<p>I’m a rising junior and I’m going to do a five week internship at a research university in Asia. There are only a few high school students in the program (it’s mostly college kids). I am going because I want to experience research, I want to study pathology so I think it would be cool to see the different types of disease/infection prominent in an Asian climate rather than the US, and I’ve never been to Asia before so it just sounds really cool overall :D</p>
<p>So here’s my question: though the program is partially subsidized by the university, I do have to pay 4,000 in room and board + airfare. We are using frequent flier miles for the airfare and I raised 3,400 of the tuition money myself, but will the fact that this is a paid program make it “less worthy” in the eyes of colleges? I also want to apply to CCIS, UC Berkeley BLIPS, Clark scholars, etc. next year and will this make me just seem like a rich kid without really any prestige? I also went to CTY last year so I guess the same question for that?*</p>
<p>Anyway, I’m excited for the program and definitely would have done it regardless of prestige/what colleges and other summer programs think, but I was just wondering.*</p>
<p>Honestly, the relative “prestige” of any program is arbitrary at best, considering prestigious programs naturally accept highly qualified students. Don’t worry about what colleges or other programs think about your program. You’re doing it because you want the experience. They’ll judge you holistically. This program is just an addition to you as an individual.</p>
<p>So, the short answer to your question would be: not necessarily. The program itself isn’t the important part - it’s what you do, what you make of it, and what you take from it that’ll ultimately matter. And in the end, that’s what’s going to make a difference when time comes for admission to colleges and other programs. </p>
<p>Make the best of your summer, I wish you the best!</p>
<p>I think because you’re going for an internship, it won’t “make (you) just seem like a rich kid without really any prestige” as much the other programs such as Harvard SSP, etc. </p>
<p>What university are you going to? I live in Asia haha.</p>
<p>Prestige is irrelevant. What matters is your experience and what you learn. I suspect that, prestigious or not, the program will help you advance educationally, personally, etc.</p>