Can non-merit based study abroad programs look good on applications?Answered
I was thinking about doing a study abroad program my senior year, but I can't find any to Spanish speaking countries are merit based and that fit my needs. I want to choose what will look good on an application, and I worry that if it is not merit based it may not come off in a good way.
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2 answers
What do you mean by non-merit?
Are these programs you are looking into just "pay to play" programs where you pay $5000-$10000 and spend a few weeks abroad doing some proctored projects like water conservation or digging a well? Or are these programs open to people who are "low income" that need scholarships or grants to attend.
In general, "pay to play" programs do not look as good as elite programs like the MIT ones where you have apply and get admitted based on your talent and need.
If you are "low income" and get a full ride to attend a pay to play program, that looks better than having mom/dad write a big check for you to attend.
If you are paying for the program and that is what you are talking about, then I would aim to attend a program that is academically rigorous where your pre-college work earns you 1 to 3 college credits. Harvard, Brown, UPenn, JHU summer school for college credit. At least then whomever is reading the EC activity knows that you attempted to challenge yourself with your summer time off.
The least impressive of these programs are those that are run by 3rd party organizations, not colleges themselves, where the curriculum and results are not really transferable or rigorous. I'm not a big fan of "pay to play" internships or psuedo intellectual pursuits or memberships. There are many out there so you need to filter them out and pick ones that are credible and meaningful to your application narrative.
Good luck.
Non-merit study shows that you are advanced in my certain area of interest and is good for application. Not all college want their student to be "well rounded". Instead having a certain interest and peaking in it adds diversity to their student dynamic.
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