15 Summer Programs at Duke University for High Schoolers

Top schools across the country know how valuable summer programs can be for high school students. These schools create programs that enrich students’ academic experience, provide opportunities to explore a field or industry in-depth, and take advantage of all the resources that top universities have to offer.

The Duke summer programs will allow your teenager to grow in ways that traditional summer activities, like volunteering or a part-time job, cannot. We’ve rounded up 15 summer programs at Duke University to help parents figure out which program might suit their student’s unique interests and goals.

Want to learn what Duke 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 Duke University needs to know.

Why Summer Programs Benefit High Schoolers

Summer programs for high school students are about more than just having fun (although there’s plenty of that too!). Here are some of the main benefits of summer programs:

Experience college firsthand. If your student isn’t sure about what they’d like to study, college-based summer programs can help your student find their passion and truly understand what it would be like to attend college. Not only that, but many of these programs include a college admissions workshop, where students can learn about hard-to-find resources, such as specialized learning communities or research opportunities, and learn best practices directly from admissions counselors.

Specialize in an area of interest. Duke knows how valuable it is for students to explore a specific field or industry, which is why they allow students to choose two classes in their Duke TIP program. Through activities such as guest speakers and tours of local sites, students get an inside look into an industry or academic discipline that they wouldn’t be able to get in a traditional class setting, and they are often introduced to professional opportunities in that field that they may have never heard of.

Enhance your student’s application. While there are no strict requirements about the exact activities a student should pursue during high school, summer programs allow students to demonstrate their dedication to their professional and academic interests, while simultaneously showing that they are ready to take on the exciting challenge of college. Not only that, but college admissions officers consider students’ extracurricular activities to get a holistic view of how a student will contribute to the college community, and your teen’s summer program experience can often make for a more compelling admissions essay.

Meet current students and faculty. For a selective school like Duke, this may be one of the greatest advantages of attending one of their summer programs. One of our top recommendations for helping students get into their dream school is to connect with students who were successfully admitted to that school. By attending any of these programs, high school students can meet current students and get the inside scoop about campus life and the college community.

If you’re worried that your student won’t have time to participate in other summer activities, such as volunteering, interning, or part-time work, then rest assured: your teen doesn’t have to choose between these activities and a summer program. Many summer programs are short, sometimes even as short as a week, so students can balance other obligations while participating in a summer program. By diversifying their activities, students will be able to impress college admissions officers with their developed passion and character.

Summer Programs at Duke University

If you’re looking for programs at other schools in North Carolina, we’ve dedicated a separate post for it. Check out 11 Summer Programs in North Carolina for High Schoolers.

Note: These program costs are all approximate. There may be differences in cost based on whether a student stays on-campus or decides to commute, is a North Carolina resident or not, or if there are scholarships available.

1. Biosciences & Engineering Camp for High School

This two-week program introduces students to the skills needed to succeed in engineering and bioscience majors, as well as the topics currently being research in those fields. They’ll participate in hands-on lab activities to explore areas like biomechanics and electrobiology, learn about different careers through guest speakers, and collaborate to develop a team capstone design project.

• Grades: 9th, 10th, & 11th
• Cost: $3,700
• Deadline: Rolling

2. Duke College Admissions Boot Camp

A one-week crash course in college prep, rising seniors are encouraged to participate in this intensive experience to develop high-quality admissions materials. Students will receive individualized meetings with admissions counselors, develop their college essays, and begin filling out the Common App and Coalition Apps. They will also prepare resumes and participate in mock interviews, to make sure every aspect of their application is as strong as possible.

• Grades: 11th only
• Cost: $1,400
• Deadline: Rolling

3. Cracking the Code: High School Crypto-Camp

If your student loves to solve puzzles, then this is the summer program for them. During this two-week camp, students will learn the mathematical foundations for cryptography and master elementary coding in Python to practice their own code-writing. They’ll also participate in code-cracking races and scavenger hunts across Duke’s beautiful campus, applying their skills in an engaging way.

• Grades: 9th, 10th, & 11th
• Cost: $3,700
• Deadline: Rolling

4. Leadership in Action Institute

This two week program is perfect for students who are committed to making the world a better place. During the Leadership in Action Institute, students will learn about local, national, and global issues affecting our society through case studies, group discussions, and written assignments. They’ll also take action directly by volunteering in the Durham community and developing a plan for progress that they can implement in their own community.

• Grades: 9th, 10th, & 11th
• Cost: $3,300
• Deadline: Rolling

5. Duke TIP | Big Screen, Little Screen: Writing for the Camera

As part of the Duke TIP program, students can choose two classes that explore a field in greater depth, which means that students can mix-and-match this class with the other TIP classes below. Students will learn the basic elements of screenwriting in this class, and will draw inspiration from a variety of sources to develop their own characters and storylines.

