20 Summer Programs in D.C. for High Schoolers in 2023
What’s Covered:
Summer is possibly every student’s favorite season—the weather is warm and students have more unstructured time to pursue the activities they love. While many high-achieving students will spend their summers working part-time jobs, volunteering, or interning, another great opportunity that’s available to high schoolers (and can help them prepare for college) is summer programs.
20 Summer Programs in D.C. for High Schoolers
1. Pharm STEP 1
Affiliate college: Howard University
Grades: 11th and 12th
Cost: N/A
Deadline: April 1
Additional requirements:
- Minimum 2.75 GPA
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- High aptitude for science or mathematics
Perfect for high-achieving students interested in pharmacy or a related health profession, this selective program gives students the opportunity to push themselves academically. Participants will take part in science-focused workshops and panel discussions with award-winning lecturers.
2. Community of Scholars Program at AU’s School of International Service
Affiliate college: American University
Grades: 10th and 11th
Cost:
- Tuition and fees: $3,465
- Room and board: $1,980
Deadline: May 1
Additional requirements:
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Transcript
- Letter of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
This three-week hybrid program has high school students living and learning in a traditional college environment for two weeks followed by a week of online instruction and working on a final paper or project. Over the course of the program, participants are introduced to the field of global affairs, participate in exciting discussions on subjects like national security strategy, and even get to simulate a mock National Security Council debate.
3. National Student Leadership Conference | Journalism
Affiliate college: American University
Grades: 9th-12th
Cost: $3,895
Deadline: N/A
Learn about the field of communication in this nine-day summer program. Participants will learn from real professionals and American University faculty in settings such as the classroom, lab, and field. Two specialty tracks are available to students—News Writing & Investigative Reporting and Broadcast Journalism—allowing them to tailor their experience to their particular interests.
4. National Student Leadership Conference | Digital Arts & Design
Affiliate college: American University
Grades: 9th-12th
Cost: $3,895
Deadline: N/A
This nine-day summer program allows participants to explore one of three digital art and design tracks: photography, animation, and graphic design. Students gain hands-on experience in their chosen field through workshops led by experts while also building valuable leadership skills. Participants will also have the opportunity to visit sites around D.C. that tie in with digital arts and design, including The Washington Post, the Maryland Institute College of Art, and Firaxis Games.
5. National Student Leadership Conference | Film Production & Scriptwriting
Affiliate college: American University
Grades: 9th-12th
Cost: $3,895
Deadline: N/A
In this nine-day summer program provided by the National Student Leadership Conference, participants learn the basics of narrative screenwriting and video production while gaining firsthand experience with the art of cinematic storytelling. Over the course of the program, students will create their own short film while gaining a deeper understanding of the filmmaking process—from preproduction to postproduction.
6. AU Non-Degree and Visiting Student
Affiliate college: American University
Grades: 11th and 12th
Cost: $1,768 per credit hour
Deadline: May 1
Additional requirements:
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Transcript
- Permission from guidance counselor or principle
High school students with a B or higher GPA may enroll as non-degree students in summer session courses at the 100- or 200-level. With this option, high-achieving students take a college class alongside other undergraduate students and get the full experience of what college is like.
7. AU High School Summer Scholars
Affiliate college: American University
Grades: 10th, 11th, and 12th
Cost: $919
Deadline: Rolling admission
Additional requirements:
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Transcript
Ambitious high school students can earn one college credit through this unique summer program. Students can register for self-paced online courses ranging from global public health and law to biotechnology and public speaking. Students have four weeks to complete their coursework, which makes it easy to squeeze them in among other summer commitments. AU faculty are involved and accessible to students during the course via Canvas or office hours conducted via Zoom or Skype.
8. Light the World!
Affiliate college: Catholic University of America
Grades: 10th, 11th, and 12th
Cost: $525
Deadline: April 30
Additional requirements: Essay
This one-week program provides students with a better understanding of how faith and culture intertwine. Students live on-campus and tour local attractions to speak with leaders in a variety of fields about how faith plays a part in their careers and hear from current undergrads about how faith informs their academic and professional goals. Participants will also get a glimpse into college life by living with their peers in dorms, eating in the dining hall, and experiencing firsthand the intellectual, social, and spiritual life found on Catholic University’s campus.
