Columbia university summer program?

Should I do the Harvard University Secondary School for a summer high school program?

• To whom this may concern, I live in NJ. I have around a 3.1 GPA and a 2100 on the SAT. I'm thinking about enrolling in the Harvard University Summer School, which would entail me to spend my time at the university from June 23 to August 10th. This is a HUGE commitment. This will be the biggest commitment I have made given my age of 16 years old (rising junior). This opportunity seems like it would be a great asset to me in the future and I believe that this opportunity shouldn't be missed. Attempts at dissuading me to attend have been made because my parents fear of the extensive time staying at the campus and me being so far away from home, but i'm quite frightened myself. I'm planning to either become a stock market analyst or a doctor. Being a doctor is my passion but I am extremely good at the stock market simulators and i've even had assets exceeding 80,000 $ within one day of simulation trading (maybe this will help with my admission to this program, given that many other applicants probably have astounding GPA's.) I have also gotten a letter of recommendation from my mathematics teacher to attend a summer credits program because I have a 99 in AP Calculus BC and i'm a sophomore. Also since i've almost exhausted the math programs that my school offers, I might even consider going to college senior year instead wasting my time doing absolutely nothing stimulating, and I'm hoping that this program will completely exhaust my brain with mathematics because i'm in a top 20 boarding school (explaining why my GPA is so horridly low) and even their math programs aren't enough for me. In advance, I apologize if I come off as arrogant. I'm simply stating these "accomplishments" so one can see if these culmination of activities will allow me to meet the prerequisites of such a prestigious program. In this rant, my questions are: 1. Will I be accepted? 2. Do you think that I should spend the entire summer away from my parents (being that I attend boarding school during the school year) 3. Even though i'm extremely capable of moving up in the business ranks, should wealth be more important than attaining something that you TRULY love? (Help others) 4. If I should stay in New Jersey for the summer, what mathematics classes should I take and where? Because it is REALLY bothering me that I will not be taking math at my school for the next (two?; early college) years and I would really appreciate if someone would help me with this problem. In advance, thank you so much for the help. I appreciate any eloquent responses. Regards, Anonymous

• Answer:

  AP Calc as a softmore? Is that even possible? Well, yea, you should go. I've gone to college summer programs throughout my high school career and they are some of the most fun and mentally stimulating things you will ever do. I'm attending one at WashU this summer for 6 weeks, which is the longest program I have been accepted to. I understand that you may feel guilt for leaving your parents, but it will be more beneficial in the long run. Also, the scholar programs usually have family visitations, which can ease any homesickness. As for your job predicament, do what YOU want. It's not a question of wealth vs. passion, a doctor makes plenty, which is just one of its perks. I don't know what other math classes you should take, my school doesn't offer AP Calc until senior year and once I've taken that, I will have taken all of the math classes my school offers. I hope this helps some. You really should take the course, it will be so much fun. Okay, so if you could help me with this math problem, because I am practically missing a chromosome of late, that would be MUCH appreciated. A force is given by the vector F=3i+2j. The force moves an object along a straight line from the point (4,9) to the point (10,20). Find the work done if the distance is measured in feet and the force is measured in pounds. I know the formula is (magnitude of force)(AB)(cos theta) but I don't know how to find the angle. Also, I don't know if finding the distance of AB is as easy as the distance formula. I would like to know how you did it so I could do the rest of them. Please and thank you. Oh, and the answer is 40, or it should be.