Roadrunner Posted November 2, 2022 Share Posted November 2, 2022 (edited) I think I asked this before but can’t find it. What sort of enrichment (summer, extracurricular) opportunities exist for a kid really interested in philosophy? He is in PS that offers a class in philosophy which he refuses to take because “ They don’t even read real texts.” Help me here please. Anything that’s “cute,” or not serious enough wont work. He reads heavy duty texts and wants heavy duty discussions. I mean there is so much for STEM over the summer, but I can’t find anything serious for social sciences. What do future philosophy majors do to show spike? He tells me he just wants to read things and be left alone. I think that’s great. But knowing some things about college acceptances now that my other kid is in the midst of it makes me want to find something that’s “provable” activity (for the lack of better word). DE is not a possibility since all of those courses at least locally require for him to first take English 1A. He has no time for that, or desire. Edited November 2, 2022 by Roadrunner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethel Mertz Posted November 3, 2022 Share Posted November 3, 2022 Former philosophy major here, albeit 40 years ago… Maybe a debate club camp? I’ve no idea if that actually exists. If you have a college close by, maybe he could have a tutor for an independent study. Or independent reading in critical thinking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not_a_Number Posted November 3, 2022 Share Posted November 3, 2022 There's a professor local to us that runs philosophy classes for kids. Something like this might not be serious enough for you, but I wonder if you could something similar and set something up with a local philosophy prof?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadrunner Posted November 3, 2022 Author Share Posted November 3, 2022 Locally, I can't imagine finding anything. Debate is also not happening locally. it needs to be serious for him and not at the introductory level. And if he just sits at home and reads, what sort of output I can squeeze if any? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not_a_Number Posted November 3, 2022 Share Posted November 3, 2022 3 minutes ago, Roadrunner said: Locally, I can't imagine finding anything. Debate is also not happening locally. it needs to be serious for him and not at the introductory level. And if he just sits at home and reads, what sort of output I can squeeze if any? Would he do Zoom lessons, or is he all Zoomed out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kokotg Posted November 3, 2022 Share Posted November 3, 2022 I'm thinking of signing my kid up for a summer session at St. John's College (because he's thinking of applying there, not because he's likely to be a philosophy major, though who knows?)...but might be relevant? https://www.sjc.edu/summer-academy There are in person camps and online sessions 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted November 3, 2022 Share Posted November 3, 2022 There are some summer pre-college programs out there specifically for philosophy. Brown's pay for play program is supposed to be very good if you've got the cash. National Ethics Bowl may have some things. I've heard good things about St. John's summer program, though it depends a bit. If you just search "summer pre-college philosophy" and similar sets of terms, I see things from past years. Also, philosophy is generally considered humanities, not social sciences. So maybe you're using some of the wrong search terms? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadrunner Posted November 3, 2022 Author Share Posted November 3, 2022 (edited) 38 minutes ago, Not_a_Number said: Would he do Zoom lessons, or is he all Zoomed out? Zoomed out for sure. I think he would love a really serious group of peers. @kokotg @Farrar Yes to St. John's College summer camp. It's on the list! That's the sort of experience I think he would love. If it could be reading economists (sort of the merger of economics and philosophy), he would totally jump at it. The key is nothing for beginners or "childish," or "cute." or I will lose him. This is my extra difficult kid. And yes, humanities! sorry. He is into economics and philosophy, especially reading original economic thought. I am not sure I even understand half the time what he is talking about. Strangely I can't get him into political thought. I also think he rolls his eyes on a lot of topics that are popular with teenagers nowadays. Did I say he is difficult? He is so precise on what he wants and it's just so hard to find things with his parameters. I found one in London, but with his brother going to college, I am not sure we will have a budget for $15K for his summer pleasure. Edited November 3, 2022 by Roadrunner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawyer&Mom Posted November 3, 2022 Share Posted November 3, 2022 (edited) If Economics and Philosophy are his thing, he would fit right in at LSE for undergrad. (It’s not cheap, but only a three year degree! And the undergraduate teaching was amazing...) https://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/Undergraduate/degree-programmes-2023/BSc-Philosophy-and-Economics They have a summer program too, but it’s only for university students. Edited November 3, 2022 by Lawyer&Mom 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malam Posted November 3, 2022 Share Posted November 3, 2022 I wonder if he'd be interested in learning math or programming for the sake of economics? Those two are usually easier to self-teach than philosophy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8filltheheart Posted November 3, 2022 Share Posted November 3, 2022 Not sure this would appeal at all or not, but I thought I'd mention it: Introduction to Philosophy: The Beautiful, the Sublime, & the Human | Summer Scholars | Office of Pre-College Programs | University of Notre Dame (nd.edu) (My dil earned a double degree in philosophy and physics from ND. She loves their philosophy dept.) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadrunner Posted November 3, 2022 Author Share Posted November 3, 2022 7 hours ago, Lawyer&Mom said: If Economics and Philosophy are his thing, he would fit right in at LSE for undergrad. (It’s not cheap, but only a three year degree! And the undergraduate teaching was amazing...) https://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/Undergraduate/degree-programmes-2023/BSc-Philosophy-and-Economics They have a summer program too, but it’s only for university students. He is aware 😉. He wants to go to Cambridge he tells me because that’s the place it all happened. 🤦🏻♀️ I have no idea how to navigate UK admissions other than test side of things. For a future philosophy/Econ major what path exists in US school outside of two little AP exams in Econ? None. I realize UK kids study subjects narrowly and deeply, but none of that is an option that I can see here. I have two more years and that’s not enough time to sort this out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawyer&Mom Posted November 3, 2022 Share Posted November 3, 2022 46 minutes ago, Roadrunner said: He is aware 😉. He wants to go to Cambridge he tells me because that’s the place it all happened. 