15 Summer Programs in Arkansas for High Schoolers
What’s Covered:
If you’re looking to maximize your summer, consider a pre-college summer program! These programs are a great way to gain a deeper understanding of your favorite subjects in a more rigorous context. Spending a summer academically engaged on a college campus is also a great way to get a glimpse of college life and prepare yourself for the demands of learning after high school.
From short day-camps to full-summer residential programs, these experiences provide you with the invaluable opportunity to learn from and alongside talented faculty and peers alike—ultimately helping you realize your full academic potential.
15 Summer Programs in Arkansas
1. Arkansas Governor’s School (AGS)
This four-week residential program at Arkansas Tech University provides gifted students the opportunity to explore their creativity through intellectually driven pursuits.
Affiliate Institution: Arkansas Tech University
Eligibility: Rising 12th graders in the state of Arkansas who have been nominated by their high school
Cost: Free
Deadline: 1/24/22
2. Senior High Band Camp
During this six-day program at Arkansas Tech University, students will receive specialized musical instruction for varying levels of skill, ensuring that every high schooler gets the chance to grow stronger in their musicianship.
Affiliate Institution: Arkansas Tech University
Eligibility: 9th-12 graders
Cost: $291-$385
Deadline: 6/13/22
3. In-Person Design Camp
This five-day camp at the University of Arkansas exposes high schoolers to the exciting world of architecture. High schoolers will learn key design principles of architecture via engaging projects, tours, presentations, and discussions led by the faculty of the Fay Jones School.
Affiliate Institution: University of Arkansas
Eligibility: 9th-12th graders
Cost: $350-$700
Deadline: 6/20/22
4. Advanced Design Camp
This two-week program for students with design experience delivers an immersive experience and challenges participants with demanding design problems and activities led by the architecture, landscape architecture, and interior design faculty of the Fay Jones School.
Affiliate Institution: University of Arkansas
Eligibility: 11th and 12th graders
Cost: $349-$566
Deadline: 6/20/22
5. Orchestra Camp
String instrument students looking to punch up their performance skills will want to check out this week-long summer program at the University of Arkansas. During the program, students will participate in rehearsals, take lessons, and prepare for the final concert that concludes the program.
Affiliate Institution: University of Arkansas
Eligibility: 6th-12th graders
Cost: $1,550-$1650
Deadline: 7/1/22
6. Engineering Summer Academy
During this one-week program at the University of Arkansas—Fayetteville, students will participate in engaging activities in the university’s cutting-edge labs alongside engineering faculty and current students.
Affiliate Institution: University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Eligibility: 9th-12th graders
Cost: $675
Deadline: N/A
7. Engineering Scholars Program
This one-week residential program at the University of Arkansas – Little Rock aims to increase the number of students entering engineering programs in Arkansas through exposure to exciting engineering projects and leading industry engineers. Additionally, this fantastic summer program for Arkansas high schoolers includes career advising to help students prepare for college and beyond.
Affiliate Institution: University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Eligibility: 8th-11th graders interested in engineering
Deadline: 4/30/22
Cost: N/A
Additional requirements:
- 250-word statement about professional interests
- Official transcript
- SAT/ACT test scores (if applicable)
8. National Summer Transportation Institute
This two-week residential program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is an interactive program that gives students the opportunity to explore various transportation fields and careers in sectors such as land, water, air, and safety. Additionally, English, science, math, and technology courses provide students with a strong foundation for concepts directly related to projects and labs.
Affiliate Institution: University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Eligibility: 8th-11th graders interested in engineering
Deadline: 4/30/22
Cost: N/A
Additional requirements:
- 250-word statement about professional interests
- Official transcript
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- SAT/ACT test scores (if applicable)
9. Mini M*A*S*H (Medical Applications of Science for Health)
This one-week summer health careers camp gives high schoolers the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of health professions while gaining practical first aid skills along the way. During this program, students will be exposed to learning basic CPR and first aid, casting and suturing, medical terminology, and more.
Affiliate Institution: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Eligibility: 10th-12th graders
Cost: N/A
Deadline: 4/20/22
Additional requirements:
- Minimum 3.0 GPA and one science/one math class with a “B” average
- Three short-answer questions
- Teacher recommendation
- Counselor recommendation
10. HEALERS Program
This program aims to provide aspiring medical professionals with practical knowledge such as how to administer first aid and CPR while exposing students to a variety of medically related fields. Additionally, students will have the invaluable opportunity to gain clinical experience through active volunteering.
