I did a summer music program at a state flagship for many years when I was young. Some instruction came from professors, especially as we got older. When I was a rising senior a professor for my instrument volunteered to hear my audition for the school right there during the program, which was an exceptionally generous gesture that removed a lot of college stress. I ended up going elsewhere but have never forgotten the kindness.

My kid is doing one at Purdue this summer. It's just a week long and he can get "college credit" but we're treating is as a somewhat expensive summer camp for teens.

We're under no illusion that it'll help with admissions in the slightest. But, we want him to have fun, see what it's like in dorms, and see if he might be interested in the subject matter.

Colleges favor competitive programs run by non profits, rather than pay to play research and/or pre college summer programs. If you aren’t doing that, better off working a job or volunteering—if the goal is to impress AOs. If the goal is to explore a specific interest, and you have the money, go for it!

Anonymous wrote:I'm not a fan of these programs. They are just money makers. Better to spend time on an EC or at a job. My DD got into Ivy with a good old fashioned summer job.

My kid got 6 college credits from hers and ruled out a school and a major she thought she wanted.

My other kid ruled out art as a major as a result of a summer program.

Not to mention both learned a lot, made friends (and a boyfriend for one) and had fun.

I consider those wins. Agree, it is a money maker for the school and likely does not help in admissions. They are not necessary by any stretch but if you can afford it and you have a kid who isn’t sure what they want, it’s a nice way to dip their toe into a subject area or get a feel for a school.

Anonymous wrote:I'm not a fan of these programs. They are just money makers. Better to spend time on an EC or at a job. My DD got into Ivy with a good old fashioned summer job.

Most are just a few weeks long, usually 2-5. Plenty of time left for a summer job, other activity, and relaxation. My kid has enjoyed a few precollege programs focused on performing arts and had positive experiences.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:university de Montreal has a great french immersion program and it is cheap!

Would love to hear more about this! How was it? Considering for an IB French student.

https://ecole-dete.umontreal.ca/en/#:~:text=Students%20between%20the%20ages%20of%2015%20and,its%20various%20fields%20of%20study.%20Workshops%20Courses


My son went summer before junior year. Keep in mind prices are in CD$ and the xr is in US favor. He was the only kid the DMV. A good portion of kids come from France and other francophone countries. They plan city outings almost everyday and choose a few electives taught in french —and language study- french or spanish. only thing that was a little nerve wracking was the coordination between airport and school but it all worked out. if u sign up for info on the website, they hist a webinar with q&a one session anglais, one francais.

Anyone know of a similar program for Spanish study for rising 9th grader?

My senior DD did two of these, after sophomore and junior years. Both were colleges she was interested in and ultimately applied to. If you can afford it I think both were very fun experiences for her and a good way to try out colleges in a more in-depth way.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not a fan of these programs. They are just money makers. Better to spend time on an EC or at a job. My DD got into Ivy with a good old fashioned summer job.

DC got into a super competitive program this summer that admits 14 (!) kids internationally AND gets college credit.

Not all summer programs are the same, agree that some are just money makers for universities while classes are out for regular students.

That’s great. What program?

Anonymous wrote:I'm not a fan of these programs. They are just money makers. Better to spend time on an EC or at a job. My DD got into Ivy with a good old fashioned summer job.

DC got into a super competitive program this summer that admits 14 (!) kids internationally AND gets college credit.

Not all summer programs are the same, agree that some are just money makers for universities while classes are out for regular students.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:university de Montreal has a great french immersion program and it is cheap!

Would love to hear more about this! How was it? Considering for an IB French student.

https://ecole-dete.umontreal.ca/en/#:~:text=Students%20between%20the%20ages%20of%2015%20and,its%20various%20fields%20of%20study.%20Workshops%20Courses


My son went summer before junior year. Keep in mind prices are in CD$ and the xr is in US favor. He was the only kid the DMV. A good portion of kids come from France and other francophone countries. They plan city outings almost everyday and choose a few electives taught in french —and language study- french or spanish. only thing that was a little nerve wracking was the coordination between airport and school but it all worked out. if u sign up for info on the website, they hist a webinar with q&a one session anglais, one francais.

I'm not a fan of these programs. They are just money makers. Better to spend time on an EC or at a job. My DD got into Ivy with a good old fashioned summer job.

Anonymous wrote:I've heard about the "yield protect" issue, too. DS did programs at Georgetown and ND and was admitted to both. Ended up attending a different school, although he loved his experiences. Not sure if his participation in these programs hurt him with "other" schools, but I do believe it really helped in his admissions to Georgetown and ND.

Did he write about the summer program in his essay? How would other schools know?

My DC did Brown pre-college, loved it.

This summer doing an arts based program and is excited about it.

They’re as invested in Science/STEM as they are in arts.

Anonymous wrote:Why is the Wake program terrible?

I'd like to know this too. Because my kid is doing it.

We had a bad experience with Duke a few years ago. I'll chalk it up to pandemic adjustments but it was so very expensive for so little in return (they never left East Campus in 10 days and paired my kid with a roommate who was the opposite of what he asked for). Nevertheless, DS wants to try another, so we chose Wake. I'll be optimistic!

Anonymous wrote:The W&M pre-college American History program is well done. It inspired my unispired DS to get excited about going to college, and to W&M in particular.
https://www.wm.edu/as/niahd/precol/index.php

I was nudging my DC to do this since they were interested in W&M.
Ended up not going to the program. Went to the VA Governor's school instead- which was free, and I think helped them get into W&M.
Enrolled at W&M and ended up getting AP transfer credit for that American History program that I was nudging them to take.

DC took years of residential Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY), but didn't do it for admissions. They didn't even include that activity in their Common App.