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16 Top-Notch Summer School Programs for College-Bound Teens

23/04/2025•16 minute read

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Finding the Right Fit

List of Top Programs

Summer School & College Admissions

Looking to turn your summer into a launchpad for academic growth and admissions success down the road? Academic summer school programs offer motivated high school students the chance to dive into challenging subjects, explore future majors, and experience college life firsthand. In this post, you’ll find a curated list of some of the very best summer school programs to consider for your shortlist! You’ll also find tips to help you choose the right summer program for your goals.

For many high schoolers, it’s hard to think about how you’ll make the most of your summer while you’re still busy with school, homework, extracurriculars, testing, and trying to squeeze in a good night’s sleep. But, the sooner you get started, the more you can make of your summer!

Summer is a great time to learn more about your anticipated major or explore courses and subjects you don’t have time for during the regular school year.

Below you’ll find a list of 16 top-notch summer school programs that are well suited for academically motivated high school students. All together, these programs offer lots of variety in learning experiences, subjects offered, locations, and time frames.

Some give you a taste of residential life at college and let you take summer courses for college credit, alongside college students!

Others go beyond subject-matter learning with training in leadership, writing, or research skills that further prepare you to excel in college down the road.

Finding the Right Fit

There are some factors to keep in mind when you’re looking for and comparing programs of potential interest. Below you'll find a list of program features to watch for as you decide which programs best fit your goals, interests, learning style, and summertime aspirations!

Eligibility & Deadlines

Before you spend too much time researching or thinking about a program, check for key eligibility requirements, such as the age or grade-level requirement, academic pre-requisites, if international students can apply, and language proficiency requirements.

Also make sure there's still time to apply for the upcoming summer. If you missed a deadline, you’ll still want to decide if the program is one you want to keep in mind for next year.

Language Proficiency Requirements

If you’re planning to attend a U.S.- or UK-based summer school program as an international student, be sure to check language proficiency requirements early. Many pre-college and academic programs require proof of English ability — typically through TOEFL, IELTS, or the Duolingo English Test (DET).

🎯 Pro tip: Each program sets its own score minimums, and test results may need to be submitted weeks before the application deadline — so be sure to plan ahead!

Selectivity

Some programs are extremely selective, others highly or moderately selective, and some may be hardly selective at all. If your top choices are in the more selective range, then you may want to apply to more than one program — including one “safety” option, in case you don’t get selected for your other choices.

Cost

As for cost, it’s not like clothing where price is often an indicator of quality. Some of the most selective and rigorous programs are free programs, and some of the least selective can be among the more expensive. Most students and families will take the cost into account when choosing programs, but be cautious about using price as a gauge for academic quality, rigor, or selectivity.

Academic Rigor

Some programs offer college-level courses and, in some cases, college-level credit as well. These courses often involve a fair degree of academic rigor — as they’re designed for college students.

Other programs may have much less rigor — designed so students can enjoy exploring new subjects or potential career tracks.

The bottom line is that academic scope and rigor can vary significantly depending on the intentions and design of the program. Therefore, make sure the programs you’re considering line up with your goals and expectations.

Program Design

Some summer school programs are just summer courses, others involve leadership or academic mentoring. Some mix in social and recreational activities with coursework to make a more complete summertime experience geared for teens… You’ll want to consider what features you’re looking for, such as:

In-person learning vs. remote
Traditional classroom learning vs. immersive, hands-on, project- or lab-based learning, team-based learning, and so forth…
Satellite activities to round out the program experience, such as college-planning workshops, social and recreational programming, career fairs, etc.
Courses that integrate capstone projects

Academic vs. Exploratory: Finding the Right Fit

Some summer school programs are all about the academics, but not all the programs — and both approaches can offer good options! Just as some students want more intensive learning and college prep, others may be looking more for intellectual or career exploration, creativity outlets, or leadership training.

Ask yourself:

Do I want to deepen my knowledge in a subject I may study in college?
Or do I want to explore career tracks, or a new subject?

There’s no wrong answer — what matters most is choosing a program that helps you grow academically and aligns with the key academic and career aspirations that will help your college application stand out.

Location

Summer programs offer you different locations and settings.

For example, a science-focused program may be located to provide students an outdoor laboratory or classroom for field studies, or a business exploration program may bring you to the heart of New York City.

Other programs may invite students to experience life as a college student in residential settings on renowned university campuses.

Finally, some may take you to a learning experience in a different country altogether.

For many students, the opportunity to study at a renowned campus or to study overseas can be a big summer draw — and you can be sure there are programs out there like this, where you can learn a subject and learn about a new place, all at the same time!

