Frequently Asked Questions

Will a summer program hosted at a university give me an advantage in that university’s admissions process?

No. Summer programs are not connected to schools’ admissions process in any way. However, some colleges offer some courses for college credit. These programs are typically more expensive, but add more to your ultimate application.

What are the best summer programs for freshmen and sophomores?

Some of the most prestigious summer programs that are open to freshmen and sophomores are: Duke Talent Identification Program (TIP), Summer Institute for the Gifted (SIG), The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY), Vanderbilt Summer Academy – Programs for Talented Youth (PTY), and Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes.

What are the best STEM summer programs?

Some of the most prestigious STEM summer programs are: University of Chicago – Research in the Biological Sciences (RIBS), Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SuMAC), Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists (PROMYS), and MIT LaunchX.