How Do You Know If a Summer Program Is Actually Good? 7 Questions to Ask

A university logo. An impressive faculty list. A beautiful campus. A certificate at the end.

It can all look convincing.

But before spending money on a summer program, there is a much simpler question parents should ask:

What will my child actually get to do?

Here are 7 questions worth asking before you enrol.

1. Does my child actually want to do it?

Start here.

Not:

“Will this look good on their profile?”

Ask:

“Would my child still be interested in this if there were no certificate?”

A program connected to genuine curiosity is much more likely to become a meaningful experience.

2. What will students actually do?

Look beyond words like immersive, prestigious and transformative.

Will students:

• Research something?
• Build something?
• Solve a problem?
• Work with others?
• Present their ideas?

The clearer the answer, the easier it is to understand what you're paying for.

3. Who is actually teaching them?

Don't stop at impressive names on the website.

Find out who will interact with your child.

Who teaches the sessions? Who mentors students? Can students ask questions and receive feedback?

4. Is there enough hands-on learning?

Listening has value.

But students also need opportunities to apply what they are learning.

A useful question is:

“What will my child have done by the end that they couldn't do before?”

5. What will they take away?

It doesn't always have to be a finished project or certificate.

A good outcome could be:

A new skill.

A piece of research.

A clearer understanding of a subject.

A project.

Or even discovering:

“I thought I loved this field, but it isn't for me.”

That is useful learning too.

6. Is the cost worth the experience?

Don't evaluate a program purely by its fee.

Ask what the fee includes: teaching, mentoring, materials, accommodation, meals, travel or additional activities.

Then compare the experience, not just the price.

7. Does it fit your child's life?

Summer doesn't need to become another school term.

Consider academic workload, travel, other commitments and rest.

One thoughtfully chosen experience can be more useful than filling every week of the holiday.

Parent Checklist

Before paying, ask:

• Interest: Does my child genuinely want to do this?
• Learning: What will they learn?
• Application: What will they actually do?
• Mentorship: Who will guide them?
• Outcome: What will they take away?
• Cost: What exactly are we paying for?
• Fit: Is this the right experience for them right now?

ProfileLab Tip

Don't ask: “Is this a prestigious summer program?”

Ask: “Is this the right summer program for my child?”

Those are two very different questions.

A good summer program isn't necessarily the most expensive or selective one. It's one your child can participate in fully, learn from and come away understanding something better than they did before.