Open to high school juniors, the program is free of charge for those selected.</p>
<p>Women's Technology Program (WTP) is a four-week summer academic and residential experience where 60 female high school students explore engineering through hands-on classes (taught by female MIT graduate students), labs, and team-based projects in the summer after their junior year. Students attend WTP in either Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) or Mechanical Engineering (ME). </p>
<p>You may also wish to explore the summer programs listed in the Science Fairs & Olympiads section.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>LEAD Program in Business
<a href="http://www.leadnational.org%5B/url%5D">www.leadnational.org</a></p>
<p>A good rule of thumb is that anything that requires an extensive application (written essay, test scores, teacher recommendation, transcript) is usually not pay your way.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.cogito.org%5B/url%5D">www.cogito.org</a> has a list of summer programs</p>
<p>Generally any summer session offered by an university are just pay your way... Harvard, Columbia and all those other school's summer programs are like that. Programs offered in conjunction with an university are generally better, especially when they have a rigorous application. Programs such as...</p>
<p>Science:
RSI
MITES
SSP</p>
<p>Business:
LEAD</p>
<p>Humanities:
TASS
TASP</p>
<p>Those would be the top ones in each respective fields, however there are so many other great programs.</p>
<p>
[quote]
A good rule of thumb is that anything that requires an extensive application (written essay, test scores, teacher recommendation, transcript) is usually not pay your way.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Well, I can't agree w/ it. </p>
<p>By the way, there is a thread at this Summer Program Section called Free Summer Programs (it can be most likely found in page 9 or 10ish) That's a really helpful source you can check out. :)</p>
<p>I don't know if you would say LEAD becuase it is really expensive. I think around 5000 and it's not like LEAD kids all get into UPENN Wharton or anything. </p>
<p>I think it depends on the person. For example, I went to the Skidmore summer pre-college program last year. Even though the program is not very well known, I got a full ride. So, it wasn't so bad in the end anyway.</p>
<p>Also, your summer program must pertain to your intented major or be something you are interetsed in. RSI is undoubtably great, but also extremely hard to get in. MITES is only for minorites. And SSP is physics and astromony. If you are more interested in Biology and Chemistry, don't try to forced your way into SSP, it's really pointless to spend a summer on astromony when you are not even that into it.</p>
<p>LBW is 5000
LEAD is one month about 1,000 but they give financial aid
like for me they are paying for my travel from Stockton to Philly
and the program and all I have to pay is the 250 activity fee</p>
<ul>
<li>plus the acceptance is pretty loW although the minmum requirements are low most people average at least around 1150+ math and verbal</li>
</ul>
<p>Don't forget about your local gov school, all of which are very selective and totally free.</p>
<p>I'm fortunate to have been accepted into LEAD. I'm also fortunate to have been a minority, because that's the demographic the program targets. </p>
<p>The merits of a program cannot be assessed on numbers alone. It's how it aligns with your goals. A summer program is like summer school in a way. They exist to further you along your educational development. If a program costs money but excels in your chosen area, go for it anyways. I'm paying full price for LEAD plus airfare, but it's still worth it. The engineering program I considered costs more than quadruple of what LEAD costs, and I still think highly of it. Money does not mean worthless, just that you has to be careful of your expectations and research well. BU has a summer research program with a hefty price tag. But, they get kids doing impressive work that puts them in national science fairs. It's about your goals, what you're looking for, and whether a program can give it to you. </p>
<p>Pj</p>
<p>Interning is something you can seek out and benefit from usually without paying anything. It can also help your personal network for recs etc...</p>