Having no life in the summer

T26E4
Thu, 01 Sep 2011 10:41:15 +0000

All top colleges host Summer HS student programs or lease their facilities to outside for-profit companies that host programs. They do this because it preys upon students/families who think that somehow, this will give them a leg up on eventual admissions. They don’t. While there is some level of selectivity in these summer programs, the bar isn’t very high. What attendees do show is their ability to pay.

Same thing with these overseas volunteer programs. If you have the money and inclination, you can go for it. Otherwise, they’re junkets for well-off kids.

Neither is particulary impressive although inherently, the attendees probably benefit. To top schools, they are “meh”. You’ll do fine getting a local job or doing some volunteer work locally and ask mom/dad to send the check to the local Red Cross.

Going to Mexico or Guatemala says one thing: mums and pops got cash. It doesn’t say that you’re particularly dedicated to serving others.