Your List of 16 Top-Notch Summer School Programs

Below is a list of top-tier summer school programs for academically motivated teens. The list has been curated by our admissions strategists to give you a head start finding the best opportunities for your summer learning.

Please remember to check program websites regularly to confirm all program information and to be aware of any program changes or updates.

1. Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) – Boston University

Location: Boston, MA
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (US residents only)
Program Dates:
- Residential: June 29 – August 8, 2025
- Commuter: June 30 – August 8, 2025
Application Deadline: February 14, 2025

Description: A highly selective and competitive six-week research immersion program for scientifically talented students. Two tracks are available: the internship track, pairing students with BU faculty in research labs, and the practicum track, which offers a structured curriculum in the subjects offered for the program year.

2. The Summer Science Program (SSP)

Location: Campuses include New Mexico State University, Pacific University Oregon, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Purdue University, Lehigh University, Indiana University, and others.
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
Program Dates: Sessions begin mid- to late June and last five weeks
Application Deadline: February 21, 2025 (January 24th for international applicants)

Description: A highly selective residential STEM program. Students get hands-on research experience, attend lectures and field trips, and engage with a global community of talented peers. The program uses need-blind admissions and scales fees based on family income.

3. Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)

Location: Cornell University, University of Maryland
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (ages 15–18)
Program Dates: June 22 – July 26, 2025
Application Deadline: December 3, 2024

Description: A rigorous six-week seminar in the humanities and social sciences that explores themes of race, power, and privilege. TASS is fully funded — including travel — making it accessible to students from all backgrounds.

4. Research Science Institute (RSI) – Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Eligibility: Exceptional high school juniors (rising seniors)
Program Dates: Late June – early August
Application Deadline: Applications open in fall and close early January

Description: RSI is academically competitive and brings together 100 of the world’s top high school students for a five-week experience in advanced STEM research. Participants complete individual research projects under mentorship and present their work at the program’s conclusion.

5. Summer Springboard

Location: Multiple campuses across the U.S. and Oxford, UK
Eligibility: Some programs for rising freshman through graduating seniors; others for rising 7th graders through 8th
Program Dates: Sessions vary by campus; typically June – August and lasting two weeks
Application Deadline: Final deadline: May 16, 2025

Description: Focus is on exploration — exploratory hands-on learning, career explorations, and learning about college life and options. Programs in medicine, business, engineering, and more.

6. The School of The New York Times – NYC Summer Academy

Location: New York City, NY
Eligibility: Students aged 15–18 and rising 10th through 12th graders
Program Dates: Two-week sessions in June and July
Application Deadline: April 30, 2025

Description: Courses explore topics in journalism, media, technology, arts, culture, sports, business, and more — taught by New York Times journalists and industry professionals.

7. UC San Diego Extended Studies – Futures Programs & UCLA Summer Programs

Location: UC San Diego, CA, and UC Los Angeles, CA (some hybrid and online options)
Eligibility: High school students
Program Dates: Varies by course
Application Deadline: Varies by course

Description: Two summer programs on two renowned sun-drenched UC campuses with neighboring beaches, offering a wide variety of opportunities. The UC San Diego Futures Programs offer cutting-edge coursework and hands-on experience in science, tech, and business fields to help students explore majors and future careers in high-demand fields. The UCLA summer programs offer regular and intensive courses (for college credit), a summer college immersion program, professional learning institutes, and precollege summer institutes.

8. Leadership Summer Schools in the UK

Location: Oxbridge, Cambridge, and other UK destinations
Eligibility: Programs for ages 13–15 and 16–18
Program Dates: Varies by location and program
Application Deadline: Varies; most are in July/August

Description: Academically focused leadership programs with cultural immersion experiences in a UK context.

9. Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS)

Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors (or international equivalent), between ages of 16–18
Program Dates: June 22 – July 4, July 6–18, or July 20 – August 1, 2025
Application Deadline: Priority deadline: December 5, 2024; regular deadline: January 10, 2025

Description: An interdisciplinary academic enrichment program for globally minded students to study topics like law, politics, STEM, and sustainability.

10. Brown University Pre-College Programs

Location: Brown University, Providence, RI
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9–12
Program Dates: Varies by program; mid-June – late-July
Application Deadline: Rolling applications open January 20th; some courses fill quickly

Description: Wide selection of courses in humanities, sciences, and the arts — designed to mimic the college experience.

