Great Summer Experiences For Teens
Not yet updated for 2024
By Valerie Erde
If you read no further…from my experience working with dozens of teens over past several years and from what my college admissions peers are saying … You don’t need to attend an “official” pre-college program to stand out and get into a fantastic college (ivy or otherwise). You just need to think about your child’s true interests - or experiences that might of rule in/rule out interests - and do a bit of out-of-the-box thinking. One of my recent students who was interested in business and real estate came to me looking for ideas. We came up with something really pretty simple: intern at a local real estate company. He reached out via cold emails and did just that! He loved it, gained valuable experience, and a discussion about some of the skills and insights he gained (about negotiation, as one example) worked their way into in his Common Application essay.
If you want to learn more about my former successful students’ summer experiences , or brainstorm about your teen, you may book time on my calendar here.
There are way too many summer programs to list them all here; the 25 below represent a sampling. (See links to Versed’s excellent, comprehensive guide below.)
No matter what grade your high schooler is in, he or she is going to want to have summer experiences that are both fun and rewarding. You can develop existing interests and talents, create original artistic or academic works, discover new places and friends, work at or launch a business, teach or get involved in your community……The point is, summers offer a relaxed, risk-free opportunity to explore, discover and challenge themselves.
Relax and Have Fun, But Make Your Summers Count
Your students work really hard during the school year, so of course, you want them to have some fun down time over the summer. But they can have fun and while also doing things that help begin to build that narrative of who they are - that “hook” - colleges will eventually look for when they read applications and try to get a picture of how your child will help create and fit into an interesting and diversified class. Students can do this by finding one or two things that genuinely interest them -- and interest them so much that they’ll to make a real commitment of time and energy, deepening their knowledge and experience in whatever it is -- be it music, art, computers, debate, a sport, entrepreneurship….Whether your child wants to attend a pre-existing program, or create his or her own experience, the sky’s really the limit when it comes to summer ideas.
Attending A Pre-College Program Is One Option
Many selective colleges and universities offer “pre-college” programs geared toward high-achieving, ambitious high school students (or maybe more aptly their high-achieving, ambitious - and add to that anxious - parents). Colleges have figured out that making “highest and best use” of their largely vacant summer “real estate” of dorms and classrooms, and capitalizing on parental anxieties about the increasingly competitive college entrance landscape, is a recipe for a cash cow. (For more on this, read this Washington Post article.) Don’t get me wrong, some of these programs are really excellent and might provide great options for exploring certain areas such as forensics or astrophysics. Just keep in mind these programs will not, in and of themselves, translate into admissions offers down the road. (I can think of several exceptional students who attended such programs and were not accepted to those colleges.)
But Some of the Most Interesting and Prestigious Summer Opportunities Are Free!
And even better news, some of the most interesting, fun, and prestigious programs are completely free. For example, if you are accepted to the U.S. Department of State’s NSLI-Y summer language program (with which I’m personally familiar), you essentially earn a full merit scholarship to spend six weeks abroad with a diverse group of teens from all over the country, studying a cool language that’s deemed important to U.S. national security (beginners included), and learning about a culture through after-class outings, weekend excursions, and a 10-day host family stay. And for two young women I know who attended the Girls Who Code Summer Immersion program, those experiences proved formative in their eventual choices of majors and career paths.
Of course, you don’t have to travel across the globe nor attend an “official” program to have a fun and meaningful summer. Jobs, internships, and creative projects also provide great opportunities for meeting diverse people, building skills, and experiencing personal growth. But whatever you do you want to ……
Begin Your Research Early
Application deadlines for jobs, internships, and summer programs vary, but keep in mind that for some jobs and internships, you may be competing with college students who come home for the summer and typically get out of school earlier than most high school students. Because many of the more selective summer programs are notoriously difficult to get into and often require college-like application essays, recommendation letters, and/or auditions/portfolios, you will need to plan ahead. Make sure you do your homework and check websites for eligibility guidelines and deadlines. In sum, students need a fair amount of time to research, organize, prepare their materials.
Veridian Tip: Encourage your child to take ownership and do at least some of the research on his or her own because it’s great practice for beginning to research colleges later on!
Find Summer Opportunities That Will Be A Good Fit
Just because a program is well-known or celebrated, doesn’t mean it will be the right fit for everyone. Students should focus on meeting their personal needs and curiosities. and applying to programs they’d actually be enthusiastic about attending.
