15 Summer Programs in South Carolina for High Schoolers
What’s Covered:
- 15 Summer Programs in South Carolina for High Schoolers
- How do Summer Programs Impact Your College Chances?
Summers are a great time for high schoolers to experience new opportunities and take on responsibilities outside of their academic work. Many choose to volunteer, complete an internship, or even work a seasonal job. These activities have their advantages, but they don’t necessarily prepare high schoolers for what’s to come after their last final exam. Pre-college summer programs provide an alternative to other popular summer activities while providing high schoolers with a glimpse of life on a college campus and improving their college readiness.
15 Summer Programs in South Carolina for High Schoolers
1. SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities | Academy Program – Creative Writing
Whether you yearn to be the next John Irving or Margaret Atwood, consider honing your creative writing talent at the SC Governor’s School. This two-week program led by published authors allows talented teens to practice their skills in fiction and poetry within an environment that’s friendly and non-judgemental. Additionally, participants will read works by industry greats to help them get inspired.
Affiliate organization: SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities
Grades: 9th
Cost: $1,045
Deadline: N/A
Additional requirements: Creative writing portfolio and video interview
2. SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities | Academy Program – Drama
The two-week Drama program at the SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities is the perfect place to enhance your acting prowess. During the course, students live and learn with other teens who have a passion for the stage. Practice your skill in acting, dancing, and singing while learning from teachers with real industry expertise. The summer program culminates in a performance.
Affiliate organization: SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities
Grades: 9th
Cost: $1,045
Deadline: N/A
Additional requirements: Video interview
3. SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities | Academy Program – Music
If you’re most at home with a musical instrument in your hand, the Academy Program in Music might be the right place to spend the summer. The curriculum for this two-week class includes private lessons, master classes, and instruction in music theory and history. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to perform for their families, teachers, and peers.
Affiliate organization: SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities
Grades: 9th
Cost: $1,045
Deadline: N/A
Additional requirements: Video interview
4. SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities | Academy Program – Visual Arts
Whether your tool of choice is a paintbrush, a camera, or a pottery wheel, the two-week-long Visual Arts program at the SC Governor’s School is a great place to practice your craft. Along with participating in hands-on art courses in both 2D and 3D mediums, students will also have their work critiqued by their teachers and peers, and ultimately gain a deeper understanding of visual language and their own unique artistic voices. At the end of the program, participants will display their work in an exhibition.
Affiliate organization: SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities
Grades: 9th
Cost: $1,045
Deadline: N/A
Additional requirements: Visual art portfolio
5. SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities | Summer Dance Program
Teens with a talent for dance may want to apply to SC Governor’s School’s Summer Dance Program. Along with classics like ballet, students will have the opportunity to pursue less traditional courses like character pantomime, African dance, stretch and strength, and movement improvisation. Hone your skill while learning from teachers who are experts in their respective disciplines over the course of this month-long program.
Affiliate organization: SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities
Grades: 6th-11th
Cost: $2,310
Deadline: 1/7/22
Additional requirements: In-person audition
6. SC Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics | GoSciTech Summer Camp Experience
A one-week program, GoSciTech gives teens with a talent for STEM the chance to investigate various careers in the sciences. Popular courses include pre-med, anthropology, graphic design, electronics, and astrophysics. Live and learn alongside other high schoolers while taking classes from university professors.
Affiliate organization: SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities
Grades: 8th, 9th, and 10th
Cost: $830-$950
Deadline: 4/15/22
7. Furman University Summer Scholars | Top Mock
This selective summer program is aimed at students who have competed in mock trial tournaments. During this week-long program, students will receive instruction from experienced mock trial faculty and students in the substantive aspects of preparing a case and the use of presentation techniques while deepening their knowledge of evidentiary rules and the development of witness portrayals.
Affiliate organization: Furman University
Grades: 10th and 11th
Cost: $2,000
Deadline: N/A
Additional requirements:
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Transcript
- Short answer questions
- Reference
8. Furman University Band and Orchestra Camp
Musicians build their musical skills and life-long friendships at this week-long summer camp. Participants will perform in one of four large ensembles (a full symphony orchestra, a string orchestra, and two concert bands) and may audition for other musical opportunities. In addition to ensemble rehearsals, sectionals, and masterclasses, students can take a number of other courses, including conducting, yoga for musicians, and music history.
