15 Summer Programs in Connecticut for High Schoolers
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, 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, develop their passions, and ultimately give their college admissions chances a boost.
Looking for a great summer program in the Nutmeg State? Check out these 15 great summer programs for high schoolers in Connecticut.
Summer Programs in Connecticut
1. Fairfield Pre-College Immersion Program | Nursing: The Possibilities are Endless
If you’re considering a career in the nursing field, look no further. In this program, students 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.
Affiliate school: Fairfield University
Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
Cost: $1,200
Deadline: 6/30/22
Application requirements:
- Transcript
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
2. Emagination Tech Summer Camp Weekly Sessions
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.
Affiliate school: Fairfield University
Ages: 8-17
Cost: $995-$1,695
3. Emagination Tech Two-Week Coding Camp
Over the course of two weeks, participants ages 13 to 17 will get immersive instruction in JAVA and learn to build a variety of web-based applications. Participants are provided with a personal computer featuring the latest software and gain access to high-tech tools like 3D printers and animation video creation programs. When not at work, there are numerous recreational opportunities ranging from playing group games to getting in costume for the program’s Character-Con.
Affiliate school: Fairfield University
Ages: 13-17
Cost: $1,849-$3,249
4. Liberal Studies Program | Literature and Composition II
The Liberal Studies Program allows students to select from a variety of general college-level courses to enrich their education and prepare 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.
Affiliate school: Taft School
Grades: 9th and 10th
Cost: $4,600-$8,700
Application requirements:
- Transcript
- Guidance counselor reference
- Two teacher references
5. Liberal Studies Program | Literature and Composition III
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.
Affiliate school: Taft School
Grades: 11th and 12th
Cost: $4,600-$8,700
Application requirements:
- Transcript
- Guidance counselor reference
- Two teacher references
6. Liberal Studies Program | Introduction to Geometry
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.
Affiliate school: Taft School
Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
Cost: $4,600-$8,700
Application requirements:
- Transcript
- Guidance counselor reference
- Two teacher references
7. Liberal Studies Program | Introduction to Algebra II
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.
Affiliate school: Taft School
Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
Cost: $4,600-$8,700
Application requirements:
- Transcript
- Guidance counselor reference
- Two teacher references
8. Liberal Studies Program | Introduction to Precalculus
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.
Affiliate school: Taft School
Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
Cost: $4,600-$8,700
Application requirements:
- Transcript
- Guidance counselor reference
- Two teacher references
9. Liberal Studies Program | Introduction to Calculus
This summer program is intended as an introduction to single variable calculus and is aimed at students who’ve already completed a precalculus 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.
Affiliate school: Taft School
Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
Cost: $4,600-$8,700
Application requirements:
- Transcript
- Guidance counselor reference
- Two teacher references
10. UConn Pre-College Program | Animation Studio
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 art 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.
Affiliate school: University of Connecticut
Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
Cost: $2,050-$2,150
Deadline: 6/1/22
Application requirements:
- Transcript
- Minimum 2.0 GPA
- Two essays
- Reference
11. UConn Pre-College Program | Creative Writing
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.
Affiliate school: University of Connecticut
Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
Cost: $2,050-$2,150
Deadline: 6/1/22
Application requirements:
- Transcript
- Minimum 2.0 GPA
- Two essays
- Reference
12. UConn Pre-College Program | Digital Animation & Motion Graphics
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.
Affiliate school: University of Connecticut
Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
Cost: $2,050-$2,150
Deadline: 6/1/22
Application requirements:
- Transcript
- Minimum 2.0 GPA
- Two essays
- Reference
13. UConn Pre-College Program | Data Science
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.
Affiliate school: University of Connecticut
Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
Cost: $2,050-$2,150
Deadline: 6/1/22
Application requirements:
- Transcript
- Minimum 2.0 GPA
- Two essays
- Reference
14. UConn Pre-College Program | Sports Medicine
Participants in this summer program will get an overview of medical aspects surrounding sport and physical activity and gain an understanding of the illnesses and injuries associated with them, including their cause, prevention, and treatment. The program covers ailments such as concussions, traumatic injuries, cardiac events, and exertional heat illnesses.
Affiliate school: University of Connecticut
Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
Cost: $2,050-$2,150
Deadline: 6/1/22
Application requirements:
- Transcript
- Minimum 2.0 GPA
- Two essays
- Reference
15. UConn Pre-College Program | Robotics Engineering
The aim of this summer program in Connecticut is to impart an understanding of robotics as an engineering discipline to students. Through this course, students learn about emerging technologies in the field of robotics, as well as how those innovations are affecting industrial fields like manufacturing, medical, defense, and education. In addition to building tech-friendly skills such as programming, students will also bolster soft skills like critical thinking and problem solving over the course of the program.
Affiliate school: University of Connecticut
Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
Cost: $2,050-$2,150
Deadline: 6/1/22
Application requirements:
- Transcript
- Minimum 2.0 GPA
- Two essays
- Reference
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 variables including the prestige of the program, its selectivity, and how much importance a school places on extracurricular activities.
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.