Affiliate Institution: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Eligibility: 11th and 12th graders from Pulaski County
Cost: Free
Deadline: 3/31/22
Additional requirements:
- Transcript
- Counselor recommendation
- Four short-answer questions
11. ASMA Studio Art Camp
This summer program is designed to build participants’ art skills along with their portfolios. Participants can either hone existing skills or explore new mediums while engaging in artistic practices such as drawing, collage, painting, and photography.
Affiliate Institution: Arkansas School for Math, Science, and the Arts
Eligibility: 11th graders
Cost: $0
Deadline: 4/1/22
Additional requirements:
- Transcript
- Two short essay questions
- Any standardized test score (ACT-ASPIRE, PLAN, PSAT, ACT, SAT, etc.)
- Recommendation from a teacher, counselor, or principal
12. ASMA Research in the Park
An excellent opportunity for students with an interest in cultural and environmental sciences, participants in this program work alongside park rangers with protected Federal resources. This course is an adaptation of the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts’ most unique capstone course, Research in the Park.
Affiliate Institution: Arkansas School for Math, Science, and the Arts
Eligibility: 11th graders
Cost: $0
Deadline: 4/1/22
Additional requirements:
- Transcript
- Two short essay questions
- Any standardized test score (ACT-ASPIRE, PLAN, PSAT, ACT, SAT, etc.)
- Recommendation from a teacher, counselor, or principal
13. ASMA Biomedical Sciences Summer Institute
A great opportunity for future doctors, microbiologists, forensic scientists, biomedical engineers, or simply for students with a passion for STEM. During the program, participants will get hands-on experience performing tasks such as isolating their own DNA, collecting and assessing environmental bacteria for antibiotic resistance, and transforming bacteria so that it glows in the dark.
Affiliate Institution: Arkansas School for Math, Science, and the Arts
Eligibility: 11th graders
Cost: $0
Deadline: 4/1/22
Additional requirements:
- Transcript
- Two short essay questions
- Any standardized test score (ACT-ASPIRE, PLAN, PSAT, ACT, SAT, etc.)
- Recommendation from a teacher, counselor, or principal
14. ASMA Computer Science Camp
Gain hands-on experience in a variety of programming contexts at this techy summer program. Participants work on a variety of projects during the course, including robotics, computer graphics, animation, cyber security, and embedded systems. The camp culminates with a digital capture the flag hackathon that allows participants to show off the skills they built over the course of the program.
Affiliate Institution: Arkansas School for Math, Science, and the Arts
Eligibility: 11th graders
Cost: $0
Deadline: 4/1/22
Additional requirements:
- Transcript
- Two short essay questions
- Any standardized test score (ACT-ASPIRE, PLAN, PSAT, ACT, SAT, etc.)
- Recommendation from a teacher, counselor, or principal
15. ASMA Japanese Language Summer Intensive
Over the course of this week-long program, participants learn the basics of the Japanese language and culture. Activities include learning how to introduce yourself, counting yen, exploring cultural norms, and discovering the unique aspects of Japanese society.
Affiliate Institution: Arkansas School for Math, Science, and the Arts
Eligibility: 11th graders
Cost: $0
Deadline: 4/1/22
Additional requirements:
- Transcript
- Two short essay questions
- Any standardized test score (ACT-ASPIRE, PLAN, PSAT, ACT, SAT, etc.)
- Recommendation from a teacher, counselor, or principal
How do Summer Programs Impact Your College Chances?
Some summer programs are more competitive than others, requiring letters of recommendation and standardized test scores, while other programs are open to all students within a particular grade level. Consequently, some summer programs are given more weight in college admissions than others.
The four tiers of extracurricular activities are a good way to understand how colleges value activities outside of the classroom, like summer programs. The most impressive, prestigious, rare, and influential activities are placed in the top two tiers. A good example of a top-tier Arkansas summer program is the super-selective Arkansas Governor’s School.
Lower-tier extracurricular activities don’t hold the same sway with admissions offices, however, they are often still valuable. Less-selective and esteemed programs still show off your interests to potential colleges while highlighting your desire to pursue your passions. Many field-specific activities also help build the skills you need to ace everything from the essays to interviews you’ll encounter in the college application process.
Curious how the summer program you participated in affects your odds of college admission? CollegeVine can help! Our free chancing calculator uses a variety of factors including grades, test scores, and extracurriculars to estimate your odds of getting into hundreds of colleges and universities while also providing insight into how to improve your profile.
