Do Summer Programs Help With College Admissions?

On Point with the Executive Director

Do Summer Programs Help With College Admission?

In my role as Executive Director of the Foundation for Teaching Economics (FTE), I’m often asked by families if our high school summer programs help with college admissions. It’s a good question and I have a nuanced answer. Prospective college students should seek ways to stand out during the admissions process. To receive a coveted offer letter, they will fill their resumes with extra-curricular activities like clubs, sports, volunteering, and part-time jobs. However, an experience like a pre-college program could prove the biggest differentiating factor. So, are pre-college programs worth it? Here are my thoughts on the topic.

What Are Pre-College Summer Programs?

As the name suggests, these programs are educational opportunities available to high school juniors and seniors and take place during the summer. Pre-college summer programs are designed to introduce a particular field or discipline, as well as concepts outside of the normal high school curriculum. These opportunities also help students transition into a college learning environment.

It’s important to note that participation in a pre-college summer program is not a guarantee for college admission. However, having such an experience can demonstrate that students make effective use of their free time, showing admissions counselors their dedication to their studies. Some programs are selective, like the Foundation for Teaching Economics’, Economics for Leaders program, while others are characterized as being “pay to play.”

Types of Pre-College Summer Programs

When it comes to pre-college summer programs, it’s more than possible to find a good match, regardless of a student’s interests and aspirations. Many pre-college summer programs exist that cover popular fields and disciplines. Just a few of the available summer program subjects that look good for college include:

• Accounting
• Architecture
• Diversity
• Economics
• Environmentalism
• Evolution
• Leadership
• Philosophy
• Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)

Benefits of Pre-College Summer Programs

There are many great reasons for prospective college students to participate in pre-college summer programs. Aside from utilizing summer vacation time constructively, other benefits include:

• Gaining Skills and Academic Enrichment
  • Part of advancing one’s learning involves developing a variety of skills, from critical thinking and writing to working on a team. Pre-college summer programs also exist to enhance a student’s knowledge of a specific subject area. For example, by participating in a program through the Foundation for Teaching Economics, a student interested in pursuing economics can start their college career off on the right foot.
• Learning What to Expect in Higher Education Settings
  • Pre-college program curricula often mimic the style and difficulty of undergraduate college courses. Assignments, examinations, and projects are more advanced than those at the high school level, giving students a prime opportunity to get a glimpse of college academics. Some pre-college programs, like the Foundation for Teaching Economics’ Economics for Leaders course, can also give students exposure to college life and potential career paths.
• Building a Strong Resume and College Application
  • A strong resume helps complement good grades and a convincing application essay. Many students participate in sports, the arts, and other common extracurricular activities, but pre-college summer programs aren’t as widespread.  Participating in a pre-college summer program could give students an edge on their college application, as colleges and universities value candidates with diverse experiences.
• Networking and Making Connections
  • Qualified, experienced educators teach pre-college programs and are also a great resource for students yearning to know more about working in the field. The relationships that students develop with their instructors can lead to mentorship, letters of recommendation, and networking opportunities for forming other connections. At the Foundation for Teaching Economics faculty student programs, professors are from many universities nationwide.
• Becoming Qualified for Scholarships and Financial Aid Prospects
  • Select scholarships and other forms of financial assistance may require that candidates participate in pre-college programs. Students must be sure to thoroughly research each scholarship or financial aid opportunity, enabling them to participate in the right program that could lead to help with college tuition.

How Summer Programs Are Evaluated in College Admissions

This is truly dependent on the values and expectations of the individual college or university. Students should think of pre-college summer programs as a resume builder – not an automatic acceptance to their school of choice. Admissions personnel carefully consider every aspect of a high school student’s extracurricular activities, whether they participate in student council, sports, music, or academic enhancement opportunities. In other words, it doesn’t hurt a prospective student’s chances to attend a pre-college summer program, especially if it’s offered by a prestigious organization.

Selecting the Right Pre-College Summer Program

Choosing to attend a pre-college summer program is a big decision, and there are several factors to consider when finding the right fit. The program should:

• Align with the student’s academic and career goals,
• Be taught with an engaging approach tailored to high school juniors and seniors,
• Have a strong reputation and positive reviews,
• Be affordable so more students have a chance to participate, and
• Offer college or high school credit, if possible.

For students interested in economics, the Foundation for Teaching Economics offers a number of engaging programs. FTE is an established, respected brand, due to the quality of its curriculum and experienced teaching faculty, chosen for their professionalism, expertise, and ability to engage students and present topics effectively. Whereas some Ivy League pre-college programs start at around $5,000, FTE has offerings beginning at roughly $2,300.

What’s more, FTE programs prioritize experiential learning – students learn economics principles in a hands-on environment, rather than sitting stationary for hours, passively listening to lectures. This approach, based on proven activity-learning pedagogy, helps students internalize economic concepts, better preparing them for more advanced college courses.

Do summer programs help with college admissions and do admission officers look positively at pre-college summer programs? At the Foundation for Teaching Economics, we believe that pre-college summer programs can improve a student’s chances at college admittance. Thanks to our plethora of partnerships, our pre-college summer courses in economics are available on university campuses throughout the United States.

To continue to carry out this important work, we rely on donations from our generous and valued supporters. Along with other initiatives, funds go directly to underwriting tuition, so students from all socio-economic backgrounds can attend. Learn more about the Foundation for Teaching Economics at www.fte.org, and consider donating today.