| Great post by Joe. And for all those considering fancy, expensive summer programs out there: ask yourself, is this really the best way to spend my time and money? Is there a better way to stretch myself academically, a better way to serve my community, a better way to explore my real passions? Taking a bunch of expensive classes, even -- do I dare say it? -- classes you are interested in, is not necessarily the best thing to do. Here's why:
Student A: Reads brochures for Oxbridge, CTY Princeton, Duke TIP, and Harvard SSP. Finds classes that are interesting and in line with his interests. Gets a great grade and maybe a nice rec from the teacher.
Student B: Realizes that many of these programs cost $4000. Tries to think what else he could do with that money to follow a passion. (E.g. Maybe with your passion for snowboarding, you also don't want the beautiful Alaskan glaciers to melt.) Starts a campaign using the $4000 (or a grant or even loan) called "Bros for Snow: Snowboarders Against Global Warming" or something. Uses $2000 to travel to Alaska to film short documentary about the melting glaciers. Uses $1000 to publicize campaign at major ski resorts through web sites and posters. Designs own website and posts documentary on website. Ultimately, raises maybe $10,000 to contribute to climate change research and prevention, and also gains a priceless experience.
Sure, the example of Student B sounds a little out there. But people do things like this! They design their own courses, plan their own summers, start campaigns they actually believe in... As Rapelye said, Princeton is looking for independent thinkers, not people who necessarily want to sit in the classroom all summer.**
** This is not to say that you won't get in if you do the summer course. I did one of those courses, actually. But ultimately I really think you'll get more out of a summer you designed yourself... |