Four Key Questions for Summer Programs

In addition to relaxing and having fun this summer, we recommend that students completing 8th-10th grade spend a few weeks each summer building momentum towards their academic capstone project.

And for students completing 11th grade, we recommend they complete a solid academic capstone project during the summer and then highlight it in a variety of ways (publish their work, enter it into competitions, etc.).

As you think about what to do this summer, remember to ask yourself these four key questions, which will help you compare summer program options:

1. Am I truly excited when I think about this project?

2. Does this program fit within my budget?

3. Do I prefer a virtual or in-person program? If I want to participate in-person, how far from home do I feel comfortable traveling?

4. Is there potential for me to make a strong connection with a mentor who can help me with my academic capstone project and write me a letter of recommendation?

You can then create a spreadsheet with four columns and start comparing program options. Without some guiding principles, it's challenging to make sense of all the options dancing before you. Hopefully this helps!