I have a friend going to a selective research program at a state school (No cost)
and I have multiple friends going into Upenn summer academies and other ivy league camps (Pretty darn expensive ~$8,000 and somewhat selective considering that they needed transcripts, essays, and recommendations)
I am very curious, which one of these programs will
give an upper hand in college admissions
be worth the time/money
i want to know because im doing the state Uni one which was free and im doing some research
but my other friends are bragging about how they are at ivy league schools for their summer programs (They post pics of themselves on the campus, chilling, doing cool activities, etc)
maybe next year ill find the money to attend one?
do colleges care where you spend your summer camps/programs? (state school or ivy league)
No.
That said, a selective free program is considered a bit better than a program that lets everyone in that can write a check - and that include Ivy League Summer Programs. For many of these schools, summer programs are a cash cow.
But in general, as long as you are not spending the summer sitting on the couch playing video games, it won’t matter much what you do, whether an academic program, a paid/unpaid job, volunteering, etc.
Not sure about this specific program, but some of them are not even run by the college. The program just rents space so they can use the name.
The one most of my friends are at is called Wharton Moneyball, it is hosted by the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton school.
Yeah But i know what you are talking about @Eeyore123
You are in the better position. College admissions officers are well aware of what money can buy. It isn’t impressive when parents can write a check.