<p>Here is an interesting article mentioning the relevance of summer experiences for admission applications. [Times</a>’ Steinberg, Rapelye talk admissions reforms - The Daily Princetonian](<a href=“http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/2012/11/30/32004/]Times”>http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/2012/11/30/32004/)</p>
<p>My little brother was offered several of these types of programs, and I always strongly advised him NOT to go. Whether or not one calls it a “scam,” I was put off by the disingenuous way they made it seem that the potential participants had been carefully selected, as if it were an honor and privilege, although it seemed that the programs were basically a business, offering a product for money. The product may be good, and worth the price, but the programs should present themselves as such. I agree with the Princeton admission officer’s opinion that a student should do what she or he is really interested in over the summer, not something that she believes would look good in an application. My sense is that, having read thousands of applications, the officers can pretty well distinguish genuine interest and passion from mere posturing.</p>