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My 16 year old daughter is interested in going to a well rounded summer program. We received a package from Exploration Summer Programs which looks interesting but pricey. She would go to the session held at Yale. Does anyone know if this is a good program? We're from Colorado and it would be great to let her see another part of the U.S. if its worth the $$.

By Chinaman (Chinaman) on Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 08:54 pm: Edit

If college admission is your game, may be not. I know last two years five kid has applied and did not get into yale. But two kids got admission into yale and princeton.

If you can afford why not, otherwise do someting else.

By Aparent4 (Aparent4) on Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 09:08 pm: Edit

The students who went to Yale's own summer school considered the Explo program far more lightweight. Maybe look into Yale summer school. Cornell also has an excellent summer program.

By Marite (Marite) on Wednesday, January 21, 2004 - 07:56 am: Edit

My sons went to Exploration summer as middle school kids and found it very lightweight though enjoyable. When my younger son went after 5th grade, the science was already too easy for him. His counselor advised us to look into CTY; we found it far more appropriate academically, though more intense. I doubt very much that attending Exploration would give an advantage in the admission process.
The summer school programs are intellectually more fulfilling, but I would also caution against pinning hopes that attending summer school in one college will give an advantage when applying at that college.
ASA has programs at a number of colleges. Take a look at them.

By Bfreed (Bfreed) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 02:56 pm: Edit

Dear Peek Peek,

I think the operative phrase in your message that other readers may have missed was "well rounded." By the responses I read to your query about Exploration, these people seemed to desire a summer program that is primarily geared toward academics and prepping for college admission. If you mean by well-rounded a program that has an academic enrichment component, along with recreational and athletic activities, then Exploration is the program for your child. Some people may think the academic portion is light weight, but that's not the intent of the program. It is designed to provide kids with fun and exciting ways to be exposed to different subject matter and hopefully spark a passion where there previously was none.

My son has participated in Exploration since 1999. This year will be his first year on the Wellesley Campus as a member of the intermediate program. As a parent I want my child to have an opportunity to interact with kids from different cultures and backgrounds. I also want him to enjoy himself. Like all of us, kids need down time to enjoy life and learn how to interact socially. This is where Exploration excels. I appreciate the high standards of conduct and mutual respect that are enforced. Setting examples to our children to respect differences and learn to work together regardless of our differences is a life lesson that is far more important to me than whether my child gets into a specific school. Coming from a small, homogenous town, my son also has the chance to meet kids from all parts of the world and throughout the country. Some kids may be more athletically inclined or may have more of an interest in reading or the arts--- it doesn't matter. At Explo there is something for everybody.

My suggestion to you is to decide what experience you want your child to have -- better yet, what experiences does he/shee want to have and seek a program that matches your criteria. Going on other people's recommendations who may have different criteria my only set you up for a disappointing experience.

Good luck whatever you decide.

By Bgrh (Bgrh) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 06:22 pm: Edit

Hi:
Let me add to what bfreed said, Explo was originally designed to "keep the spark alive" in high school kids. By that I mean we were looking for enthusiastic instructors who loved what they were teaching, and who wanted to convey that love. I speak as employee # 1 from 1977, my senior year of college. I speak now as a parent, my 18 year old went from 1999 to 2002, first at Wellesley then 2 years at Yale and my 13 year old has gone since 2000, two years at the Junior and one at Wellesley.

We live in San Antonio TX and the benefits of Explo we see are much the same as described by bfreed. A well rounded fun program with a little bit of everything and a lot of community. The exposure to a diverse range of kids from all over the country and the world was another plus. My 18 year old starts MIT next year, so Explo certainly didn't hurt his chances.

Also, what we were looking for had more to do with personal development rather than academic overloading. In that realm Explo has been good for both children. The friendships my 13 year old has made have rolled over from year to year, and thanks to the internet continue year round.

Finally, bfreed's last paragraph was right on, decide with your child what kind of experience you are looking for, and make your own choice accordingly. Explo is not intended to be an academic college prep program, I consider it more of a life prep program.

So, if you and your daughter like the idea of getting exposed to the east coast - and there are those NYC field trips - in a well run program designed to provide an all round experience, Exploration is worth a good look.

All the best,
Brian

By Denay (Denay) on Monday, March 22, 2004 - 01:26 pm: Edit

Dear Peek Peek,
As a parent whose son went to Exploration during his high school years, I must tell you that his summer experiences at Exploration were the motivating influence on his thinking and goals during those formative years. At Exploration, the broad curriculum that he was able to take advantage of without the pressure of tests, the diverse population of the student body coming from all over the United States and foreign countries, and the trips to places he'd never been before made his summers not only enriching academically, but filled with friendships that he has maintained to this day. He was accepted to Colby College, went on to law school, and is now working for a prestigious law form. If you are looking for an intensive summer study program they are certainly available, but a summer at Exploration Summer Programs at Yale University led by professional administrators and teachers from the leading universities and graduate schools will be enriching both academically and socially for your son or daughter.