<p>I'm currently in 10th grade and will be a junior next year. I used to live in California but I don't live in America anymore. I'm wondering if this summer I should do a summer program (probably at Brown or Columbia) or do some sort of voluntary community service program with an animal shelter or helping kids or something. I'm interested in both, but I'm not sure which colleges would look at better.
I've heard that the summer programs are really fun but I'm wondering if they're worth the expense? </p>
<p>Thanks! </p>
<p>Colleges don’t have a hierarchy of activities. Do what you want to do.</p>
<p>I would say a competitive summer program. However, the ones at Brown aren’t competitive, and I’m not sure about Columbia. If you’d like help finding competitive programs, comment your interests. As a point of reference, most competitive programs are free, though some great ones are as expensive. For this summer, you may be rather late for any great programs, though you never know.</p>
<p>For community service, try something with some degree of responsibility and not something everyone else does. </p>
<p>For summer, I would also suggest internships or research with a professor, depending on your interests. Again, finding these for this summer will be harder because it is quite close to summer. Good luck!</p>
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<p>Pay to play summer programs are fine if you are interested in the subject and can afford them. However, don’t go with the expectation that they’re going to help you for college admissions.</p>