Best Summer Programs at Colleges for High School Students?

As a high school junior, I'm interested in attending a summer program at a college to get a feel for campus life. What are some highly recommended programs that would be beneficial for me and help with college applications?

When it comes to summer programs for high school students, there are several highly recommended ones that can provide a taste of the college experience and also a slight boost to your college application.

One of the most renowned programs is the Harvard Summer School Pre-College Program, where you can take college-level courses instructed by Harvard professors and meet students from around the world. You get to live in Harvard's dorms and participate in a rich set of recreational, cultural, and college prep activities.

Stanford University's High School Summer College, also known as Stanford Summer Session, is another notable one. You can earn college credit by taking courses from Stanford undergraduate catalog. The program boasts courses in a wide range of subjects, and you can also participate in extracurricular activities and workshops on college admissions.

The Summer@Brown program at Brown University is an academically rigorous program where students take one or two courses in a wide range of subjects. The community within the program fosters intellectual and personal growth through workshops, college admission preparation, and various social activities.

Another competitive program is the Pre-College Summer Program at the University of Notre Dame. This program is distinct because it integrates academics, community service, cultural activities, and faith experiences. Courses are at the college level and students participate in community-based learning and scholarship.

Remember, the most worthwhile programs usually involve developing a coherent plan of action in a specific academic area, community service, entrepreneurship, or research. Cost is an important factor too, as some of these programs can be quite expensive. Be sure to evaluate whether these programs are a good investment for you and your particular situation. Make sure you are not simply attending the program for an admissions “boost” — the beneficiary of these programs should primarily be you in terms of growing and learning in new ways.