To go or not go? Award?

Whether it is worth it or not depends on your ability to afford it. If you can afford it, then why not?

It would look stellar on your application as admissions officers are very interested in how you spend your summers. By going to a summer program, you show determination and a drive to learn.

However, many programs are online now due to the pandemic and are free. If you cannot afford the $2,500, then seek out other online FREE opportunities.

Yes, it is still considered an award. As long as you worked for it, then it is an award.

Honestly I’d say no. There are several lists of competitive and verified summer conferences that you can go to, things like Notre Dame’s summer scholars and Yale young global scholars. In my opinion if you get excepted into those, they’re worth paying for because they really give you an experience of what it’s like to go to one of those big scary schools. When you get nominated to go to a program, like if they send you something in the mail, it really doesn’t mean that much. Even though they make it sound really special, they send those out to anyone who has taken standardized tests. They get student information from the college board and that’s how they access your email and address. If you’re interested in listing it as an award, you have to go through an application process and attend, not just get nominated.

The problem with a lot of pre-college summer programs is that they aren’t nonprofit organizations. I’ve gotten several letters and emails about different programs. The reason that admissions prices are so high is simply because the organizations are not nonprofit, meaning that they are earning money off of you.

I personally think that if you’re really really determined to go to one of those fun programs, take some time and research them. You can find a lot of YouTube videos where students discuss their experiences at different conferences and programs. I am a junior and at the beginning of the fall I researched and made a list of programs to apply to. I’m going to YYGS this summer and I think I made a good decision.

Hope some of this helps lol

The three things to keep in mind when picking ANY summer program is prestige, affordability, and commitment. Most good summer programs will give you opportunities to learn so that's not a factor unless it's glaringly useless in which case it won't be prestigious.

1. is it a rigorous course?

2. is it hard to get into this summer program? does it need an application?

3. can u afford it?

4. can u learn a lot from it? will u mind if it's online?

wish this could help!

You should go, if you hae the time and the moneyv