I’ve been accepted into the 2024 spring cohort for StandOut Connect with a scholarship, but I still need to pay $975, which is half of the tuition. I have to submit the remaining half of the tuition by January 27th to reserve a spot. And the email says that the acceptance rate for this year is only 13%. Should I do it?
For those who don’t have familiarity, “StandOut Connect is a program created thanks to investment from The University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Innovation that matches high school students with internships,” as stated on its website. Below are some links to the program:
So you’re paying for an online session?
Have you seen reviews = and validated their authenticity.
I’d personally rather my kid get a job in fast food or at a grocery store and experience real life.
I don’t see how this would benefit a college application, if that’s what you’re asking.
Rather than paying $950, I’d rather see my kid earn it - and more.
They guarantee every participant an internship opportunity, which is helpful to college application. But I don’t know how good the quality of the internship is.
University of Chicago and Polsky Center for Innovation are legit. I don’t know specifics about this program.
What do you hope do get out of the program? An online internship won’t necessarily help you in college admissions more than any other EC…including a job, family responsibilities, sports, music, etc. etc.
Can your family easily afford this price?
I understand and I don’t know about the program - hence I asked if you could find online reviews or ask to speak to someone.
An online part time internship - I don’t really see value. I don’t see how it enhances an app.
And it’s just my opinion - but I’m not an AO - but I’d rather see a kid scooping ice cream, pulling carts in a parking lot or answering phones - in a real world setting, where they are learning responsibility and team work.
I don’t see (personally) how the program adds anything to an application.
My son did a pay program at Purdue - on campus - between Junior and Senior year. In this case, it wasn’t to help admissions (I can’t imagine it did) - but it was to validate his choice of major (engineering) because he had flipped through four during the college search process.
He worked at Kroger for more than a year - to me, that shows a lot more.
Just my opinion.
There are articles out there on pay to participate programs and admissions.
Best of luck.
Here is one of many - you can google. There’s also a CC thread on it.
Activities List for College Applications - “pay to play” activities should be minimized or avoided? - Applying to College - College Confidential Forums
Should my teen “Pay to Play” to help their college applications? | by Kelly Mogilefsky | Medium
What about those elite summer programs – “pay-to-play”– worth it?? (bierercollegeconsulting.com)