Questions about summer programs

Pre-College Topics Summer Programs
1

I am looking to apply to a residential summer program at a university as a 9th grader at a boarding school in USA. I am Japanese and is from Japan but have lived in Hong Kong.

I was wondering how difficult it is to get into the most difficult summer program such as Harvard just for comparison. What GPA do you need? Do I need several awards and extracurriculars? Am I too late for most summer programs? Is there any efficient way to apply to several summer schools? My current GPA is 3.73 as of fall term.

2

Here is the info…I’m thinking these are pay to play programs. @skieurope might know for sure.

Make sure you read the section about visa requirements. Harvard is unable to sponsor F1 visas for the four week program.

So…make sure you can afford this program for 7 weeks which sounds like it’s about $13,000 usd.

3

I just realised this program is for students over 16. Are most summer programs pay to play?

4

Some programs require an application and demonstration of a level of skill. But a LOT are pay to play programs.

And if you are not old enough there is that issue too.

5

But to what extent is it pay to play? If one has a low gpa as well as a poorly written essay, can they still get in if they have they have the money?

6

What do you hope to gain out of a summer program?

7

I have no idea what the application process is for this Harvard program. Some places have you check off what you want to study, and send in payment . That’s it.

8

I want to pursue something that interests me as well as making new friends, and I think summer program is perfect for it. I’m interested in writing or coding.

9

One more thing about many of these summer programs. While they are housed on college campuses, they don’t give an admissions boost to those who attend the summers.

But I’m hoping @skieurope knows more about this Harvard program.

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10

I do. But to be eligible, the student has to be a current 10th grader and be 16 by the start of the program, so that is not an option for the OP this year.

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11

I was just using Harvard for example as I thought it would be the most competitive, if I am looking at summer program from schools similar to harvard, will it be difficult for me to get in?

12

I don’t know enough about summer programs for your age group to comment. Hopefully, someone else has suggestions

The college academic programs for older students are not that difficult to get into, and are very expensive. These are cash cows for the universities to get cash when the campus would otherwise be empty.

The very competitive programs, again for older students, like MITES, SSP, RSI, are extremely difficult to get into.

I will add that most of these boarding schools to which you’ve applied have summer programs for your age group. Have you looked at those?

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13

I have actually attended two of them before. I just thought it would be better if I did a summer program at a college as I was in high school now.