What if I can’t afford expensive summer programs? Will that hurt my application?

Not at all. Admissions officers understand that not every student has the same financial resources. What they really want to see is how you make the most of your situation. Free or low-cost opportunities—like local internships, online classes, volunteering, or starting a project from scratch—can be just as impressive, sometimes even more so. Many top colleges even offer free or fully funded summer programs, especially for students from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds. So don’t worry if a program is out of your budget. Focus on showing effort, passion, and initiative. Those traits shine through, no matter the cost of the opportunity.