Summers are a great time for high school students to explore their interests and build perspectives about what they want to do in college and careers. Students can focus on work that engages them, free from the stresses of quizzes, exams, and sports.

There are many meaningful ways to use the summer: take courses at your local community college, attend a for-credit class at a university, travel, or do a community service project. But many students are interested in summer internships, research opportunities, or other immersive study opportunities. So we created a list of well-regarded programs to which you can apply. These programs generally have deadlines in the winter, so check and fill in your application on time.

Summer Programs for High School Students

You can see our list of summer and enrichment programs at this link. If you’d like us to add a program to this list, please let us know.

Other Summer Opportunities

Besides this list, here are some other resources:

• Many universities, both public and private, also offer summer programs. See what courses you can take over the summer for credit.
• Visit sites like Internships.com to find free or paid internships in your local area. Be sure to filter your search to look for programs that require only a high school education.
• Plan summer travel. Many summer programs involve travel or language immersion, and they can help students gain cultural exposure and language fluency.

Using Summer Programs Wisely

Summer is the best time to explore potential majors, deepen your interest in fields you care about, and build a portfolio for college applications. Using their time well, students can make a better-informed choice when they apply to college.