The most successful students from the college admissions process spend their summers very productively, attending various programs and camps relating to their field of interest. You may be wondering: Summer has already started, why do I need to worry about programs? Well, the most prestigious programs and internships open applications during the fall semester and are very competitive; it is good to keep them on your radar. In this article, we will explore several prestigious programs and internships that will make your college application stand out.
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For more information regarding each program, click on the links
Research (General)
- Research Science Institute (RSI)
- RSI is one of the most prestigious research programs in the world, hosted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE). Each year over 2,000 applications are received, but only 80-100 are accepted.
- It is the first cost-free program to combine on-campus work in scientific theory with off-campus work in science and technology research.
- Summer Science Program (SSP)
- SSP is a unique research program where 26-34 talented and motivated high school students from around the world are challenged in research across four disciplines: Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Genomics, and Synthetic Chemistry.
- It is one of the longest-running pre-college programs, first established in 1959, with the host campuses being:
- New Mexico State University
- Purdue University
- University of Colorado, Boulder
- University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Indiana University Bloomington
- Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
- The Clark Scholars Program is an intensive 7-week summer research program for 12 highly qualified high school juniors and seniors, hosted at Texas Tech University
- Participants will get personalized mentorship from renowned scholars and receive a stipend of $750
- Brookhaven National Laboratory High School Research Program (HSRP)
- HSRP is a collaboration between the Brookhaven National Laboratory and the Department of Energy's mission to ensure America's security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions
- HSRP participants have the opportunity to be part of a wide array of projects; for example, a COVID-19 research in which students conducted computational studies exploring inhibitor drugs that disrupt proteins that help infectious particles escape from cells
- Secondary Student Training Program at University of Iowa (SSTP)
- SSTP provides high school students with the opportunity to engage in hands-on research in a variety of fields, including biology, chemistry, engineering, and physics
- The program includes seminars and workshops on scientific writing, research ethics, and presentation skills, with the opportunity to earn 3 hours worth of semester credit
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Healthcare/Medicine
- Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
- SIMR is an eight week internship program in which high school students are invited to perform basic research with Stanford faculty on a medically-oriented project within the the eight institutes listed below:
- Immunology
- Neurobiology
- Cancer Biology
- Bioengineering
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Bioinformatics
- Genetics and Genomics
- Attendees at SIMR can also choose to participate in the bioengineering boot camp that does not involve a lab research component
- SIMR is an eight week internship program in which high school students are invited to perform basic research with Stanford faculty on a medically-oriented project within the the eight institutes listed below:
- Brigham and Women's Hospital Youth Summer Program
- This program is a 7-week, paid job experience focused on professional development, healthcare career exposure and exploration
- Students have the opportunity to work in departments ranging from radiology, transport, materials management, research labs and more
- National Institutes of Health High School Summer Internship Program (HSSIP)
- HSSIP is for 11th or 12th graders interested in exploring careers in research and healthcare, with research opportunities in:
- Biomedical Sciences
- Behavioral Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Basic, Translational and Clinical Research
- NIH strongly encourages people from all backgrounds to apply like underrepresented groups in healthcare, LGBTQ+, people with difficult life circumstances or disabilities, and more
- HSSIP is for 11th or 12th graders interested in exploring careers in research and healthcare, with research opportunities in:
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Summer Student Program (HOPP)
- HOPP participants are assigned to an 8-week, biomedical or computational-lab-based internship at MSKCC, with the opportunity to earn a stipend of $1,200
- Students complete a self-directed project that provides value to their mentor and/or Principal Investigator's overall research objectives
- Seattle Children's Research Training Program
- RTP students will learn how to work in a research laboratory environment and learn about topics including biochemistry, immunotherapy, gene editing, and infectious diseases
- Students from underrepresented groups in healthcare like African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, or Pacific Islanders are highly encouraged to apply
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Computer Science/Engineering
- Naval Academy Summer STEM Program
- Thinking of a career in coding, game development, design, or robotics? Then the USNA Summer STEM Program is the right place for you!
