Click here to go to the NEW College Discussion Forum

Does attending a research or summer institute at an American University help more with admission to competitive colleges or does attending that particular university's summer studying program for 2 months? For example, at Harvard and Yale, they have a two month summer program, where students can take courses and familiarize themselves with Ivy Campus. Does this mean people who have participated will gain a slight advantage over others when they apply to harvard and yale?

By Thereishope (Thereishope) on Saturday, March 20, 2004 - 07:30 pm: Edit

bump

By Muzicgal04 (Muzicgal04) on Saturday, March 20, 2004 - 11:30 pm: Edit

if its a slight advantage, its about equivalent to going from a 1480 to a 1490, if that. basically, there seems to be no higher of an admit rate if you attend a summer program than if you dont.

By Matlm (Matlm) on Sunday, March 21, 2004 - 08:10 pm: Edit

Wouldn't it give you more to write about in your essay as to why you want to go there?

Also, I heard from a teacher at Columbia that you have a better chance if teachers from that school write your reccomendations. Can anyone confirm this?

By Mzhang23 (Mzhang23) on Sunday, March 21, 2004 - 08:23 pm: Edit

Well, you do have to know the teachers. They also have to know you well. A random recommendation supporting a student will not help in the admissions process. It's best to use your optional outside rec with someone who knows you well and can write about another aspect of you that isn't conveyed in teacher recs.