College summer programs are a great way to stand out on college applications and find a productive use for your summer. You’ll be surprised by the vast amount of opportunities.
From time to time, you may hear about college summer programs, like internships and various camps that open applications to students. However, you may not know which summer programs are the best or when to apply. Consider the following if you’re looking for college summer programs for high school students.
If you know what kind of college major you want to follow or what kind of experience fits your interests, you’re not far from finding the best summer programs for you to attend.
Here, we cover the best summer programs to help you get a jump start on your search. We’ll discuss deadlines, when to apply, and the best programs to help you build your candidacy for college!
These programs have been organized by academic areas, providing you with rich and diverse educational opportunities. Categorizing the programs this way allows you to delve into a broader spectrum of knowledge and encourages you to explore new subject areas!
Does a STEM research program with hands-on experience in various fields, from chemistry, physics, and biology to subjects not taught as commonly in high schools, like robotics, medicine, and research, sound interesting? If you dream of a science-based career path, the following programs could influence your future.
The Summer Science and Engineering Program at Smith College, or SSEP, provides a unique medicine-based curriculum with prospectives on women’s health for students interested in learning more about research on the topic.
The Research Scholars - Bioengineering Broad Overview and Techniques at UC San Diego program share the bio-lab environment with high school students. Students interested in the new mechanics behind bioengineering and related fields should apply.
As a strong choice for a science program, Rising Researchers pairs students with a mentor for a one-on-one experience to learn about analysis and advanced-level research. Students will work towards building their virtual research presentation.
Boston Leadership Institute’s Neuroscience Research program will teach students about the human neural systems and provide a detailed look at the pathways and components of the visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, and somatosensory systems.
Hofstra University's Summer Science Research Program provides high school students the opportunities for scientific research guided by professionals in the fields of science and mathematics.
Are you a student and aspiring young entrepreneur with great ideas but needing the knowledge to start and run your own business? Any of the following business programs will teach you the basics from some top experts from major American business schools.
Camp Business at Drexel University teaches the students the basics of American business from a university perspective. Note that this program is competitive based on your high school transcript. However, based on your performance during the internship, you have a chance of winning scholarships.
Entrepreneurship Academy at Georgetown University applies many business ideas, like market research, prototypes, and business management, at a level that a high school student can understand. While this program has a competitive application, it will help you start a business major.
Beta Bowl takes the leadership ideas presented in a high school beta club and applies them to business and entrepreneurship. As a virtual program, you’ll take on outcome-focused curriculums with chances for one-on-one training. Students who have participated have gone on to great colleges with scholarships.
The Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program Finance and Investing Institute teaches high school students how investing works. They learn about investments – stocks, bonds, and mutual funds/exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
The University of Tennessee’s Supply Chain Management Summer Program is a six-day program designed to introduce under-represented high school students to the field of Supply Chain Management.
Do you see a bright future for yourself working for the tech industry? Check out some of the best summer tech programs for high school students.
BlueStamp Engineering wants students seeking to elevate their high school education with experience in engineering to create a professional portfolio.
Terp Young Scholars at the University of Maryland provides high school students with the chance to take a college class for three hours of credits that fit into any of the technology-based majors to get a preview of what their courses are like.
MIT’s Introduction to Technology, Engineering and Science program provides opportunities for students from diverse and underrepresented groups to learn about STEM.
Johns Hopkins University’s Engineering Innovation Pre-College Programs allows students to experiment, design, create, and learn to think like an engineer.
Tufts University’s Pre-College Engineering Investigations program provides students with an overview of many different disciplines within engineering to broaden their understanding of the field.
Are you a student with a passion for mathematics and a desire to explore its applications beyond the classroom? These math programs offer a unique opportunity to dive into that world. Check out these programs if you’re interested.
The Awesome Math Program offers an immersive three-week online experience tailored for exceptionally gifted students worldwide.
PROMYS is a six-week summer mathematics program designed for highly motivated high school students, selected with care from across the U.S. and around the world
The University of Michigan’s Math and Science Scholars Program introduces high school students to research in the sciences and math.
Carnegie Mellon University's Summer Academy for Math and Science allows students to develop a deeper understanding of STEM via traditional classroom instruction and hands-on projects.
The University of St. Andrews’s Summer Academic Experience program is located in the United Kingdom, so it’d be a great overseas trip to attend! Participants have the opportunity to explore a subject of their choice (including math), simultaneously honing their academic research and writing skills.
If you’re someone who doesn’t know which fields of study they're interested in, these general academic programs are right for you!
Boston University’s High School Honors Program gives students the opportunity to get out of their comfort zone and learn about new subjects while earning college credit.
Carleton College’s Summer Liberal Arts Institute Pre-College Program offers students an immersive summer learning experience while also earning college credit.
The University of the Pacific: Pre-college Summer Programs offers students a personalized learning environment and hands-on experience in various academic fields.
