Hi, I am currently a rising junior interested in participating in university programs over the summer. I was talking to one of my friends and he told me about how he was accepted into the Wake Forest Pre-College Summer Immersion Program. He told me to apply, although I would most likely be waitlisted as most of the program is full. I checked the website and it was more than 1K for tuition! Should I apply or is it just a cashgrab? Would it look good for colleges? I am aware that it might be late to apply for summer programs now, but if anyone has any other recommendations for summer programs, that would help, too! I am interested in medicine and preferably having in-person experiences this summer, as my extra curriculars are sort of weak. Any help is appreciated 
Many colleges have pre-college programs.
If you’re interested in a college, it’s a great way to experience the campus.
Yes, they are typically expensive. Sometimes they give you a class credit or two.
You should do it - if you want to do it - but is it a scam, assuming it’s this, then no.
Will it help you get into college - one never knows - but I don’t think so and having a summer job, etc. would show a sign of maturity and responsibility that, in my opinion, would shine brighter than paying to attend a program.
But there are certainly good reasons to attend these types of programs.
Good luck.
Wake Forest University Pre-College - Summer Immersion Program (wfu.edu)
A paid summer program will not help you get into college. That said, if your family has the funds, if you find a program of interest, and if you would like to experience what it is like to spend some time on a college campus, then it is fine to do.
In terms of your summer, just try to do something constructive/positive with your time. A summer job, volunteering, are just a couple of examples of things you can do.
Volunteering at a nursing home, a shelter, or a health facility would be more valuable. If you speak a language other than English very well, you can offer the hospital welcome desk help, helping people with directions (only certified adults would be used for translation but just help finding places can be a gamechanger for stressed out patients who don’t speak English well.)
Even a random job -shelving tee shirts, selling sport equipment, scooping ice cream - is very valuable and not that common.
pre college programs are basically fancy summer camps for people who can afford it.
If you can afford it and want a summer camp experience, then go for it.
It is just a summer camp.
It may help with getting admitted to WFU because it shows interest in, and familiarity with, this particular school, but you still need to be a qualified applicant.
Used to be the easiest path to getting admitted to U Penn–but that process has stopped.
Very helpful to our family regarding two very high ranked universities. Was taught by profs from those particular universities and was given (non-solicited) direct counsel & encouragement from both profs and admissions. Nevertheless, I think that for most students, it may just indicate familiarity with, and interest in, the particular school–which matters less for the most highly ranked schools–such as Harvard & Stanford–than it does for lower ranked schools (as lower ranked schools are more concerned with their yield rate than are the most elite universities).
P.S. Just reviewed the WFU summer immersion website. Not all seminars are full.
Because the programs are just one week long, it is unlikely/less likely that meaningful relationships with instructors or professors will be established; this makes it less likely to aid in admission beyond a sign of interest & familiarity with the particular school (WFU).