<p><em><strong> NYLFM seems like the more prestigious program all in all, but I'm unsure, after all, Summer@Brown is still an Ivy League summer program. Can you give me ANY inkling of information about what looks better to colleges? Thanks you and have a nice, err, whatever it is for you at the moment :) </strong></em></p><p></p><p>Don’t lose any more sleep over this decision. NEITHER of these programs will impress elite-college admission officials. If you are interested in attending, and the money won’t put a big dent in the family coffers, then I don’t mean to deter you. They are both reputable programs which most students seem to enjoy and find worthwhile. But don’t use them as application ammunition. Admission folks, especially, at the more selective schools, are up to their eyeballs in candidates who thought that pricey summer gigs would highlight their academic passion. When these candidates are accepted, it’s more likely to be i<em>n spite of</em> these summer endeavors rather than <em>because of</em> them.</p><p>A couple other things you should know:</p><p><strong>1) NYLFM is NOT selective. Well, okay, not<em> everyone</em> is “invited” or is “qualified” to go. But the admissions bar is not set high because their savvy administrators realize that many smart students (like you) want to believe that they have been culled from the masses for this special opportunity. College admission officials, however, know otherwise. Trust me, this program is not prestigious at all. In fact, some college folks may even roll their eyes when they spot NYLFM on your résumé because they’ll suspect you were duped into thinking that you’d be selected for a special honor.</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>2) The “credit” you receive from most summer programs will not be accepted at the majority of the more competitive colleges. It will be accepted at <em>some</em> places, but it is not nearly as widely recognized as typical program propaganda will lead you to believe. </strong></p><p></p><p>Both of these programs are reputed to be well run, and they receive high praise by many of the students who enroll. So if either one offers you an opportunity to explore an area of interest in depth, then don’t cross it off your list. If you’re determined to go to one or the other, I’d vote for Brown—not because it offers any inside track to affirmative admission outcomes but because it will at least provide a chance to sample college life and perhaps will give you a snapshot of what you may want to seek—or avoid---in your “real” college later on.</p><p>But don’t waste any more of your precious potential minutes in dreamland trying to decide which of these summer stints will improve your admission odds. Taking a class (in math?) at your local community college while volunteering at a nearby nursing home or literacy center and putting in a few hours behind the fry-o-lator at Mickey D’s would actually carry a lot more admissions clout.</p><p>Good luck to you with your decision … and your insomnia.</p><p>(posted 3/31/2011)</p>
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