The Best Summer Programs for High School Students
/What should high school students do in the summer to stand out to college admissions committees? A complete list of the best summer programs for high school students
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Part 1: Introduction
For many parents of high-achieving children, summer breaks are difficult beasts to manage. Sure, you want to give your child a chance to enjoy sunshine, the pool, and popsicles. But alongside the idyllic visions of summer is the urgent need to ensure your child is productive, which likely leaves you wondering: what summer activities should a gifted or talented teenager seek out?
If you and your child are planning ahead for summer break, you may be looking into summer programs to expand your child’s horizons and hopefully give them a leg up in the college admissions process.
Summer programs for high school students, particularly pre-college summer programs located on college campuses, have greatly proliferated in numbers over the past few decades to the point where there are now hundreds of programs to choose from. Some are quite the opposite of the classic bunk-beds-and-mosquitoes summer camp adventure, delivering an intense, heads-down experience. Many others promise to meld the best of a (safe and supervised!) teenage summer with opportunities that can challenge your child and add texture to their Common App essay and other college essays.
But with so many to choose from, how do you know which are truly worth the often-extensive application process and frequently high price tag?
In this guide, we’ll go over the benefits and drawbacks of participating in pre-college summer programs everywhere from Cambridge to Palo Alto, including the question on everybody’s minds: do these programs actually help your child get into college? We’ll also provide an overview of recommended programs in a variety of categories, plus we’ll discuss other ways your child might choose to spend their summer.
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Part 2: Pros and cons of attending a pre-college summer program
Your child could spend their summer in a wilderness program, on volunteering trips abroad, attending an arts camp, or participating in a specialized summer institute for an extracurricular activity at which they excel, like an academic team, robotics, or debate.
For the bright generalist, however, the number of academics-focused “pre-college programs” set on college campuses has swelled dramatically over the past few decades. Before we dive into the pros and cons of pre-college summer programs, here’s a quick rundown of what these programs entail.
Typically, these programs aim to approximate the college experience by holding classes taught by professors or visiting scholars, while housing students in campus dorms (note: local students may be able to commute instead). Programs also frequently incorporate lectures, networking events, and opportunities to socialize with fellow attendees, and they can range anywhere from one to eight weeks in length.
Pros of attending a pre-college program
Your child may get the chance to study a subject and/or get hands-on experience beyond what their high school offers.
Your child will be able to get a firsthand feel for what college life is like, which may make transitioning to college easier when the time comes.
Your child will get exposure to a specific campus and type of environment, which will help them make an informed decision about what kind of school they could best succeed at (e.g., an urban setting vs. a rural one, or a large research university vs. a small liberal arts college).
Your child might be able to earn college credit or use a course to place into a higher level in college or high school.
Your child might develop a relationship with an instructor who would be willing to write them a letter of recommendation for college.
Your child will be able to meet and befriend like-minded peers.
Cons of attending a pre-college program
Pre-college summer programs are frequently very expensive. For example, Yale’s Young Global Scholars program typically charges $6,500 for two weeks.
The selectivity, prestige, and academic rigor of programs can vary quite a bit and don’t always correspond to the academic reputation of the host college. We’ll discuss this more shortly.
Contrary to many parents’ optimistic beliefs, with the exception of the most prestigious programs, attending a pre-college summer program probably won’t directly help your child get into college. Don’t spend money just because you want your child to be able to drop “Yale” or “Stanford” in a college app. We’ll go into more detail on this, including some exceptions, a little later.
The reality of pre-college summer programs
Though pre-college summer programs can be found at most elite colleges these days, their own selectivity and rigor vary quite a bit.
It’s important to understand that, in many cases, colleges lend their names and campuses to programs run by outside, for-profit companies in order to make money off of otherwise vacant facilities over the summer. In some other cases, programs are organized by an individual university department or division, such as a school of professional studies, that has little connection to undergraduate academic standards and certainly doesn’t have a direct line to the admissions office.
While the quality of education may still be excellent, the chances of acceptance into some of these programs will be quite high for most students with solid academic records and the ability to pay full-price tuition. Less competition may be good news, but it also means that attending a summer program at, say, Harvard doesn’t confer nearly as much prestige or achievement as getting into Harvard itself.
However, there are some programs that are considered prestigious and are extremely competitive to get into—we’ll go over those a little bit later.
Will attending a summer program at a university help your child get into that college?
The short answer: probably not, at least not directly. The vast majority of pre-college summer programs have no bearing on their host college’s undergraduate admissions practices and should definitely not be viewed as a backdoor into that school.
On top of this, college admissions officers are well aware of the high acceptance rates and price tags of many pre-college programs and, with the exception of the most prestigious programs, won’t necessarily view acceptance into one as a significant achievement. They might simply see it as a sign that your family has money.
