15 Summer Programs in Vermont for High Schoolers
What’s Covered:
- 15 Summer Programs in Vermont for High Schoolers
- How do Summer Programs Impact Your College Chances?
With summer around the corner, many high schoolers are starting to think about their plans for the break. Summer is a great time to start a project, explore a new hobby, or delve deeper into an existing skill or passion. Summer programs are an appealing option, particularly for students who want more structure. Summer programs, also known as pre-college programs, provide ambitious high schoolers the chance to explore different fields, majors, and careers while getting a glimpse of college life.
15 Summer Programs in Vermont for High Schoolers
1. Art & Design Portfolio Course
This residential pre-college program lasts 16 days and is perfect for students who are passionate about graphic design, film, game art, or creative media. Much of the course consists of hands-on creation, giving attendees the opportunity to refine their portfolios and receive constructive criticism on their work. Participants earn three transferable college credits for completing this program.
Affiliate College: Champlain College
Grades: 11th and 12th
Cost: $4,500
Deadline: N/A
2. Animation Academy
This fun summer program is aimed at creative students with an interest in animation. Over the course of this 12-day residential pre-college program, participants work with industry-standard software as they build foundational animation, artistic, and technical skills for use in games, films, and visual effects.
Affiliate College: Champlain College
Grades: 10th, 11th, and 12th
Cost: $4,500
Deadline: N/A
3. Computer Science & Technology Academy
Participants in this 12-day residential summer program explore fields such as computer science, coding, app development, and software engineering. Students participate in hands-on activities under the tutelage of industry experts and ultimately gain firsthand experience and insight into a variety of tech-focused fields.
Affiliate College: Champlain College
Grades: 10th, 11th, and 12th
Cost: $4,500
Deadline: N/A
4. Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics Academy
This 12-day residential program led by industry experts teaches participants the ins and outs of cybersecurity and digital forensics. Students will explore topics ranging from investigating digital crimes to constructing and safeguarding networks while also taking part in hands-on activities like working to solve real-world digital forensic challenges faced by law enforcement.
Affiliate College: Champlain College
Grades: 10th, 11th, and 12th
Cost: $4,500
Deadline: N/A
5. UVM Summer Academy | Introductory Neuroscience
The University of Vermont (UVM) Summer Academy is a four-week-long academic program that provides high schoolers the opportunity to earn college credits while exploring their academic interests. Students learn from the university’s renowned faculty, work alongside like-minded peers, and immerse themselves in college-level coursework.
Affiliate College: University of Vermont
Grades: 10th, 11th, and 12th
Cost: $1,017-$2,580
Deadline: 6/27/22
6. UVM Summer Academy | Biomedical Science and Human Disease
This summer program is also hosted by the University of Vermont. Participants in this program will explore the fields of biomedical science and human disease and cover relevant topics like COVID-19 while gaining insight into the rigors of college-level coursework.
Affiliate College: University of Vermont
Grades: 10th, 11th, and 12th
Cost: $1,017-$2,580
Deadline: 6/27/22
7. Vermont Summer Academy | Storytelling with Photographs
Artistic students will want to check out this pre-college program that explores how photographs are used to tell a story. Participants will build basic camera skills and learn about storytelling techniques while learning about photography and photojournalism.
Affiliate College: University of Vermont
Grades: 10th, 11th, and 12th
Cost: $1,017-$2,580
Deadline: 6/27/22
Additional requirements: A camera capable of shooting in RAW and a subscription to Adobe Lightroom (recommended)
8. Vermont Summer Academy | Facing Environmental Futures
Participants in this summer course learn about the challenges facing human health and well-being with a particular focus on climate change and COVID-19. Students will explore the root causes of issues—such as climate change, biodiversity loss, forest fires, food insecurity, and pandemics—and create strategies to build a better future.
Affiliate College: University of Vermont
Grades: 10th, 11th, and 12th
Cost: $1,017-$2,580
Deadline: 6/27/22
9. STEM Camp
High schoolers with an interest in STEM will want to take a look at this summer program which gives students the chance to explore and build firsthand experience with topics like science, health, programming, and advanced manufacturing. Participants will also build in-demand skills like leadership and working as part of a team.
