Students seeking admission to prestigious universities are constantly striving to distinguish themselves in a competitive landscape. To stand out, they dedicate themselves to a variety of endeavors, such as engaging in passion projects, securing internships, participating in extracurricular activities, enrolling in Advanced Placement courses, and, the most popular one these days, attending reputable summer schools. By immersing themselves in these experiences, students not only enhance their academic profiles but also develop a well-rounded skill set that prepares them for higher education and beyond. These efforts demonstrate their commitment to personal growth, academic excellence, and a genuine passion for learning. The practice of crafting a comprehensive CV or resumé is not confined solely to countries like the US or UK, where it is considered a standard part of students' academic journeys. In places such as Türkiye, where university placements hinge primarily on the outcomes of rigorous entrance exams, the importance of preparing a strong CV is gaining traction. This shift can be attributed to the growing desire among the younger generation to pursue higher education opportunities abroad, where a well-crafted CV can make a significant difference in securing admission to prestigious institutions. As globalization continues to shape the landscape of education, students across diverse regions are recognizing the need to showcase their qualifications, experiences, and aspirations in a competitive and compelling manner through their CVs, transcending geographical boundaries in their pursuit of academic excellence. This leads students to find new activities to fill out their CVs even in their free time and holidays, which is the main reason summer schools gained popularity in the last couple of years, especially this summer.
In the bustling educational landscape of Türkiye, it has become a near-ubiquitous trend for students enrolled in esteemed high schools to take part in summer courses during their academic breaks. The allure of these programs transcends mere CV enhancement, as students are driven by a dual ambition: to bolster their credentials and to explore diverse professions and academic pathways before committing to a definitive career trajectory or educational pursuit. This enthusiasm is not exclusive to those contemplating international study; rather, it permeates the educational ethos underpinned by a quest for self-discovery and academic enrichment.
The impetus behind this trend is twofold: on the one hand, students are propelled by the promise of gaining a competitive edge in an increasingly globalized and competitive world. On the other hand, the prospect of delving into various disciplines and professions serves as a compass for navigating the labyrinthine journey of career decision-making. Consequently, parents who possess the financial means to facilitate their children's participation in these summer schools seize the opportunity, envisioning it as a stepping stone towards securing a brighter future for their children.
However, amidst the fervor surrounding these summer programs, a critical inquiry arises: do these initiatives truly fulfill their intended objectives, or are they merely a costly exercise in illusionary advancement? As the educational landscape evolves and diversifies, the imperative to evaluate the tangible benefits of such investments—both in terms of time and resources—becomes increasingly paramount.
The most sought-after summer courses among students are offered by Koç University, Kadir Has University, Sabancı University, and Acıbadem University. To gain deeper insights into these programs, several journalists from the Istanbul Chronicle immersed themselves in some of these courses, conducting interviews with students who have firsthand experience and providing their own insights from this year's offerings.
Two of our writers, one being myself, have attended the Koç University Medicine Summer School, which was conducted for the first time this year. The course started on June 1 and ended on June 12, excluding the weekend. The lessons were held at the Koç University Rumelifeneri Campus for six days and at the Koç University Hospital in Topkapı for four days.
Orientation
One day before the course officially started, an orientation took place at the Rumelifeneri Campus, in which students were given some key details about the program and were reminded of the rules. To facilitate a more comfortable learning environment, each group of nine or ten students was paired with a mentor who attends Koç University. For students to bond further with each other and get an idea about the campus layout, a small orienteering competition was conducted in groups of three, and the first three groups were awarded Starbucks gift cards.