Nevertheless, attending a pre-college program may still be worth your child’s time. Remember that many summer programs draw their instructors from their host college’s faculty and may still be academically challenging, even at less selective programs. Plus, if your child has the opportunity to take a course that’s in line with their existing interests and specializations, this will underscore their commitment to that subject and enhance the profile they are trying to build in their college applications.
For example, if your child is obsessed with Russian and has been teaching themselves the language because their high school doesn’t offer it, taking an intensive course at Bryn Mawr’s Russian Language Institute would be a worthwhile pursuit, so long as your family can afford it.
More important than simply attending the program, though, is that your child capitalize on the experience personally and in their college applications. The Russia nerd should come out of the program with, well, better Russian—and new passions for Tolstoy, perhaps. Their college essays during application season should reflect that passion rather than the “achievement” of attending one of these programs.
On that note, while this guide largely focuses on academic pre-college programs, we recommend taking a similar approach if your child is interested in attending a non-academic summer program. Whether they are looking into a service trip to a foreign country or an intensive drama course, the program your child chooses should reflect what they are already interested and active in.
In general, we strongly caution parents and students against investing in flashy, expensive activities unless those activities are thoughtfully chosen and connect to the student’s interests and specializations.
(Suggested reading: Extracurricular Activities for College Admissions: The Ultimate Guide)
Summer volunteering—abroad or otherwise
Volunteering can be another great way for your child to spend their summer if (and this should come as no surprise by now) their service reflects their genuine commitment and interest and doesn’t come across as a perfunctory attempt to seem like a good person.
Like pre-college summer programs, volunteering comes with its own set of complexities, particularly when it comes to service trips abroad. While these types of trips are understandably popular—international travel is undeniably exciting, and volunteering in a developing country often seems like a surefire way to stand out from the crowd—they run the risk of falling into the “flashy and expensive” trap we mentioned above. Not to mention that volunteer abroad trips for teens usually last only a few weeks, which is typically not long enough to make any real impact, raising moral concerns about how you should treat the situations of those less fortunate.
Generally speaking, if your child is looking to make community service one of their specialties, we usually recommend sticking close to home where they will have more opportunities to get involved in long-term projects. This will translate into them leaving a more profound, lasting impact on whatever cause they choose to work on.
However, if your child has the opportunity to go overseas to work on a cause that they are truly connected to, a service trip abroad may be worthwhile. This is doubly the case if a trip abroad provides them with opportunities that simply can’t be had in your local area.
For example, if your child is active in environmental cleanup activities and hopes to major in marine biology, they might apply to join a trip devoted to coral reef conservation in Mexico. Or if they are geopolitically-minded and are interested in studying international relations, perhaps they could volunteer with an NGO aiding refugee resettlement in Germany.
If your child does choose to volunteer overseas, you’ll want to carefully vet the organization that runs your child’s trip (we have some suggestions below, too). Not only should you assess their policies and procedures in regard to travel, safety, and supervision, we highly recommend making sure that their projects are ethically run and are actually of benefit to the local community. A good volunteer abroad program should have clear objectives, be well-connected to and invested in the local community, and promote local self-sufficiency.
Other options for volunteering abroad might be found via family members or family friends living in foreign countries. For instance, if your family emigrated from South Korea but remains in touch with family friends who run a senior center there, perhaps your child could volunteer to work with the elderly while visiting relatives over the summer. Not only does this type of scenario have the benefit of being free (excluding travel costs, of course), your child might also have the opportunity to volunteer for a longer period of time, maybe even an entire summer, greatly increasing their potential impact.
Or if your child is interested in health and your family regularly visits relatives in India over summer and winter breaks, connecting with a family friend who runs a health-related NGO or oversees medical mission trips in the region may be a fine option for your child.
However, instead of simply placing your child in the activity for the weeks when you are in the country, encourage them to find a way to develop a long-term—if long-distance—relationship with the group. Can they fundraise for the NGO from afar, bringing with them donations each time they travel? Can they work with doctors in your hometown to set up telemedicine programs between the villages they visit and the big hospital around the corner from your house? They should ask the people who run the organization what is most needed and set goals so that they can develop a long and meaningful connection to the work.
(Suggested reading: Ivy League Colleges and Community Service: Everything You Need to Know)
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Part 3: List of the top summer programs for high school students
Though more quality summer programs for high school students exist than we could possibly list, we’ve chosen some of our favorites and organized them by category below. Our recommendations are primarily chosen based on the following criteria: they are moderately to extremely selective (with selection being merit-based), often free, and academically or otherwise rigorous.
You’ll notice that we’ve chosen to focus primarily on academics-oriented programs located in the United States, though we do have a few picks that fall outside of those parameters. However, remember that the best summer programs for your child will be the ones that truly align with their interests and specializations. So, if your child has a passion that’s a little more niche—for example, they’re a budding architect or a jazz guitar virtuoso—the most prestigious or relevant programs might be found elsewhere.
