What are Some Highly Selective High School Summer Programs?

I want to seize the day (or summer, in this case) and capitalize on some summer programs. I heard about some highly selective ones that would look great on my college applications. Can you folks point me towards a few of those?

Sure, there are several highly selective high school summer programs that could really deepen your engagement with an academic area, contribute to your personal growth, and make your college applications more compelling. Let's explore a few.

1. Research Science Institute (RSI): This is a free, six-week program held at MIT where students engage in intensive scientific research. Students work with both researchers at MIT and corporate labs in the sustainable completion of a research project.

2. Telluride Association Summer Program (TASP): TASP is another free, six-week educational experience for high-school sophomores and juniors, offering seminars led by college and university faculty to academically gifted and highly motivated students. You'll get a real taste of college-level seminars and bond with like-minded students.

3. Summer Science Program (SSP): SSP is a residential immersion into experiential, hands-on science, mathematics, and programming. Multiple campuses offer this program, including UNC Chapel Hill, Purdue, the University of Colorado at Boulder, and more.

4. The Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists (PROMYS): PROMYS is a six-week summer program at Boston University designed to encourage motivated high school students to explore the creative world of mathematics. Some scholarships are available.

5. Carnegie Mellon – Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS): A three-week program for minority students interested in STEM fields, with hands-on learning and research via projects, field sessions, and seminars. The program offers substantial aid to cover costs.

6. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC): SUMaC focuses on a deep understanding of fundamental mathematics in a social and collaborative environment. The program offers need-based aid.

Remember that while these programs are very impressive, engaging deeply and demonstrating leadership in any summer program, local opportunity, or personal project can also significantly strengthen your application. The emphasis should be on the quality and depth of your engagement rather than the prestige of the program.