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We’re stuck in the winter’s chill at the time of writing, but this is the time when applications to summer programs are in full swing, especially to some of the most competitive, and prestigious programs. A question we get a lot from students is about which summer programs are the best, the most valuable, the top tier.

This is a reasonable question to ask, and a difficult one to answer. Nevertheless, we’re going to try to do so in this article. We’re first going to explain our general system for ranking summer programs, and then go through tiers, giving a few examples of each, and explaining what puts a summer program on that tier. Our goal is not to give a list of every possible summer program; there are thousands, and you don’t have time to read all of that. Instead, we want to give you the tools to evaluate these programs yourself, and determine which are right for you. Let’s jump right in!

How We Rank Summer Programs

We’ll go through each tier in detail in turn, but we’re going to begin by outlining our overall ranking philosophy. Here is what separates summer programs in our minds: 

Note that these tiers, and programs, are going to be entirely dependent on your candidacy. A biology research internship is going to be perfect for one student, while a chance to join an ensemble and perform their music at a high level will be better suited for another. 

We will try to provide examples of different options for each tier, so you can see the extent of what is offered. The most important thing, consistently, is how much a program improves your candidacy. That is, how the program improves your story, and is a logical step, a culmination of what you’ve done before, giving you new opportunities and new chances to show off your skills, interests, and passions. 

We won’t be able to give examples for every field of interest, but our metrics should let you know how to evaluate if a particular program in your area is one worth considering, and how much weight you should give it. 

S-Tier Summer Programs for High School Students

These are the very best programs, and the rarest. Many very very good programs don’t land on this list. This is because the main factor separating S Tier from A Tier is a verifiable impact on admissions chances. 

In general, attending a certain summer program, even one attached to a specific university, will not meaningfully improve your chances of attendance beyond how that summer program impacts your candidacy. The (SASI) is a great B Tier program, but will not meaningfully move the needle on your odds of Stanford acceptance more than other, similar programs. 

Here are the other things we look for, and what make for an S Tier Program:

• Competitive admissions process. You can’t just enroll in these programs, but must instead apply, often with a form that somewhat parallels what you’ll soon see in college applications.
• Extended duration. These programs last for weeks or even months, and let students really get a handle on the material.Ìý
• Hands-on nature. These programs let students do things in their chosen field, working at a very high level.
• Unique opportunities. These programs let students take part in things they could not on their own, and cannot through their regular high school work.

Here are some programs we have found that meet these parameters: 

• The (RSI). We’ve discussed them in detail before, but they’re likely the best example of an S-Tier program. They are academically elite, allow students to participate in advanced research programs under faculty guidance, highly competitive, and participation demonstrably increases your chances of acceptance into MIT.Ìý
• . Run by Carnegie Hall, this is a high level arts summer program; highly competitive, intensive instruction, and offering the kinds of performance opportunities you cannot get in high school otherwise. This program is for students who are very serious about their pursuit of music, and helps in their future study of it.Ìý
• : Run by Texas Tech, this is a very selective program; 12 students each year are partnered with a faculty mentor and pursue an independent research program over six weeks in the summer. This is a free program, a stipend is provided. Students who get into this program almost always get into Texas Tech, and it does well for students interested in research in the future.

There aren’t many S-Tier programs, many more of the best fit instead into A Tier, which we’ll look at now.Ìý

A-Tier Summer Programs for High School Students

These programs offer almost all of the same benefits as S-Tier programs, but are less concretely tied to an admissions edge. Participating in these programs will boost your candidacy to top universities, but doesn’t offer you a specific advantage for attending. Besides that small detail however, these programs are excellent choices for students to pursue. 

Here is what we look for in A-Tier summer programs: 

• These are hands-on experiences. Students get to actively involve themselves in what the program is doing, and to do so in ways that their high schools do not support.
• Extended duration. These programs last for weeks or even months, giving students time to really experience what they’re learning.
• Competitive admissions. These programs require students to apply, and have a competitive admissions process.Ìý

It can often be borderline what separates an A-Tier program from an S-Tier, and many of our students apply to and attend A-Tier programs. These are simply more numerous, and offer a broad array of options. Note that a program does not need to be run by or associated with a big name university to be an A-Tier summer program; it’s much more about what is being offered, than who is offering it. 

Here are some examples of A-Tier summer programs for high school students: 

