Anonymous wrote:Kid got his PSU decision tonight and is required to do a summer start. We are a bit shocked by this as DS’s GPA is about the highest end for PSU and SAT is above the 50% percentile. He has high rigor - 14 APs. He also has lots of volunteering and leadership activities. PSU was his second choice but now it’s completely out of the running as summer start is not an option given a summer internship that was already accepted.

Anyone else encounter this?

was a great thing for DD. summer start was a great way to get acquainted with a little less stress!

Anonymous wrote:This is the new trend. IMO, it’s a money-grab.

Several of DD’s friends got in at their top choices but only if they did summer start. This was at FSU, Richmond, and another I’m forgetting, sorry.

A professor friend says this will be the new norm in 5 years because there simply aren’t enough spaces at the colleges to accommodate all the kids who want to go to college. Not just at that specific school but in general.

How does having a summer start help with the issue of lack of spaces? These summer kids will still be there in the fall right?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - it doesn’t matter. First choice acceptance just arrived, much earlier than expected! Super happy and relieved.

Congrats, which school?

W&M!

Ahhh, congrats again! He's going to have a great time!

PP here. Just to clarify, I meant to say that I wish my son had done the summer program on campus in 2021, rather than doing it virtually. (Meeting friends is so important, and the in-person summer start is a good way to do that.)

My son did do the summer start in 2021, but you could actually do it virtually (due to COVID). So that worked out kind of nicely, since he had a good summer job lined up.

However, I kind of wish my son had been able to do the summer start as I've heard it is such a good way to make friends, which is such an important part of that first-year experience.

Back in the day I got in for the fall but after high school friend drama I had my parents call and switch me to summer because I wanted to get out of my home town ASAP. It was the best summer of my life. Met my best friend that was the maid of honor at my wedding, took two of the harder freshman classes in small settings, the teachers invited the class to their home to hang out. Being in happy valley in the summer is the best season, hung out at the big outdoor pool after class, learned where everything was, stayed in the best dorms, you’re there for “arts fest” weekend, the list goes on. It felt the the best summer camp ever. Everyone in the fall we met was so jealous when they heard how awesome the summer session was.

My son did summer start. He really wanted Penn State and was applying for one of the more competitive majors. We urged him to check the box for summer start to hedge his bets. He had a great time, earned 6 credits, and made friends. At a huge school it can be really helpful to get your bearings taking a few classes, navigating the campus, and meeting other kids when everything is less chaotic. By the time fall rolled around, he felt like a pro.

It does add additional cost although it could also be a jump start toward graduating a semester early when combined with other credits your kid might have going in, or if they pick up some extra along the way. We have no regrets about doing this.

Anonymous wrote:If its completley off the table, why even start a thread on it?

People like to gripe.

Human nature.

Decades ago I was offered this at Penn State and accepted. I had a great time, it was all good! I’m glad I did it. Maybe talk to some kids who started last year in the summer and hear what they have to say about it.

Anonymous wrote:This is the new trend. IMO, it’s a money-grab.

Several of DD’s friends got in at their top choices but only if they did summer start. This was at FSU, Richmond, and another I’m forgetting, sorry.

A professor friend says this will be the new norm in 5 years because there simply aren’t enough spaces at the colleges to accommodate all the kids who want to go to college. Not just at that specific school but in general.

But it is NOT a new trend at Penn State. They have been doing summer start for at least 40 years.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - it doesn’t matter. First choice acceptance just arrived, much earlier than expected! Super happy and relieved.

Congrats, which school?

W&M!

Wow, accepted to W&M and given a summer start at PSU. Crazy.

Op - yes, I felt the same way. I am promise I am not a troll! Just a confused parent.

Congratulations though; W&M is a great school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - it doesn’t matter. First choice acceptance just arrived, much earlier than expected! Super happy and relieved.

Congrats, which school?

W&M!

Wow, accepted to W&M and given a summer start at PSU. Crazy.

Op - yes, I felt the same way. I am promise I am not a troll! Just a confused parent.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - it doesn’t matter. First choice acceptance just arrived, much earlier than expected! Super happy and relieved.

Congrats, which school?

W&M!

Wow, accepted to W&M and given a summer start at PSU. Crazy.

This is the new trend. IMO, it’s a money-grab.

Several of DD’s friends got in at their top choices but only if they did summer start. This was at FSU, Richmond, and another I’m forgetting, sorry.

A professor friend says this will be the new norm in 5 years because there simply aren’t enough spaces at the colleges to accommodate all the kids who want to go to college. Not just at that specific school but in general.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - it doesn’t matter. First choice acceptance just arrived, much earlier than expected! Super happy and relieved.

Congrats, which school?

W&M!

And yes, I realize they are totally different schools. Don’t ask me to explain teenagers!