Is the summer before senior year really that important?

ZombieDante · 06-12-2012, 09:40 PM

Long story short, I accidentally scheduled myself for two camps that happen at the same time. I had to pull some serious strings for both camps to get in so cancelling either one will be a major blow to my reputation and the camp. I honestly don't even want to go to either camp, this will be my first family drama free normal summer and I would like to spend it resting.

So my main question is: Is the summer before senior year really that important, as in will it look bad if I don't do anything during that summer? My other lesser important question is what do you think I should do about the double scheduling thing? One camp is a biology feild study program and the other is a speech and debate camp.

PS if it matters the schools I'm applying to are (in order of importance):

Johns Hopkins
WashU
Case Western
Emory Oxford College
U Chicago

Thank you for anything you can come up with (any advice helps). Thank you.

deontology · 06-12-2012, 10:09 PM

In terms of college applications, it would probably be a good idea to go to one of the camps, as that would work to enhance your application. This is just anecdotal evidence, but everyone I knew this year at my school who got into a top 25 school (including me) participated in some sort of summer activity or program. In terms of college applications, it would be a better idea to choose the camp with the better prestige and if there is no real difference in prestige between the two camps, the one that best aligns with the rest of your extracurricular activities so as to demonstrate passion.

Realistically speaking though, if you don't want to go to either camp, then don't go. The whole point of extracurricular activities are that they're supposed to be things you enjoy doing and that enrich your education. I never understood why people would join an extracurricular activity they hate just to pad their resume. Though admittedly, it seems sort of rude to bail out on both camps this late. If it would be a major blow to your reputation and the camp to cancel one, why would you want to cancel both?

menloparkmom · 06-12-2012, 10:41 PM

Is the summer before senior year really that important, as in will it look bad if I don't do anything during that summer?

yes, particularly in light of the colleges you are applying to, and what your completion is likely to be doing this summer

choose the camp that has the most interest to you and go!
.

juillet · 06-13-2012, 12:38 AM

I got into a top 25 school, and got a full scholarship to a top 100 school, and I never did anything in summer in high school. Seriously - nothing. Not a class, not a summer program, not a job. I read books and had fun.

Most of my high school classmates had the same experience. We were all lower- to middle-class, and our parents couldn't afford these kinds of experiences. Some people spent their summers working if they had jobs (fast food or retail), and the ones who didn't have jobs didn't do anything. Many of us got into top 25 schools.

If you want to go to one of the camps, go to the camp that you want to go to. If you just want to spend the summer relaxing, then just do that.

litotes · 06-13-2012, 04:40 PM

@juillet

It's a different world now, and s/he's looking at schools closer to Top 10 than Top 25. Some supplements ask for summer activities. I would recommend that this person should either do the camp, or else work or volunteer at home.

entomom · 06-13-2012, 06:26 PM

I will add that there's a wide range in the schools you listed. While what you do this summer may not make a difference to your admission decision for Ox @ Em, it is more likely to for WUSTL, JHU and UChicago.

ZombieDante · 06-13-2012, 08:31 PM

So okay...I realize I should go with one. But my problem is one I already put a deposit down ($75) and my friend really wants me to go to the speech camp. The biology camp I've been in contact with the head lady and was rejected and pulled a LOT of strings to get to go; its the most prestigious of the two but it has me outside and in classes all day (have a major sweating problem). I REALLY don't want to go to either. What do you guys think I should do?

NewHavenCTmom · 06-13-2012, 08:39 PM

How can it be a blow to his/her reputation?? Is there a waitlist? I am sure there are others on the WL who would love the oppurtunity.

NewHavenCTmom · 06-13-2012, 08:47 PM

^^ I didn't see Zombie's last post... why have all the strings pulled and not go? You will sweat? Huh? Seriously? So you don't want to go to a program b/c you will sweat? Really?? Don't take this wrong, but all of this sounds kind of wishy/washy to me...then why apply? You have to do whats right... and if someone went out on a limb for you.... you should never burn your bridges...you may have to go back over that same bridge someday.. You never know!!

ZombieDante · 06-13-2012, 08:48 PM

^I was on the waitlist...then I talked my way off of it, they made a new spot for me...

And true...so I guess I should go to the biology program...

NewHavenCTmom · 06-13-2012, 08:55 PM

@Zombie.. remind your friend that you guys will be applying to college seperately! And this isn't middle school..,. this is the end of your high school career! And what you do for yourselves now is of utmost importance... now is the time to be selfish...your friend will have a great time @ debate camp alone!

Seahawks506 · 06-13-2012, 09:15 PM

I don't think I ended up talking much about any summer activities unless they pertained to a significant EC, but some schools do ask about them. As in, there isn't a spot on the common app asking "what did you do this summer?", but some supplements or interviews may. Anyways, more than anything they want to see you being productive with your time in the summer for the most part.

I always advise people to just do what you want to the most, and it sounds like you really wanted to go to the bio camp by pulling strings to get in- now's the time to be a big boy and not go back on your word...