9. High School Drama Institute
Affiliate college: Catholic University of America
Grades: 9th-12th
Cost: $3,600
Deadline: N/A
Additional requirements:
- Transcript
- Teacher recommendation
- Personal statement
High school students with a passion for the performing arts will want to check out this intensive three-week program. Participants develop acting skills focusing on voice, movement, and gesture, strengthen their dancing and singing skills, and learn what it takes to prepare for college auditions. They can choose from one of two majors: Drama and Musical Theatre. This program is super-selective, and a limited number of students are chosen to participate.
10. Engineering New Frontiers
Affiliate college: Catholic University of America
Grades: 10th and 11th
Cost: $995
Deadline: N/A
This week-long residential summer camp gives students the opportunity to work closely with engineering faculty members to explore a variety of engineering disciplines. Students participate in labs, engineering design workshops, coding boot camps, and prototype work led by expert faculty. Living on campus, students also get a taste of college life along with the best that D.C. has to offer, including cultural, recreational, and technical experiences.
11. Computational Biosciences Institute
Affiliate college: Catholic University of America
Grades: 10th and 11th
Cost: $995
Deadline: N/A
Students interested in computer science and biomedical engineering will want to check out this 10-day residential graded summer course—it’s the equivalent of a first-year computer science class. Participants in the program receive intensive instruction in computer science coding and programming with real biomedical imaging and other datasets. Outside of the computer lab and classroom, students will have access to Catholic University’s athletics facilities and a variety of team events are scheduled.
12. Immerse into ASL
Affiliate college: Gallaudet University
Grades: 10th, 11th, and 12th
Cost: $750
Deadline: May 1
Additional requirements:
- Deaf or hard of hearing
- Minimum 2.75 GPA
- Transcript
- Counselor recommendation
This program is designed for students who are either beginning or intermediate signers and want to become more fluent. Participants will work with advanced ASL peers and counselors who are similarly deaf or hard of hearing, learn about deaf culture and history, and explore the nation’s capital.
13. George Washington University | Biomedical Engineering
Affiliate college: George Washington University
Grades: 10th, 11th, and 12th
Cost:
- Commuter: $4,250
- Residential: $4,975
Deadline: 5/15/22
Additional requirements:
- Transcript
- Letter of recommendation
- Personal statement
This two-week course provides an immersive academic experience for students to explore how engineering and medicine have altered the quality of life in our society. During the week, participants will explore topics such as electrophysiology, medical imaging, therapeutic ultrasound, computer-aided diagnosis, biomedical sensor technology, and nanotechnology; on the weekends, they will take part in activities like visiting the National Mall, going to the Smithsonian, and taking part in a cupcake crawl through Washington, D.C.
14. George Washington University | The Search for Truth
Affiliate college: George Washington University
Grades: 10th, 11th, and 12th
Cost:
- Commuter: $4,250
- Residential: $4,975
Deadline: 5/15/22
Additional requirements:
- Transcript
- Letter of recommendation
- Personal statement
In the digital age, we’re constantly bombarded with information—but how can you tell what is true from what is false? This two-week program gives participants the skills to evaluate information, including critical thinking, logical reasoning, and fallacies. Students will also explore the origins of their own thoughts and assess the arguments of others. On weekends, students will participate in a number of recreational activities ranging from trips to the National Mall to a 4th of July celebration.
15. George Washington University | The U.S. Intelligence Community and Counter-Terrorism
Affiliate college: George Washington University
Grades: 10th, 11th, and 12th
Cost:
- Commuter: $4,250
- Residential: $4,975
Deadline: 5/15/22
Additional requirements:
- Transcript
- Letter of recommendation
- Personal statement
There’s no better place to learn about intelligence and counter-terrorism than GW—many of the country’s most important national security offices are just steps from campus. Over the course of this two-week program, participants explore the relationship between national security and policymaking, the complexities of the U.S. national security agenda, and the impact of national security practices by agencies like the FBI, Secret Service, and Pentagon. On the weekends, students will de-escalate with recreational trips such as a cupcake crawl around D.C.