Affiliate College: Vermont Technical College
Grades: N/A
Cost: N/A
Deadline: N/A
10. National Summer Transportation Institute (NSTI)
Participants in this five-day non-residential program will explore careers and transportation and gain a deeper knowledge of the complexities of transportation systems. Students take part in interactive activities, go on field trips, and listen to guest speakers to learn how academic fields like science, math, and English relate to careers in transportation.
Affiliate College: Vermont Technical College
Grades: 9th-12th
Cost: Free
Deadline: N/A
11. Architecture Summer Design Academy
This week-long immersive residential summer program instills participants with the fundamentals of design thinking and architectural composition. Participants will both receive one-on-one instruction and work in small teams as they learn about drawing and modeling tools. The program culminates with participants presenting their work to their parents, professors, and local architects.
Affiliate College: Norwich University
Grades: 10th, 11th, and 12th
Cost: $850
Deadline: 5/15/22
Additional requirements: Essay, recommendation, and a sketch of a building
12. Governor’s Institutes of Vermont | Art
Explore your creative side and develop your artistic skills at this inspiring two-week-long summer program. Participants can focus on the media of their choice—including music, dance, writing, theater, painting, sculpture, and film—while discovering potential career paths and building a network of creative-minded peers.
Affiliate College: Castleton University
Grades: 9th-12th
Cost: $20-$1,985 (varies by family income level)
Deadline: N/A
Additional requirements: Essays and two recommendations
13. Governor’s Institutes of Vermont | Astronomy
Northern Vermont University Lyndon invites students to their campus for a week to learn more about the complex mysteries of the universe. This Vermont summer program is perfect for students with a passion for astronomy and a desire to build their STEM skills—participants are able to geek out with some of the most advanced telescopic equipment available.
Affiliate College: Northern Vermont University Lyndon
Grades: 9th-12th
Cost: $10-$1,685 (varies by family income level)
Deadline: N/A
Additional requirements: Essays and two recommendations
14. Governor’s Institutes of Vermont | Environmental Science & Technology
This summer program is aimed at students who are passionate about the environment and excited to make a difference. This week-long program at UVM provides a space in which to address real environmental issues and propose solutions to them. Students will do hands-on research, collecting data from local lakes and woods, to evaluate the effects of pollutants on the environment.
Affiliate College: University of Vermont
Grades: 9th-12th
Cost: $10-$1,685 (varies by family income level)
Deadline: N/A
Additional requirements: Essays and two recommendations
15. Governor’s Institutes of Vermont | Entrepreneurship: Creativity & Innovation
Business-minded high schoolers will find their entrepreneurial spirit stoked by this week-long program at Vermont Technical College. Participants learn about the role creativity plays in the creation and development of products and services. They’ll also explore the various stages of the business cycle—from building a business plan and bringing products/services to market to advertising and growing a business.
Affiliate College: Vermont Technical College
Grades: 9th-12th
Cost: $10-$1,685 (varies by family income level)
Deadline: N/A
Additional requirements: Essays and two recommendations
How do Summer Programs Impact Your College Chances?
The value summer programs have to colleges varies depending on a handful of factors, including the prestige of the program and the weight a school places on extracurricular activities like summer programs. That said, taking part in a pre-college program for high schoolers can only improve your odds of college admission.
The four tiers of extracurricular activities are a good way to understand how summer programs affect your chances of getting into college. Tier-one and -two activities hold the most sway with admissions officers—they’re impressive, uncommon, attention-grabbing, and ultimately make you a more appealing applicant.
Tiers three and four are extracurriculars that are more common and less impressive than top-tier activities; consequently, they have less influence on admissions officials. Lower-tier activities may not have the same impact on admissions, but they can still bolster your odds of college acceptance. Lower-tier summer programs demonstrate skills that colleges value—like motivation, determination, and curiosity—and commonly contain college readiness as part of their curriculum.
Interested to learn what colleges think of your participation in a summer program? CollegeVine can help! Our free chancing calculator uses a variety of factors including grades, test scores, and extracurriculars (like summer programs) to estimate your chances of getting into hundreds of colleges and universities while also providing tips to improve your profile.