(Note: Many summer programs moved online in 2020 and 2021 but are tentatively planning in-person programs for 2022. The list below assumes programs will be held in-person unless otherwise noted, and some listed prices may reflect the pre-pandemic costs of in-person attendance [most programs charged much less for their online versions]. We’ll continue to monitor and update this list as more details on 2023 summer programs become available.)
General academic summer programs for high school students
Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Description: The Clark Scholars Program is an in-depth research program that is open to students 17 years and older in nearly all disciplines, from accounting to dance to philosophy and everything in between. The program features one-on-one research with faculty, as well as weekly seminars, discussion, and field trips. The Clark Scholars Program is very competitive, with only 12 students accepted each year.
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost: Free with $750 stipend
Length: 6 weeks
Program Dates: June 16, 2024 – August 1, 2024
Application Opens: January 2, 2024
Application Deadline: February 15, 2024
Notre Dame Leadership Seminars
Description: Leadership Seminars is for current high school juniors who are academically gifted leaders in their school, church, local community, or other social organizations. Students participate in one of three seminars (sample topic: Global Issues: Violence and Peace in the Modern Age). Around 120 students are admitted each year—usually ranking in the top 10 percent of their class—and are eligible to receive one college credit.
Location: Notre Dame University, Notre Dame, IN
Cost: Free
Length: 10 days
Program Dates: July 20, 2024 – July 31, 2024
Application Opens: October 16, 2023
Application Deadline: January 22, 2024
Telluride Association Summer Seminars (TASS)
Description: TASS offers college-level, academic seminars for current high school sophomores and juniors that allow them to “develop critical reading and writing skills and explore the principles and practice of democratic community living.” TASS currently offers two seminars: Critical Black Studies and Anti-Oppressive Studies, and the program prioritizes group discussion, writing, reading, and self-governance. TASS is a new program replacing the highly selective TASP, which admitted around 5 percent of applicants.
Location: Various college campuses across the United States (2023 locations are Cornell University, the University of Michigan, and the University of Maryland)
Cost: Free
Length: 6 weeks
Program Dates: June 23, 2024 – August 3, 2024
Application Opens: November 15, 2023
Application Deadline: January 3, 2024
Math summer programs for high school students
(Note: Some programs in the following category also include math.)
Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists (PROMYS)
Description: PROMYS is a program for mathematically gifted students which focuses on “the creative side of mathematics.” Open to all high school students over 14 years old, students attend lectures, take advanced seminars, conduct research, and work on problem sets individually or in groups. Around 80 applicants are accepted each year, a quarter of whom are returning students.
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost: $5,500 (financial aid is available, and the program is free for families earning under $60,000 per year)
Length: 6 weeks
Program Dates: June 30, 2024 – August 10, 2024
Application Opens: Early January 2024. Exact date not yet announced. However, you can sign up to be notified here.
Application Deadline: March 1, 2024
Description: Ross students focus deeply on one subject, number theory, for the entire duration of the program and spend most of their days working on challenging problem sets. Ross aims to provide its participants with an initial step towards their own mathematical research. Open to all high school students, Ross typically admits around 20 percent of applicants—around 70 students each year.
Location: Ohio Dominican University, Columbus, OH
Cost: $6,000 (financial aid available)
Length: 6 weeks
Program Dates: 2024 Dates not yet announced
Application Opens: First week of January 2024
Application Deadline: March 31, 2024
Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Description: SUMaC is a program for sophomores and juniors consisting of lectures, a guided research project, and group problem solving. Focused on pure mathematics, SUMaC students choose one of two course topics, both of which delve into mathematics topics from historical and contemporary research perspectives.
Location: Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Cost: $7,000 (financial aid available)
Length: 3 or 4 weeks
Program Dates:
Session One: Online
June 17 – July 5, 2024
3 Weeks
Session One: Residential
June 23 – July 19, 2024
4 Weeks
Session Two: Online
July 8 – 26, 2024
3 Weeks
Note: No residential option for session two.
Application Opens: Currently available
Application Deadline: February 1, 2024
Description: Mathcamp offers mathematically gifted high schoolers classes in advanced math, exposing them to undergraduate- and even graduate-level topics in pure and applied math. In addition to classes, students work on projects, either individually or in groups, culminating in a project presentation at the end of the session. Mathcamp doesn’t impose requirements or a set curriculum on students and, instead, offers them the freedom to self-direct their time and choose what they want to learn. Mathcamp is competitive, accepting 15 percent of students in recent years.
Location: A different college campus each year
Cost: $5,500 (financial aid is available, and the program is free for families earning under $100,000 per year)
Length: 5 weeks
Program Dates: June 30, 2024 – August 4, 2024
Application Opens: January 10, 2024
Application Deadline: March 6, 2024
Science and research summer programs for high school students
Research Science Institute (RSI)
Description: RSI pairs scientific coursework with a research internship to allow students to “experience the entire research cycle from start to finish.” Students work on individual research projects under the mentorship of veteran scientists and present their findings at the program’s conclusion. RSI accepts 80 students each year.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Length: 6 weeks
Program Dates: Not listed
Application Opens: Closed for 2024
The Summer Science Program (SSP)
Description: SSP is an immersive, research-based program that has been running since 1959 and is governed and operated by its own alumni. Students choose one of three programs—Astrophysics, Biochemistry, or Genomics—and participate in classroom work, lab sessions, guest lectures, and field trips. Open to current sophomores and juniors, admission to SSP is competitive, with an acceptance rate around 10 percent.
