do summer programs help at all with admissions?

[Anonymous]

My junior is passionately interested in Barnard. Would like to ED next year. It's 150% her first choice. She wants to attend a woman's college.
She's a top student at a top DC private so her chances are probably as decent as they can be (but still very much a lotto).
Would it help her application at all to do a summer program there? They have a 7 week pre-baccalaureate program (for college credit with Barnard faculty) but it is $$.

[Anonymous]

Don’t know if it helps with admissions but Columbia, with whom Barnard is affiliated, has 1 and 3 week residential and online programs that are likely less $$ than a 7 week program and may be just as helpful.

[Anonymous]

I think they help

[Anonymous]

Barnard awards credit for scores of 4 or 5 on many AP exams. If she will receive credit that can be used toward a Barnard degree and will also be able to use AP scores to get more credit, you might be able to save money long-term if the summer course gets her to a full semester's worth. Of course, most students won't want to graduate early due to social reasons, so that might not work practically.

The summer program might also help her confirm that it's the right place for her.

All that said, attending a summer program at a school you really want to attend is very iffy with regard to admissions and not likely to yield more than some other worthwhile summer pursuit, like perhaps a class at a local school that's less selective and might be on her radar as a safety. The only way it's likely to help is if she makes a major connection with one of the faculty members, who subsequently goes to bat for her with the admissions office. Like I said, iffy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think they help

while i think they are largely cash cows for top schools preying on families interested in prestige, they may - may - help if a school values a student's "demonstrated interest" in their institution.

[Anonymous]

no they do not unless you are already in their range.

[Anonymous]

I think it helps show interest in the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:no they do not unless you are already in their range.

I said it helps show interest - but I also agree with this.

[Anonymous]

I would not do it thinking it would help. I could see doing it so the kid could get a sense of what the campus/neighborhood was like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:no they do not unless you are already in their range.

OP here.
kid is "in range".

[Anonymous]

No, just shows that you have $$$

[Anonymous]

My friends kid did a UMD summer programmer after 8th grade. She got an A+ in a college level class. I think that says something about her ability. In general I do not think they help more than a job or another activity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, just shows that you have $$$

+1

[Anonymous]

Cash cow targeting desperate suckers…….complete scam.

[Anonymous]

I did one at Grinnell. I decided not to apply, but received a call from one of the professors and an admissions person asking me to reconsider. I think if you make a positive impression, it helps