🤦🏻♀️ I have no idea how to navigate UK admissions other than test side of things. For a future philosophy/Econ major what path exists in US school outside of two little AP exams in Econ? None. I realize UK kids study subjects narrowly and deeply, but none of that is an option that I can see here. I have two more years and that’s not enough time to sort this out. Math, Humanities and Social Sciences! So Math, Econ, History, English, Government… From the LSE website: “We consider the combination of subjects you have taken, as well as the individual scores. We believe a broad mix of traditional academic subjects to be the best preparation for studying at LSE and expect applicants to have at least two full A-levels or equivalent in these subjects. It is essential that you have studied, or are studying, Mathematics to A-level (or equivalent). This is to ensure you are able to complete the core economics courses at LSE. An additional qualification in Further Mathematics (at any level) is not required but is an indication of mathematical ability and a helpful preparation for the programme. Beyond the mathematics requirements, there is no ideal subject combination, however selectors like to see that you possess both analytical and writing abilities. Students offering Mathematics, Further Mathematics and one other subject will be considered, however we have a very strong preference for the third subject to be in the arts or humanities and will look for evidence of your understanding of and commitment to the study of social sciences in your personal statement. Other subjects commonly studied at A level include Economics, English, Government and Politics, History, Languages, Mathematics, Philosophy, Sociology and Religious Studies. There is no requirement for students to have formally studied Philosophy or Economics before.” There is a long tradition of American students at LSE, they know *exactly* what American students have access to. I wouldn’t overly fear UK admissions. Oxbridge and LSE want top, top students, but they know what these kinds of students look like in their respective countries. Also, LSE doesn’t think that all of their Econ and Philosophy applicants have all been planning to apply to just that one specific degree. (Like A level philosophy *exists* but it’s not going to be offered everywhere.) If you are applying to medical school in the UK, you all have the exact same A levels. It’s more flexible with the social sciences. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted November 3, 2022 Share Posted November 3, 2022 You know, being super particular is not a trait that colleges necessarily like. So I guess I would just caution a student about that attitude. I think a lot of families think, oh, my kid is so particular because they only want very serious, highbrow learning, so that will stand out and colleges will love it. But from the college's perspective, it looks like a difficult to deal with kid who is going to refuse to engage with peers and turn their nose up at things. So just be careful around that. I know you're saying it's just who he is, but I would urge him to not think of himself as "better than" a pre-college program for motivated students. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadrunner Posted November 3, 2022 Author Share Posted November 3, 2022 (edited) thanks Edited November 4, 2022 by Roadrunner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadrunner Posted November 3, 2022 Author Share Posted November 3, 2022 What makes this situation worse is he is in PS. If he wasn’t, he would absolutely love CLRC great books and their philosophy offerings. But he is in PS because he is a difficult kid so we go around in those circles. And this is why I need summer stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rzberrymom Posted November 3, 2022 Share Posted November 3, 2022 I think Telluride has changed a lot lately, but it seems like it would be an amazing place for a deep thinker! https://www.tellurideassociation.org/our-programs/high-school-students/ And for later, has he looked at Deep Springs College? Like St. Johns, I think it would be an fantastic place for a philosopher with high standards. https://www.outsideonline.com/culture/essays-culture/deep-springs-college-california-women-coed/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadrunner Posted November 3, 2022 Author Share Posted November 3, 2022 20 minutes ago, rzberrymom said: I think Telluride has changed a lot lately, but it seems like it would be an amazing place for a deep thinker! https://www.tellurideassociation.org/our-programs/high-school-students/ And for later, has he looked at Deep Springs College? Like St. Johns, I think it would be an fantastic place for a philosopher with high standards. https://www.outsideonline.com/culture/essays-culture/deep-springs-college-california-women-coed/ Did you see the topics for Telluride? Anti-oppressive studies and Critical Black Studies. None are of interest to him. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathnerd Posted November 3, 2022 Share Posted November 3, 2022 (edited) check out https://summer.stanford.edu/courses/phil-50s-introduction-formal-methods-philosophy - this is sort of local to you, so it could work. ETA: they offer a couple more advanced philosophy classes if you search on their course catalog. Edited November 3, 2022 by mathnerd 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madteaparty Posted November 4, 2022 Share Posted November 4, 2022 (edited) He can write a paper and submit to Concord review about a historical philosophical topic of interest. Off the top of my head i know there was an article on French socialism once for example. have no experience but they also run summer camps where he can work on his paper around other elitist young ones 🙂 Edited November 4, 2022 by madteaparty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyD Posted November 4, 2022 Share Posted November 4, 2022 1 hour ago, madteaparty said: He can write a paper and submit to Concord review about a historical philosophical topic of interest. This was what I was thinking as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawyer&Mom Posted November 4, 2022 Share Posted November 4, 2022 Have you seen the school profile his school sends to colleges? Does it list that they offer a philosophy elective? It might not look great if colleges know he didn’t take a philosophy class that was offered. (I know you know he should take it!) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadrunner Posted November 4, 2022 Author Share Posted November 4, 2022 30 minutes ago, Lawyer&Mom said: Have you seen the school profile his school sends to colleges? Does it list that they offer a philosophy elective? It might not look great if colleges know he didn’t take a philosophy class that was offered. (I know you know he should take it!) Yes it lists it. 😞 It’s apparently what all the non academic kids take who want an easy A as an academic elective. And the conversation is about social media and drugs. I think he is exaggerating but not by much. Sadly we found all non AP courses to be remedial at our high school. Even honors classes are basically not honors but “everybody but struggling remedial.” And this class isn’t even honors. We got some help from a board member and I think he is now hyper focused on what he needs to do. 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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