Since part of our college counseling program at Green Ivy includes helping students choose the right fit for summer activities, we wanted to share our best practices for choosing and applying to summer college programs. Remember: recommendations are not an endorsement – students should look at these programs as a way to expand or enrich a personal interest and as one option for their summer. There are plenty of free and low-cost ways to create a meaningful summer experience.
We’ve provided our strategies along with a list of specific and reputable programs, ranging from intensive STEM research and sustainability courses to creative writing workshops and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Best Practices:
Spend time researching the details of the programs. Consider questions such as: Is the program selective? Does it require essays and/or recommendations? Will faculty or graduate students provide guidance? What types of projects will participants engage in? The most impactful programs not only foster intellectual growth but also equip participants with new skills and tangible o outcomes.
Be mindful of due dates and if applicable, ask teachers or counselors for recommendations early. We recommend applying by priority or first-round application deadlines, as many programs fill quickly. Programs often request one or two teacher recommendations, and providing teachers with 2-4 weeks to complete these letters ensures they have adequate time.
Apply to 3-5 programs to maintain a balance between having options and avoiding overwhelm. Focus on programs that align with personal interests and goals rather than those chosen based on peer preferences. Keeping the list targeted and intentional helps streamline the application process and reduce stress, particularly during a busy junior year. Since some programs are highly competitive, including a few less selective options is a practical strategy.
Summer Program Recommendations:
California State Summer School for Math and Science (COSMOS): Students spend four weeks on a participating UC campus engaging in STEM-focused, hands-on research activities.
Georgetown Summer Institutes and Immersions: These courses range from one to three weeks, and students can choose from a range of subjects, including coding, creative writing, foreign policy, business leadership, and social justice.
Iowa Young Writers’ Studio: High school students spend two weeks on the University of Iowa campus writing and taking workshops in poetry or fiction, run by graduate students from the oldest and most respected creative writing program in the country.
Johns Hopkins Engineering Innovation: Over this four or five-week program, students learn to think like engineers by participating in lab activities, creating presentations, and writing research papers.
NOLS Expeditions: For students interested in outdoor adventure, NOLS offers summer trips around the world that teach wilderness and leadership skills.
Stanford University Summer Programs: Stanford offers a wide range of intensive and residential programs, along with pre-college courses, including those from the Summer Humanities Institute and Mathematics Camp.
Yale Global Scholars: Two-week academic enrichment and leadership programs ranging from sustainable development and biomedical science to a cultural immersion trip in Beijing.
Where There Be Dragons: Dragons offers authentic cultural immersion programs in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Small groups travel to remote communities with the best educators in the industry to ensure meaningful engagement.
For more information on Green Ivy’s academic advising and college counseling program, click here.