Summer is an ideal time to explore an interest, demonstrate a passion, or learn new skills

  • 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

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    Calvin University College Access Program

    Grand Rapids, MI

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    Colorado School of Mines Multicultural Engineering Program

    Golden, CO

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    University of Southern California Brovard Scholars

    Los Angeles, CA

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    Smith College Summer Science and Engineering Program

    Northampton, MA

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    Boston University PROMYS

    Boston, MA

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    The Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop

    Gambier, OH

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    Columbia University Double Discovery

    New York, NY

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    Cornell University Diversity Programs in Engineering

    Ithaca, NY

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    Miami University of Ohio Summer Scholars Program

    Oxford, OH

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    Bard College at Simon’s Rock Young Writers Workshop

    Great Barrington, MA

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    Carnegie Mellon Summer Opportunities for Access and Inclusion

    Pittsburgh, PA

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    Emory Pre-College Program

    Atlanta, GA

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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.