15 Summer Programs at The University of Nevada for High Schoolers

There are a lot of ways that high schoolers can spend their summers such as sleeping in, hanging out with friends, and catching up on their favorite shows. Although these are all fun ways to take advantage of summer vacation, they’ll be of little benefit to your high schooler when it comes time to apply to college. One way to make your prospective college student’s summer more meaningful is by enrolling them in a summer college program.  

Summer programs at colleges are a great game plan for preparing your high school student to take the next academic step and look fantastic on applications. Lasting from a few days to a few weeks, most summer programs also leave room for the extracurricular activities that colleges look for, such as part-time jobs and volunteer work, and even allow time for catching up with friends, that must-watch TV show, or their favorite book.

Why Summer Programs Benefit High Schoolers

At their simplest, summer programs at colleges are fun! They give your high schooler an opportunity to explore a subject that fascinates them while connecting them with other young people who share that interest. They also give high schoolers a glimpse into life on a college campus—allowing them to peek behind the curtain and gain insight in everything from the expectations of college professors to the balancing of social and academic interests.

Additionally, summer programs provide an excellent opportunity to meet a college’s current faculty and students—developing a network at a prospective school. Participation in a summer program shows an active interest in learning, which also looks great to admissions officials.

Summer Programs at the University of Nevada

The University of Nevada offers a multitude of summer programs at both their Las Vegas and Reno campuses, covering a wide range of topics—meaning there is a course for everyone. Keep reading to find the perfect program for your high school student.

*Note: the program costs listed are approximate, as costs may vary based on residency, commuter status, or whether scholarships are available.

1. UNLV STEM Summer Camp

This three-week program is aimed at high-achieving high school students planning on pursuing a STEM major in college and is intended to expose students to various STEM disciplines.

• Specialty: STEM
• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Location: University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• Program Cost: $2,600

2. Game Design and Development 101

Students in this week-long course will learn what goes into the design of video games and leave with their own professionally designed level to add to their portfolio.

• Specialty: Computer Science
• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Location: University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• Program Cost: $949

3. Fortnite Camp and Unreal Engine Level Design

The perfect program for students seeking a career in gaming, this one-week course is designed to deliver a hands-on experience—building Battle Royal levels—with Epic Games’ Unreal Engine, the developmental tool used to create Fortnite.

• Specialty: Computer Science
• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Location: University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• Program Cost: $999

4. VR Design with Unity and Oculus Go

Dive into the world of virtual reality over this week-long program covering coding and game and app design—teaching participants how to create their own immersive worlds. Students will leave this course with Oculus Go, allowing them to keep building and bettering their created realms.   

• Specialty: Computer Science
• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Location: University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• Program Cost: $1,299

5. Code Apps with Java

This one-week course teaches students about one of the world’s most popular and common programming languages, Java. Ideal for students who want a career in coding, students will familiarize themselves with Java through console applications and programming challenges.

• Specialty: Computer Science
• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Location: University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• Program Cost: $949
• Additional requirements: Proficiency in algebra

6. Java Coding and Game Development

Build a portfolio that colleges will swoon over in this week-long course where students learn Java, one of the world’s most established programming languages, along with the Processing library to create their own video games.

• Specialty: Computer Science
• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Location: University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• Program Cost: $949
• Additional requirements: Proficiency in algebra

7. Digital Video Production: Start a YouTube Channel

Learn what it takes to create vlogs, tutorials, short films, and other content for YouTube in this week-long course. Putting students on the path to a career in video production, students learn the fundamentals of pre-production and composition while becoming familiar with Adobe Premiere and After Effects. Note: A computer for editing will be provided to each student and video equipment will be shared.

• Specialty: Filmmaking
• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Location: University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• Program Cost: $1,049
• Additional requirements: Ability to work in a team
  

8. Video Production and Special Effects for YouTube

Perfect for the student who wants to be a star, this one-week program walks participants through the filmmaking process—covering planning, storyboarding, filming with professional equipment, and using Adobe Premiere and After Effects to edit and polish videos.

• Specialty: Filmmaking
• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Location: University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• Program Cost: $1,049
• Additional requirements: Ability to work in a team

9. UNLV Space Camp

For high-achieving students with out-of-this-world aspirations, students in this six-day camp will focus on STEM subjects and how they’re applied to space.

• Specialty: Astronomy
• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Location: University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• Program Cost: $1,100
• Additional requirements: Ability to work in a team

10. Economics 100: Introduction to Economics

This three-week program examines microeconomic and macroeconomic principles and teaches students how they can be applied to everyday problems and social issues. Note: This course is part of the Davidson THINK Summer Institute at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). Students participating in THINK are enrolled as UNR students and receive a UNR student ID card and a UNR transcript after completing their courses. Courses are taught by university faculty, and three college credits (which may be transferable to other universities and some high school programs) are awarded after successful completion.

• Specialty: Economics
• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Location: University of Nevada, Reno
• Program Cost: $3,950
• Application Deadline: 3/29/19
• Additional requirements: applicants must be U.S. citizens and be nominated by an educator
• Essay Requirement: Students will also need to submit a narrative essay—no longer than two double-spaced pages—introducing themselves, expressing their interest in THINK, what they hope to gain from the program, and what they will contribute to the program. Students should call attention to past experiences with intense learning environments and how they met those challenges, along with any other aspects of their life such as background and outside interests that would make them a quality candidate for the program.