- Participants get to interact with USNA Midshipmen, build exciting STEM projects, and learn about applications of STEM in naval and military operations
- Johns Hopkins Engineering Innovation
- During this one-week, three-credit course, participants will complete activities in civil, chemical, electrical/computer and mechanical engineering and materials science
- There is an in-person and online option, with in-person attendees getting to explore the:
- JHU Homewood Campus
- Hood College
- JHU Applied Physics Laboratory
- Ohlone College
- University of the District of Columbia
- Carnegie Mellon CS Scholars (CSS)
- CSS is a four-week immersive experience engaging in college-level courses, learning about the core elements of programming like algorithms, data structures, and problem-solving techniques
- Students who express a desire to continue in the CS Pathways initiative may be invited back the following summer for the AI Scholars program
- Cyber Security for Computer Science (CS4CS)
- CS4CS is a three-week program hosted at New York University, that is an introduction to the fundamentals of cybersecurity and computer science for students with little to no background in either field
- An interesting aspect of this program is that participants have to take part in Irondale, a program led by theatre-teaching artists to boost communication and public speaking skills
- Wolfram High School Summer Research Program (WHSSRP)
- WHSSRP is an intensive two-week program designed to advance high school students programming and problem-solving skills
- Students get to master the Wolfram Language and implement solutions to cutting-edge problems selected in collaboration with Stephen Wolfram
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Law/Politics
- Civics Unplugged Civic Innovators Fellowship
- The Civic Innovators Fellowship is designed for young leaders who are passionate about solving community issues and want to channel their passion
- The digital-first syllabus includes Reinventing Justice, The Future of Cities, Media and Misinformation, Law and Government, AI and Education, and Digital Diplomacy
- American Legions Auxiliary (ALA) Girl's Nation
- ALA Girl's Nation is an opportunity for rising seniors to gain practical insight into how the federal government works
- Two students are chosen from each ALA Girl's State program, and they participate in mock legislature, visit Capitol Hill, historical Washington monuments and the Arlington National Cemetery
- Yale Young Global Scholars PLE
- PLE stands for Politics, Law & Economics, aimed at students with an interest in diverse economic theories, practices of the government and legal frameworks
- During PLE, students build their critical thinking and analysis skills, enabling them to examine social systems and present-day issues through economic, legal and political theory lenses
- Envision Intensive Law and Trial
- Intensive Law & Trial allows students to immerse themselves in the theory and practice of law, developing a roadmap for becoming a lawyer
- Students get to interact with legal professionals, and Stanford Law School professors and receive semester credits from George Mason University
- ACLU National Advocacy Institute
- The National Advocacy Institute is a week-long program in Washington D.C. for students to learn about and experience the next generation of social justice advocates
- Students get to engage with ACLU Lawyers, lobbyists, community activists and other experts to defend civil rights and liberties
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Business/Finance/Economics
- Wharton Global Youth Program
- The Global Youth Program is an immersive two-week and three-week business education program led by Wharton faculty and instructional staff at the University of Pennsylvania
- Students have access to engaging and simulation led certificate programs, rigorous college-credit courses and an exciting free competition that teaches the core principles of investing: The Wharton Global High School Investment Competition
- Business Is Global: Summer Language Program @ Indiana University
- In this unique program, student will learn about the cultures and communication styles of the less-commonly taught foreign languages like Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Korean, Russian and Zulu (2024 program languages)
- In addition, participants will also gain an understanding of business practices in the United States and of the targeted regions of that year's program
- Bank of America Student Leaders Program
- Since 2004, this program has been a part of an ongoing commitment to youth employment and economic mobility by connecting 300 high school students to service opportunities and skills training
- Participants will have an 8-week internship at a local non-profit/organization and attend a week-long Student Leaders Summit in Washington D.C. at the end of the program
- Key Bank Business Leadership Program (BLP)
- In collaboration with the Leeds School of Business faculty and staff, BLP is a high-impact learning experience through case studies, creating a marketing campaign for corporate partners, and more
- The team that creates the best solution for the marketing campaign will win a $1000 scholarship to the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business
- Start Up UCLA: Social Entrepreneurship Summer Institute
- This institute will introduce students to social entrepreneurship, including social enterprises and nonprofits
- The program is split into two halves: the first involves learning the basics of researching and mission-oriented ventures and the second half is using that knowledge to create their own initiatives with a 5-minute pitch presentation
