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Why your kid should get a summer job instead of going to an academic program
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Replies to: Why your kid should get a summer job instead of going to an academic program
Throughout high school, I pretty much slid through with minimal effort. I got a good ACT score without studying, did well on AP exams without busting my butt, and got A's in all but one class throughout my four years. I hated high school both socially and academically. At pre-college, I finally felt what it was like to enjoy academics and to work hard. Beyond what I gained academically, I really grew as a person during the pre-college program. I made a lot of good friends, after years of having few friends at my high school. The people there were 'my' people and I connected with many of them.
A lot of people in the program are at excellent schools now. My roommate went to Yale, a friend went to Vanderbilt, etc. Of the six people from my immediate group of friends, four are now at CMU. There were three people on my freshman floor (about 35 people) who went to pre-college that summer, too. I frequently see other people from pre-college around campus. While going to the program did not *guarantee* getting into CMU, I truly believe that it helped. In terms of showing interest, spending six weeks at a college as a high school student is pretty much the most you can do.
While a lot of academic summer programs are NOT worth the money and all families have to decide for themselves what is right for them, if it is within your means and the program offers college credit, I'd go for it. It's a great experience.
student a: Good stats, from Ohio, worked part-time at landscaping company for two summers.
student b: Good stats, from Ohio, summer at Harvard, summer at Andover.
Either way, summer programs tease out the student is outgoing, likes to meet new people, likes to learn, doesn't like to be idle, isn't afraid of new environments. All traits adcoms like to see, yes?
How is this different from getting a job? It shows the kid is outgoing, likes to meet new people, likes to learn, doesn't like to be idle and isn't afraid of new environments.