10 Summer Programs at Yale for High Schoolers

Looking to learn something new this summer while forging connections with like minded peers? Yale University, among the most prestigious universities in the United States, offers plenty of summer opportunities for high school students, whether your interest is engineering, philosophy, art, or one of many other subjects. Read on to learn more about 10 summer programs for high schoolers offered at Yale.

Want to learn what Yale University will actually cost you based on your income? And how long your application to the school should take? Here’s what every student considering Yale University needs to know.

Why Summer Programs Benefit High Schoolers

Summer programs offer plenty of opportunities to high school students, from learning something new to making friends. Not only will they be able to take classes in a college setting, but for the most part, they’ll be living in dorms and experience college life.

Summer programs give high schoolers the opportunity to pursue their passions and develop new ones. In some cases, they can even earn college credit. Colleges see these programs as a positive extracurricular activity demonstrating an active and enthusiastic commitment to learning beyond the high school classroom.

Summer Programs at Yale University

1. Yale Pre-College Summer Session

Live on campus and take for-credit courses during this program for highly-motivated students. Junior-year high schoolers will have the opportunity to attend classes with college students and get a head start on their education.

• Area of specialization: General Academic
• Grade: 11
• Application deadline: Rolling
• Program cost: $3,550
• Application

2. Yale Young Global Scholars | Applied Science & Engineering

Through the study of physics, chemistry, astronomy, and earth science, you’ll learn about how to apply scientific principles to real-world scenarios. The program emphasizes teamwork and promises to build critical thinking and analytical skills in students.

• Area of specialization: Engineering
• Grade: 10th-11th
• Application deadline: 2/6/19 (now passed for summer 2019)
• Program cost: $6,250
• Essay topic #1: Write about an example of social inequality. What do you see as a primary cause of this inequality? (500 words)
• Essay topic #2: What is a topic that you find fascinating and are interested in exploring? (200 words)
• Essay topic #3: We want to learn more about your background, beliefs, values, and/or the important people in your life. Please tell us about something that has influenced you and articulate how it has shaped you. (200 words)

3. Yale Young Global Scholars | International Affairs & Globalization

Develop skills for engaging in an increasingly interconnected world. You’ll learn about and grapple with questions in international affairs while exploring contemporary and historical issues.

• Area of specialization: Government/International Relations
• Grade: 10th-11th
• Application deadline: 2/6/19 (now passed for summer 2019)
• Program cost: $6,250
• Essay topic #1: Write about an example of social inequality. What do you see as a primary cause of this inequality? (500 words)
• Essay topic #2: What is a topic that you find fascinating and are interested in exploring? (200 words)
• Essay topic #3: We want to learn more about your background, beliefs, values, and/or the important people in your life. Please tell us about something that has influenced you and articulate how it has shaped you. (200 words)

4. Yale Young Global Scholars | Sustainable Development & Social Entrepreneurship

Explore innovative approaches to global challenges and learn about emerging fields such as global health, international development, sustainability, and more. Through an interdisciplinary approach, students will gain an understanding of United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and learn how to work toward developing solutions to the world’s most pressing problems.

• Area of specialization: Economics
• Grade: 10th-11th
• Application deadline: 2/6/19 (now passed for summer 2019)
• Program cost: $6,250
• Essay topic #1: Write about an example of social inequality. What do you see as a primary cause of this inequality? (500 words)
• Essay topic #2: What is a topic that you find fascinating and are interested in exploring? (200 words)
• Essay topic #3: We want to learn more about your background, beliefs, values, and/or the important people in your life. Please tell us about something that has influenced you and articulate how it has shaped you. (200 words)
  

5. Yale Young Global Scholars | Frontiers of Science & Technology

Discover innovative developments in science and technology. Students will study cutting-edge research in topics like artificial intelligence, gene editing, cyber security, and more. You’ll also learn how to consider the ethical challenges and limitations of these technologies and analyze their impact on society.

