What is the difference between a good and bad summer program?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think there is a poster here who is terrified someone else’s kid might get a boost that theirs is not.

As others have said, they vary. Obviously, the elite, free ones are best. But Ones that are run by the school give closer to an authentic experience than the for profit companies, especially if taught by actual professors. Some give credit. Sounds like Davidson gives a boost. Most don’t but it helps in that it is something substantive to put on your application, especially if graded and/or giving credit.

My kid did one at RISD and they did a portfolio review, which was really helpful for kids who wanted to apply (mine did not, but the summer program helped them rule out art school, which was worth its weight in gold).

So it’s not an easy in, but if you can afford it, it’s better than playing video games all day. If you can’t afford it, there are plenty of other things to do over the summer that look good on an application. There is more than one approach.

Davidson also offers financial aid to applicant's who can't afford the $4,000 cost and accepts almost 40% of applicants. For anyone who has a rising junior or senior next year who may be interested, note that Davidson hasn't had a July Experience program the last 3 years but likely will again next summer 2023. It's a great program with professors that are accessible to the kids outside of class and plenty of bonding activities for the roughly 100 students in the program. Davidson also has a Lake Campus w/beach that is open to the students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only kids who participate in these programs are rich kids whose parents wrongly think participating will boost college admissions chances. Colleges know this, and cater to this demographic. The programs are cash cows for colleges, and they're happy to take your money.

We're not exactly rich, and I also take issue with your assessment. Our kid is participating because they aren't old enough to work, don't want to do an intense sport or outdoor camp this summer, and we have an affinity for the school where they're headed for a few weeks. It's a lot of money, which I am SURE they are happy to take, but it's also just kind of worthwhile for a kid to have a sleep away experience, right? Not all kids want to swim in a lake for two weeks. So while I'm sure there are definitely kids there whose parents want an admissions boost, there are others who just...want to be on a college campus with other kids for how weeks.

Meh. The kid could volunteer or something. Doesn't need to "practice" living in a dorm -- the real thing will come soon enough.

Besides, you're doing it because you have an "affinity" for the college, as you said. You're secretly hoping for an admissions boost.

That's silly - its like saying those who tour a college are hoping for a boost.

[Anonymous]

OP - don't expect any college admissions boosts.

If your child is interested in taking a class they don't have access to via HS, wants to explore an area they might consider for college, or simply just wants to take an extra summer class then these are good options. Your child will include these as evidence of their interest in a certain subject, an previous exploration they decided to set aside, or simply to show curiosity and love of learning.

Some programs are more expensive than others (and some are VERY expensive).

When we were looking at these programs, DC had specific interests in mind. One program was to "explore" a future major (and they have decided to pursue that as a major/minor) and the other was to take classes in a topic not available in school (and will also pursue that subject as a major/minor).

The final choices were made based on program descriptions and content. There were different programs available and they were definitely not cookie-cutter in our case; it was easy to see which ones covered more substance in what DC was looking for. Both offered college credit potential but this was not a factor in DC's choice. (One give future credit at the school running the program, the offered options to pay for credit via a school that teamed up with the professional organization that runs the program). One deciding factor was the length of the program was and when it happened in the summer. In the subject area of "potential future major", there were several choices but not TONS - so I guess that helps too.

As for the various comments on CTY above - although this is an expensive option, the residential courses for 7-11th graders are really amazing and often quite unique. Our DC took CTY before HS. The courses were very rich in material, with great teachers, and a nice cohort of classmates. The counselors also were great and created a very unique set of activities for out of class time. No course or camp has come close to what CTY offered for the 3 summers DC spent in the residential program.

However, you should NOT consider CTY as being affiliated with JHU undergrad. It is run separately and they hire (very smart) graduate students that have nothing to do with JHU.

DC was not interested in attending CTY after 9th grade, which turned out to be a moot point because COVID canceled it anyway. They also have not expressed interest since (good thing given troubles this year). That said, the experience in those courses are still unique to any HS course, camp, or experience they've had since.

This is all to say, if your child is drawn to a course at CTY that isn't offered somewhere else, and if you can afford it or get FA, then it is still worthwhile to consider. But in no way would I say this is a place to "start" your search if there are many options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have experience with Brown's summer program? Is it well-run?

I went to it in parent times.

When I went, the classes and everything else under the school’s control was great. The school seemed to be taking the program seriously, not farming it out.

