<p>Adcoms at top schools like to see how you take on challenges and go beyond. You can get into an Ivy without calculus, if you are not planning on a STEM major in college. But, all your other ducks need to be neatly lined up. The decision also depends on the summer program- some are more fun than academic, some put you in dorms (where lots of kids speak English) and others immerse you in the experience by living with families. The decision should make sense for your major or your family background. I like M’s Mom’s suggestion of taking calc online, if that’s what it comes to- it shows you get the big picture.</p>