01
Verify the provider
- Find the organization’s official domain, physical or institutional affiliation, and reliable contact information.
- Confirm that named universities, companies, or faculty members acknowledge the relationship on their own sites.
- Be cautious when prestige claims appear only on the program’s marketing pages.
02
Inspect the opportunity
- Look for clear eligibility, dates, supervision, activities, deliverables, and refund terms.
- Separate selective admission from simply paying to attend.
- Search for required fees, upsells, deposits, travel, and costs that appear only late in registration.
03
Pause before paying
- Read refund and cancellation policies before submitting payment.
- Do not rely on countdown timers, guaranteed admissions claims, or pressure to pay immediately.
- Ask a counselor or trusted adult to review unclear terms and save the official source pages.