• Area of specialization: General Science
• Grade: 10th-11th
• Application deadline: 2/6/19 (now passed for summer 2019)
• Program cost: $6,250
• Essay topic #1: Write about an example of social inequality. What do you see as a primary cause of this inequality? (500 words)
• Essay topic #2: What is a topic that you find fascinating and are interested in exploring? (200 words)
• Essay topic #3: We want to learn more about your background, beliefs, values, and/or the important people in your life. Please tell us about something that has influenced you and articulate how it has shaped you. (200 words)

6. Yale Young Global Scholars | Literature, Philosophy, & Culture

Study culturally significant texts across global literature, philosophy, music, religion, and cultural theory. In doing so, you’ll cultivate the skills to think about your place in the world and articulate yourself in speaking and writing. The program will also focus on relating the works to larger cultural issues.

• Area of specialization: General Humanities
• Grade: 10th-11th
• Application deadline: 2/6/19 (now passed for summer 2019)
• Program cost: $6,250
• Essay topic #1: Write about an example of social inequality. What do you see as a primary cause of this inequality? (500 words)
• Essay topic #2: What is a topic that you find fascinating and are interested in exploring? (200 words)
• Essay topic #3: We want to learn more about your background, beliefs, values, and/or the important people in your life. Please tell us about something that has influenced you and articulate how it has shaped you. (200 words)

7. Yale Young Global Scholars | Biological & Biomedical Science

Delve into scientific fields including immunology, biochemistry, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, and molecular biology. You’ll hone your analytic skills and work with fellow students as you consider practical applications of biological sciences designed to improve our lives.

• Area of specialization: Life Sciences/Biology
• Grade: 10th-11th
• Application deadline: 2/6/19 (now passed for summer 2019)
• Program cost: $6,250
• Essay topic #1: Write about an example of social inequality. What do you see as a primary cause of this inequality? (500 words)
• Essay topic #2: What is a topic that you find fascinating and are interested in exploring? (200 words)
• Essay topic #3: We want to learn more about your background, beliefs, values, and/or the important people in your life. Please tell us about something that has influenced you and articulate how it has shaped you. (200 words)

8. Yale Young Global Scholars | Creative Arts & Media

Explore genres and mediums including theater, film, music, architecture, visual arts, dance, and others to examine how the arts can present solutions to social issues. Students will engage with critical theory and analysis to better understand how art can serve as a call to action. You’ll also learn and think about careers and educational opportunities in the arts and humanities.

• Area of specialization: Studio Art
• Grade: 10th-11th
• Application deadline: 2/6/19 (now passed for summer 2019)
• Program cost: $6,250
• Essay topic #1: Write about an example of social inequality. What do you see as a primary cause of this inequality? (500 words)
• Essay topic #2: What is a topic that you find fascinating and are interested in exploring? (200 words)
• Essay topic #3: We want to learn more about your background, beliefs, values, and/or the important people in your life. Please tell us about something that has influenced you and articulate how it has shaped you. (200 words)

9. Yale Young Global Scholars | Politics, Law, & Economics

Learn about public policy, human rights, market regulation, governance structures, and international law and look at social systems and present-day issues through the lenses of economic, legal, and political theory. This program will help you build your critical thinking and analytical skills. Due to popular demand, there are now two sessions available.

• Area of specialization: Government/International Relations
• Grade: 10th-11th
• Application deadline: 2/6/19 (now passed for summer 2019)
• Program cost: $6,250
• Essay topic #1: Write about an example of social inequality. What do you see as a primary cause of this inequality? (500 words)
• Essay topic #2: What is a topic that you find fascinating and are interested in exploring? (200 words)
• Essay topic #3: We want to learn more about your background, beliefs, values, and/or the important people in your life. Please tell us about something that has influenced you and articulate how it has shaped you. (200 words)

10. EXPLO at Yale

During this program, you’ll participate in courses and workshops across a wide range of disciplines from business, law, and world affairs to visual and performing arts, engineering, and more. There are also opportunities to engage with speaker series, group activities, and to take your learning outside of the classroom with weekend trips.

• Area of specialization: General Academic
• Grade: 10th-12th
• Application deadline: 12/28/18 (priority); rolling
• Program cost: $6,595
• Essay topic: For Focus applicants, one essay answering the following: 1) Why are you interested in this Focus program? 2) What do you hope to get out of this Focus program? 3) What will you contribute to this Focus program?
• Application

Looking for college programs beyond Yale? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Summer Programs for High Schoolers.

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