<p>I’m fortunate to have been accepted into LEAD. I’m also fortunate to have been a minority, because that’s the demographic the program targets. </p>
<p>The merits of a program cannot be assessed on numbers alone. It’s how it aligns with your goals. A summer program is like summer school in a way. They exist to further you along your educational development. If a program costs money but excels in your chosen area, go for it anyways. I’m paying full price for LEAD plus airfare, but it’s still worth it. The engineering program I considered costs more than quadruple of what LEAD costs, and I still think highly of it. Money does not mean worthless, just that you has to be careful of your expectations and research well. BU has a summer research program with a hefty price tag. But, they get kids doing impressive work that puts them in national science fairs. It’s about your goals, what you’re looking for, and whether a program can give it to you. </p>
<p>Pj</p>