It’s not too late to find a summer program for your high school student for this summer! Below are listed several enrichment programs in fields that will benefit students in several ways. Summer programs not only keep your child’s brain active during the time off from school; they allow students to learn valuable skills, test out a potential path of study, and give participants an edge on their college applications. Check out the fast facts for each program, and click on the link to find more information or to apply.
Medicine
Biomedical Research Academy through the University of Pennsylvania
3-week virtual program costing $5,049
Intensive deep-dive into research in the cellular, molecular and genetic aspects of biology. Students learn through lectures, labs, and small group investigations.
Current 9th – 11th grade students may apply
Application deadline: 5/10/22
Mini Med School at Tufts University
2-week residential OR virtual program costing $5,600 (R) or $3,900 (V)
Explores a range of medical and health topics. Through lectures and medical case studies coupled with hands-on training, students will begin to experience what it takes to study medical sciences.
Current 9th – 12th grade students may apply; must be ages 15 – 17 for residential program
Application deadline: 5/1/22
UCI Braincamp
2-week, in-person, full-day camp (not residential) costing $2,150
Offers students exploration in neuroscience through lectures, seminars, workshops, tours of labs, hands-on activities, dissections, etc. Students design experiments, analyze data, and present findings to an audience. Camp includes daily lunch.
Current high school students may apply
Applications accepted on a rolling basis until program is full
Georgetown 3-Week Medical Academy
3-week residential program costing $6,745
Students choose one of three tracks: Anatomy & Physiology, Social Medicine & Public Policy, OR Emergency Medicine, and they gain a deeper understanding of their track through classroom learning, hands-on projects, case studies, and, in most tracks, lab work.
Rising freshmen through current seniors may apply
Application due date: 5/15/22
Business
Adelphi Summer Pre-College Program: Business & Entrepreneurship
2-week residential program costing $3,600
Helps students discover all aspects of the business world. Topics covered include marketing, human resources, legal structures, operations, accounting and finance, risk management, etc. Students will work in teams to develop a business idea into a comprehensive business plan, participate in a "Shark Tank" style pitch session, connect with successful entrepreneurs, and visit Wall Street and the Financial District.
Current 9th – 11th grade students may apply
Applications accepted on a rolling basis until program is full
Young Women’s Institute, Kelley School of Business at Indiana University
5-day program at no cost
Introduces young women to the college experience and business career opportunities. Students participate in workshops, prepare a real-world business case project, hone leadership and communication skills, and connect with like-minded women interested in business.
Rising senior women may apply
Application due date: 4/15/22
UCLA Pre-College Summer Institutes: Startup: Social Entrepreneurship
2-week residential program costing $3,712
Students will learn the basics of starting, building, and running non-profit organizations and social impact businesses. In the first half of the program, students will learn the basics of researching and creating a mission-oriented venture. In the second half of the program, students will put that knowledge into action by creating their own ventures. Students will form teams to work on their startup ideas. Each team will prepare a 5-minute pitch to present to a panel of entrepreneurs and investors for feedback.
Current 10th – 11th grade students may apply
Applications accepted on a rolling basis until program is full
Tufts Pre-College Intensive Programs: Entrepreneurship & Innovation Bootcamp
2-week residential program costing $5,500
An immersive experience for high school students interested in learning how to solve big societal problems through new venture creation. Students will learn how to build a new venture from the ground up, whether it is a startup, small business or non-profit.
Current 9th – 11th grade students may apply; must be ages 15-17 during program
Application due date: 5/1/22
Writing
Sewanee Young Writers' Conference at Sewanee University
2-week residential program costing $2,550
Students hone skills, read and study the works of great authors, conduct peer editing, meet guest authors, and participate in group activities, recreation, and social events. Workshops are offered in poetry, playwriting and fiction; three specialized courses are also offered: (1) Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fabulism: Short Fiction through a Fantastic Lens and (2) Digging Deep: Writing and Discovery in Poetry and Creative Nonfiction.
Current 9th – 11th grade students may apply
Applications accepted on a rolling basis until program is full
Rice University: Creative Writing Camp
5-day virtual OR day-camp costing $495
Covers the topics of poetry, writing for the stage, essay writing, and writing with the use of visual art. Groups are limited to 20 students each and are team-taught by highly qualified teachers and writers. The camps are interactive and hands-on and many incorporate art or crafts.
Current high school students may apply
Applications accepted on a rolling basis until program is full
NYU TISCH - Online Screenwriters Workshop
4-week virtual program costing $7,065
Students are introduced to the basic principles of writing for film and television through intensive exercises and lectures. Students develop story ideas and characters, learn film language and script structure, analyze important works, and critique and revise their own work. The workshop culminates with submitted scenes, a short screenplay, and a synopsis of a feature film and television series.
Current 9th – 12th grade students may apply
Application deadline: 5/25/22
Art & Graphic Design
Tufts Pre-College Intensive Programs: SMFA Graphic Design Bootcamp
5-day virtual intensive costing $2,000
Explore the field of graphic design, learning Adobe Creative Cloud software tools, and hearing from professional graphic designers. Students learn what career paths use graphic design and leave with 1-2 pieces of completed work.
