20 Summer Programs in Connecticut for High Schoolers in 2024
What’s Covered:
Summer programs offer a host of benefits for high school students, including the ability to develop their interests, learn more about college life, and explore potential career paths. Participating in a summer program also shows colleges that a student is willing to go the extra mile to delve deeper into their interests, explore their passions, and ultimately give their college admissions chances a boost.
Are you looking for a great summer program in the Nutmeg State? Check out these 20 great summer programs for high schoolers in Connecticut.
20 Summer Programs in Connecticut
1. Fairfield Pre-College Immersion Program | Nursing: The Possibilities Are Endless
Dates: N/A
Location: Online and Fairfield University
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $1,200
If you’re considering a career in the nursing field, look no further. In this program, you’ll learn about the many opportunities available in the nursing profession, including first aid and CPR. You’ll also participate in activities using Fairfield’s state-of-the-art nursing simulation lab, along with gaining insight into the college admissions process.
2. BASE Camp (Broadening Access To Science Education) | Fairfield University
Dates: N/A
Location: Fairfield University
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: Free
BASE Camp aims to excite students from underrepresented groups about science through hands-on research experience in natural sciences and mathematics. The topics covered in this week-long experience change annually, but in the past have included:
- Biomedical Science
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Forensics
- Evolutionary Biology
- Marine Ecology
- Software Engineering
- Behavioral Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Biophysics
Just 24 students are chosen to participate in BASE Camp per year.
3. Emagination Tech Summer Camp Weekly Sessions
Dates: July 14-26 & July 28-August 9
Location: Fairfield University
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $2,080
This two-week technology-based camp allows students to specialize in an industry by choosing specific classes and taking advantage of the resources available at Fairfield University. Students can select from coding, graphic design, or game design classes, along with recreational electives like field games, Slip ‘N Slide, or LARP.
4. Liberal Studies Program | Literature and Composition II
Dates: June 29-August 2
Location: Taft School
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $5,000-$9,550
The Liberal Studies Program allows students to select from a variety of general college-level courses to enrich their education and prepare them for college life. The course is designed primarily for 9th and 10th graders, but it can help students at any grade level become more effective writers and critical readers. This program teaches participants the elements of academic writing and includes discussions about short stories and novels.
5. Liberal Studies Program | Literature and Composition III
Dates: June 29-August 2
Location: Taft School
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $5,000-$9,550
A more advanced version of the aforementioned program, this class is aimed at 11th and 12th graders. Literature and Composition III emphasizes more specific elements of analyzing fiction and poetry, such as character, conflict, setting, and theme. Because students are required to write insightful essays on selected readings, participants must possess strong writing skills.
6. Liberal Studies Program | Introduction to Geometry
Dates: June 29-August 2
Location: Taft School
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $5,000-$9,550
This foundational math course covers many of the concepts relating to shape and logic; students will learn about the properties of geometrical figures and the fundamentals of logic so that they can construct and interpret formal proofs.
7. Liberal Studies Program | Introduction to Algebra II
Dates: June 29-August 2
Location: Taft School
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $5,000-$9,550
This is a great summer program in Connecticut for students who’ve already taken Algebra I and want to get a head start in math. The first part of the course reviews topics from Algebra I before diving into the early topics covered in Algebra II. By the end of this course, students will feel more confident in their math skills and have a strong foundation for algebra techniques.
8. Liberal Studies Program | Introduction to Precalculus
Dates: June 29-August 2
Location: Taft School
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $5,000-$9,550
This is a fantastic summer program if you’ve already completed Geometry and Algebra II. This course prepares students for the skills and topics they will need in more advanced math classes. The course covers several types of functions, including linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric. Students will also learn about real-world applications of these functions.
9. Liberal Studies Program | Introduction to Calculus
Dates: June 29-August 2
Location: Taft School
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $5,000-$9,550
This summer program is intended as an introduction to single variable calculus and is aimed at students who’ve already completed a pre-calculus course. The course will cover a variety of topics, including limits and continuity, basic differentiation techniques, applications of derivatives such as min-max problems, and basic techniques of integration. Get your graphing calendar ready!
10. UConn Pre-College Program | Animation Studio
Dates: June 23-29
Location: University of Connecticut
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $2,150
The UConn Pre-College Program is a non-credit academic enrichment program where students can have a week-long college-like experience and get a feel for college-level classes. Animation Studio teaches students about storytelling, character development, and the fundamentals of animation. By the end of the course, participants will leave with a framed piece of art and valuable material for a future college portfolio.
11. UConn Pre-College Program | Creative Writing
Dates: July 21-27
Location: University of Connecticut
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $2,150
This intensive writing seminar is focused on improving its participants’ understanding of the essay and exploring it in its creative, dynamic, imaginative literary forms—such as personal essays, op-eds, commentaries, and rants. Students in this program will also read a variety of essays, develop their voices, share work with their peers, and ultimately become better, more interesting writers.
