Summer is a great time too look for ways to gain knowledge and experience in an area you have interest. Attending summer school here at Wilson is great, but are you looking for something more? This page will help you get an idea of some of the options out there. Wilson does not endorse or recommend any particular program, but we have tried to gather some resources here to help you on your search. There are always multiple factors you will want to consider with a summer program, prep scholar offers the following advice:
On the plus side, summer programs can provide you with a good opportunity to explore your academic interests or take a class in a subject that’s not offered at your school. Also, you can make friends, experience college life, and get a better idea of whether or not you want to attend a specific school.
On the negative side, most college summer programs for high school students are expensive, and they might not provide much help getting into college (unless it’s a highly selective program that’s offered at no or minimal cost). Do your research, and if a program is something you can afford and would enjoy, then you should go for it. It might stimulate your academic and personal growth, and can help you clarify your future goals.
If you know for sure that you want to do a pre-college summer program, there are a number of factors to consider to help you select the right program for you.
The location of the program is an extremely important consideration for many students. If you have a dream school or a college you're strongly considering, you might want to do a program on that school's campus to get a better feel for the college and to demonstrate your interest in it. You might also want to save money by going to a program close to home, or perhaps you'd like to be able to spend a few weeks living in a big city like New York or Boston.
Additionally, be sure to select a program that's in line with your interests. If you have a passion for creative writing, then you can cultivate that passion in a writing program. If you're fascinated by business, you can hone your business skills in an entrepreneurship program.
Finally, you might need to consider the cost and length of the program. If you have a limited budget, you'll likely have to focus your search on cheaper programs that you can actually afford. If you have other obligations or activities you're hoping to do during the summer, you might want to choose a shorter program.
Do your research early! Most programs open in December or January for the following summer. Still not sure what a summer program is or if it is right for you? Check out this article: https://blog.prepscholar.com/pre-college-summer-programs-should-you-go
College Choice
College Choice is a website that hopes to make your exploration easier. They have compiled a list of the 35 best pre-college summer programs, considering criteria such as: 1) a representative cost of one week of an extended-stay residential program; 2) the number of summer program options a school offers; and 3) the reputation of the programs based on freely available sources like U.S. News & World Report and directories of pre-college summer programs.
https://www.collegechoice.net/rankings/best-pre-college-summer-programs/
Science Programs
Best College Reviews went on a search for the very best science programs available to high schoolers. They searched hundreds of programs, looking for unique opportunities at the most impressive places, and found these: the 50 Best Pre-College Summer Science Programs for High School Students.
College Values Online
College Values Online compiled some of the best college summer programs for high school students in this article. They chose only to include colleges with specific programs for high school students, not those who just offer their courses for credit to high school students–although many of the colleges here offer that option as well, which is noted. They ranked colleges according to their ranking on U.S. News and World Report’s College Rankings, variety of courses offered, affordability and financial aid offerings. Programs that offer free options were given special consideration.
https://www.collegevaluesonline.com/features/college-summer-programs-high-school-students/