• : Run by Boston University, this is a six week intensive music program, designed expressly for students who are interested in majoring in music in undergrad. While this doesn’t advantage you to get into BU itself, it does let you get a sense of the audition process, and what college music programs are like at a high level.
• (ARISE): This program is run by UW Madison, and is an eight week intensive research internship, where high school students work directly with medical professionals doing cancer research. Students participate in this research, and learn lab techniques from experts, serving as genuine research assistants on ongoing projects.
• (SEAP): Run by the US Navy (as the name suggests) this is an engineering and STEM program where students spend eight weeks as research interns in Naval labs. This is an effort by the Navy to recruit students, but is also a great way for students to get involved with ongoing research and hands-on engineering projects.Ìý
• (SIMR): Run by Stanford, this is an eight week program where students perform hands-on original research under the mentorship of a Stanford faculty member. The program is free, though housing is not provided. You must be at least 16 to take part in this program.
• (SSP): Run by its own alumni in a self-perpetuating system, students in this 39-day program are put into teams of three, where they work on an original research project under the guidance of a professor. This is hosted at university campuses across the country. This is a paid program, though generous need-based financial aid is available.
• (RISE): Hosted by Boston University, this six week program allows students to partake in either individual or group research projects under the guidance of BU’s faculty. This is a paid program, though financial aid is available.Ìý
• : This is a seven-week paid (students receive a wage) internship offered by a lab in Philadelphia. Housing is not provided, and all attendees must live in the greater Philadelphia area. Students work on a structured research project with a mentor, and have a chance to present their findings at the end of the program.
• : Offered by UC Santa Cruz, this is an eight week research internship (one week virtual and seven weeks in person). There is a fee for this program, and an additional housing fee. Students take part in research projects while being mentored by faculty and staff at UCSC.
• : This is a five week program hosted by Bryn Mawr, though run independently. It is an intensive math experience for students with a strong interest in and passion for math. This is a very competitive program. There is a fee to participate.
• : This is a six week engineering research program hosted by UIUC, and open to students from Illinois and surrounding states. Students take part in existing research projects in labs on campus. Very competitive. The program provides a weekly stipend.
  

Many different universities and medical labs offer hands-on research experiences like this to students. Some, like (SIMR), are run by big name universities; others are not. These are all equally valuable though; what matters isn’t the name attached to the program, but what they allow you to do, and how they allow you to do it. 

B-Tier Summer Programs

These summer programs are good, but do not offer the same level of benefits as A-Tier programs. They tend to be shorter in duration, or are less hands-on, or are somewhat less competitive. These are not bad programs, and can and do enhance your candidacy. They are also sometimes the best option, especially for more niche fields which are less accessible to high school students generally. 

Here is what we look for in a B-Tier summer program: 

• Students learn something substantial, and get some hands-on experiences, exploring things they otherwise could not, on their own or through their school.
• Somewhat competitive admissions; these are not as competitive as the higher tier programs, but still have an application process, and are not direct enrollment.
• A reasonable duration. These programs often do not last as long as their higher tier counterparts, but still allow students to get a reasonable amount of experience.Ìý

Here are some examples of B-Tier high school summer programs: 

• : This is a four-week program offered by UChicago, split between a field school in Wyoming and a stint at the Field Museum in Chicago, where students learn paleontology in practice. This is a great program, offering things you cannot do in high school, especially for students interested in paleontology.
• : This is a four week program where students participate in an active archaeological dig site. They learn the basics of archaeological techniques and theory, and gain hands-on experience in what fieldwork is like.
• : Run by the prestigious Wharton School of Business at UPenn, these programs offer students a chance to take advanced business coursework and get some hands on experiences with business. These tend to be case studies however, and not full participation in research.
• : Run by MIT, this four week program offers hands-on project based learning for students, culminating in a final project. This is primarily aimed at students interested in engineering. The program is free, and quite competitive.Ìý
• : Run by the American Fisheries Society, this is specifically for students with an interest in marine biology. This is an eight week program; it is free of charge to participate, and provides a stipend to students. This is a hands-on internship and fieldwork program, where students take part in fisheries research.
• (SSEP): Run by Smith College, this four week program allows students to take part in mentored research projects and coursework, directed by faculty and TA’s by undergrads. There is a fee for this program. Smith College is a women’s college, and all participants in this program must be female.
• (SAMS): Run by Carnegie Mellon University, this program seeks to give underrepresented students a chance to explore math and science at a high level, through project based courses and lectures. This is a free four week program.
• (TASS): Hosted by various universities but run independently, this program focuses on offering seminar-based courses in the humanities and social sciences during six-week residential summer programs. This is a very competitive program, and is free of charge to students.Ìý
• : This is a three week biomedical research fellowship hosted by a lab in Pennsylvania, where students learn research and laboratory techniques hands-on.Ìý
  

All of these programs offer something noteworthy to students, and can be a great way to spend your summer. Note that for some fields, archaeology and paleontology among them, these are some of the best official programs you will find. The nature of the fields simply prevents anything else. We’ll talk about other options you can pursue in a later section.

C-Tier High School Summer Programs

We want to be clear that these programs are not bad, and they can add something to your candidacy. These programs, however, often lack the benefits of higher tier programs, and are often better suited for younger students, or those who are still trying to determine what exactly they want to study. You can gain things from these programs, but in many cases there are better options available. 

Here is how we define C-Tier high school summer programs: 

• Students learn something substantial and at a high level, but don’t get the kinds of hands-on practical experience higher tier programs offer.
• Programs often have a shorter duration, generally a couple of weeks.
• Programs sometimes offer subjects a student can get elsewhere, though there may be niche fields that benefit more from these offerings.Ìý

In general, most C-Tier programs are summer coursework programs offered by universities, where you attend school there for a few weeks, get a taste of college life, and learn some things at a high level that you may not have seen in high school. These experiences can be a lot of fun, and can teach you valuable things, but often lack the practical application component; you learn about biology, rather than doing it.

