<p>Well, I’m thinking of applying to a few fairly/really competitive programs (ROSS, PROMYS, NBTC, SuMAC…) and I was wondering what happens if I don’t get accepted into any of them. I believe the apps are do fairly late, especially for PROMYS and ROSS, and so decisions must come out pretty late as well, right?
Would it be a better idea to get set up for another program/internship and then ditch it should I get in, or just hold out until decisions come out, and then scramble to find something to do?</p>
<p>It’s difficult to find a safety for competitive summer programs. I’d be interested in what tacks various students have taken. Personally, I’ve already been accepted at an excellent and reasonably-priced French-immersion summer program that will refund all fees if you cancel within two weeks of program start–but such a generous cancellation policy is rare.</p>
<p>I think finding another program/internship would be a great idea. What I am thinking of doing is contacting various professors for an internship position, and then ditching it if I get accepted to the summer program of my choice. I will do this early, maybe even before March, as I think professors sometimes have limited spots, and it is also hard to establish a contact. So, I wouldn’t hold out until decisions have come out.</p>
<p>Keep in mind, though, that ditching out after making a commitment is generally considered bad form.</p>
<p>Always have a multi-tier approach, even if it is a general list of things you could live with.</p>
<p>Competitive interships</p>
<p>Paid-for programs</p>
<p>List of contacts for summer jobs in the field. Search for every company in your area that works in your field.</p>
<p>list of summer jobs (grudge) that would enhanse your profile</p>
<p>list of summer jobs that you could lay your hands on.</p>
<p>And work them all simultanously. Given the econony, competition will be outragous at all levels.</p>
<p>Well, my safety for this year is a free program, therefore lacking both application fee and deposit. If possible, searching for such a program near you may pay off. Perhaps your state has a Governor’s School?
Of course, the suggested alternatives- finding an internship or summer job- would also work. It really depends what you want to do.</p>
<p>My safety summer plan is an internship I did last year. I thought about just doing nothing if I didn’t get into the programs I like, but I want to have more money than my parents will hand over. I though about a regular job but I figure with the economy the way it is it’ll be pretty hard find one and if I did, I probably wouldn’t make as much money or have as much fun as I did at my sorta competitive internship.</p>