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0 pointsruswick12y ago0 comments

I'm currently 17 and have done internships for both of the previous summers. Although getting experience was both edifying and fun, there was still a huge opportunity cost. I would have preferred to spend a bit more of my summer indulging my personal interests. Although it was certainly a great experience, I'm unsure about whether or not I'll look back in ten years and wish that I had taken advantage of my summers.

As for the second point, I'm not sure whether internships really create an appreciable advantage at elite schools. Based on anecdotal evidence and some cursory research, I would posit that most qualified applicants to elite schools will have one if not two internships for major organizations. Many will have done academic research. I know a guy who is attempting to get his research on binary star systems published (his first choice is MIT). Careers start early.

Internships are definitely desirable things to have, I don't think that they differentiate students. If anything, they are a prerequisite. Trying to get into college is hard. From what I've experienced, I'm not sure if enslaving oneself to the cult of standardized tests is worth it. The OP seems to have a fair idea of what he wants to do, and has a non-trivial amount of ability. He should think critically about whether or not college is worth it.

I would definitely not endorse the long, arduous process of maximizing attractiveness to colleges during one's high school career in the unequivocal way that you did. One's career aspirations and expectations are highly personal things.

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argonaut12y ago

Having gone through the college admissions process, you are sort of correct and sort of wrong that internships don't differentiate students. Having good internships, can, combined with other factors, put you over the top in getting admitted to elite schools. That being said, having good internships does not in of itself get you into elite schools. The only things that in of themselves can get you into elite schools are serious accomplishments - published a research paper, placed highly in a prestigious science fair, started a legitimate charitable organization, placed highly in some other competitive activity, etc.

> I'm unsure about whether or not I'll look back in ten years and wish that I had taken advantage of my summers.

The grass is always greener on the other side. Most high school and college students who did not do internships/research over their summers regret not doing something more productive/useful during their HS summers.

There are a variety of reasons to go to college, not all of which deal with academics and vocation. The social aspect is not to be underestimated.

rzc12y ago

At the time it was mostly just fun for me, sounds like the situation is the same for him. I think it's a balance, you want to pursue your interests to the point where they show your ability, but also deal with enough of the BS required to get into good schools (like studying for the SATs or getting good grades in HS classes).

College is a great idea because it's entirely possible his interests will change in school (I almost switched majors like 3 times) and for everything other than programming, college is still a prerequisite.

Edit: Oh when I was 17 I also thought applicants were super prepared and it was intimidating. In reality most kids at elite schools didn't have a scary level of preparation, and a lot of those kids with perfect resumes never got in. Admissions are still a mystery to me.

SiVal12y ago

enslaving oneself to the cult of standardized tests is worth it

It sounds like you are describing enslaving oneself to the cult of elite schools. Standardized tests are just one stepping stone. Standardized tests are a much smaller issue if your focus is on amazing achievements in the real world rather than the amazing achievement of getting in to a luxury-brand school.

ruswickOP12y ago

The parent referred specifically to "the school of your dreams," which implys elite schools. The situation is obviously different for schools outside of the top 25.

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