[MANGOx3]

I applied for a one week program called Nation Honors Convocation a month ago. The tuition fee is suppose to be $2300 for a week at a university and the program offered four selections: law, business, medical, and leadership. I chose to apply for the leadership program and for a scholarship because money is tight in my family. They emailed me 2 days ago telling me that they were willing to offer me a 1500$ scholarship, so I only have to pay 800. It's still a lot for me and I don't know whether or not I should go....has anyone had the experience of attending something like this? I would appreciate it if somebody can give me some advice on what I should do. And also, would colleges consider attending a program like this good?

Here's the website of the program: www.honorsconvocation.org

Thanks! =)

[azn_kira]

Honestly, these programs are pretty much out for your money. Colleges don't hold these in particularly high regard because if you can pay the fee, and your grades aren't horrible, you're pretty much garuanteed to be able to go.

Depending on how tight money is in your family, and if the $800 is going to be a really big financial burden on your family, I would suggest doing something more productive around your community. Colleges would prefer say, starting up a big community service project, organizing volunteer projects, something that shows your individual leadership qualities and innovation abilities. Although since the program is already giving a pretty big scholarship, it wouldn't hurt to attend for a week either, but again, that depends on how badly the $800 will stretch your family's finances

And to be honest, the programs aren't all they advertise to be. A couple of my friends went to the High schooler national committee on leadership/health/law thing that cost $5000 and they said it was basically just attending the scheduled events and then partying afterwards. Nobody actually took the program seriously, and just went because they had the money to throw around, and had nothing better to do. I can't say the same for this program, but just keep in mind that there will be a lot of rich kids there that probably only went because they're parents wanted them to.

I hoped that helped! >_<

[maydai3333]

my guidance counselor told me that if you had to pay for a summer program, then colleges dont really hold it up as much as say a free program thats really competitive. Like the person before me said, as long as you have the money and okay grades, you'll get in for sure. Whereas, a free program is REALLY competitive and hard to get in, but if you do, it looks really good on your resume. There are alot of programs out there that are free or like a couple hundred bucks. those are the ones you should be applying for.

Personally, if money was tight in my family right now, I wouldnt do the program, based on what my counselors have told me and stuff... Good luck.

[MANGOx3]

Wow, thanks for the feedback! As of now I'm still looking for more advice from anyone before making the final decision

[StealthGnome]

I would say don't go. Costs way too much! Find some volunteering. But soon, time is running out.

[insignia]

Sounds like a ripoff? I'm taking a 4-credit course for 8 weeks at Harvard Summer School Program and that costs around $2400 (but they are giving me full tuition). You actually get credit for it too...I don't know what your program has to offer but doesn't sound worth it to me if you're paying $2300 for a week's worth of stuff...

[trishaa01]

yeah, that does sound like a rip off.
shad valley is $2500 but it's a whole month.