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Journalism
- New York Times Summer Academy
- With the slogan ‘think beyond the classroom and follow your curiosity in the city that never sleeps’, NYT Summer Academy is a full immersion into journalism, media, culture, fashion, and more
- Some of the included courses include ‘Free Speech and Free Press Rights Today’, ‘Inside the UN’, ‘A Way With Words: The Art of Communication’ and more
- Indiana University High School Journalism Institute (HSJI)
- A 5-day journalism immersion, HSJI is a summer program inviting student journalists to the IU campus for a week of skills development
- The program includes small-group classes, individualized instruction, evening activities and workshops covering all areas of journalism
- Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute
- Students immerse themselves in media for 4 weeks, learning about writing reporting, editing for print, digital and broadcast, photojournalism and more
- The program is sponsored by the Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism, and in 2023 students came from 21 American states, as well as from Canada, China, Hong Kong and more
- Asian American Journalist Association JCamp
- JCamp was created in 2001 as a response to the journalism industry's lack of diversity, designed to assure excellence in the profession to confront the diversity crisis, religious and political backgrounds
- Students will receive hands-on experience producing multi-platform news on JCamp Live and learn from veteran journalists and leading media executives
- Princeton Summer Journalism Program
- Hosted at the Emma Bloomberg Center for Access and Opportunities at Princeton, this program is a year-long college preparation and journalism program for low-income high school juniors
- Students will share their experiences and learning in the publication of the program's annual newspaper - the Princeton Summer Journal
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Mathematics
- Stanford University Math Camp (SUMaC)
- SUMaC focuses on mathematics that is motivated independently of ties to other sciences, preparing students for the study of abstract algebra, number theory and algebraic topology
- This program leads participants in guided research, the historical development of important areas of math and applications across scientific disciplines
- Canada/USA MathCamp
- MathCamp is a 5-week intensive program to expose students to the beauty of advanced mathematical ideas and new ways of thinking
- The program usually takes place at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA and the residential life is a taste of the college experience
- Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS) @ Carnegie Mellon University
- Similar to the CS Scholars program, SAMS students engage in a rigorous curriculum taught by renowned faculty and staff dedicated to student success
- The program is split into two parts - part 1 involves a virtual jumpstart with some skill building and the second part is a 6-week in person program with a symposium on the final Friday of the program
- Ross Mathematics Program
- The Ross Program provides students with a focused an supportive environment for mathematical exploration in research, science and finance
- The program is supported by the American Mathematical Society, Jane Street and Cake Shop Capital with two sites: Otterbein University in Columbus, Ohio and the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre-Haute, Indiana
- MathILy
- MathILy is ‘serious mathematics infused with levity’ at the Bryn Mawr College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; an intensive residential summer program for mathematically excellent secondary students
- Students encounter new ideas, improve problem-solving skills and learn lots of advanced mathematics
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Other
- Physics - Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN)
- PAN is a free week-long program that introduces students to the fundamentals of the extremely small domain of atomic nuclei and its connection to astrophysics and cosmology
- The program is sponsored by the Facility of Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) at the Michigan State University
- Quantitative Skills - Summer Program for Applied Rationality and Cognition (SPARC)
- SPARC is a free program hosted the California State University, East Bay encouraging students to deepen quantitative skills with classes ranging from casual modelling to cognitive science
- Some of the alumni projects include HackLodge, an undergraduate program for software development and Monsoon Math, a free math camp for high school students
- Art - Parsons Summer Intensive Studies
- Hosted at the Parsons' NYC Greenwich Village Campus, students get to study art and design with world class faculty while experiencing the creative inspiration of New York City and earning three college credits
- The program offers fully immersive courses and features skill-building project-based learning, art and design field trips, guest speakers and portfolio reviews
- History - National History Academy
- National History Academy offers an inspiring and engaging learning environment, with visits to the country's historic sites and delving deep into major themes related to those site visits
- The Academy utilizes discussion, debates, reading texts, watching films and documentaries and lectures by noted scholars
This list is just a snippet of the many programs offered across the country. It is highly encouraged that you give your best shot at each program, even if you feel like you will not get accepted!