• Grades: 9th & 10th only
• Cost: $4,495
• Deadline: Rolling

6. Duke TIP | Computer Skills for Today’s Scientists and Engineers

The best introduction to advanced computer skills, students will learn how to develop programs that satisfy scientific and engineering needs, explore the current uses of computers in these industries, and develop a foundation in topics like data processing, laboratory equipment control, computation, and graphical analysis.

• Grades: 9th & 10th only
• Cost: $4,495
• Deadline: Rolling

7. Duke TIP | Creative Chronicles: The Intersection of Narrative and History

With the popularity of Hamilton, Making a Murderer, and Serial, our society is seeing more imaginative and artful representations of history and journalism. This course allows students to research a historical figure, learn about the period in which they lived, and use that knowledge to inform their attempt at writing that person’s memoir using established narrative practices.

• Grades: 9th & 10th only
• Cost: $4,495
• Deadline: Rolling
  

8. Duke TIP | Dictators, Kings, and CEOs: The Evolution of Empire

Students will explore how empires have changed overtime, and study how empires have grown and shaped the world as we know it. This is the perfect program for students interested in history or politics, and will develop students’ analytical and research skills.

• Grades: 9th & 10th only
• Cost: $4,495
• Deadline: Rolling

9. Duke TIP | Ethics and the Little White Lie

This program combines ethics and media analysis to determine what our societal ethical principles might be, which principles we should use to interpret and understand our world, and if “white lies” can ever be justified. Students will also examine how the media impacts our understanding of ethics, just as ethics shapes our media.

• Grades: 9th & 10th only
• Cost: $4,495
• Deadline: Rolling

10. Duke TIP | Game Theory: Economics

Students will discover how game theory, or Formal Decision Theory, helps people navigate complex decision-making processes. Not only will they apply game theory to case studies and hypothetical situations, but they’ll also learn how game theory has applications in broader contexts such as conflict and warfare, evolution, psychology, and sociology.

• Grades: 9th & 10th only
• Cost: $4,495
• Deadline: Rolling

11. Duke TIP | History of the Future

Humans have been trying to predict the future for centuries, and this class explores the methods we use to predict the future and the cultural assumptions behind futurism. Students will learn about “failed” predictions such as flying cars and lunar colonies, explore the factors that might have prevented these predictions from coming true, and examine current predictions about the future through social, political, and scientific lenses.

• Grades: 9th & 10th only
• Cost: $4,495
• Deadline: Rolling

12. Duke TIP | International Relations: Global Conflicts

Perfect for students interested in politics, history, or international relations, this program explores concepts such as war, international trade, human rights, and the tensions between societal challenges and individual action. They’ll also look at historical conflicts to understand the possible ramifications of current conflicts.

• Grades: 9th & 10th only
• Cost: $4,495
• Deadline: Rolling

13. Duke TIP | Literary License without Limits

If your student constantly jots down thoughts and prose in a notebook, then this course is for them. No matter what genre your student enjoys writing, they will develop writing skills that work across genres and critique works from both prominent and lesser known authors to understand what it takes to write well. Students will also support each other through critical peer-review to enhance their original writing.

• Grades: 9th & 10th only
• Cost: $4,495
• Deadline: Rolling

14. Duke TIP | Macroeconomics

Students will walk away from this course with a introductory college-level understanding of macroeconomics. They’ll learn how to determine income levels and employment, explore government spending and consumer consumption and their effects on the economy, and be able to participate in political and economic debates in an informed way.

• Grades: 9th & 10th only
• Cost: $4,495
• Deadline: Rolling

15. Duke TIP | Microeconomics

Like the Macroeconomics course, this intensive course provides an introduction to college-level microeconomics. Students will learn how to use microeconomics as a model for understanding human behavior, and how individuals and businesses try to maximize their resources. They’ll also explore how some controversial policies affect individuals, such as minimum wage laws, farm subsidies, rent controls, and welfare programs.

• Grades: 9th & 10th only
• Cost: $4,495
• Deadline: Rolling

Wrapping it Up

Whether your teen knows exactly what they want to study or still wants to explore their options, there’s a program that caters to their interests. As a school committed to providing enriching opportunities for students, Duke offers a variety of programs to help students find success on their terms.

If your student missed a deadline or isn’t currently eligible for one of these programs, there are plenty of other activities that students can participate in over the summer to stay engaged. These include getting involved in community organizations, volunteer service, and working. You can find some ideas for activities in our post Summer Activities to Strengthen your College Applications.

Check out some of our other posts about extracurriculars:

15 Summer Programs at Brown University for High Schoolers

15 Summer Programs at The University of Chicago for High Schoolers

15 Summer Programs at Johns Hopkins University for High Schoolers

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