What do students at the School do over the summer? Some get jobs, others travel. Many take part in summer programs, either at colleges, or programs that they will include in their college applications.
Senior Natalie Kwon has attended multiple programs, including two poetry programs at Interlochen, one at the University of Chicago, and a paid research experience at the Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania. “[College programs] are a very beneficial experience because I was able to live on my own,” Kwon said. According to her, these programs are a way to see what college is like before applying.
The academics of these programs are also unique for high school students, according to Kwon. She said, “These…programs are a very different type of learning than in [high] school because [they] are very specialized and you get to experience very specific subjects that you are interested in.”
Senior Dylan Batra, who has done multiple college programs throughout his time at the School, agreed they are helpful in understanding the college experience. Batra said one program he attended “gave good insight into economics at UChicago and [let me] see the teaching style and meet the faculty.”
These programs do have some issues, according to Kwon. They are very expensive but because many have financial aid and some are paid, Kwon says they are still viable opportunities for those who can’t afford to pay outright. Batra said, of the two programs he attended, both were expensive.
Over 40% of upper school students at the School have attended at least one college summer program, according to a Hawk’s Eye poll of 74 students.
Certain summer programs, such as the one at UChicago offer a unique benefit with admission. The “Early Decision 0” opportunity allows those who attend to apply to that school in a smaller pool with a higher acceptance rate. However, Kwon, who could have applied “Early Decision 0” to the University of Chicago, said, “Apply to the school that you want to attend, not just the one that you have this Early Decision 0 opportunity for.” Batra said, “[The] boost for college admissions… depends on the program.” UChicago, he said, “was more pay for play.”
The cost barrier for the programs are, for many students, prohibitive. The programs can feel mandatory in order to get into selective colleges, says Kwon. Batra, though, feels the opposite: “You definitely don’t need to do any programs to get into college. I would do what you want to do and what you are passionate about.”