11. Wake Forest University – Summer Immersion Program

Location: Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
Eligibility: For students ages 13+
Program Dates: Sessions and duration vary by course; options from mid-May through mid-August
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions

Description: Immersive programs in fields such as medicine, law, investing, psychology, and entrepreneurship, blending academic content with real-world exposure.

12. Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) – Frontiers Program

Location: Worcester, MA
Eligibility: Rising 10th grade through 12th grade
Program Dates: Session I: July 6–18, Session II: July 20 – August 1, 2025
Application Deadline: April 30, 2025

Description: 5-week project-based STEM and humanities courses for motivated students looking to explore college-level research and academics.

13. Boston Leadership Institute

Location: Boston, MA; Olin College (Wellesley, MA), Gann Academy/Bentley University (Waltham, MA)
Eligibility: High school students, and other programs for pre-high school students
Program Dates: Various sessions during summer 2025 (one-week and three-week programs)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions

Description: Advanced in-person summer school courses in medicine, engineering, science, and business.

14. University of Pennsylvania – Online High School Programs

Location: Online
Eligibility: Current 9th–11th grade students
Program Dates: Session I: May 27 – July 2, Session II: July 3 – August 8, 2025
Application Deadline: April 27, 2025

Description: Intensive online summer courses taught by Penn faculty, offering rigorous academic content and university-level expectations.

15. Smith College Precollege Programs

Location: Smith College, a women's college in Northampton, MA
Eligibility: Students (women) entering grades 9–12 in fall 2025
Program Dates: Varies by program
Application Deadline: Final deadline: May 1, 2025 (application fee increases after April 15)

Description: Academic programs for young women in writing, science, engineering, and more —with a focus on empowerment and exploration.

16. Washington University in St. Louis Summer Programs for High School Students

Location: Washington University in St. Louis, MO (with online options)
Eligibility: High school students aged 13+ (varies by program)
Program Dates: Varies by course (June – early August 2025)
Application Deadline: Varies by program

Description: A wide variety of summer school offerings, with in-person and online options.

Summer School Programs and College Admissions Success

For students aspiring to attend top-tier universities, summer school programs are one of the many ways you can use your summer break to enhance your college application profile.

Remember that competitive colleges are looking for applicants who go beyond ordinary high school academic requirements by

exhibiting intellectual curiosity
pursuing their individual academic interests and seeking out academic challenges
seeking opportunities to grow personally, experientially, and in self-awareness
showing they're ready for both college-level study and college life

Therefore, when choosing a summer school program with an eye toward college admissions success, look for offerings that:

Align with your intended major, academic passions, or some important interest or aspiration that will unify your applicant profile
Offer exposure to college-level instruction, hands-on or applied learning, research, and perhaps a chance to learn about residential life on a college campus too
Provide opportunities for growth — in leadership, collaboration, teamwork, or communication skills, for example
Are more selective, with strong academic reputations for quality and rigor

To get even more from your experience, be sure to reflect on what you learned, how you grew, and how the experience connects to your goals. This can be valuable material for essays, interviews, or your activities list.

A Misconception About Residential Summer School Programs

It’s a common misconception that attending a residential summer program at a prestigious university will give you a leg up in admissions at that same school.

In reality, most selective colleges do not factor in attendance at their summer programs when reviewing applications. These programs are great for academic growth and getting a feel for campus life — but choosing a school's program in itself is unlikely to improve your chance for admission to the same school down the road.

One exception is the University of Chicago's SSEN admissions program (Summer Session Early Notification), if you attend as a rising high school senior. (Use the link provided to learn more.)

Ultimately, the right summer program should help you grow intellectually and personally, and if it does your summer experience will not only be rewarding in itself, but should help you tell a more compelling story when it’s time to apply to your dream school!

Final Thoughts

Beyond offering some welcome opportunities for rest and relief from school-week routines, summertime is also a chance to grow academically, explore new interests, and gain an edge on your path to college.

If you do want to focus on academic learning, as opposed to extracurriculars or experiential programs, such as academic competitions, summertime volunteering, or camps and programs for personal discovery and adventure, then college and pre-college summer school programs are a good option, giving you a wide range of subjects, formats, and locations to choose from.

Remember, the right programs are those that match both your summer interests and your long-term aspirations, helping you build a more authentic and compelling college application profile.

If you’re looking for expert guidance to make smart summer choices**,** Crimson Education offers experienced admissions strategists and advisors who can help you identify the best-fit programs — for your individual interests and to help you continue to craft a stand-out profile.

To get started, schedule your free feedback session today. A friendly and experienced advisor will be eager to hear about your summer and university goals, provide helpful feedback, and answer any questions you have about our personalized, one-stop approach to admissions coaching.