Best High School Summer Programs

March 10, 2023
By AdmissionSight

Best High School Summer Programs

What is a pre-college summer program?

What is a pre-college summer program? Students in high school who want to try out college life over the summer can join a pre-college summer program. Most programs last between one and seven weeks. Read on to learn about the best high school summer programs.

You can take classes on a wide range of topics, such as writing, leadership, starting your own business, and engineering. Both residential and commuter options are available through many summer programs. If they live close to campus, students can commute from home or live in dorms with their peers.

Students can also take classes from university professors or visiting academics, go to lectures by alumni, and take part in social activities. For high school students, many elite private universities, such as Stanford, Harvard, and Columbia, offer pre-college summer programs.

Some summer programs for high school students before they go to college are open to anyone, while others have an application process.

Standardized test scores, teacher recommendations, and application essays are often required by the programs that are chosen. For information about a program’s entrance requirement, you may check in their official page or website.

Teenage boy writing an essay using computer sitting by desk in room alone.

These programs can be entertaining and instructive, but the majority of them are pricey. While many programs provide financial aid to eligible students, and some are completely free, summer programs are frequently very expensive.

Best high school summer programs

What are the best high school summer programs? Depending on your interests and goals, there are many great summer programs for high school students.

AdmissionSight listed some of the best options. Check them out below:

Harvard University in Cambridge Massachusetts

Harvard Summer School: Harvard University provides high school students with a range of summer programs, including classes in the legal system, medicine, and engineering.

Stanford University in Redwood City, California

Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies: Stanford University provides summer courses in a variety of areas, such as political science, creative writing, and computer science.

Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut

Yale Young Global Scholars: Yale provides summer programs with an emphasis on humanities, STEM, and foreign affairs.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts

MIT Summer Programs: Massachusetts Institute of Technology provides a variety of summer courses, such as those in engineering, computer science, and entrepreneurship.

Columbia University in New York City, New York

Columbia University Summer Programs: Columbia University has a range of summer programs available, including ones in journalism, law, and medicine.

Duke University in Durham, North Carolina

Duke University Summer Programs: Duke University provides summer programs in a variety of fields, such as engineering, business, and psychology.

University of California, Davis in Davis California

The California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS): COSMOS is a four-week residential course for high school students with an interest in math, science, and technology (STEM).

National Aeronautics and Space Administration in Washington, D.C.

NASA Internships: For high school students with an interest in science, technology, engineering, and math, NASA offers internships.

National Student Leadership Conference

National Student Leadership Conference: The NSLC provides courses in a range of subject areas, such as leadership, engineering, and medicine.

Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland

Johns Hopkins University Summer Programs: Johns Hopkins University provides summer programs in a variety of fields, such as public health, engineering, and writing.

University students checking something in a notebook.

Among the many best high school summer programs, these are just a handful. Choose the program that is best for you by researching it, taking into account your interests and ambitions.

Online high school summer programs

Are there online high school summer programs? There are numerous possibilities if you’re seeking online high school summer programs. AdmissionSight listed some of the best options. Check them out below:

Stanford University

Stanford Pre-Collegiate Online High School: Stanford’s online high school program includes classes in a variety of topics, such as computer science, arithmetic, and the humanities.

Johns Hopksins University

The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY): CTY offers online courses in math, science, and writing to high school students.

University of California

University of California High School Online: UC offers online courses for high school students in subjects such as English, math, and science.

Harvard University

Harvard Secondary School Program: Harvard University‘s online program offers courses in a variety of subjects, including computer science, psychology, and philosophy.

Duke University

Duke University Summer Session Online: The online summer session program at Duke University provides courses in physics, chemistry, and biology.

Northwestern University

Northwestern University Online High School: Northwestern University’s online high school program provides classes in physics, economics, and art history.

Brigham Young University

Brigham Young University Independent Study: BYU provides online classes in disciplines including math, physics, and English for high school students.

Virtual High School

Virtual High School: VHS provides online classes in a variety of topics, such as psychology, literature, and history.

iD Tech Online

iD Tech Online: iD Tech provides online classes in game development and computer science.

Khan Academy

This website provides free online classes on many different topics, such as math, physics, and the humanities.

These are just a few of the numerous best high school summer programs offered online. Make sure to properly investigate each program to determine which one is the best fit for you.

Benefits of high school summer programs

What are the benefits of high school summer programs? High school students can benefit from a variety of summer program advantages. The following are some of the primary advantages:

Business people discussing documents and ideas at meeting

  1. Academic enrichment: Summer school programs for high school students give students the chance to continue their education over the break, frequently in specialized or challenging subjects not generally covered in their regular curriculum.
  2. College preparation: Many summer programs for high school students are created to help students get ready for college by exposing them to college-level courses, academic difficulties, and the college application procedure.
  3. Development of skills: High school summer programs frequently give students the chance to hone their public speaking, critical thinking, leadership, and teamwork abilities.
  4. Possibilities for networking: Summer programs give students the chance to interact and collaborate with students from all backgrounds and locations, creating relationships and opening up networking chances for the future.
  5. Career exploration: Several high school summer programs concentrate on certain disciplines or industries, allowing students to research potential professions and obtain insightful knowledge about employment possibilities.
  6. Personal development: Students are frequently challenged by summer activities to venture outside of their comfort zones, take chances, and grow in their independence and resiliency.
  7. Cultural immersion: A lot of high school summer programs give students the chance to interact with people from various cultures, learn new languages, and develop a better awareness of issues and viewpoints from across the world.

Overall, high school summer programs are a great way for kids to learn, grow, and find new skills and interests outside of the classroom. They can also be a big part of a student’s college application and are a good way to invest in their future.

The choice is ultimately the student’s, but these best high school summer programs are a terrific chance to branch out. These classes are hard and academic, but they also give students a unique experience that they can’t get anywhere else or at any other time. Your passions and hobbies deserve to be celebrated this summer!

AdmissionSight can make it more likely for you to go to college and do well there by helping you choose the right program. The fundamental components of your common application—essay editing, extracurricular activities, and college interview preparation—are all things we can help with. Discover how to stand out during the college application process from our staff of knowledgeable college advisers.

In AdmissionSight, our college admission experts will provide the necessary guidance for every step of the way. You can get assistance to make sure you get into the college of your choice.

In order to help you plan your entire college career and make sure you get accepted to the college of your choice, AdmissionSight will evaluate your academic and extracurricular profile and give you a roadmap.

We will also be able to help you maintain your academic direction and competence so that you won’t simply rely on athletic scholarships.

AdmissionSight is the world’s leading ivy league and college admission consulting company.  From MIT to Harvard, admissions committees are searching for candidates who made the most of their high school years by developing their skill sets and taking on challenges like participating in high school summer programs. You may acquire all the necessary advice from the team by making an appointment. Book your consultation today!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sign up now to receive insights on
how to navigate the college admissions process.