Location: Various college campuses across the United States (2022 locations include New Mexico Tech, University of Colorado–Boulder, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, Purdue University, and Indiana University)
Cost: $8,800 (financial aid is available, and the program is free for most families earning under $70,000 per year)
Length: 39 days
Program Dates: Program will start mid-late June. Precise dates for 2024 not announced yet.
Application Opens: December 22, 2023
Application Deadline: February 16, 2024
Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Description: At SIMR, students perform medical research with Stanford faculty and researchers. Students choose from one of eight research areas and are subsequently assigned to a corresponding lab where they receive one-on-one mentorship. Open to current juniors and seniors, SIMR heavily favors applicants from the Bay Area, as it does not provide housing. Around 50 students are accepted each year.
Location: Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Cost: Free with a stipend (stipend amount varies but is $500 minimum)
Length: 8 weeks
Program Dates: June 10, 2024 – August 1, 2024
Application Opens: December 20, 2023
Application Deadline: February 24th, 2024
Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science (MITES)
Description: MITES is for academically talented rising seniors—often from underrepresented or underserved backgrounds—who are interested in careers and advanced degrees in science and engineering. Students take five courses as well as participate in admissions counseling sessions, lab tours, and social events.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Length: 6 weeks
Program Dates: Not yet announced
Application Opens: November 2023
Application Deadline: February 1, 2024
Michigan State University High School Honors Science/Engineering/Mathematics Program (HSHSP)
Description: Established in 1958, HSHSP is an in-depth research program for high school juniors designed “to help students develop a deeper understanding of the process of inquiry.” Students spend the majority of their time working on a research project under the guidance of a faculty mentor, though seminars, classes, and special activities are also part of the program. HSHSP admits approximately 24 applicants each year.
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Cost: $4,000 (financial aid available) + $25 Application Fee
Length: 7 weeks
Program Dates: June 16, 2024 – August 3, 2024
Application Opens: Currently open
Application Deadline: March 1, 2024
Simons Summer Research Program
Description: Simons is a hands-on research program in which students participate in an existing research group or lab and take on a project under the supervision of a faculty mentor. Participants also attend weekly faculty research talks and participate in special workshops, tours, and events. Students must be current juniors and must be nominated by their high school in order to apply. Simons is highly selective, admitting around 8 percent of applicants.
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: Free
Estimated residential costs for 2024: $2781.50 (includes $600 meal plan; and $61.50 Student Health Services Fee)
Length: 7 weeks
Program Dates: July 1, 2024 – August 9, 2024
Application Opens: Currently open
Application Deadline: February 7, 2024
Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
Description: SAMS is for current sophomores and juniors from underrepresented backgrounds who wish to “develop mastery of critical concepts in higher-level collegiate math and science” while earning college credit. SAMS includes classroom instruction, hands-on projects, and professional and academic development workshops.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Free
Length: 6 weeks
Program Dates: June 22, 2024 – August 3, 2024
Application Opens: Currently open
Application Deadline: March 1, 2024
Perimeter Institute International Summer School for Young Physicists (ISSYP)
Description: ISSYP is for current juniors and seniors who are interested in theoretical physics and who intend to study physics in college. Students participate in mini courses, keynote sessions, and mentoring sessions, as well as attend presentations by Perimeter Institute researchers on the latest theoretical physics topics. ISSYP is highly competitive, accepting 30–40 students each year—half from Canada and half from other countries. Note that while ISSYP has previously been held at the Perimeter Institute in Waterloo, Ontario, it is currently an online program.
Location: Online
Cost: $250 CAD (~$195 USD)
Length: 2 weeks
Program Dates: This program will not be offered in 2024.
Application Opens:
Application Deadline:
Research in Science and Engineering Program (RISE)
Description: RISE is a program for rising seniors that consists of two tracks: Practicum and Internship. Internship students conduct individual research projects in a university lab under the guidance of a mentor, while practicum students collaborate on group neurobiology research in a structured environment overseen by an instructor. RISE is selective, accepting around 9 percent of applicants.
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost: $8,940 residential; $5,820 commuter (financial aid available) + $50 application fee
Length: 6 weeks
Program Dates:
Residential June 30, 2024 - August 9, 2024
Commuter July 1, 2024 - August 9, 2024
Application Opens: Currently open
Application Deadline: February 14, 2024
The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program
Description: The Jackson Laboratory Student Summer Program is a genetics and genomics research program for undergraduates and high schoolers who are 18 and have completed grade 12 at the time of participation (i.e., current seniors can apply). Students spend the summer immersed in an independent research project under the supervision of a mentor, presenting their findings at the end of the program. Admission is highly competitive—just 40 students, or around 3 percent, are chosen each year.