12. UConn Pre-College Program | Digital Animation & Motion Graphics
Dates: July 21-27
Location: University of Connecticut
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $2,150
Students participating in this fun summer program will explore the increasing role of digital animation in television, film, and the web, as well as create their own animations and motion graphics for different types of publications. They’ll get to use industry-standard software such as Adobe After Effects in conjunction with other Adobe creative products.
13. UConn Pre-College Program | Data Science
Dates: June 23-29
Location: University of Connecticut
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $2,150
This program instills the most important principles of data science in its participants while building basic skills required in the field, including data manipulation, visualization, and analysis. Students will explore data science through games and real-world applications using data from varied fields such as climate and sports.
14. UConn Pre-College Program | Sports Medicine
Dates: June 23-29
Location: University of Connecticut
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $2,150
Participants in this summer program will get an overview of the medical aspects surrounding sport and physical activity and gain an understanding of the illnesses and injuries associated with them, including their causes, prevention, and treatment. The program covers ailments such as concussions, traumatic injuries, cardiac events, and exertional heat illnesses.
15. Aetna Health Professions Partnership Initiative High School Student Research Apprentice Program
Dates: June 20-July 21
Location: University of Connecticut or Central Connecticut State University
Application Deadline: April 1
Cost: Free (participants are provided a stipend)
This five-week summer program is focused on 11th graders from groups traditionally underrepresented in the health professions. The program provides students with an interest in medicine, dental medicine, or biomedical research the opportunity to conduct research projects—giving them a taste of real science and preparing them for future careers.
Not only is this program free, but students earn a stipend for their participation.
16. Quinnipiac University Pre-College Program | Bobcat Nature Academy
Dates: July 22-26
Location: Quinnipiac University
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $1,400-$1,680
Participants in this week-long summer program will spend time in the classroom and the field learning about the natural world. Over the course of the program, students learn the scientific principles that are at the foundation of fields like ecology, geology, and environmental studies. They also gain a better understanding of their role in the ecosystem and the importance of living sustainably.
17. Quinnipiac University Pre-College Program | Public Relations and Social Media Bootcamp
Dates: July 22-26
Location: Quinnipiac University
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $1,400-$1.680
This one-week boot camp provides students with insight into the power of public relations and social media. Participants will learn how celebrities and content creators use strategies, tools, and platforms to build followers and their brands. They’ll also learn how nuanced communication can encourage action or solicit emotion and how to craft messages that resonate with target audiences.
18. University of Saint Joseph Connecticut Challenge Program
Dates: Varies
Location: University of Saint Joseph Connecticut
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: Free
The University of Saint Joseph Connecticut provides high school juniors and seniors—between the ages of 16 and 18—an opportunity to explore college while still attending high school. Participants in the Challenge Program can take a course at the university during the fall, spring, or summer semester tuition-free while earning credit that they can apply to a college degree. Although courses are offered tuition-free, students must cover the cost of any books, lab fees, or transportation required.
19. YWCA Young Women’s Leadership Corps (YWLC) Summer Institute
Dates: July-August
Location: YWCA Hartford
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: Free
This program is focused on empowering teen girls. The program is centered on personal development, civic engagement, and advocacy and participants will build life skills, explore college, and learn about career opportunities. They will also bolster their research and technical skills, and raise awareness of issues important to their communities.
20. Connecticut College Pre-College Program | Venture Incubator
Dates: July 8-19 & July 22-August 24
Location: YWCA Hartford
Application Deadline: May 1
Cost: $2,950
This two-week residential opportunity provides participants with the chance to learn about entrepreneurship and build valuable life skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration. By the end of the program, participants will develop a business idea and explore strategies to bring it to market.
Participants in the program get to experience a low-pressure slice of college life—they live on campus and study with college faculty and staff, however, courses are ungraded and not for credit.
Interested in learning about even more summer programs in Connecticut for high schoolers? Check out our article, “10 Summer Programs at Yale for High Schoolers.”
How Do Summer Programs Impact Your College Chances?
Summer programs play a part in college admissions, however, the weight they’re given depends on a variety of factors including the prestige of the program, its selectivity, and how much importance a school places on extracurricular activities. For example, a highly selective program that is free will be viewed as a more prestigious accomplishment than a program that anyone who pays to attend can participate in.
The four tiers of extracurricular activities are a good guide for understanding how colleges value your pursuits outside of the classroom. Think of the four tiers of extracurriculars as a pyramid with tier one activities on the top and tier four on the bottom. Tier-one activities—like attending a super-selective summer program—are the most unique, impressive, and influential, while tier-four activities are more common and less likely to grab the attention of admissions officers.
Your college profile will ideally include a few extracurriculars from the top tiers to demonstrate achievement and wow admissions committees. You’ll also want to possess a few activities from the lower tiers to highlight your other interests and show juxtapositional depth.
CollegeVine can add clarity to how colleges view your extracurriculars like summer programs. Our free chancing calculator uses numerous factors including grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities to estimate your odds of admission at hundreds of colleges across the country. It also provides insight into your profile and spotlights places for improvement.
