Summer Programs for College-Bound Students

Table of Contents

We know that many high school students are still trying to figure out their answer to the age-old question” What do you want to do when you grow up?” No matter where you are in the high school journey, summer is the ideal time to explore interests and develop skill sets while having fun with new people in new places.

About Summer Programs

Many organizations; including colleges, and universities, offer summer programs for high school students. The program offerings are vast. Students can explore architecture at a prominent university or hone their screen or vocal presence as a thespian. Similar programs exist for students who are passionate about coding, business, medicine, fashion design—you name it.

Finding Summer Programs

The trick is finding the right program for you. At HelloCollege, we have a database that lists nearly 200 programs around the country in a variety of fields. It has served as a valuable resource in helping students narrow their possibilities.  The popular website College Confidential also has a great list of summer programs.

Summer Program Tips:

  1. Start looking for a summer program as early in the calendar year as possible. A lot of programs have limited space and fill up quickly.
  2. Research the application process. For some highly selective programs, letters of recommendation and essays may be required. Also, the costs of summer programs vary widely, so you’ll want to determine your budget.

              Tip: If money is tight, consider service opportunities, which are free and can be life-changing experiences. Obtaining a summer job also brings valuable experience, including accountability and responsibility.

3. Follow your interests. Authentic experiences, not the potential to build up your resume, should draw you to a summer program.

Often, students wonder if attending a camp at University will heighten their chances of being admitted? Very rarely. What it will do, however, is provide you with a potentially transformative life experience and camaraderie with like-minded students. And in a general sense, you’ll at least show colleges that you’ve made a real effort to try to develop your interests and skills in a particular area.

              Tip: Plan ahead. Many summer programs open registration as early as January.

About the Author

The Hello College Team

HelloCollege CEO Andrea Emmons has spent the last 15 years guiding students and families across the country on their path to college. Andrea knows the profound impact proactive college planning has on the lives of students and is passionate about mentoring families through the process.

Stay Up To Date on College Admissions

Don't miss important and timely college admissions news. Get early access to guides, free resources, and blogs as they come out.

More on this topic

Exclusive College Admissions Workshops:

Tue, June 24th, 2025
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM CST

Your personal statement is more than an essay—it’s your chance to stand out. In this free workshop, learn how to write a compelling, authentic narrative that captures admissions officers’ attention and showcases who you really are and why they want you at their school.

Tue, July 1st, 2025
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM CST

Join us for this power-packed Common Application workshop. We’re covering everything you should be doing now from strategic planning and deadline management to crafting standout activities, honors and securing letters of recommendation.

Tue, July 8th, 2025
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM CST

Crack the code on highly selective schools! If attending an Ivy or highly selective college is your goal, you need an inside view of what key factors matter to admissions officers, how to stand out from the application crowd, and what you need to be doing now.

Keep Yourself in the Know with College Admissions Updates

stay organized and on Track

Free College Application Timeline

Worried about missing a step or an important deadline? The college planning timeline outlines essential tasks. It's a step-by-step guide for every grade level, from freshman to senior year, from extracurricular planning to college applications to scholarships.