Location: The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME
Cost: Free with a stipend ($6,500)
Length: 10 weeks
Program Dates: June 1, 2024 – August 10, 2024
Application Opens: Currently open
Application Deadline: January 29, 2024
National Institute of Health High School Summer Internship Program (HS-SIP)
Description: HS-SIP gives students the chance to perform full-time biomedical research at NIH facilities, working alongside scientists who are global leaders in the field. Eligible applicants must be juniors or seniors at the time of application and at least 17 years old by the start of the program. Unfortunately, the NIH does not provide housing so students must live within 40 miles of an NIH campus (note that this isn’t a requirement for students who are 18 years or older). HS-SIP is very competitive, accepting around 15 percent of applicants.
Location: NIH campuses in Bethesda, Baltimore, and Frederick, MD. Limited numbers of positions are also available in Hamilton, MT; Framingham, MA; Phoenix, AZ; and Detroit, MI.
Cost: Free with a stipend ($2,300 - $2530 per month depending on location)
Length: 8 weeks
Program Dates: Varies by program
Application Opens: Currently open
Application Deadline: February 16, 2024
Business, economics, and tech summer programs for high school students
Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Description: Student Leaders assigns paid internships at local nonprofits to juniors and seniors interested in honing their community and business leadership skills. Participants also attend a one-week summit in Washington, D.C, where they meet with members of Congress and participate in projects and workshops focused on societal engagement. Around 225 students are chosen each year to participate.
Location: A nonprofit organization in your local area plus a 1-week summit in Washington, D.C.
Cost: Free with a paid internship
Length: 8 weeks
Program Dates: Not yet announced
Application Opens: Currently open
Application Deadline: January 17, 2024
Leadership in the Business World (LBW)
Description: LBW offers current sophomores and juniors an introduction to business through classes with Wharton professors and visiting business leaders, as well as visits to company offices and team-building exercises. A highlight of the program is the opportunity for participants to create and present their own business plan to a group of venture capitalists and business professionals. Approximately 120 students attend LBW each summer.
Location: The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $10,999 (financial aid available)
Length: 4 weeks
Program Dates:
June 9, 2024 – June 29, 2024
June 30, 2024 – July 20, 2024
July 21, 2024 - August 10, 2024
Application Opens: Currently open
Application Deadline:
Priority deadline: January 31, 2024
Final deadline: April 3, 2024
Description: Economics for Leaders “teaches leaders how to integrate economics into the process of decision-making in a hands-on, experiential environment.” Students typically spend mornings attending economics lectures and afternoons and evenings in leadership workshops and exercises. Open to current sophomores and juniors, 25–40 students are accepted at each site. College credit is available.
Location: Various college campuses across the United States
Cost: $2,300 (limited financial aid available) $800 (EFL Virtual) + $35 application fee
Length: 1 week
Program Dates: Varies by location. See here.
Application Opens: Currently open
Application Deadline: Not listed
Description: The Young Women’s Institute offers young women an introduction to the world of business through workshops taught by Kelley School of Business faculty, the opportunity to design their own business case project, and presentations on business skills. The Institute is open to rising seniors.
Location: Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Cost: Free
Length: 4 days
Program Dates: Will take place in May, June, and July 2024
Application Opens: Not yet announced
Application Deadline: Not yet announced
Description: LaunchX is an entrepreneurship program that supports students through the process of launching an actual startup. Students attend workshops, lectures, simulations, and panel discussions that help them locate a need in the market and create their own business to fill it. LaunchX is open to all current high school students and admits around 18 percent of applicants.
Location: Various college campuses across the United States or online
Cost:
Online Innovation Summer Program $4,750
Online Entrepreneurship Summer Program $6,500
Ann Arbor Entrepreneurship Summer Program $9,970
Bay Area Entrepreneurship Summer Program $9,970 financial aid available)
Additional $150 international fee for both on-site programs if you’re not from USA
Additional $60 application fee if applying by January 7, 2024; $75 if applying by April 24, 2024
Length: 4 weeks
Program Dates: Varies by program but all run from June to August
Application Opens: Not yet announced
Application Deadline:
Early deadline is January 7, 2024
Final deadline is April 24, 2024
Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Programs
Description: Girls Who Code is a program for current sophomores and juniors who identify as female or non-binary and are inexperienced in computer science. Participants are introduced to many different areas of computer science, complete a final project in which they build their own product, and participate in workshops and lectures. They also gain exposure to the tech industry by connecting with female tech professionals.