Current 9th – 12th grade students may apply
Application due date: 5/1/22
Tufts Pre-College Intensive Programs: SMFA Studio Art
2-week residential program costing $6,750
Students will participate in foundation classes that will blur the lines between disciplines. Led by a team of qualified artists and educators, they will get instruction on advancing technical skills such as drawing, painting, sculpture, and animation, allowing them to build a portfolio of materially complex, intentional works of art. Group critiques led by instructors, field trips to local museums and galleries, and a critical studies class will facilitate analysis and contextualization of art within the real world.
Current 9th – 12th grade students may apply
Application due date: 5/1/22
Adelphi Summer Pre-College Program: Art & Digital Production
2-week residential program costing $3,600
Explore the intersection of art and technology; learn Photogrammatry, do 3D modeling and printing, explore large scale drawing/painting with the use of technology, build a geodesic dome and transform it into a camera obscura, visit an art museum in NYC, and visit an art school for a plein air experience.
Current 9th – 11th grade students may apply
Applications accepted on a rolling basis until program is full
Computer Science
Tufts Pre-College Intensive Programs: Coding 101
2-week residential program costing $5,500
Supplements daily coding lectures with a diverse range of faculty guest lectures on topics like the history of programming and introductions to AI, Robotics, and Cybersecurity. Students gain insights into computing and grow skills through individual and small, group-based daily coding, discussion, and skills building sessions. Field trips to tech-centric companies is included; the program culminates with a collaborative group project.
Current 9th – 11th grade students may apply; must be ages 15-17 during program
Application due date: 5/1/22
iD Tech: Summer Tech Camp
1- or 2-week programs (some day-camp, some overnight); cost varies depending on program selected
A large variety of one or two week programs are offered for students of all ages; some have both day camp and overnight options. Students receive an elite on-campus experience, small class sizes, and excellent instructors. **Some programs require prerequisites.
Students of all ages may apply
No official deadline; classes are posted until filled
DigiPen Pre-college Summer Programs
4-week virtual program costing $2,695 - $2,995
Students will take two academic courses in the mornings and participate in a project studio in the afternoons, and explore the roles of programmers, game designers, artists, musicians, and sound designers. *Some classes require students to have prior knowledge; see website for specific details.
Current 10th – 12th grade students may apply; must be 16 by program start date
Application due date: 5/15/22
Architecture
Embarc Summer Design Academy at UC Berkeley
4-week residential program costing $9,290
Students will study architecture, urban design, and sustainable city planning through a series of lectures, workshops, site visits and fabrication projects. Students work on design challenges in a studio environment and engage in problem-solving.
Current 10th – 11th grade students may apply
Application due date: 5/1/22
USC Architecture: High School Program - Exploration of Architecture
4-week residential OR commuter program costing $9,560 (R) or $6,805 (C)
Engages students with architecture thinking and the design process. Students will participate in discussions with leading architects and scholars, visits to architecturally significant places, development of a compelling portfolio, and development of skills and techniques important for the field. Students earn 3 units of college credit.
Current 9th – 12th grade students may apply
Application due date: 5/6/22
Cornell AAP Introduction to Architecture Summer Program
6-week residential program costing $4,952 plus $1,620 per credit
Introduces students to principles of architecture and methods of solving architectural problems. Students participate in lectures, workshops, and a series of exercises culminating in a final project. *Students in the six-week summer residential program must select 2 or 3 six-week courses.
Students in 11th -12th grades may apply
Application due date: 5/6/22
Engineering
High School Engineering Institute (HSEI) at Michigan State University
5-day residential program costing $899
Each day students will learn about an engineering major and participate in lectures, hands-on activities, demonstrations, team problem-solving challenges, and tours. Students also have the opportunity for fun activities with peers.
Current 9th – 12th grade students may apply
Application due date: 6/16/22
Bucknell Engineering Camp
5-day residential program costing $1,000
An academically challenging, hands-on introduction to the field of engineering; Students will learn what engineers do, study the latest technologies, and learn how engineers apply the science the students are learning in school.
Rising 8th – 12th grade students may apply
Application due date: 6/1/22
Engineering Innovation through Johns Hopkins University
5-week virtual program costing $3,550
Students apply their knowledge of math and science to labs and hands-on projects, attend virtual lectures, and test theories. Students will explore civil, chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineering and materials science using the lab kit provided. Students with a final grade of B or above will receive 3 Johns Hopkins University credits. *Computers must meet certain technical requirements as well as certain software and a reliable internet connection.
Rising juniors and seniors preferred
Application due date: 5/20/22
Tufts Pre-College Intensive Programs: Engineering Investigations
2-week residential program costing $5,500
Designed to provide an introduction to the different disciplines within the broad field of engineering, such as Civil and Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, and Biomedical Engineering; The program balances presentations and discussions with hands-on explorations of engineering. Participants will hear from researchers, students, and industry professionals about their work in research, design, and entrepreneurship.
Current 9th – 12th grade students may apply; must be 15 – 17 at the time of the program
Application due date: 5/1/22
The above is a small sampling of programs available for your student. There are literally hundreds, in all price ranges, in all parts of the country, both in-person and online. Many programs offer partial or full scholarships; don’t let the cost deter you from exploring programs that might benefit your child!
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This blog was written Janice Royal, MA. She is the Founder and CEO of Royal College Consulting.
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Email: janice@royalcollegeconsulting.com
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