To preface, I’m planning on majoring in astrophysics or some combo of astronomy and physics. I have not taken a coding class as of now. If you would like to see my other ec’s, they are on my profile in another post.
Ok so I don’t even know if I got into this one program at NU for astronomy and coding, but I rly want to do it - however, since I’m also doing COSMOS (physics and astronomy but no coding) I would have no time this summer to volunteer. Currently all I have for volunteering is this 50 hr lifeguarding thing at my lake, a week helping kids out at my church, and a few honors societies like Tri M CSF and NHS.
The volunteering thing in question is to help out w kids in a science educational experience which I think would be cool, but I don’t get to do the NU program.
Should I self learn coding over the summer and not do the NU thing but do the volunteering, along with doing COSMOS? I rly want to do the NU thing but I’m wondering if I’d be less competitive for college admissions, like top UC’s
What interests you the most? What do you want to do? If college admissions were not an issue, which would you choose. Also do you need two summer programs? How should you arrange things so you get the most out of what you are doing, but also have some down time ?
I just looked up COSMOS. For $5000, you are better off buying a ticket to the Galapagos or go see the glaciers or something that will make your life more fulfilling and interesting than spending 4 weeks in a school summer program. Unless you get financial aid and the fee is free, these summer programs IMO are a scam.
There is nothing wrong with these volunteer things. I would suggest you look for a paid job as a lifeguard. Jobs show a commitment, responsibility, oh and you would get paid. A job is a great EC. Earning money might be better than spending $5000 on some program.
You dont need ECs that are necessarily related to a possible college major. My engineering major had music ECs and swim team, and some tutoring and volunteering not at all related to engineering.
Is the NU program free of cost? Looks like COSMOS is not.
Unless these programs are free, it is not worth spending the money on summer programs for the sake of college applications. Any summer job, volunteering at church or at your lake, self-learning and doing a project on your own - all these are valid summer activities.