Location: Tech companies across the United States
Cost: Free with stipends available for transportation and living expenses
Length:
Summer Immersion Program: 2 weeks (virtual)
Self-paced program: 6 weeks
Program Dates:
Self-paced:
July 1st, 2024 – August 9th, 2024
Summer Immersion:
Round 1: June 14 - June 28
Round 2: July 8 - July 19
Round 3: July 29 - August 9
Application Opens:
Application Deadline:
Journalism summer programs for high school students
Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP)
Description: PSJP is a program for talented current juniors from low-income households. During PSJP, students attend workshops and lectures, tour leading news outlets, cover real events, and conduct investigations in preparation for the creation of their own newspaper, which is published on the last day of the program. Participants also get the benefit of college counseling with PSJP staff after they return home. PSJPS is competitive, accepting 40 students each year.
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost: Free
Length: 10 days
Program Dates: July 26, 2024 – Monday, Aug 5, 2024
Application Opens: Currently open
Application Deadline: February 15, 2024
Cronkite Summer Journalism Institute (SJI)
Description: SJI is a broadcast and digital journalism focused program that gives students hands-on experience in a variety of areas of journalism, from reporting to production to camera work. Students also get to tour local newsrooms as well as work in state-of-the-art on-campus broadcast facilities.
Location: Arizona State University, Tempe Phoenix, AZ
Cost: Free
Length: 2 weeks
Program Dates: June 23, 2024 – June 28, 2024
Application Opens: Early January 2024
Application Deadline: April 1, 2024
Description: JCamp provides students with workshops, field trips, and hands-on instruction from professional journalists in a variety of areas, including writing, photography, broadcasting, and more. Originally founded in response to a shortage of diversity in the media, JCamp emphasizes multicultural perspectives. Open to all current freshman, sophomores, and juniors, JCamp admits around 40 students each year.
Location: Georgia Public Broadcasting, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free
Length: 6 days
Program Dates: Not yet announced
Application Opens: Currently open
Application Deadline: March 1, 2024
Creative writing summer programs for high school students
(Note: Some programs in the following category also offer creative writing.)
Description: At the Iowa Young Writers’ Studio, students take a workshop and seminar in a single course of study—poetry, fiction, or a creative writing survey. In addition to sharing their writing and receiving critiques from teachers and peers, they also attend readings and other literary events. The Iowa Young Writers’ Studio is open to all students who have completed their sophomore year.
Location: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Cost: $2,500 (in-person) $575 (online) (financial aid available)
Length: 2 weeks
Program Dates:
Session 1:
June 16, 2024 – June 29, 2024
Session 2:
July 14, 2024 – July 27, 2024
Application Opens: January 22, 2024
Application Deadline: February 4, 2024
Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop
Description: Young Writers is a creative writing program for 16–18 year olds in which students spend five hours per day in multi-genre workshops. Participants also conference individually with their instructors, take genre-focused mini-workshops, and attend readings from visiting writers.
Location: Kenyon College, Gambier, OH
Cost: $2,575 (residential) $995 (online) (financial aid available)
Length: 2 weeks
Program Dates:
Residential:
Session One: June 23, 2024 – July 6, 2024
Session Two: July 14, 2024 – July 27, 2024
Online:
June 16, 2024 – June 21, 2024
Application Opens: Early January
Application Deadline:
Residential:
March 1, 2024
Online:
April 15, 2024
Arts summer programs for high school students
Description: Interlochen offers students in grades 3–12 courses in a variety of arts disciplines: creative writing, dance, film and new media, interdisciplinary arts, music, theatre, and visual arts (note that students must apply and be accepted for a specific discipline). Though the range of ages at Interlochen is wide, high school students form their own divisions of 10–16 students who live and dine together.
Location: Interlochen Center for the Arts, Interlochen, MI
Cost: Varies by length, e.g. $1,830 for one week or $10,080 for six weeks (financial aid available for all sessions except one week)
Length: 1–6 weeks
Program Dates: Varies by session length
Application Opens: Currently open
Application Deadline: January 15, 2024
Idyllwild Arts Summer Teen Programs
Description: Students ages 13–18 can apply to enroll in immersive workshops in creative writing, dance, fashion design, filmmaking, music, theater, or visual arts. The format of the program varies according to the discipline, but most culminate in a performance, reading, or exhibition. Note that certain disciplines are open to beginners while others require prior experience and portfolios or auditions to be accepted.
Location: Idyllwild Arts, Idyllwild, CA
Cost: Varies by length, e.g. $1,680 for one week or $5,800 for four weeks (financial aid available)
Length: 1–4 weeks
Program Dates: Varies by selected program
Application Opens: Currently open
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Foreign language summer programs for high school students
National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y)
Description: NSLI-Y is a study abroad program sponsored by the United States Department of State that offers intensive language instruction in eight less frequently learned languages: Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Korean, Persian, Russian, and Turkish. NSLI-Y “aims to guide students toward using language in their university and/or professional careers and to dedicate themselves to continued language learning far beyond their time on the program.” Highly structured and immersive, participants live with host families and participate in cultural activities.