Here are some examples of C-Tier summer programs for high school students:

• : Hosted by the Barrett Honors College at ASU, this allows students to get a sample of academic coursework, and sign up for a number of college level courses while living in dorms.
• : Two week courses (not for credit) hosted by Harvard and taught by Harvard faculty, while you live in dorms and experience collegiate life.
• : Hosted by UCLA, these are three week courses high school students can take for credit, learning directly from UCLA professors. These courses are commuter only, and do not offer housing on campus.
• : This one-week program offers students hands-on health experiences, including on setting a bone and performing an EKG. There is also a chance to shadow doctors in a crisis center. This is a paid program.
• : This is a collection of programs on debate run by Stanford, lasting one to three weeks. These are offered on a variety of subjects and for students of varying levels. These programs all have a fee. There are both virtual and in person programs.
• : This is a two week program that teaches students laboratory and experimental techniques. There are spaces at several labs on Rowan’s campus.
• : This is a two-week program where students work with mentors and take courses and seminars exploring the field of medical ethics. The program is free, students from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
• : This is a two week summer program hosted by Tufts University, where students get to take coursework and partake in hands-on engineering projects. There is a fee, and both residential and commuter options are available.

These programs give you a chance to learn something new, to get a taste of life at college, and to see whether or not a field is something you really like and want to pursue further. In many cases, however, you can find other, more advanced programs in your field of interest, that will be a better use of your limited time and resources. 

D-Tier High School Summer Programs

Not all summer programs are going to be entirely helpful. These are often not bad programs in and of themselves, but tend not to add much of anything to a student’s candidacy. They can be quite enjoyable, and you may have legitimate reasons to participate. This is fine, but these shouldn’t be the only thing you take part in during your summer.

Here is how we define D-Tier High School Summer Programs:

• They do not add meaningfully to your candidacy or story for admissions officers.
• They do not give you new opportunities, or access to things you could not already access extracurricularly or through school.
• They are either exceptionally brief (less than a week), or take a long time for little benefit.

We are not going to name any specific programs for this tier, as that feels impolite. Instead, we’re going to cover some general categories of programs which often (but don’t always) fall into D-Tier. These are: 

• High school coursework. It can be incredibly useful to get needed high school credits finished in the summer to free up time for more interesting courses during the school year. That said, this doesn’t add much of anything to your resume, and should definitely not be the only thing you do during the summer.
• Adventure travel camps. There are various camps that let you spend a week or two at sea, or in some exotic locale, promising some educational activities in a fun setting. These are fun, but they’re really just a vacation with extra steps, and that’s how colleges see them.Ìý
• Voluntourism. We’ve written about the perils of this before, but it bears a brief mention here as well. Volunteering can be a great way to spend your summer, but only if your impact matters, in a real and demonstrable way.

One of the risks of having many choices is that some are inevitably going to be bad, or at least less good. High school students are blessed with a plethora of choices for ways to spend their summers, but that means navigating around ones that won’t help them reach their goals.

When in doubt about a program, ask questions to determine whether or not it’s worth it. What are you really doing in it? What are you paying for, and what are you getting in return? What are you learning or making through your participation in the activity? These won’t let you avoid every misstep, but are a good way to suss out the most obvious low-tier options. 

Untiered Summer Activities: Choose Your Own Adventure

As a final note, we want to briefly discuss some other ways you can spend your summer, ways that have less to do with structured and ordered summer programs like these, but which can still add significantly to your college application process. These are things you can do of your own initiative, or which require a bit more work to set up, but can have significant upsides. 

Working. This is an underappreciated way to spend your summers, but especially for students who lack the financial resources to pursue other programs, working a job can look quite good on a college app, and rec letters from employers can be quite effective. This doesn’t have to be related to a chosen major either; it’s a good way for privileged students to show they have some grit, and for students who are less well off to showcase their own skills.

Internships. There are many set internship programs, but you can also find and make them for yourself. We have an article explaining how to do this here. This can be a good option for summer programs, especially for students interested in fields where there are fewer really high tier programs. Business, especially, benefits from internships, and learning to network is a key skill for that field.

Independent research. This is the final way you can spend your summer, and a great option for students who want to explore a particular topic in depth, and are able to work hard and self-motivate. Completing and publishing independent research is quite difficult for high school students, but all the more impressive for that fact. We have an article on how high school students can undertake these projects for themselves, and the benefits of doing so.

Final Thoughts

There are myriad ways you can spend your summer, far more than we could ever describe in a single article. We hope, however, that this has given you a useful framework for evaluating the programs you are considering, and let you know what factors admissions officers look at when weighing the value of a summer program. Some ways to spend your time are always going to be more rewarding, and have more of an impact on college admissions. 

If you are looking for help evaluating programs, or want help finding high tier summer activities that suit your needs and interests, then ³Ô¹Ï¹ÙÍø can help. Our mentors have all the tools they need to help students find and apply to top tier summer programs, or guide them through boutique internships and research projects. Schedule a free consultation today to learn how we can help you use your summer to the fullest, we’re always happy to hear from you.