D2 was offered a summer camp job in our city. She was offered few thousand $ as an exempt employee, which meant she wouldn’t get any overtime, but was required to attend training, and open house events at the camp. When I added all the hours, it was less than minimum wage. Just on principle, I told her not to take the job because I knew how much they were charging the parents. I told her I would prefer if she stayed home to eat bon bons. I am one of those people who do not believe in non-paying or below minimum wage internships.
If you were to ask college counselors what are “impressive” summer programs, they would say selective programs that are free, like TASP, state Governor’s school, top music/art performing programs…There are some paid programs that are selective and very well run, which includes some of those college summer programs. What’s beneficial with those college summer programs is it can be a good way of showing interest and love. One can often write a much better “Why college X” when one has spent some time there, this is especially the case with schools that have Tufts syndrome.