As we put away the carved pumpkin heads and prepare to pardon some turkeys, it’s worth taking a moment to look past the holidays to next summer—especially if you’re a high school sophomore or junior seeking to distinguish your college applications. Admissions officers are looking for students who have not only excelled in their school curriculums, but have also taken the initiative to pursue their talents and passions outside the classroom. Participating in a prestigious summer program can demonstrate that you’re an emerging leader—and that, once you get to campus, you’ll take advantage of all the available opportunities. They’re also a fun way to challenge yourself intellectually, meet peers with similar interests, and develop maturity and independence.
A perennial favorite is Yale Young Global Scholars, which unites high schoolers from across the planet to engage with cutting-edge ideas and build problem-solving and leadership skills. If sustainable infrastructure gets your engines revving, check out the Solving Global Challenges track, which tackles everything from the climate crisis to the rise of our robot overlords. If you’re more into Aristotle than AI, the Literature, Philosophy, & Culture track will provide all the spirited argument you can handle. Notre Dame’s Leadership Seminars offer a similar training ground for distinguished students who want to take on our most pressing problems, from modern war and peace to environmental policy. And while you may not be able to get a New Haven slice in South Bend, the good news is that, beyond a small enrollment fee, the program won’t cost you a dime.
For those who prefer science labs to seminar tables, MIT’s Research Science Institute is second to none. Guided by professional scientists, students design and carry out individual research on topics ranging from condensed matter physics and nanoparticles to amino acids and number theory. Speaking of math, if the M in STEM is your thing, consider solving for x at SUMaC, Stanford’s math camp. The program offers tracks in Abstract Algebra and Number Theory and Algebraic Topology, and its alumni have gone on to star in the academic math world and found innovative start-ups. Although its focus is pure mathematics, Javascript afficionados might also find that it’s coded just for them—and no one has yet to complain about the Palo Alto sunshine.
All you biz whizs stand up! Then head over to Wharton’s Leadership in the Business World, which brings together the next generation of aspiring CEOs and management gurus to analyze case studies, sharpen negotiation tactics, and learn invaluable teamwork skills. At the end of the program, you’ll even get to develop a business plan and pitch it Shark-Tank-style to a panel of real VCs. Finally, at campuses including Michigan, Berkeley, and Yale, Economics for Leaders introduces students to everything from markets to monetary policy, while improving their leadership chops. Best of all? You can walk away from the program having earned two semester hours of college credit.
These and many other opportunities are out there for you to discover. So as the winter solstice approaches, don’t forget about next summer—and remember that most applications for these programs are due in January. They’re a great chance to take your activities to the next level, expand your network of peers and mentors, and show your dream college that you’re ready to become a cornerstone of its next freshman class.
— Colin G.
Colin is Head College Process Strategist at Intelligentsia. He received his BA in English and History from the University of Pennsylvania, his MA in History and MA in Humanities from Stanford University, and his MFA in Fiction from the University of Houston. He specializes in College Process, History, Literature, Writing, German, and Standardized Tests with 20 years of experience tutoring and teaching at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
