<p>It seems that most of the summer programs, at least the competitive ones, are for students who have completed jr year or even senior year. It’s as if the student has to make some tough choices if accepted to several, for summer after junior year, and it looks like many of the programs run at about the same time, limiting attendance to one. So that’s like only one summer to pursue interests, except for the summer after high school…it just seems weird to have it all condensed into one summer…</p>
<p>This is true, perhaps because of the perceived maturity of students. Be careful with the competitive programs, they are just that, and a student should apply to several programs in the hopes of getting into one for the summer. My D applied to four: she got to the interview stage with TASP, but was not picked as a finalist; didn’t get selected for Cornell nanobiotechnology (thought she had a good chance due to previous science classes and research experience, but this is a very small program); did not get picked for another very small program (they got 100 applications for 10 spots and decided to pick by lottery !?!); and got into the Grinnell Honor Scholars program, attended and had a wonderful time. </p>
<p>Seems like most kids that do somethng after freshman or sophomore year attend paid programs. We were lucky, in our area there’s an internship program in science and engineering open to all high schoolers.</p>
<p>We will definitely apply to as many as we can, although the paperwork is going to be intense I guess.</p>
<p>I think it’s because that’s when most people get seriously started on their college search. They get more motivated to apply and attend, thus the program will draw more applicants.</p>