From my perspective as a nice Midwestern kid, a lot of the other students were really obnoxious and not all that serious about learning. The experience kept me from applying to any school Ivy League school. The program gave me the impression that the Ivy League schools must be full of people like the DCUM college bashers: Nasty dopes who just wanted to dominate other people, not bright people who actually wanted to learn things.

That was probably an inaccurate impression, and I think it has to do with the cost of the program. The cheaper a good program is, the more likely it is that the other students will be serious students, not creeps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. Do not expect an admissions advantage. They are viewed as an extracurricular only on the college application and are no more valuable in their eyes than a summer job or volunteer experience.

2. The best ones are run by the college itself and offer actual transferrable course credit

3. Don’t fall for gimmicks like the overpriced summer camp known as Johns Hopkins CTY

Don't bash a program bc your kid can't get in.
JHU CTY is not a pay to play program. It's for the top 5% or so.

Just because it's for bright students and requires a test score to get in, it does not mean that isn't ALSO an overpriced summer experience. And I say this as someone who admires their course offerings and find their classes generally well run. Just don't expect anything other than intellectual pleasure in the moment, and a lightened wallet.

THIS is exactly the purpose of CTY. Such an odd statement....the whole point is to provide a deep intellectual experience for the set of kids who eat this stuff up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think there is a poster here who is terrified someone else’s kid might get a boost that theirs is not.

As others have said, they vary. Obviously, the elite, free ones are best. But Ones that are run by the school give closer to an authentic experience than the for profit companies, especially if taught by actual professors. Some give credit. Sounds like Davidson gives a boost. Most don’t but it helps in that it is something substantive to put on your application, especially if graded and/or giving credit.

My kid did one at RISD and they did a portfolio review, which was really helpful for kids who wanted to apply (mine did not, but the summer program helped them rule out art school, which was worth its weight in gold).

So it’s not an easy in, but if you can afford it, it’s better than playing video games all day. If you can’t afford it, there are plenty of other things to do over the summer that look good on an application. There is more than one approach.

Love this!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. Do not expect an admissions advantage. They are viewed as an extracurricular only on the college application and are no more valuable in their eyes than a summer job or volunteer experience.

2. The best ones are run by the college itself and offer actual transferrable course credit

3. Don’t fall for gimmicks like the overpriced summer camp known as Johns Hopkins CTY

Don't bash a program bc your kid can't get in.
JHU CTY is not a pay to play program. It's for the top 5% or so.

Just because it's for bright students and requires a test score to get in, it does not mean that isn't ALSO an overpriced summer experience. And I say this as someone who admires their course offerings and find their classes generally well run. Just don't expect anything other than intellectual pleasure in the moment, and a lightened wallet.

THIS is exactly the purpose of CTY. Such an odd statement....the whole point is to provide a deep intellectual experience for the set of kids who eat this stuff up.

CTY was definitely "for the love of learning." My kid loved it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think there is a poster here who is terrified someone else’s kid might get a boost that theirs is not.

As others have said, they vary. Obviously, the elite, free ones are best. But Ones that are run by the school give closer to an authentic experience than the for profit companies, especially if taught by actual professors. Some give credit. Sounds like Davidson gives a boost. Most don’t but it helps in that it is something substantive to put on your application, especially if graded and/or giving credit.

My kid did one at RISD and they did a portfolio review, which was really helpful for kids who wanted to apply (mine did not, but the summer program helped them rule out art school, which was worth its weight in gold).

So it’s not an easy in, but if you can afford it, it’s better than playing video games all day. If you can’t afford it, there are plenty of other things to do over the summer that look good on an application. There is more than one approach.

Which colleges did your kid look once they ruled out art school assuming they stayed with something creative that is related? Have you heard anything positive or negative about the UCLA or Syracuse summer programs around design and/or media? My kid is interested in visual arts/graphic design/multi media and knows they don’t want to go to art school. I’m trying to find a good summer program that will help demonstrate interest, confirm it’s want they want to study and add to their portfolio.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's easy to sort them out. Summer programs that cost money are a ton of fun but they don't help with elite college admissions. It's summer camp with other horny teenagers without the pesky adult supervision. Summer programs that are free (RSI, MITES, TASP, NSLI-Y) are very hard to apply, even harder to get in, lots of hard work and very helpful for elite college admissions.

My DD is at Carnegie Mellon and it is not a summer camp. In fact, they clearly state, “This is not a summer camp”. She had to submit her PSAT score and several recommendations. Staff teach the courses and she has homework.