<p>Hey everyone,</p>
<p>I'm a sophomore and need some advice on what to do this upcoming summer. I was set on dual enrolling to take General Physics 1 (calculus based, I'm in AP Calculus BC now) and Math Proof and Structure (prerequisite for high level math courses). I have all of the paperwork filled out and everything was set and done. But recently I was offered an application for an internship at the Ford Research and Advanced Engineering Center. Keep in mind this is just an application, but if I do get accepted it's an 8 hour NONPAYING workday 5 days a week for 8 weeks. I can't just push it off for a year because I am graduating one year early (I get senior status junior year so I don't miss out on prom or anything else, so let's not debate my decision). This is my last summer before I go off to college so I want to make it as beneficial as possible. So how would admissions committees weigh dual enrollment against a valuable work experience at Ford. I will still be dual enrolling in the fall and winter semesters next year, but the internship would shift everything back a semester. I'm worried about the nonpaying aspect of the internship because dual enrollment is quite expensive and my family is lower middle class.</p>
<p>I'd love to hear suggestions and opinions</p>
<p>Taking the financial aspect out, I’d go with the internship (if you’re admitted), since taking college General Physics 1 and Math Proofs first semester senior year would be impressive on its own, it doesn’t need to be taken during the summer - so the internship would be a significant addition to your resume.
However if you intended on working for money in addition to the college classes, this may be a problem. Is there a scholarship application along with the internship, to help students with costs?</p>
<p>The internship doesn’t have a scholarship aspect to it. Both of my parents are telling me to go with the internship as well, but they might be saying that to save 3 grand on college.</p>
<p>
???
Does the internship come with a college scholarship for after graduation?
If you didn’t intend to work for money over the summer, then the internship is the best choice (since you gain something significant while losing nothing - taking these two classes first semester senior year will be plenty as far as college admissions are concerned).
What colleges are you hoping to apply to?
Note that some colleges will ask you how you spent your summer as part of the short essay section, and “internship” will be better than “taking classes” (taking classes all year round may make you sound like a “drone”, those kids who do nothing but study.) BTW being able to say you spent some time camping/at the shore/doing something fun with friends or family in complement to the internship would be good, too.</p>
<p>Man if you got some huge gray matter, then take the internship like manna from heaven. First, it will give some weight to your resume (which counts greatly when seeking for a job). Secondly, internships are great tools on working out your abilities…you wont be the same after that internship. Let your parents worry about the saving part…its part of their responsibility, you shouldn’t take it from them…</p>
<p>Again, the internship doesn’t come with a scholarship. If I were to take those two classes this summer, it would cost about $3,000.
I plan on majoring in physics, eventually I’d like to be doing research in either particle or high energy physics. My first choice college is MIT but I will also be applying to Princeton, Caltech, Berkeley, University of Michigan, Stanford, and Lawrence Tech. They’re pretty much all reach schools but I’m confident at least one will accept me.
I see what you mean about being a “drone”, I don’t want to give that impression because it’s horribly inaccurate and I do many things besides study.</p>
<p>Thanks Dexter. My parents aren’t really involved in helping me with college stuff, I have to nag at them for weeks before they take any action. Usually I have a hard time even getting a ride to the university just to talk to an academic advisor. I made sure my dad knows what the costs are so I’m trusting he will make something work. I’ll be going for every scholarship I can get my hands on (none come with the internship).</p>
<p>Oh, I see, when you speak of saving $3,000 on college costs, it’s this summer’s classes, not your actual college. Sorry, I misunderstood what you meant.
If you’re accepted for that internship, it’ll be much better for your resume (not that those two classes are bad :p).
What’s in-state for you? Michigan I assume?
Will you also include Michigan Tech? What about HarveyMudd? Olin? Lawrence (WI)? RPI? Columbia SEAS? Cornell? Dickinson? Bucknell? </p>
<p>I agree with the majority: Take the work experience if you can get it, even if it’s non-paying. It’s better for your resume, but also for your personal growth.</p>
<p>I’m from Michigan. I’ve considered Michigan Tech and HarveryMudd, I’ll probably apply but I’m not crazy about them. The only other ivy I’ve considered is Brown.</p>
<p>Why not SEAS?
What about Lawrence (excellent for physics).</p>
<p>I listed Lawrence Tech already. Harvard doesn’t seem to click with me, I’ve read all about them and talked with alumni. It’s just not the place for me. </p>
<p>The SEAS mentioned above is Columbia’s (the Ivy League university in New York City).
<a href=“http://engineering.columbia.edu/”>Home | Columbia Engineering;
I didn’t mean Lawrence Tech, I really did mean Lawrence, the university that’s nationally ranked for its Physics program, with a “R1” program linking undergraduate to big research projects in top research universities.
<a href=“http://www.lawrence.edu/”>http://www.lawrence.edu/</a>
Lawrence would probably have nice merit scholarships for you , and SEAS provides 100% need so if you’re lower middle class and can get into Columbia, you’d essentially have a near full ride.</p>
<p>I looked into both SEAS and Lawrence. SEAS seems to only have an applied physics major, I’m more interested in the theoretical side. Lawrence though appears like a great university, I’ll look into them further and possibly pay them a visity over spring break.</p>