<p>I'm interested in doing Yale Summer Session, although nervous about the rigor of it. They even state that a part time job may interfere too greatly. I would be a senior in high school.</p>
<p>Therefore I'm asking, what was your experience with summer classes at Yale or any other college?</p>
<p>What classes are very intense over the summer? What are better fits?</p>
<p>What kind of student should you be? (more than great?) </p>
<p>Other advice?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>All the kids I've known who have done it were bright. It's not the exclusive province of super-geniuses or anything, however. Also, don't do it just because you think it will give you a leg up for Yale College. It won't make an impact as opposed to any other solid summer activity.</p>
<p>The considerable interest or capability it shows is minute? I suppose I immediatly believed it would be useful because a friend of mine who was admitted took classes beforehand. </p>
<p>What is a summer activity of equal value? I'd have a job at the Yale museum...</p>
<p>It is a nice idea to attend the Yale Summer Session.</p>
<p>But yes, do not do it because it is at Yale. Do it out of your love for learning new things and experiencing diversity.</p>
<p>The value of any activity depends on what one learns from it.</p>
<p>A summer activity of equal value would be a similar summer program at any other top flight college or boarding school. It also depends on where the admissions officers' heads are. It used to be that these summer programs were viewed as the best way to spend a summer. Then there was a movement against them because any kid with good grades and a family with money could attend. Ditto for a lot of international summer programs; some felt they didn't prove anything beyond a parent's ability to write a check. So, some people considered having a real summer job at a grocery store or an ice cream shop or whatever as being more authentic and meaningful, showing a willingness to work hard at "menial" tasks. Still others think it's ridiculous for kids to take these kinds of jobs if their parents can easily afford for them to do a meaningful unpaid internship or do a respected summer program.</p>
<p>A summer experience of unusual value would probably be something BIG done through a student's own leadership and initiative. Sorry if this sounds arrogant, but getting into the Yale summer program is nowhere near as difficult as getting into Yale for undergrad. You've got to be smart, but it's not that big a deal to be admitted. </p>
<p>I'm not saying going to Yale for summer school is bad, I'm just saying there are lots of schools of thought about what constitutes the best way to spend the summer for admissions purposes. One thing is certain: if you're doing something transparently for admissions purposes it will hurt you, at least at the elite college level.</p>
<p>I attended one summer session at an Ivy - and I did it just for one particular course and the experience (that experiennce changed my life). And while I was there, I did not even once think about getting in; I just enjoyed the things I was being taught and the diversity.</p>
<p>I think you will find it just as enriching! You'll make lots of friends too!</p>