Location: Various foreign countries in which students can study one of eight less commonly taught languages
Cost: Free (sponsored by the United States Department of State)
Length: 6–7 weeks
Program Dates: Not yet announced
Application Opens: Currently closed for 2024
Application Deadline: November 6, 2023
Wilderness summer programs for high school students
Student Conservation Association National Crews
Description: National Crews gives 15–19 year olds the opportunity to work on parks restoration projects and trail maintenance in crews of 6–8 students. Students live in tents, cook their own food, learn outdoor skills, and learn about ecology and the environment. Sites include national, regional, state, and local parks. National Crews is moderately competitive, accepting fewer than half of all candidates.
Location: National parks and public lands across the United States
Cost: Free (participants are responsible for their own transportation and gear)
Length: 2–5 weeks
Program Dates: Not yet announced
Application Opens: Currently open
Application Deadline: Not yet announced
Volunteer and travel abroad summer programs for high school students
Description: Putney Student Travel has been operating for nearly 70 years and has a reputation for carefully planned programs that emphasize “community empowerment, cultural diversity, and environmental sustainability.” Putney Student Travel runs service-oriented trips for high school students to eleven different countries, as well as trips with other focuses, such as language immersion, mountain climbing, and zoology.
Location: 32 countries around the world
Cost: $5,090–$7,990 - for service-oriented programs (financial aid available) + $200 Application fee
Length: 13–29 days - for service-oriented programs
Program Dates: Varies by program
Application Opens: Rolling admissions (application is currently available)
Application Deadline: March 15, 2024
Description: Rustic Pathways offers trips for 12–22 year olds that are designed with sustainability and local community development in mind. Offering a mix of service, adventure, and cultural immersion trips, Rustic Pathways programs “are intentionally designed to challenge students to think critically and experience personal growth” and are designed collaboratively with local partners according to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Location: 20 countries around the world
Cost: $2,595–$7,995 (for student programs), excluding airfare
Length: 12–22 days
Program Dates: Varies by program
Application Opens: Currently open
Application Deadline: Enrollments are on a first-come first-served basis
The Experiment in International Living
Description: Founded in 1932, The Experiment focuses on learning from foreign countries rather than teaching, and emphasizes cultural sensitivity, sustainability, and social responsibility in its programs. Offering service and non-service trips alike, program focuses vary from public health to the environment to language and cultural immersion.
Location: 14 countries around the world
Cost: $6,200–$8,442
Length: 3–4 weeks
Program Dates: Varies by program
Application Opens: Currently open
Application Deadline: Accepted on a rolling basis but applications received after February 15, 2024 are not guaranteed. January 15, 2024 deadline for The Leadership Institute: Climate Change in Costa Rica program.
Global Vision International (GVI)
Description: GVI runs programs focused on sustainable development and experiential education which are guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as well as the goals of local partners. GVI offers a selection of volunteer trips specifically for teenagers under 18, the majority of which focus on environmental conservation and community development.
Location: 10 countries around the world
Cost: $3,245–$4,945
Length: 2 weeks
Program Dates: Varies by program
Application Opens: Currently open
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Alternatives to summer programs for high school students
There are many good alternatives to attending summer programs that your child ought to consider.
If your child is interested in having an academic experience over the summer, but pre-college programs are out of reach academically or financially, they might consider enrolling in a course at a local community college. Community college courses are much cheaper than pre-college programs, and your child will still exhibit academic passion, plus some extra initiative. An internship or research project with a local college professor would demonstrate similar qualities.
Community service is another great way to spend the summer close to home, so long as your child’s service isn’t perfunctory and reflects their genuine commitment and interest.
Your child may also want to consider the old-fashioned summer job. In addition to the obvious benefit of earning money, jobs also teach students responsibility, work ethic, humility, and teamwork. Though your child won’t be building robots or analyzing 19th-century literature, the personal qualities your child will likely gain are impressive to admissions committees and are not necessarily easy to learn from highly structured summer programs.
Strategies for admission into the best summer programs
While participation in these programs won’t necessarily lead to your child’s acceptance into a top-tier university, they can still be quite selective and carry significant prestige. Furthermore, many of the skills required to get into a prestigious summer program translate over into university applications.
The majority of the programs we’ve listed require applicants to paint a picture of themselves as an individual in personal statements and essays. Crafting these essays so that your child stands out is a skill that speaks to their competence and articulateness, often making the difference between an offer of admission and rejection.
We’ve chosen two essay questions from two selective programs below to demonstrate how your child should approach answering them. In order to focus on prestigious programs that will incur the largest benefit for your child, we have deliberately taken questions from programs that do not require tuition.
Research Science Institute (RSI)
The Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT is known for being competitive. Acceptance can be a valuable asset on a college application. The gatekeepers to this program not only look for stellar grades and research extracurriculars, they also want to know about your child’s interests and long-term ambitions.