16. Georgetown University | Creative Writing Academy
Affiliate college: Georgetown University
Grades: 10th, 11th, and 12th
Cost: $3,225
Deadline: May 15
Additional requirements:
- Minimum 2.0 GPA
- Transcript
- Personal statement
- Academic recommendation
This week-long course teaches aspiring writers to transform their ideas and stories into compelling written works, along with what it takes to publish and professionalize their work. Students generate, refine, and polish their stories, poems, and essays during the program through workshops and tutorials; will have the opportunity to read their work at the famous D.C. literary hub, Busboys and Poets; and will have their work published in the program’s annual literary magazine.
17. Georgetown University | Social Justice & Public Policy Academy
Affiliate college: Georgetown University
Grades: 10th, 11th, and 12th
Cost: $5,500
Deadline: May 15
Additional requirements:
- Minimum 2.0 GPA
- Transcript
- Personal statement
- Academic recommendation
Students in this two-week summer program learn about multiple pathways toward the creation of a more just and humane world, including community-engaged research; community organizing and activism; direct service; decolonial philanthropy; advocacy for public policy; and social entrepreneurship for the common good. Participants also explore how their college studies can contribute to combating injustice and building peace. The program culminates with the design and implementation of a teach-in and participants earn a certificate for completing the program.
18. Georgetown University | 3-Week Medical Academy
Affiliate college: Georgetown University
Grades: 10th, 11th, and 12th
Cost: $6,950
Deadline: May 15
Additional requirements:
- Minimum 2.0 GPA
- Transcript
- Personal statement
- Academic recommendation
Get a glimpse of medical school at this three-week summer program. Participants can explore one of three tracks—Anatomy & Physiology, Neuroscience, or Emergency Medicine—while learning from Georgetown University School of Medicine faculty and medical students. No matter the track taken, students will experience a blend of classroom work, hands-on projects, and case studies, while students in most tracks can also expect a healthy dose of lab time.
19. Summer Institute: Washington, DC
Affiliate college: The School for Ethics and Global Leadership
Grades: 11th and 12th
Cost: N/A
Deadline: February 15
Additional requirements:
- Transcript
- (4) Short essays
- (2) Teacher recommendations
- Graded paper from a high school history or English course
Students live and learn in the nation’s capital during this five-week course in ethics and leadership. Highlights of the program include the opportunity to present a policy memo at the State Department and the chance to discuss peacemaking with a former president. Students will leave the program with improved public speaking, political communication, and collaboration skills and a deeper understanding of what it takes to succeed in college. They’ll also add three capstone projects to their resume.
20. The School of the New York Times DC Academy
Affiliate college: N/A
Grades: 10, 11, and 12
Cost:
- Commuter: $5,325
- Residential: $5,925
Deadline:
- Priority: February 27
- Regular: April 3
Additional requirements:
- 2.0 GPA
- Reference from a teacher, guidance counselor, coach, or school official
- Writing sample (optional)
These two-week courses led by award-winning New York Times journalists and industry experts are aimed to teach and inspire students. Courses are held in four tracks—DC Bureau: The Political Beat, Public Policy & Activism, Political Commentary, and International Relations & Development. This program also uses D.C. as a classroom, as students are immersed in the city with trips to historic monuments and world-class museums, visits to eclectic neighborhoods, and tours of political firms.
How Do Summer Programs Impact Your College Chances?
The effect a summer program has on your odds of college admissions varies. Everything from the selectivity and prestige of the program to the value a school places on extracurricular activities, like summer programs, can determine their influence on your college chances. While there’s no sure way to gauge how a college views your participation in a summer program, the four tiers of extracurricular activities provide a good guide for understanding how colleges value them.
Tier-one and -two activities are home to the summer programs that are held in the highest esteem and with the most stringent admissions. Top-tier summer programs like these are sure to grab the attention of admissions officers, make your application stand apart from the competition, and have significant weight in admissions decisions.
Tier-three and -four activities include less-acclaimed and less-selective summer programs; consequently, they have less influence on your college odds. That said, attending a lower-tiered summer program can still give your college chances a boost. Attending a summer program demonstrates a desire to further explore the topics you find interesting—a quality that colleges admire. Many summer programs also include a college readiness component, which can give you a leg up over other applicants.
Curious about the effect extracurricular activities have on your chances of college admission? CollegeVine can help! Our free chancing calculator uses a variety of factors including grades, test scores, and extracurriculars to estimate your odds of getting into hundreds of colleges and universities while also providing insight into how to improve your profile.
