15 Summer Programs at The University of Georgia for High Schoolers

Summer programs give your teenager the opportunity to learn and grow in ways that a traditional part-time job cannot. They go beyond the classroom and take students to visit local sites and hear directly from professionals, incorporate team building and personal reflection, and some even offer college credit.

Plus, schools like the University of Georgia know how valuable it is for students to get insight into the college admissions process while they explore a field of interest. We’ve rounded up 15 summer programs at the University of Georgia to help parents figure out which program might suit their student’s unique interests and goals.

Why Summer Programs Benefit High Schoolers

As we said, 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. The opportunity to stay on-campus, although sometimes a bit more expensive, can be enough of a draw on its own. Even though students may have an idea of college rigor through AP and honors courses, nothing can compare to being on a college environment. Oftentimes, students learn about hard-to-find resources, such as specialized learning communities or even scholarships, directly from admissions counselors or student assistants, which can also give them a leg up when it comes to senior-year applications.

Specialize in an area of interest. From the arts to engineering to environmental science, UGA hosts a variety of programs to cater to students’ interest (and that mirror the majors they offer!). These programs allow students to explore the relationship between what they’re learning in school now to what they’ll learn in college, and they’re often exposed to unique professional opportunities in that field through guest speakers and field trips.

Enhance your student’s application. College admissions officers consider students’ extracurricular activities to see how a student will contribute to the college community and if they’re ready for college-level academics. While there are no strict requirements about the exact activities a student should pursue, summer programs allow students to demonstrate their professional and academic interest in ways that high school classes and part-time jobs often can’t, and simultaneously show that students are ready to take on the exciting challenge of college.

Meet current students and faculty. 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, and this may be one of the greatest advantages of attending a summer program at a school like UGA. By attending any of these programs, high school students can meet current students and can get the inside scoop about campus life and the college community.

Luckily, many summer programs are short, and the UGA programs are all a week-long, which allows students to balance other obligations, like volunteering or a part-time job, 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 the University of Georgia

If you’re looking for more programs in the state of Georgia, we’ve dedicated a separate post for it. Check out 15 Summer Programs in Georgia 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 Georgia resident or not, or if there are scholarships available.

1. 3D Animation

If your student dreams of working on animated films, then this program is the perfect introduction. Students will learn basic modeling and animation techniques using Maya, an industry-standard software. They’ll learn how to create movement in their own art, and keep digital copies of their creations ot share with family and friends.

• Grades: 9th, 10th, & 11th
• Cost: $890

2. Acting

During this one-week intensive, students will brush up on all aspects of performance through workshops and ensemble-building activities. They’ll also get a professional headshot to use for their auditions and see a show in the exciting cultural center of downtown Atlanta.

• Grades: 9th, 10th, & 11th
• Cost: $890

3. American Sign Language for Hearing Adolescents

Designed for hearing students to learn basic American Sign Language, students will get a crash course in numbers, letters, and basic communication in ASL. They’ll also explore how ASL is used in both school and theatre settings to provide greater accessibility to everyone.

• Grades: 9th, 10th, & 11th
• Cost: $890

4. Architecture & Design

Students get an inside look at the career of an architect as they learn the basic skills of perspective drawing and design. They’ll study past architectural designs that have impacted current practice, learn about the practical aspects of designing a home such as electricity, water, heating and cooling, and work in teams to develop a scale model of a house they designed.

• Grades: 9th, 10th, & 11th
• Cost: $890

5. Child Development 101

Give your student the opportunity to earn certifications in Child Development Leadership & Service and Basic First Aid this summer! Students will explore the different aspects of early childhood development and observe infant, toddlers, and preschool age students in their classrooms to enhance their understanding.  

• Grades: 9th & 10th only
• Cost: $890

6. College Preview

This exciting introduction to college will motivate your student to pursue their academic goals. Over the course of a week, students will not only explore the opportunities available at UGA, but they’ll also visit other colleges and universities around Athens and learn about the admissions requirements for each school.

• Grades: 9th & 10th only
• Cost: $890

7. Comic Books

A self-paced program for students who love visual storytelling, students will learn how to develop characters and storylines as they practice drawing and inking techniques to bring their ideas to life. There are workshops designed for specific skill-levels or interests, so students can pursue what makes the most sense for their creative projects.

• Grades: 9th, 10th, & 11th
• Cost: $890

8. Creative Writing

This is the perfect introduction to writing a story from start to finish. Students will learn different techniques for developing their ideas, participate in hands-on activities to refine details and workshop with their fellow writers. By the end of the camp, students will know what steps to take to complete any piece of writing they start.

• Grades: 9th & 10th only
• Cost: $890 
  

9. Culinary Skills

Your student will get a taste of what it means to be a chef during this one-week program. They’ll practice essential knife skills, learn the fundamentals of kitchen safety and hygiene, get a basic introduction to nutrition, and learn various food preparation techniques. Note: All students will be required to taste products made unless there are food allergy or intolerance concerns.

• Grades: 9th, 10th, & 11th
• Cost: $890

10. Digital Film

As part of a small student crew, students will write, direct, and produce their own short film. Each crew works with an experienced filmmaker to learn the skills required for screenwriting, camera angles, and video editing to create their final product. UGA encourages students to bring a flash drive so students can keep a copy of their film.

• Grades: 9th & 10th only
• Cost: $890

11. Introductory Engineering: Exploring Electricity

Students will learn about one of the most useful topics in science during this introductory one-week camp. They’ll explore physical concepts related to electricity and apply their learning to design their own circuits. Each day they’ll have to find the solution for an increasingly difficult challenge using electricity and circuits.

• Grades: 9th only
• Cost: $890

12. Advanced Engineering

Geared towards students who are serious about a career in engineering, this one-week program allows students to experience the life of an engineer. They’ll learn about different engineering fields directly from professionals and develop a project in either electrical, mechanical, civil, computer systems, biological/agricultural, biomedical, chemical, or environmental engineering.

• Grades: 9th, 10th, & 11th
• Cost: $890

13. Exploring Environmental Sciences

Perfect for the students who love the outdoors and want to learn more about it, students will spend their days in the outdoor classroom of the State Botanical Gardens. They’ll learn about horticulture, conversation, herpetology, and botany as they learn about careers in these fields from experts.

• Grades: 9th only
• Cost: $890

14. Fashion Design

Your student will learn the entire process of developing fashion, from sketching to sewing, during this one-week program. They’ll draw inspiration from legendary designers and meet a working fashion designer to get insight into the professional world. By the end of the week, students will have the start to their own design portfolio.

• Grades: 9th, 10th, & 11th
• Cost: $890

15. Game Design for Tabletop & RPGs

In this camp, students will learn the basic design elements of different types of games, including tabletop, board, card, miniature, and role-playing games (RPGs). Either working in groups or independently, students will develop an original game idea and create the rules and game components such as cards, dice, boards, and more, before sharing their creation with the public.

• Grades: 9th, 10th, & 11th
• Cost: $890

Wrapping it Up

UGA summer programs run the gamut of experiences. Whether your teen knows exactly what they want to study or wants to explore their options, there’s a program that caters to their interests. No matter which program they choose, they are sure to get unique insight into what it’s really like to get in and attend an Ivy League school.

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.

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Check out some of our other posts about extracurriculars:

15 Summer Programs at Emory University for High Schoolers

13 Summer Programs at the University of Florida for High Schoolers

15 Summer Programs at The University of Pennsylvania for High Schoolers