Affiliate organization: Furman University
Ages: 12-18
Cost: $500-$625
Deadline: N/A
Additional requirements: High schoolers must have at least three years of study and ensemble experience in your concert band or orchestral string instrument
9. Furman University Summer Keyboard Institute
This week-long summer program is aimed at intermediate to advanced keyboard players and is designed to help them hone their prowess on their primary instrument (piano or organ) while also exploring other areas of keyboard study. Activities at this program include musicianship classes, masterclasses, and small group lessons, along with a variety of recreational and social activities.
Affiliate organization: Furman University
Ages: 12-18
Cost: $510-$630
Deadline: 6/1/22
Additional requirements:
- Intermediate to advanced ability to read music
- Two performance-ready works
- Two works in progress
10. Furman University Summer Jazz Camp
Open to students at all levels of musical ability, the intent of this musical summer program is to encourage students to improve their jazz skills. Over the five days of this program, participants will take classes in jazz theory, improvisation, and jazz history. Students will also have the chance to perform in a big band and/or jazz combo. The camp wraps up with a student concert.
Affiliate organization: Furman University
Grades: 9th-12th
Cost: $410-$530
Deadline: 5/15/22
11. Furman University Young Artist Vocal Experience
This week-long workshop covers a variety of vocal styles, including musical theater, opera, sacred, art song, and oratorio. Participants in the summer program will develop their vocal skills through activities such as voice classes, acting classes, and masterclasses. They’re also treated to student, faculty, and alumni recitals.
Affiliate organization: Furman University
Ages: 14-18
Cost: $510-$630
Deadline: 7/1/22
Additional requirements:
- Two performance-ready works
- Three to four works in progress
12. College of Charleston Junior Project
Designed for multi-cultural and first-generation juniors, this one-week program helps students get ready for college. Over the course of four days and three nights, rising high school juniors will meet and interact with current College of Charleston attendees. As a bonus, they’ll have the chance to hone their time management skills, attend leadership workshops, and get a glimpse of college life.
Affiliate Organization: College of Charleston
Grades: 11th
Cost: $200
Deadline: 5/31/22
Additional requirements: Transcript and essay
13. College of Charleston Senior Project
A five-day and four-night course, the College of Charleston Junior project is aimed at multi-cultural and first-generation students who are rising high school seniors. During this summer program, students will be able to attend college courses and workshops to get a feel for university life. Additionally, they’ll have the chance to learn valuable time management, writing, and essay skills; visit various academic departments; and attend a one-on-one admission counseling session.
Affiliate Organization: College of Charleston
Grades: 12th
Cost: $200
Deadline: 6/30/22
Additional requirements: Transcript and essay
14. Bob Jones EduCamp
This Christian program lets talented high schoolers get a leg up on the college-bound competition. During the week-long course, students can take part in more than 40 camps in diverse disciplines like art, computer programming, and entrepreneurship. Learning occurs in both studios and labs.
Affiliate Organization: Bob Jones University
Grades: 9th-12th
Cost: Varies by course
Deadline: N/A
15. School of Pharmacy Summer Camp
Learn about pharmacy in this week-long summer program. Participants will learn what college life is like as a pharmacy student, conduct hands-on experiments, and explore a variety of fields in pharmacy and their relationship to patient health, disease, and society. This is a great program not only for students with an interest in pharmacy, but also for those attracted to biomedical sciences like medicine, dentistry, and laboratory research.
Affiliate Organization: Presbyterian College
Grades: 10th, 11th, and 12th
Cost: $400-$800
Deadline: N/A
How do Summer Programs Impact Your College Chances?
Your participation in summer programs can have a varying level of influence on your odds of college admission. Factors such as the prestige of the summer program and the value a particular institution place on extracurricular activities, like summer programs, can affect how much of an effect it has.
Although there is no clear-cut formula for evaluating the benefit of summer programs, the four tiers of extracurricular activities are a useful tool for understanding how colleges view your activities outside of the classroom. Tier-one and -two activities are held in the highest esteem by colleges and are most likely to boost your admissions odds. Top-tier activities demonstrate exceptional achievement and/or skill and are rarely seen by admissions offices.
Tier-three and -four activities are more common, less attention-grabbing, and not as impactful on college admissions as their higher-tiered counterparts. That said, participating in summer programs that fall into the lower tiers can still improve your odds of getting into college. Summer programs—no matter which tier they fall in—show colleges you possess intellectual curiosity and the motivation to pursue fields of interest. In addition, many pre-college programs also dedicate part of their curriculum to college readiness.
Wondering what colleges think of your participation in a summer program? CollegeVine can help! Our free chancing calculator uses a variety of factors including grades, standardized test scores, and extracurriculars like summer programs to estimate your chances of getting into hundreds of colleges and universities while also providing insight into how to improve your profile.
