My daughter has been accepted to MTSI at UPenn and also for a paid teen internship. A few questions - is MTSI very selective and is it appreciated more versus a teen internship (these internships involve service projects like working at hospitals, city aquariums, as teachers assistants at kindergarten classes for children from low income families etc). Her passion is business and she’s interested in computer science, so the combination of management and technology seemed very desirable. The internship will provide her experience in a real working environment. Both programs overlap in timing so she has to pick one. Which one should she choose such that it has the most impact on her college application?
anyone? anyadvice?
I would lean toward the Penn opportunity. My gut feel is her future application will be stronger with an academic summer experience than a service-oriented one (I could be wrong.)
My one data point: my son attended Penn’s Experimental Physics Research Academy last summer. Yes I think these are selective, as he was rejected the previous summer but tried again successfully. He had a great time in Philadelphia and got a lot out of the class. The professor wrote him a glowing LOR which probably helped his applications. Ultimately,he did not get accepted to Penn but did get into CMU.
Thanks Pickpocket - appreciate the response!
I would go with the paid internship. It’s a common trend among ivies/selective schools to offer “high school summer academies” that aren’t nearly as selective as the actual school for exorbitant prices. I looked up the program and it seems to be no more than a few college credit courses that could easily be taken at CC or local uni for a fraction of the price. Since your daughter is taking classes all school year, the internship seems more valuable to me since it will show variety and will teach her skills that can’t be learned in a classroom. Of course, it’s always up to you.
I’m sure she will get a lot out of either program, but I’m just not sure if the UPenn program is worth 7k.
Thanks very much Annana!
If money is not an issue, I would go with the Penn program. If it is, the paid internship would be better.
Can’t lose with either unless the money is an issue IMHO.
Thanks rhandco. I do agree - both seem like a good option, wish they didn’t coincide in timing. She chose the Penn program and is planning to apply to paid internships for the school year. Thanks all for responding!