How to Choose A Summer Program

Summers used to be a time to unwind, be with family, work, travel or maybe get some summer schoolwork done.

Thanks to a more competitive college admissions landscape and theory that admissions counselors expect still more, additional summer activities have emerged: courses and programs at colleges, internships, and unique volunteer work.

Summer programs offered at college campuses can be anything from 1 to 6 weeks in duration and range from almost every imaginable area of study.

Possible Summer Options May Include

Music, health sciences, engineering,sustainability, business, and technology, They can be local or a flight away.

One key benefit for students that may have never left home, is to experience what it is like to be a roommate, without the ability to lean on mom or dad.

Pay to Play vs. Organic Summer Activities

I often hear parents say that you shouldn’t need to pay for a program to demonstrate a student’s distinctiveness.  And there is some truth to that.  Some believe that enrolling in  a program at a college they would love to attend is a ticket into gaining acceptance.

So how should this Pay for Play be viewed?

The more competitive the college is, the less likely attending a session at that school will influence the decision.  A student should enroll in a program if he/she is interested in learning more about a discipline.  The natural outcomes could be enhancing the interest in the subject area or learning that it is no longer of interest.  But, most importantly, the student has the opportunity to grow as an individual scholar.
Organic work.

Certainly there is nothing wrong with adding to a resume without signing up for an official program.  Some work that students do on their own could be to engage with a college professor, or graduate student, and offer to help them with their research.
Choose quickly.  Some programs fill up by the end of winter or earlier and the more competitive ones require a thoughtful application essay or two.

Summary
The goal is to enhance the high school experience while on summer recess. We can help guide you to summer programs, so reach out to us.