When one of my children was researching summer music opportunities (including audition requirements), she realized that some were too “intense” musically for what she wanted, while weren’t intense enough. She wanted high-level musical instruction, but also wanted to have fun doing typical summer-camp activities such as swimming, art projects, campfire singing etc. Finding what’s right for you may mean clicking through many online “brochures” and course catalogs before settling on a program.
Also Make Summer Plans That Will Help Shape You
As a learner, musician, athlete, techie, an entrepreneur, activist…. You get the idea.
Think about summer experiences as providing an additional opportunity to shape a cohesive picture about who your teen is to an admissions committee. Of course, if you’re your students are in 9th or 10th grade, they’re probably still figuring out who they are and what academic subjects or extra-curricular activities truly interest and inspire them. However, if your child is a junior, he/she has already gotten involved in certain school activities and probably favors certain academic subjects, so now’s the time to think about summer a little more strategically.
And remember, your child doesn’t have to attend a “set” or expensive program to have a fun and meaningful summer. Even a steady babysitting job can fit into a narrative about your child and illustrate important personality traits and character, such as creativity, responsibility, and empathy, to name a few. Indeed, for one of my students who wanted to spend summer at home and earn money, her three years of babysitting for one family resulted in a very warm and funny supplemental essay. She was admitted to Princeton.
Let’s Get Started Thinking About Summer!
I’ve listed a few programs below to get you thinking. This list is by no means exhaustive, nor does it include athletics, jobs, and internships. If you’re interested in learning more about how to make your summers count, want to brainstorm ideas, or get suggestions, I’d be happy to help. Your high school guidance counselor may also know about programs and internships in your area that former students have attended. And I highly recommend you check out AskedVersed Summer Opportunities Guide. They’ve compiled the most comprehensive (and searchable!) list of summer programs I’ve seen. You may also get ideas by watching the Summer Experience Webinar I participated in last year.
Have fun exploring!
A note about programs that say they are available to “underrepresented groups” only. It can refer to ethnicity, income, gender… For example, some programs may consider all girls - including white girls - as underrepresented. You must inquire!
STEM
Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program
Location: Virtual in U.S., Canada, India, U.K.
Length: 2-week intensive or 6-week self-paced
Age Group/Year: Current 10th & 11th graders (rising juniors and seniors)
Cost: Free + Need-based stipend for travel/living up to $300
Application Deadline:
Each week of the program covers projects related to computer science, such as art, storytelling, robotics, video games, web sites, and apps. Students also hear from guest speakers, participate in workshops, connect with female engineers and entrepreneurs, and go on field trips. The program culminates in a final project where they build their own product and share it with your class.
Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Location: Rockefeller University, NYC
Length: 6 weeks
Age Group/Year: 16 and older
Cost: Free + MetroCard (no travel/housing provided)
Application Deadline. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, January 3, 2022.
The Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) provides high school students with a unique and personalized opportunity to conduct hands-on research under the mentorship of leading scientists at one of the world’s premier biomedical research facilities. During this rigorous 7-week program, SSRP students become immersed in scientific culture while gaining an appreciation for the process of biomedical discovery.
Summer Academy For Math and Science (SAMS)
Location: In-person 2022 Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
Length: 6 weeks
Age Group/Year: 16+
Cost: Free except $100 enrollment fee.
Application Deadline: *Underrepresented groups only. Opens November.
SAMS is a six-week residential summer program at Carnegie Mellon University for minoritized student groups interested in pursuing STEM-related undergraduate majors. Students engage in a rigorous curriculum taught by our world renowned faculty and staff who are deeply committed to student success. Students may choose from two different academic tracks; Science and Engineering, and Computer Science.
The Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Length: 6 weeks
Age Group/Year: one year remaining before completing HS
Cost: Free, underrepresented communities only
Application Deadline: See website for deadlines and standardized testing requirements.
RSI combines on-campus course work in scientific theory with off-campus work in science and technology research. Participants experience the entire research cycle from start to finish. RSI scholars first participate in a week of intensive STEM classes with accomplished professors, but the heart of RSI is the five-week research internship where students conduct individual projects under the tutelage of mentors who are experienced scientists and researchers. During the final week of RSI, students prepare written and oral presentations on their research projects.
Location: New Mexico Tech, Univ. of Colorado Boulder, Purdue Univ., Indiana Univ. Length: 39 days
Age Group/Year: Rising seniors
Cost: Partially funded
Application Deadline: TBA
SSP is seen as more of an immersive experience than a camp. Participants spend their time doing rather than watching, working to complete a research project in teams of three. There are also guest lectures and field trips.
Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Location: Stanford University
Length: 4 weeks
Age Group/Year: Currently in grades 10 or 11
Cost: $7,000
Application Deadline: Application for 2022 TBA
Either of SUMaC’s tracks (Program I or Program II) are great opportunities for students interested in advanced mathematics. Participants engage in lectures, guided research, group problem solving, and other activities that culminate in a research project.
Program in Mathematics for Young Student (PROMYS)
Location: Boston University
Length: 6 weeks
Age Group/Year: 15-19
Cost: $5,000
Application Deadline: TBA
For students that are particularly talented in mathematics, PROMYS is an established program where attendees are supported by a mixture of counselors, research mathematicians, and research scientists.
Research in Science & Engineering
Location: Boston University
Length: 6 weeks
Age Group/Year: Juniors
Cost: approx. $7,700
Application Deadline: TBA
RISE participants take either the "internship" or the "practicum" track, which allows them to either tackle a research project under the direction of a mentor or to conduct group research in a university setting under the guidance of a BU instructor.
High School Honors Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Program
Location: Michigan State University
Length: 7 weeks
Age Group/Year: Rising High School Seniors
Cost: $3,800
Application Deadline: March 1, 2020
Students that excel in the fields of math or science will find a cohort of similarly driven young students at this residential program. Though it is a noncredit enrichment program, students can still gain valuable experience at one of the top 50 research institutions in the US.
HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES
Telluride Association Summer Program (TASP) This program has substantially changed its focus for 2022.
Location: Cornell University (NY)
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: January 13 for summer 2021.
This program is designed for the intellectually curious. TASP offers no grades or college credit, which encourages students to focus on their work for personal enrichment instead of for a reward. Read their brochure for a list of this summer’s offerings.
National Security Language Initiative (NSLI-Y)
Location: China, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Korea, Morocco, Russia, Taiwan,Tajikistan, Turkey (Locations may vary each year.)
Length 6-8 weeks
Age Group/Year: high school
Cost: Free, Merit Award
Application Deadline: October 30 2022 for summer 2023
This program was designed to promote critical language learning among American youth. The U.S. Department of State, in cooperation with American Councils for International Education, awards and administers merit-based scholarships to high school students for participation in summer and academic year immersion programs in locations where the seven NSLI-Y “critical” languages are spoken.
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP)
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Length: 10 days in August
Age Group/Year: rising seniors only
Cost: Free for underrepresented communities.*
Application Deadline: Open now, deadline February 28, 2022
This is one of the only programs of its kind offering a free, innovative residential journalism and college prep institute for high achieving high school juniors from low-income backgrounds*. About 40 students from across the country explore current events and world affairs through workshops and lectures led by Princeton professors, professional journalists, and alumni on campus.
Location: Minnesota, in-person 2022 with proof of COVID vaccination
Length: Varies by specific program
Age Group/Year: all ages of middle school and high school - and they have summer, week-long family programs for ages 5-99!
Cost: Varies - see their website
Application Deadline: TBA
Based in the woods of Minnesota, Concordia Language Villages offers a wide variety of immersive foreign language programs in a stunning choice of languages. Offerings include a summer 4-week intensives for high school credit.
Middlebury Summer Language Academy
Location: Middlebury, Vermont
Length: June-July
Age Group/Year: Grades 8-12
Cost: $6,000-$8,000
Application Deadline: Varies
With both domestic as well as international programs, students can enroll in one of a variety of immersion experiences and sharpen their Spanish, French, Chinese, Arabic or German skills over the summer.
Location: Stanford University, California
Length: 1-3 weeks
Age Group/Year: For grades 7-8 and 9-12
Cost: $750-$4,500
Application Deadline: May 20th
Middle and high school students have studied with the Stanford Debate Society at Stanford University since 1990. Programs at the SNFI range from public speaking to parliamentary debate, policy, and congressional debate.
MUSIC/ARTS
Brevard Music Center Summer Institute High School Division
Location: North Carolina, in-person 2022 with proof of COVID vaccination
Length: 3 weeks or 6 weeks depending on specific program
Age: 14-18 for HS Division
Cost: $3,950 3 weeks, $7,400 6 weeks. Merit and Need-Based awards available to ~70% of applicants. Private weekly lessons included in cost.
Application Deadline: varies between January & March depending on music concentration. Audition required.
Brevard Music Center is one of this country's premier summer music training programs. Under the artistic direction of acclaimed conductor Keith Lockhart, Principal Conductor of the Boston Pops and Chief Guest Conductor of the BBC Orchestra in London, 500 gifted students come to the Music Center each summer to study with distinguished faculty and renowned guest artists in a rigorous program of instruction and performance including orchestral ensembles, private lessons, chamber music, and opera.
Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI)
Location: Lenox, MA
Length: 2, 3, 4, or 6 weeks depending on age and program, June 19-Aug. 14 2022
Age: Ages 10-20.
Cost: $3,465-$8,890 depending on weeks/program. Included tickets/access to all Tanglewood Music Center summer concerts. Merit and need-based scholarships available.
Application Deadline: Opened November 2021. Due Jan. 21, 2022 with recorded or live audition.
The BUTI program is world-class training program for talented young musicians. Located in the beautiful Berkshire mountains in Massachusetts, it is located just down the road from the Tanglewood Music Center: the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO). Students learn and grow from studying with and hearing from some of the world’s finest musicians.
Location: Interlochen, Michigan
Length: 1-6 weeks
Age Group/Year: Grades 3-12
Cost: Varies for boarding and day students, some scholarships available
Application Deadline: January 15th or Rolling
With classes in creative writing, dance, music, visual arts, motion picture art, theatre art, and more, Interlochen is a well-established and highly competitive program geared towards students with talents in the fine arts and humanities.
Location: Otis College; California
Length: 5-day to 2-day weekly programs
Age Group/Year: 15+ years
Cost: $1,250-$3,750 some need and merit-based scholarships available.
Application Deadline: Registration Open
Located at the Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, this immersive course is meant to provide young students with the opportunity to study their art comprehensively. Students are encouraged to enroll in the 5-day module in order to truly optimize on their experience.
POLITICS/ECONOMICS/BUSINESS
Location: Various
Length: 1 week
Age Group/Year: Sophomore and Juniors
Cost: $1,800
Application Deadline: February 5/March 18
This small, highly selective, program is led by economics professors/leaders on college campuses across the country, including Michigan, Yale, and UC Berkeley. Participants engage in the "economic way of thinking" through discussions, activities, and interactive sessions.
ACLU National Advocacy Institute
Location: Washington, D.C.
Length: one week, mid-July
Age Group/Year: ages 15-18
Cost: $2,300, need based financial aid available
Application Deadline: Dec for Early Decision, Feb. for priority, April for Regular
Students will learn directly from lawyers, lobbyists, community activists, and other experts working to defend the civil rights and civil liberties critical to a free and open society. In classroom sessions, lectures, and policy debates, students will explore the complex nature of issue advocacy, legal strategy, and real-world political decision making in Washington, D.C. The program will culminate in meetings with elected officials and/or congressional staff on Capitol Hill.
Babson Summer Study For High School Students
Location: Babson College, MA
Length: 4 weeks
Age: 16 or older
Cost: $8,750. Limited need-based scholarships for U.S. and International students.
Application Deadline: March 9
This is residential program for rising high school juniors and seniors that gives students real-world experience while building their business knowledge and entrepreneurial skills.
Location: University of Pennsylvania
Length: 3 week
Age Group/Year: Current Juniors
Cost: $7,500
Application Deadline: March 1
The Leadership, Education, and Development program at the Wharton School of Business at UPenn engages students in the world of business. Participants will receive hands-on experience and learn from top executives and instructors while attending events and classes on campus.
MULTIPLE DISCIPLINES
Making new international friends
Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS)
Location: Virtual for 2022.
Length: Three 2-week sessions
Age Group/Year: any high school
Application Deadline: Nov. for Early Action and Jan. for Regular Decision. Here’s a sample of the application.
Cost: $6,300, U.S. and international need-based aid available
N.B. Attending YYGS does not give you an edge for getting accepted to Yale for college.
YYGS participants can select from programs in STEM, Humanities, and Social Sciences. The program consists of lectures from accomplished Yale faculty and leading practitioners about the most important and relevant topics in their fields, breakout sessions, seminars, and a capstone project.
Location: Notre Dame, IN
Length: 2 weeks
Age Group/Year: Rising Juniors, Seniors
Cost: $3,750
Application Deadline: February 18
Notre Dame is meant to function as an academic and social peek into the future. Students can pick courses from 22 fields of study, earning college credit and having a taste of the university classroom all while being surrounded by like-minded peers.
Min Kim is the founder of Versed Education Advisory Network, the largest network of experienced Parent Advisors who connect parents of middle and high school students seeking information with experienced Parent Advisors who have targeted knowledge on specific academic tracks, extracurricular fields, colleges, application process as well as a variety of special situations including learning differences, skipping grades, gap year and more.