Are summer boarding programs at Brown, Harvard, Penn, Exeter, Andover worth it?

[Anonymous]

The summer programs (in our area, THE program was held at Carnegie Mellon) used to hold a great deal of cachet for college admissions. The kids that did the CMU summer program went to NYU Tisch, UPenn (more than one), Smith, and HYP (each of the three). My how times have changed in just a decade. I feel bad for today's teens. Admissions to elite colleges used to be so easy for us kids who were top-notch students with no "hooks". Just expressing my sympathy and dumbfoundedness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The summer programs (in our area, THE program was held at Carnegie Mellon) used to hold a great deal of cachet for college admissions. The kids that did the CMU summer program went to NYU Tisch, UPenn (more than one), Smith, and HYP (each of the three). My how times have changed in just a decade. I feel bad for today's teens. Admissions to elite colleges used to be so easy for us kids who were top-notch students with no "hooks". Just expressing my sympathy and dumbfoundedness.

Well, colleges recognize that upper middle class/affluent families can afford these summer prep programs more than most other folks. So they still may be good to do, but they don't necessarily stand out. Do them for the right reasons and you won't regret it Do it because you are looking for an admissions boost, and you probably will regret it.

[Anonymous]

Can anyone recommend a good resource to help identify those summer programs that are excellent experiences for the student? I have a high school freshman who might be interested in a one or two week program. Not seeking a hook for admissions -- just an excellent experience for her. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

I found UMd's Young Scholars Program by googling "business summer program." 3 1/2 weeks, one college course, 3 credits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone recommend a good resource to help identify those summer programs that are excellent experiences for the student? I have a high school freshman who might be interested in a one or two week program. Not seeking a hook for admissions -- just an excellent experience for her. Thank you.

College Confidential summer programs board

[Anonymous]

Another perspective: My kid attended a summer program at a very prestigious University. He was there the entire summer and took 3 college classes. It was an amazing experience and a lot of hard work (and fun). At the end, he didn't have any desire to apply to that particular college and didn't. He is a freshman at another highly selective college; I don't know if the summer helped get him in to all the places he got into, he was a great candidate even without it, but he will get credit for the classes and learned a lot from the experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The summer programs (in our area, THE program was held at Carnegie Mellon) used to hold a great deal of cachet for college admissions. The kids that did the CMU summer program went to NYU Tisch, UPenn (more than one), Smith, and HYP (each of the three). My how times have changed in just a decade. I feel bad for today's teens. Admissions to elite colleges used to be so easy for us kids who were top-notch students with no "hooks". Just expressing my sympathy and dumbfoundedness.

Well, colleges recognize that upper middle class/affluent families can afford these summer prep programs more than most other folks. So they still may be good to do, but they don't necessarily stand out. Do them for the right reasons and you won't regret it Do it because you are looking for an admissions boost, and you probably will regret it.

There's financial aid as long as you apply early enough. Poor and middle class folks always have excuses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another perspective: My kid attended a summer program at a very prestigious University. He was there the entire summer and took 3 college classes. It was an amazing experience and a lot of hard work (and fun). At the end, he didn't have any desire to apply to that particular college and didn't. He is a freshman at another highly selective college; I don't know if the summer helped get him in to all the places he got into, he was a great candidate even without it, but he will get credit for the classes and learned a lot from the experience.

My DD has done this type of program for 3 summers at one of the schools named in the title. She did not do the program to boost her chances of getting into the school and has since decided she's not even going to apply to that particular school. However, she took classes with University professors and she found them very challenging. She also got to experience college life and became much more independent. It also exposed her to different topics and she has a better idea of what she wants to do when she grows up. All valuable. 6 of the 15 or so kids she keeps in touch with were accepted to IVY's but I don't think it's because they went to the program at any particular school but rather they are high achieving kids who would have done well in the college admissions process anyway. They just chose to spend their summers in a learning environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The summer programs (in our area, THE program was held at Carnegie Mellon) used to hold a great deal of cachet for college admissions. The kids that did the CMU summer program went to NYU Tisch, UPenn (more than one), Smith, and HYP (each of the three). My how times have changed in just a decade. I feel bad for today's teens. Admissions to elite colleges used to be so easy for us kids who were top-notch students with no "hooks". Just expressing my sympathy and dumbfoundedness.

Well, colleges recognize that upper middle class/affluent families can afford these summer prep programs more than most other folks. So they still may be good to do, but they don't necessarily stand out. Do them for the right reasons and you won't regret it Do it because you are looking for an admissions boost, and you probably will regret it.

There's financial aid as long as you apply early enough. Poor and middle class folks always have excuses.

Uh, what? I'm not understanding this exchange.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another perspective: My kid attended a summer program at a very prestigious University. He was there the entire summer and took 3 college classes. It was an amazing experience and a lot of hard work (and fun). At the end, he didn't have any desire to apply to that particular college and didn't. He is a freshman at another highly selective college; I don't know if the summer helped get him in to all the places he got into, he was a great candidate even without it, but he will get credit for the classes and learned a lot from the experience.

My DD has done this type of program for 3 summers at one of the schools named in the title. She did not do the program to boost her chances of getting into the school and has since decided she's not even going to apply to that particular school. However, she took classes with University professors and she found them very challenging. She also got to experience college life and became much more independent. It also exposed her to different topics and she has a better idea of what she wants to do when she grows up. All valuable. 6 of the 15 or so kids she keeps in touch with were accepted to IVY's but I don't think it's because they went to the program at any particular school but rather they are high achieving kids who would have done well in the college admissions process anyway. They just chose to spend their summers in a learning environment.

Not OP, but what you describe is exactly what I'm looking for, for my dd. Can you share any links or google hints? TIA.

[Anonymous]

Free rides are definitely worth a spin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone recommend a good resource to help identify those summer programs that are excellent experiences for the student? I have a high school freshman who might be interested in a one or two week program. Not seeking a hook for admissions -- just an excellent experience for her. Thank you.

I can't remember the name, but my wife actually found a consultant on the internet of all places who really specialized in these sorts of programs. She was really very helpful in providing background information - pointing out subtle distinctions. For example, if you send a child to a program for high school students at a university run by the university, there is usually (some exceptions) far less adult supervision of students. If it is run by a respectable outside group (like Explo), there can be much more oversight but still plenty of independence OR there can be virtually no independence (one of the DC area computer/tech type programs - can't recall the name). There are also some programs - this we learned from experience - where there are larger numbers of international students from very wealthy families who may bring a degree of "sophistication" beyond what a parent may want for a 10th grader. Due diligence is key.

[Anonymous]

We just signed up DS for the Brown program this year. It is pricey!! But he really wants to do it, and I think he needs the experience of independence and the feel of being on a college campus. He is very excited, but has no illusions of this being his ticket to admissions. In fact, Brown would not be one of his first choices...he is more interested in another top 20 school.

[Anonymous]

^^how longis your DS signed up for? My DC wants to do Brown for 1-week and is also looking at the Brandeis Healthcare program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^how longis your DS signed up for? My DC wants to do Brown for 1-week and is also looking at the Brandeis Healthcare program.

I wish he had picked a one or two week program. He picked a 3 week program. Almost $6K including boarding.