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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Every time this comes up, I get the sense no one is naming specific college programs because they don't want to spread the word too broadly.

I also get the sense summer programs are taking off, in the same way EA took off. Once an advantage among those in the know, now the norm. My DD and her friends (10th grade at a DC private) all applied to go somewhere this summer. I didn't know this was a thing but the girls seem to think it is. My older DD didn't do this, and it wasn't on my radar. The ones they applied to were Vanderbilt, BC, BU, Notre Dame, Wake Forest and maybe others I didn't hear about. [/quote]

I think this is right - summer programs are starting to become a real thing/way to try and stand out in a sea of 4.0 unweighted/1500+ SAT scores.  WSJ recently had an article on the phenomenon (when I saw it, I thought, "uh oh - late to the game!").  Note the need to distinguish between programs that are truly "pay to play" - where you sign up and you are in, and other programs where sure, you pay $$ - but acceptance rates are 5-10 %.  For example, my DD (who has applied to 11 summer programs for this year; she is waiting to hear back on most of them!) applied to UCSB SRA (looks like a great program; acceptance rate is 5-10%).  We would have been thrilled if she got in to pay UCSB 10K (cost of program).  But, she was denied!   (this is a 4.0 unweighted, 1550 SAT kid).  Hoping another of these pricey/highly sought after (applications number in the thousands) programs will accept our $$.  HAHAHAHAHA! But if not will go the more normal route of summer job/volunteer work (and I know that will also be good/fine - was just hoping for an interesting residential learning experience that would support/demonstrate interest in her intended STEM major).[/quote]

My kid got into UCSB SRA last year and I will tell you that you dodged a bullet.  The director of that program is a nasty person, they completely upcharge you (the housing is handled separately and is ridiculously expensive) and your kid is basically doing a made-up project in a classroom setting, so it does not give them any sense of what phd candidates or professors do in their labs.  Go to a different pricey program![/quote]

Even SSP is made-up project.  It’s just not possible to do real research in one month.  [/quote]

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