The Boston Leadership Institute three-week programs offer students many opportunities to learn in many disciplines.
If you’re interested in storytelling and current events, explore your passion for journalism through these excellent programs. They’re designed to equip aspiring writers, reporters, and communicators with the essential skills needed in today's world.
The University of Alabama’s Multicultural Journalism Program offers hands-on learning experiences for high school students with a passion for journalism and student media.
The Loyola Marymount University: Journalism Workshop will teach students how stories are discovered and written, the best ways to capture images on a phone, and how to use audio in stories and podcasts.
National Student Leadership Conference’s Journalism program provides students with the opportunity to learn about journalism through hands-on learning and gain industry insight.
New York University’s Urban Journalism Workshop will receive hands-on instruction from NYU faculty and the opportunity to report and produce their own multimedia stories.
The University of North Carolina’s Sports Journalism Camp offers students the chance to immerse in sports journalism through sessions.
Are you a student-driven by a curiosity about the intricacies of culture, history, and social structures? These programs will help fuel and feed that curiosity.
The University of Colorado’s Student Leaders Institute allows students to reside at the university during the month of July and earn three college credit hours in Social Studies.
High School Diplomats is an eight-day program at the University of Virginia that offers 20 American students the chance to partake in academic and social activities, fostering lasting connections with 20 Japanese peers of the same age.
The University of Notre Dame’s Leadership Seminars host academically talented students who show impressive leadership within their communities and allow them to earn one college credit.
The University of Virginia’s Summer Language Institute (SLI) offers students an eight-week course where they can learn a language.
Unleash your creativity and ignite your passion for the arts with these exciting programs. These programs foster creativity and skill development, which is great if that’s something you want to pursue in college.
Belmont University’s Theatre Summer Camp is a week-long program led by university instructors and local professionals. Throughout the program, students will delve into vocal and physical communication, text analysis, stage combat, and improv.
Carnegie Mellon University’s Pre-College Summer Program for Music mirrors the initial weeks of Carnegie Mellon's freshman undergraduate School of Music curriculum. The program includes private studio lessons, participation in major performing ensembles, and dedicated music support courses.
Columbus College of Art & Design’s program allows students to experience life as a college student enrolled in an Art and Design program. They’ll receive lectures and partake in workshops to enrich their knowledge of the field.
Indiana University’s Animation Camp teaches students to create digital animations for film, television and video games.
Pre-med programs are a great way to jumpstart your future in the medical field if that’s your goal! These programs look good on a college application and can help you with learning the basics of the field.
The Envision: National Youth Leadership Forum in Medicine Program lets students discover and partake in hands-on medical experience in the medical field.
Georgetown University’s 1-Week Medical Academy introduces students to the field of medicine where they’ll explore topics ranging from human anatomy, physiology, radiology, and more.
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an eight-week initiative inviting high school students from diverse backgrounds to engage in research.
The University of Missouri’s Mini Medical School program will attend sessions with clinical and research specialists, participate in social activities to network, and learn about the field of medicine.
As you can see, there are a number of summer pre-college opportunities for teens out there. If any of these programs appeal to you, consider applying now!
Considering whether to attend a high school program? Let's take a closer look at the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.
In short, high school pre-college programs offer valuable experiences but consider the costs, time, and competitiveness before making your decision.
College summer programs are a great way to jumpstart a college education and find recognition for future scholarships. Just like summer jobs, so long as you apply and meet all the requirements, you’ll have a chance to be considered. However, when researching which programs have potential, it’s essential to consider deadlines and when is best to apply.
Most of the best summer educational programs for high schoolers run by universities start accepting applications in the fall of the year before the program starts–with deadlines typically falling in late April. Some programs also have rolling applications extending beyond the deadline. If you’re thinking of applying, now’s the time.
If you plan on taking any standardized tests, research when the ACT or SAT dates and deadlines fall before you sign up. If you plan on signing up for any of these college programs, build your study plans beforehand with the dates in mind. The SAT and ACT show their summer testing dates well in advance.
Below are some common questions about summer programs for high school students. Keep reading to learn more.
The latest you can apply to a college summer program will ultimately depend on each program’s deadline. Some programs will accept applications a few weeks before the scheduled program starts, but it’s best to apply early to increase your chances of getting in.
You should start applying as soon as the summer program opens up their applications. This will give your application a better chance for review as you’ll have less competition earlier on in the application process.
College summer programs allow students to explore their interests, develop skills, and engage in work-study within a college setting.
Some programs even offer college credits to high school students and allow them to experience college life. An internship for high school students is work experience that is typically unaffiliated with a college that helps students gain skills within a specific field.
If you’re looking for a way to spend a productive summer and get a taste of college life, try applying to available summer programs for high school students. You may figure out what you want to do with your life or find out what path you’ll want in engineering, science, or tech industries you never knew were possible.
Best of luck!
