Summer is an ideal time to explore an interest, demonstrate a passion, or learn new skills
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Standout offers a database of summer internships and jobs
Teen Lifeoffers many programs, among them summer opportunities.
High School Navigator has access to summer programs and courses, scholarship opportunities and post-high school planning as well.
Coalition for College offers affordable summer program options
College Greenlight offers free and low-cost summer options
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Many colleges and universities offer on-campus summer programs for high school students. Cost, deadlines, and offerings vary greatly, but past Beacon students have recommended programs at Cornell, Northeastern, Rensselaer, Skidmore, Columbia, and USC, among others. U Summer offers a clearinghouse of summer programs offered on college campuses. You can also check the College Office Weekly Bulletin for upcoming opportunities as we hear of them.
We’ve compiled a list below of recurring programs that offer scholarships to qualifying applicants.
Carleton College Liberal Arts Experience
Northfield, MN
Calvin University College Access Program
Grand Rapids, MI
Colorado School of Mines Multicultural Engineering Program
Golden, CO
University of Southern California Brovard Scholars
Los Angeles, CA
Smith College Summer Science and Engineering Program
Northampton, MA
Boston University PROMYS
Boston, MA
The Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop
Gambier, OH
Columbia University Double Discovery
New York, NY
Cornell University Diversity Programs in Engineering
Ithaca, NY
Miami University of Ohio Summer Scholars Program
Oxford, OH
Bard College at Simon’s Rock Young Writers Workshop
Great Barrington, MA
Carnegie Mellon Summer Opportunities for Access and Inclusion
Pittsburgh, PA
Emory Pre-College Program
Atlanta, GA
Gap Year Programs
Taking a gap year can be a formative opportunity to gain perspective before starting college.
If you plan to pursue higher education after a gap year, colleges generally prefer that you spend your gap year as productively as possible by engaging in a structured activity. There are many things you can do during your time away from school.
Volunteer: Use this as an opportunity to give back locally or abroad.
Professional Experience: Working is a great opportunity to gain practical skills while saving money. This may help inform your decision on what to study in college.
Taking Courses: Some students opt to take non-traditional courses, either abroad or closer to home to gain credits towards and eventual degree.
Gain Perspective and Maturity: Sometimes a change of scenery can be beneficial. Travel, experiences like Outward Bound, or language-immersion programs provide unique opportunities to learn outside the classroom.
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Some colleges offer their own gap year programs, which are most often similar to a freshman experience, just off-campus, and with other students who will be attending that school.