Their website states, “To each question below, please provide a considered response including specific details that give evidence of performance, passion, and promise in the sciences or mathematics.” Using this framework, we’ll consider a response to one of their questions below.
Question: What are your long-range goals?
When answering this kind of question, it’s important to craft an answer that is specific and tailored to the program’s goals. Your child should state exactly what their long-range goals are (even if they may change in the future), show how they’ve taken actionable steps to achieve those goals or what steps they plan to take, and incorporate their passion for the sciences or mathematics into it.
To illustrate this, let’s look at an example.
My long-range goals include attending MIT to major in engineering and eventually working for Boston Dynamics on humanoid robot projects such as Atlas. I’m fascinated by robotics research and while an undergraduate at MIT, I plan to join the MIT Robotics Team. This will allow me to broaden my knowledge of a field I’m already deeply involved in at my high school.
During my sophomore year, I participated in the World Robotics Olympiad (WRO) where I was part of a team within the Future Engineers category. We were tasked with developing an autonomous driving car that would successfully navigate a track, avoiding obstacles and doing so faster than other teams. While we didn’t come in first place, this experience ignited my passion for science and engineering as we brainstormed, tested, and worked together to solve complex issues that arose with our robot.
Furthermore, I am a member of the engineering club at my school where, under the guidance of a technology teacher, we create different projects using things like a Raspberry Pi. Recently, we created an expressive robot with the Ewon Home kit.
I want to participate in the RSI program to continue building on these experiences and collaborate with like-minded individuals with the goal of working on advanced humanoid robots in the future.
Why this essay works
The above student hits all of the major points. They clearly state what their long-range goals are and point to their passion for robotics and engineering by mentioning the extracurricular activities they engage in.
Their goals are ambitious, but this speaks to their knowledge of the field of robotics and their engagement with current research. It helps paint a picture of a student who is excited about engineering and driven to make a difference. All of these are qualities the RSI program is looking for in a candidate.
The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program
The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program is open to students who have just graduated high school and are enthusiastic about genetics and genomics research. Students should display academic achievement, problem-solving ability, and enthusiasm for engaging in an independent research project.
With this in mind, let’s consider how to respond to one of their essay questions.
Question: What have you read, heard or seen recently that excites your scientific curiosity? What will you tell your friends, colleagues, or family about it and how interesting you think this thing is?
Recently, I have been intrigued by the genetic causes of Alzheimer’s due to a grandparent becoming diagnosed with the disease. I had heard genes play a major role in whether a person will develop Alzheimer’s so I began to wonder if other family members could be at risk and what might be done to prevent it.
As I began researching the genetic connection to the condition, I was surprised to learn that a major study had just been completed that identified 42 new genes associated with the disease. I found the breadth of this study fascinating. According to professor Julie Williams at Cardiff University, 60% to 80% of the risk of Alzheimer’s comes down to our genetics.
The possibilities of new approaches to treating Alzheimer’s seemed to burst forth in my mind. With a study of this magnitude being completed, therapies can be developed to help mitigate the effects of the disease by alerting medical professionals early on of the likelihood of it surfacing in patients years in advance.
I have long been attracted to the science of genetics and looked to it to explain character traits, evolutionary mutations and predispositions towards certain illnesses such as cancer but I had never learned of such a concrete example linking it to a disease of the brain. My mind spun with ideas related to research.
Over dinner, I would tell my parents how I’d learned that one gene, the APOE4 gene, is associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s although having it does not definitely mean the disease will appear in later life. Some people have one copy, others have two and the more one has the risk of Alzheimer’s increases.
I would tell them that in brains with this gene, myelination or the insulation around neurons which facilitates electrical activity, is reduced and especially so in the axons connecting the hemispheres of the brain, the corpus callosum. Researchers have tried to correct this using a drug known as cyclodextrin in mice with APOE4 and have had a good deal of success.
This made me think of the amazing possibilities that still exist for research. As of now, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s but by identifying these genes, novel approaches can be developed with medicines that more accurately affect the root causes of Alzheimer's. We can change the future of a wide section of the population, allowing them to live out the remainder of their lives with dignity.
Why this essay works
This student shows how a personal connection caused them to take the initiative to learn more about a debilitating illness and its genetic causes. In the process, they express clear interest by explaining what they have learned, noting there is much more that needs to be done. The reader gets the sense that they wish to contribute their talents to this research in the future.
In addition, the student hits the main points of the question, namely what excites them and what they would tell others about it.
Final thoughts
Attending a pre-college summer program can be a fantastic experience for your high schooler, so long as the program is challenging, within your family’s financial means, and not counted on as a backdoor into a prestigious college. There are also many other good options that your child can pursue to stay engaged and challenged over the summer. If your child is interested in attending a summer program, be sure to research the program’s quality and choose a subject that’s in line with their interests and specializations.
About the Author
Dr. Shirag Shemmassian is the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and one of the world's foremost experts on college admissions. For nearly 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into top programs like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT using his exclusive approach.
