Anonymous
Post 01/07/2026 12:23     Subject: Re:Anybody done a summer session before applying?
My kid did UC Berkeley’s 8 week summer session where they can take up to 12 credits in regular Cal summer session courses. He had a great time. Smart kids but much wealthier than the general UC population. Not one kid in his program got into Cal, despite having high stats and getting straight As at Cal but everyone including DS did very well with other schools. I think having a regular transcript with a 4.0 on a regular transcript from Cal helps at other schools and the credits were accepted for transfer into other institutions.
Anonymous
Post 01/07/2026 12:13     Subject: Anybody done a summer session before applying?
I am a women’s college alum and wanted my two daughters to consider a women’s college so I encouraged them both to do one of the two or three week programs at Hollins just to see how the women’s education experience sat with them. They have a really strong creative writing program and have summer sessions on writing, debate, music etc. I would encourage that if you are thinking about a women’s college. One adored it and applied to women’s colleges as a result. The other one not so much but I felt good that both had given it serious consideration. I would have done the same if we were considering other niche programs like a Christian college or what have you.
Anonymous
Post 01/07/2026 12:12     Subject: Re:Anybody done a summer session before applying?
Anonymous wrote:Isn’t anyone concerned that it’s a large time suck that only relates to one school so you can’t list it in other school apps if ED doesn’t work


No bc if the campus is super rural & they hate being so far from anything, it rules out all super rural campuses. If it’s a pre-med camp & they realize they can’t handle the smells or they find it boring, that rules out a career path & certain majors.

I guess if your kid cannot extrapolate information from some experiences & apply them more broadly then it could be a waste of time but I suspect that’s not the case.
Anonymous
Post 01/07/2026 11:57     Subject: Re:Anybody done a summer session before applying?
Anonymous wrote:Isn’t anyone concerned that it’s a large time suck that only relates to one school so you can’t list it in other school apps if ED doesn’t work


Of course not. Why can't you list it for other apps? My kids both did with excellent results.
Anonymous
Post 01/07/2026 09:55     Subject: Re:Anybody done a summer session before applying?
my kid did a week long enrichment program at Uchicago and really liked it. Met great kids, really liked the instructor and loved the campus. For us it was worth it.
Anonymous
Post 01/07/2026 09:55     Subject: Re:Anybody done a summer session before applying?
Isn’t anyone concerned that it’s a large time suck that only relates to one school so you can’t list it in other school apps if ED doesn’t work
Anonymous
Post 01/07/2026 09:52     Subject: Anybody done a summer session before applying?
I know these are often trashed by admissions counselors, but I'm now on my third kid going through high school, have never used them previously, but am going to consider them as summer options for Kid3. I see the benefits as being able to check out the location/feel of a particular college for a good 2-3 weeks for a fraction of the overall cost of the college. It also will allow my child to check out different academic interests.

Also, if your kid has any interest in Chicago at all (and is an actual academic contender - mine isn't, so I have no skin in the game), doing a summer program there seems like an absolute no-brainer, so as to give yourself the option of ED0.
Anonymous
Post 01/07/2026 09:50     Subject: Anybody done a summer session before applying?
I have one at UChicago. Next one is more interested in Northwestern. Now I'm hearing about the UChicago summers. Couldn't find anything about Northwestern. They don't do them??
Anonymous
Post 01/07/2026 08:59     Subject: Anybody done a summer session before applying?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Apart from U Chicago/ED0 they’re all pay to play. Some give college credit which is nice for the $$ vs the programs that don’t offer.


Isn't UChicago pay-to-play, too?? The fact that it comes with the advantage of the potential ED0 doesn't make it any less pay-to-play.


It’s even more pay to play! It’s paying for ED0. Definitely not going to impress HYP AOs.

If you are in Virginia, Gov school doesn’t give credit but does give a really great insight into living on a particular campus. Also it is nearly free if you are a public school student.
Anonymous
Post 01/07/2026 08:58     Subject: Anybody done a summer session before applying?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I’m encouraging my kid to look at these but not for an admission advantage, to spend some serious time living on campus on possible schools she might want to attend to see if she really likes it.

She went to a sports camp last summer at one and after told us she could never live there for very specific reasons.

We think they are worth it for these reasons, if you can afford it and they want to go.


💯 My kid had a similar experience at a sports camp - confirmed the location wasn't for them. Another kid gained a lot of confidence by doing a program in a city setting- learning the metro system, living in a dorm, etc.


+ 1

For me, even more important than this, is trying out some academic disciplines. My kids have walked away with strong opinions - like or dislike, both are very valuable.
Anonymous
Post 01/07/2026 08:56     Subject: Anybody done a summer session before applying?
Anonymous wrote:Apart from U Chicago/ED0 they’re all pay to play. Some give college credit which is nice for the $$ vs the programs that don’t offer.


Isn't UChicago pay-to-play, too?? The fact that it comes with the advantage of the potential ED0 doesn't make it any less pay-to-play.
Anonymous
Post 01/07/2026 06:55     Subject: Anybody done a summer session before applying?
Anonymous wrote:I’m encouraging my kid to look at these but not for an admission advantage, to spend some serious time living on campus on possible schools she might want to attend to see if she really likes it.

She went to a sports camp last summer at one and after told us she could never live there for very specific reasons.

We think they are worth it for these reasons, if you can afford it and they want to go.


💯 My kid had a similar experience at a sports camp - confirmed the location wasn't for them. Another kid gained a lot of confidence by doing a program in a city setting- learning the metro system, living in a dorm, etc.
Anonymous
Post 01/07/2026 06:55     Subject: Re:Anybody done a summer session before applying?
Anyone’s kid did Stanford’s humanities one or wash u humanities summer program? I know they are pay to play but there are very few humanities options
Anonymous
Post 01/07/2026 06:27     Subject: Anybody done a summer session before applying?
I’m encouraging my kid to look at these but not for an admission advantage, to spend some serious time living on campus on possible schools she might want to attend to see if she really likes it.

She went to a sports camp last summer at one and after told us she could never live there for very specific reasons.

We think they are worth it for these reasons, if you can afford it and they want to go.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2026 21:13     Subject: Anybody done a summer session before applying?
Anonymous wrote:My kid is

But the school isn’t very selective, the summer program is not expensive & it’s mostly for career exploration. And to check out if the dining hall is consistently edible, lol.

There are residential summer programs/camps that are under 1.5k (sometimes much, much less) if the goal is career exploration. If in DMV, UMW has a great sounding program where a kid can pick a few areas to learn about vs very focused. Or GMU has a few options (game design & math & language) plus a few more expendive ones that earn credit. VT has STEM/data science. I think UMD has a few? Milwaukee School of Engineering has some solid options for…engineering. Susquehanna has music, writing & entrepreneurship options (it’s rare to find a business option not $$$$$).


thanks for sharing!