Campus and Food Options
The Rumelifeneri Campus can easily be considered one of the biggest ones. It has four Caffe Nero's, one EspressoLab, and many food options such as Küçük Ev, Pişti Gurme, Mio Cafe, or Sports Cafe by Divan, which all offer affordable (100-200 Turkish Liras) and tasty food options for everyone. People who want to pay even less (105 Turkish Liras for four types of food)and want a more home-cooked meal, can always visit the school dining hall. Personally, my favorites were the chicken wrap and chicken tenders from Küçük Ev and the mushroom pasta from Mio Cafe. There is also a Migros inside the campus for anyone who wants to buy
snacks or maybe get instant noodles, which I tried and recommend because of how funny and practical it was. All you have to do is ask one of the cafés for hot water. In addition to food, the campus offers an array of other recreational options, including pool tables, board games, and equipment for nearly every activity. A four-story library on campus offers books on nearly every subject and discipline. There is even a rare book
section in the library with a unique air filter and flow. At first, it is a little hard for students to find their way around the school, but the mentors are always there to help, and after a few days, it gets easier. The hospital, on the other hand, is smaller compared to the campus since students don’t have full access to every part of it, and mentors need to be with them almost all the time. Nevertheless, the hospital's never-ending elevator line still makes getting around challenging. Because
the hospital is a more formal place than the university, there aren't many activities to do other than going to get food. Besides that, classes are usually inside a seminar room or in certain labs. For food options, there are again several options, like the dining hall, Pardon Cafe, Atrium Cafe, or Divan. However, since these places are more crowded than the university, it is advised that everyone get food that can be prepared quickly.
Transportation
Transportation to the university is not easy, as it is almost located in a forest and is not really inside the city. However, there is a shuttle from the Hacıosman Metro Station to the school, which costs 55 Turkish liras. Besides the transportation services provided by the school, there are minibusses from the metro every 15 minutes. There are also two buses, 150 and 154, which have sparse departure times. The shuttles, minibusses, and 154 all get inside the campus, but 150 only goes to the gate, which means that students relying on the 150 bus need to walk an additional 20 minutes to reach the buildings where their courses are held. The hospital, on the other hand, is inside the city and really close to the Bayrampaşa Koç University Metrobus Station.
Education
The education in the program can be divided into two parts: theoretical education at the university and practical education at the hospital. The university education is more focused on theory, while the hospital experience provides hands-on learning. The program's main goal is to expose students to a wide range of medical specialties so they can discover their passion and future career path. Allowing students to observe different specialties and understand their day-to-day work closely makes it easier for them to make informed decisions about their medical interests and career aspirations, which may even make them question whether they want to study medicine in the first place because of how hectic it is or start considering medicine as their first choice. Hence, the program helps students try out what it is like to be a medicine student and decide if they want to pursue it. During the course, students get the opportunity to meet with 23 different specialists, including plastic surgeons, psychiatrists, dermatologists, nuclear medicine physicians, pharmacologists, emergency medicine physicians, forensic medicine physicians, and much more. Many of these experts are alumni of Turkey's prestigious medical faculties, and the majority also have international experience, having conducted research at prestigious institutions like Harvard. Each specialist starts by introducing themselves and goes on to describe their responsibilities as well as their daily work life. During the program, students typically engage with instructional materials through slide presentations, discussion-based learning, or a combination of both. In addition to traditional lessons led by specialists, students also participate in sessions focused on important skills such as patient communication and CV building.
In the hospital setting, mornings are dedicated to theoretical lessons, as explained earlier. After the lunch break, students attend sessions where specialists share cases they have worked on or participate in lab visits to observe operations in the KUTTAM, KUISCID, CTU, and OSCE labs. These experiences help students discern their interest in pursuing an academic career, potentially specializing in fields like microbiology, as opposed to choosing a clinical path. It's worth noting that the program does not include observations of surgeries and offers limited hands-on practice for students. However, there is a talent
workshop where students learn skills such as drawing blood, stitching patients, measuring blood pressure, and performing cardiac massages. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to ask questions and engage in dialogue with mentors, who are medical students at Koç University, and with professionals leading the lessons. This environment fosters collaboration and potential future partnerships for internships or research programs. Towards the end of the program, students undergo a 25-question exam that requires no extra preparation other than listening to the lessons. According to the results of this exam and participation, students will be awarded either a
passed, honor, or high honor certificate. Besides the aforementioned workshop, there are also sculpture, Turkish marbling, stained glass, and art workshops that students can participate in, which are again taught by professionals, meaning that the course values recreational activities and is not solely focused on academics.
