10 Summer Programs in New Hampshire for High Schoolers
What’s Covered:
- 10 Summer Programs in New Hampshire for High Schoolers
- How do Summer Programs Impact Your College Chances?
It’s tempting to spend your summer vacation sleeping in and playing video games—and while there’s nothing wrong with a little warm weather rest and relaxation, summer is also a good time to get a leg up on the college-bound competition. One of the best ways to improve your college profile is to enroll in a summer program. Summer programs, also commonly called pre-college programs, enable talented students to expand their knowledge and skill sets while meeting others with similar interests.
10 Summer Programs in New Hampshire for High Schoolers
1. Thomas More College Great Books Programs
These two-week-long sessions introduce participants to the classics—primarily from the Western tradition—and provide them space for Socratic-type discussions. Participants will also enjoy excursions across New England, visiting places like New Hampshire’s White Mountains, the Maine Coast, and the historic city of Boston. Along with building a foundation in the classics and having fun, students will get a firsthand feel for what college life is like at Thomas More.
Affiliate organization: Thomas More College
Grades: 9th-12th (preference given to rising juniors and seniors)
Cost: $50
Deadline: N/A
2. Exploring New England—Learning through Books and on the High Sea
Have a quintessential New England summer experience in this program put on by Thomas More College and The Wooden Boat School. Participants will spend their days learning the essentials of sailing—sailing dynamics, boat rigging and spars, and safety precautions—and reading stories about the sea while boating along the Maine coast.
Affiliate organization: Thomas More College
Grades: 9th-12th (preference given to rising juniors and seniors)
Cost: $1,489
Deadline: N/A
3. Environmental Leadership Academy at Dartmouth
Students with an interest in environmental sustainability, socially responsible business, non-profit ventures, and entrepreneurship will want to check out this summer program at one of the nation’s most prestigious colleges: Dartmouth. Participants will learn about the most important ideas in sustainability, get an introduction to environmental economics, and gain an understanding of how to launch an environmentally responsible organization. The program concludes with a hike to the summit of Mount Moosilauke, one of the prettiest peaks in the Northeast.
Affiliate organization: Dartmouth College
Ages: 15-18
Cost: $3,475
Deadline: Rolling admissions
4. Debate Institutes at Dartmouth
Varying in length from two to four weeks, the Debate Institutes at Dartmouth are a collection of programs aimed at experienced high school debaters. Participants can pursue topics ranging from the more beginner-friendly fundamentals of argumentation to more advanced courses focused on debating in the public forum and parliamentary debates.
Affiliate organization: Dartmouth College
Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
Cost: $500-$1,000
Deadline: 6/1/22
5. New Hampshire Institute of Art: Visual Arts
Artists in the making can benefit from this studio art program located at the New Hampshire Institute of Art. During the two-week course, participants will explore a range of artistic styles, develop a network of creatively minded peers, and build their portfolios. Class sizes are kept small to ensure students receive personal attention. Participants can earn two college credits upon completion of this program.
Affiliate organization: New Hampshire Institute of Art
Grades: 9th-12th
Cost: $1,800-$2,800
Deadline: N/A
Additional requirements: Essay
6. New Hampshire Institute of Art: Creative Writing
If you dream of being a best-selling or critically acclaimed author, this summer writing program is a great way to get a leg up on the creative competition. During this two-week program, participants will explore a range of genres and take advantage of individual attention thanks to the program’s small class sizes. Participants can earn two college credits at the completion of this program.
Affiliate organization: New Hampshire Institute of Art
Grades: 9th-12th
Cost: $1,800-$2,800
Deadline: N/A
Additional requirements: Essay
7. Portsmouth Academy of Performing Arts (PAPA) Musical Theatre Intensive
Aspiring actors and actresses will want to check out this two-week program that teaches them how to shine in the audition room, the rehearsal room, and on the stage. Participants can anticipate a schedule packed with performance-based activities, workshops, and masterclasses led by Broadway performers and musical theatre pros.
Affiliate organization: Portsmouth Academy of Performing Arts
Ages: 14-19
Cost: $2,000
Deadline: N/A
8. SYMS (Summer Youth Music School)
Singers and musicians alike can benefit from this six-day program out of the University of New Hampshire. Throughout the course, students take part in large ensembles, small masterclasses, and jazz groups. The goal of the program is to enhance musical understanding and improve overall technique in preparation for college.
Affiliate organization: University of New Hampshire
Grades: 10th, 11th, and 12th
Cost: $699-$899
Deadline: 6/14/22
9. Project SMART
High schoolers with a passion for the sciences may want to consider Project SMART. Offered online by the University of New Hampshire, this three-week summer course focuses on biotechnology and society. Through a series of lectures and discussions, participants will gain insight into the fields of biotechnology and genetic engineering while also deepening their understanding of the applications and social implications of these technologies.
Affiliate organization: University of New Hampshire
Grades: 10th, 11th, and 12th
Cost: $500
Deadline: 6/10/22
Application requirements: Short-answer questions
10. UNH Writers Academy
This summer program helps young writers solidify their skills. Participants in this summer program will meet and learn from professional authors, as well as other talented teens. Attendees write daily and try out new writing styles over the course of this five-day program.
Affiliate Organization: University of New Hampshire
Grades: 9th-12th
Cost: $325
Deadline: 6/13/22
How do Summer Programs Impact Your College Chances?
The influence summer programs have on your college chances can vary. Factors such as the esteem of the program and the value an institution places on extracurricular activities—like summer programs—can determine the effect your participation in a pre-college program has on your admission odds.
The four tiers of extracurricular activities are a useful tool for better understanding the impact summer programs have on your chances of getting into college. The most selective and prestigious summer programs are counted among tier one and tier two extracurriculars. These are the top tiers and have the highest likelihood of bolstering your odds of college admission.
Tier-three and tier-four extracurriculars don’t hold the same value as their higher-tiered counterparts in admissions offices, although lower-tiered summer programs can still improve your chances of getting accepted into college. Participating in any summer program demonstrates intellectual curiosity and motivation to pursue subjects that interest you—two traits that many colleges find desirable. Many summer programs also include a college readiness component, giving you a leg up on other applicants.
Interested to learn what colleges think of your participation in a summer program? CollegeVine can help! Our free chancing calculator uses a variety of factors including grades, test scores, and extracurriculars (like summer programs) to estimate your chances of getting into hundreds of colleges and universities while also providing tips to improve your profile.
