They can help a lot, I think. I attended a summer architecture session at RISD and it was a wonderful experience. It was fun and I learned so much. 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 6 weeks goes a long way. We went through everything from history to design, and I ended up with a decent portfolio of architectural design work and an idea what i was going to get myself into (many all nighters).

If you can afford it, I'd suggest doing it, but I really don't know the specifics at Columbia (as far as the summer program goes).

i did it last year, it was a great experience. some studios did a lot of work and some didn't but it's still definitely a great way to beef up your portfolio and there are different levels, including current grad students from other schools in the highest studio to inspire and sneak a peek. anyway, two friends of mine (i'm still in undergrad) got into harvard from the portfolio they got out of the experience. the experience combined with an internship for both of them was the ticket.

sorry about the poor syntax jeezus. ;-)

If you are trying to find if architecture is for you, don't hesitate and join such programs. If you are just doing it to say you attended Columbia, that’s somewhat lame.
As a summer student you will be exposed to an array of different directions and ideas which might perhaps, allow you to understand better if Columbia or any other grad school is really what you want to do for the next three years.
By the way: If you are doing it to crash course Maya or any digital technology, that’s not going to happen. The summer program does not cover (or uses) digital studios.

Thanks for the insight form everyone who responded. That pretty much confirms what I was thinking. I was unable to attend this summer due to unrealistic time lines (my own doing). If I don't get in to the schools I'm applying to this fall I'll keep on top of the deadlines and make sure to attend a summer program next year.

DelGaudio

i just got here at Columbia. I will be attending the course so I'll respond later to tell you how it is.

I decided to come here for many reasons (in no particular order):

1) Try out the east coast, plus I've never been to NYC.
2) Get experience in a school other than USC...see if teaching methods are different
3) Good excuse to travel/visit boston (MIT and Harvard)
4) I was doing nothing at home
5) Good experience to get a head start on my next semester studio.
6) Always curious about an ivy league school. Cant go wrong with Columbia
7) Looks good on resume/application for grad school
8) Meet new people
9) Find out more about myself
10) Get alittle bit more thick skinned