Overall, the Koç University Medicine Summer School offers a comprehensive program designed to help students delve deeper into their interests, potentially influencing their future career paths. This immersive experience not only allows students to explore various aspects of medicine but also aids in their decision-making process regarding their professional aspirations. One of the limitations of the course is the lack of practical opportunities for students during the four days at the hospital. This is primarily due to the high number of students in the program, with 75 students being considered excessive for a hospital setting. Additionally, since this is the first year of the medicine summer school, there is room for improvement in the organization and scheduling to allow for more clinical work in future iterations.
The summer course costs 30,000 Turkish Liras, which could be considered reasonable or slightly expensive depending on the educational value and networking prospects it offers. Parents who can afford to enroll their children in this course are encouraged to do so. However, it may not be practical for a student who has already completed the program to participate again, as they would not be exposed to new material. Instead, students may benefit more from attending a medical summer school once to explore various fields, helping them narrow down their interests for future studies and research. Once they decide, they can explore internship and research opportunities, which are often more cost-effective or even free, to gain in-depth knowledge in their chosen area.
The Kadir Has University Summer School
Another journalist from the Istanbul Chronicle team attended the Kadir Has University summer course and took two subjects, which were “Law Education and Professions” and “Sustainable Management and Marketing in Businesses.” She described the lessons to be more theoretical rather than practical, which is understandable considering the areas. However, she also mentioned that some other courses, like the architecture course, had a lot of practical work and often had model preparation projects. She described the academics to be generally really good and added that even though there weren’t a lot of opportunities to socialize outside of course-related topics, the group projects helped establish a bond among students. When asked about the price/performance ratio, she stated that she believes it deserves the money since each subject is four thousand Turkish Liras, with each subject having ten lessons in the duration of two weeks. The classes are taught at the Kadir Has University campus in Balat, but students can also participate virtually. Students finishing the course can either get an honor or a high honor certificate, as well as a recommendation letter.
The Acıbadem University Summer School
One other prestigious summer school known by high school students is organized by Acıbadem University. The university has two programs for high school students, one being a summer school for medicine and the other being a science camp. The medicine summer school lasts one week and is mostly focused on hospital visits. On the other hand, the science camp lasts two weeks and has a broader spectrum of classes, including medicine, molecular biology, and genetics. A student who attended the science camp explained that for each class, they first have one or two theoretical lessons, and once they have an idea about the basics, they visit labs for practical work in which they are given the opportunity to use the amenities and devices of the hospital and the university. For instance, students made their own ointments following the pharmacology course. It is also important to note that almost every class has its specialized labs, where students work together with assistants or department heads. During a one-day hospital visit included in the course, students can witness actual surgeries like heart valve replacements or nose surgeries taking place right before their eyes. The attendee also mentioned the university's CAS simulation lab. In order to give students job experience without requiring them to be in the real field, scenarios like emergency rooms are simulated in this lab, specifically designed to assist medical students with their practical experience. Toward the end of the program, students are expected to prepare a biodesign project in groups and present it to jurors, which marks the end of the course. The course costs 39,000 Turkish Liras and when asked about the program's price/performance ratio, the participant said she genuinely thought it was worth every penny because students were able to experience nearly every aspect of healthcare and were permitted to use equipment that was originally intended for medical students.
In conclusion, the surge in popularity of prestigious summer schools among students in Türkiye reflects a multifaceted quest for academic enrichment, career exploration, and personal growth. As highlighted through immersive experiences at institutions like Koç University, Kadir Has University and Acıbadem University, these programs offer a blend of theoretical education and practical exposure across various fields such as medicine, law, sustainability, and more. While students navigate the complexities of balancing academic rigor with recreational activities within these programs, the overarching goal remains consistent: to empower students with a deeper understanding of their interests and potential career pathways. As the educational landscape continues to evolve and globalize, the value of such specialized summer courses in shaping the aspirations and capabilities of students becomes increasingly evident. By investing in these transformative educational experiences, students not only enhance their academic profiles but also embark on a journey of self-discovery and professional discernment that could pave the way for a bright and fulfilling future. It also shouldn’t be forgotten that summer schools are not the only way to achieve these advantages since students can always try out internship or research opportunities, even though they are a little more challenging to get accepted to.