11. History 105: European Civilization

Students with an interest in history will love this three-week course about the development of western civilization—taking them on a journey from the dawn of history to the year 1648. Note: This course is part of the Davidson THINK Summer Institute at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). Students participating in THINK are enrolled as UNR students and receive a UNR student ID card and a UNR transcript after completing their courses. Courses are taught by university faculty, and three college credits (which may be transferable to other universities and some high school programs) are awarded after successful completion.

• Specialty: History
• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Location: University of Nevada, Reno
• Program Cost: $3,950
• Application Deadline: 3/29/19
• Additional requirements: applicants must be U.S. citizens and be nominated by an educator
• Essay Requirement: Students will also need to submit a narrative essay—no longer than two double-spaced pages—introducing themselves, expressing their interest in THINK, what they hope to gain from the program, and what they will contribute to the program. Students should call attention to past experiences with intense learning environments and how they met those challenges, along with any other aspects of their life such as background and outside interests that would make them a quality candidate for the program.

12. Computer Science 105: Introduction to Computing

Students will learn to design, assemble, and operate basic computer software and hardware over the course of this three-week program, gaining knowledge of essential concepts and practices in computing. Note: This course is part of the Davidson THINK Summer Institute at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). Students participating in THINK are enrolled as UNR students and receive a UNR student ID card and a UNR transcript after completing their courses. Courses are taught by university faculty, and three college credits (which may be transferable to other universities and some high school programs) are awarded after successful completion.

• Specialty: Computer Science
• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Location: University of Nevada, Reno
• Program Cost: $3,950
• Application Deadline: 3/29/19
• Additional requirements: applicants must be U.S. citizens and be nominated by an educator
• Essay Requirement: Students will also need to submit a narrative essay—no longer than two double-spaced pages—introducing themselves, expressing their interest in THINK, what they hope to gain from the program, and what they will contribute to the program. Students should call attention to past experiences with intense learning environments and how they met those challenges, along with any other aspects of their life such as background and outside interests that would make them a quality candidate for the program.

13. Math 176: Introductory Calculus for Business and Social Sciences

Students in this three-week course will learn the techniques of calculus and how to apply them to the analysis of business and social sciences. Note: This course is part of the Davidson THINK Summer Institute at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). Students participating in THINK are enrolled as UNR students and receive a UNR student ID card and a UNR transcript after completing their courses. Courses are taught by university faculty, and three college credits (which may be transferable to other universities and some high school programs) are awarded after successful completion.

• Specialty: Math
• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Location: University of Nevada, Reno
• Program Cost: $3,950
• Application Deadline: 3/29/19
• Additional requirements: applicants must be U.S. citizens, nominated by an educator, and have passed Algebra II
• Essay Requirement: Students will also need to submit a narrative essay—no longer than two double-spaced pages—introducing themselves, expressing their interest in THINK, what they hope to gain from the program, and what they will contribute to the program. Students should call attention to past experiences with intense learning environments and how they met those challenges, along with any other aspects of their life such as background and outside interests that would make them a quality candidate for the program.

14. Anthropology 101: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

This three-week course introduces students to the nature and development of culture—covering topics such as politics, religion, economics, and kinship—to better understand human diversity. Note: This course is part of the Davidson THINK Summer Institute at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). Students participating in THINK are enrolled as UNR students and receive a UNR student ID card and a UNR transcript after completing their courses. Courses are taught by university faculty, and three college credits (which may be transferable to other universities and some high school programs) are awarded after successful completion.

• Specialty: General Humanities
• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Location: University of Nevada, Reno
• Program Cost: $3,950
• Application Deadline: 3/29/19
• Additional requirements: applicants must be U.S. citizens and be nominated by an educator
• Essay Requirement: Students will also need to submit a narrative essay—no longer than two double-spaced pages—introducing themselves, expressing their interest in THINK, what they hope to gain from the program, and what they will contribute to the program. Students should call attention to past experiences with intense learning environments and how they met those challenges, along with any other aspects of their life such as background and outside interests that would make them a quality candidate for the program.

15. Community Health Science 200: Introduction to Public Health Biology

Students in this three-week program will learn about the major issues in public health, get an overview of human diseases, analyze the implication of disease management, and explore current methods of disease management. Note: This course is part of the Davidson THINK Summer Institute at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). Students participating in THINK are enrolled as UNR students and receive a UNR student ID card and a UNR transcript after completing their courses. Courses are taught by university faculty, and three college credits (which may be transferable to other universities and some high school programs) are awarded after successful completion.

• Specialty: General Humanities
• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Location: University of Nevada, Reno
• Program Cost: $3,950
• Application Deadline: 3/29/19
• Additional requirements: applicants must be U.S. citizens and be nominated by an educator
• Essay Requirement: Students will also need to submit a narrative essay—no longer than two double-spaced pages—introducing themselves, expressing their interest in THINK, what they hope to gain from the program, and what they will contribute to the program. Students should call attention to past experiences with intense learning environments and how they met those challenges, along with any other aspects of their life such as background and outside interests that would make them a quality candidate for the program.

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