These courses are ridiculously expensive. 3 weeks at Brown is around $5500 not including travel. Neighbor kid loved it, but dang.

One of the most selective programs in the country. Our DC was waitlisted last year -- I believe there is an early action deadline similar to colleges -- Jan. last year I think -- so a bit easier to get in under the first deadline than the second. You can read mixed things on college confidential, and it has changed a bit over the years so check dates of the reviews you read. Basically, very intense morning to night, lectures and group projects, almost no free time, and no direct correlation to getting into Yale. Ended up at Summer at Brown and loved it.

Does anyone have any feedback on the Yale Young Global Scholars (formerly Ivy Scholars) Program?

Attending the summer program may be a plus factor in schools that track demonstrated interest.

MY DC did the summer programming academy at ID Tech. Very disappointing - wish he had just taken a summer school programming course. I think there is a huge variation between their specific programs.

Another thumbs-up for ID Tech. I was under no illusion that it was a university-run program, but it was extremely well-run and fun for my 13yo to spend time on a nice college campus. He's going back for a second summer.

I did Cornell Summer in the '80s and had friends do Harvard Summer School, etc. Great experience for all kinds of students.

Anonymous wrote:Meant depends on what you need to give up to spend the money on Brown or other programs. For a teens first time away or a teen who needs more structure,consider a program not run by the college with more structured activities and choices.

+1 It's a good program for ages 16 and up, IMO.

Anonymous wrote:Do not waste your money on ID-Tech. Like 23:04's program, it is not run by the university and is really a waste of money.

Disagree totally. My 14 yr old learned a LOT at ID Tech Camp: Java programming and Mods for Minecraft last summer, more this summer. In addition he got a feel for a college campus (AU).

Can't answer OP's question, we didn't send him away, he just took the bus there every day.

Meant depends on what you need to give up to spend the money on Brown or other programs. For a teens first time away or a teen who needs more structure,consider a program not run by the college with more structured activities and choices.

Another vote for Summer at Brown. My DC loved it, met lots of nice smart kids with common interests, and found an academic area in which he had a long standing curiousity really was something he loved. They do not alone make a difference in the acceptances, but if they reflect following an academic passion as part of a bigger puzzle they can help a teen find himself in many ways and that too helps. Of course, my DC also showed that passion pursuing an unusual program at a no-name college campus, and helped as much. Whether it is worth the money depends on what you need to give up to spy for it and what a student wants to get out of it. I would not do Brown for a rising sophomore but it was great for a rising senior and some rising juniors do it.

Any programs out there for a rising sophomore with interests in ecology, top of the food chain mammals and physics? He will have completed Algebra II Honors and Biology Honors in FCPS. No HS chemistry or physics yet.

Anonymous wrote:Any thoughts on/experiences with the Harvard Summer Program? My sophomore is interested in international relations and global economics for which they give college credit.

I would not assume your DC will actually get college credit. Its like APs, some colleges will give credit for them but not all. Thats not a reason not to do it, but just something to keep in mind.

Any thoughts on/experiences with the Harvard Summer Program? My sophomore is interested in international relations and global economics for which they give college credit.

Two of my friends from high school did the program at MIT which was a women's intensive robotics program. They both got in and went to MIT, and it may have helped (apparently the summer program was very competitive). My friend enjoyed it because she met a lot of people she became really good friends with, and it reassured her that MIT had a variety of people who had more to them than just tech nerd (she was kind of a hipster and met a couple of smart, tech oriented hipsters from places like Stuveysant to explore Cambridge with).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What 15:15 said. The only exception I can think of might be for potential architecture majors who are wondering whether to commit to a BARCH program. (The bachelor of architecture is different from a liberal arts BA, it's pretty much all architecture, all the time, and so you really have to know this is for you before you start a BARCH program.)

VA Tech has a good weeklong summer program called Inside Architecture + Design. DD did it and really enjoyed it. She was later accepted to the interior design program at VA Tech (but ultimately chose to attend another school). Info is at https://sites.google.com/site/insidearchitectureanddesign/. It's affordable and engaging - very hands-on look at the design professions.

Catholic U has another well-regarded summer architecture program. For families in this area it's cheaper than programs at Cornell and elsewhere, because you don't have to pay room and board.