Should You Do a Summer Learning Program Before College?

Ah, summer vacation. Total freedom from the evils of textbooks, homework, and dubious cafeteria food. The days are long and warm and full of potential. The first day of the new school year seems like just a speck in the distance.

It’s a necessary reprieve from the stress that piles up as a student, but as college approaches, the free time that comes with summer break becomes more valuable, enabling you to pursue programs and activities that will develop your interests, equip you for higher learning, and sharpen your college application. Summer learning programs have a lot of benefits, and I’m here to convince you that the juice is definitely worth the squeeze of giving up some of your break.

In fact, it might be one of the most enjoyable, transformative experiences of your life.

Defining Summer Learning Programs

What exactly is a summer learning program? A lot of people hear that term and think, “Summer school” — a term that has some stigma attached, unfortunately. The common narrative is that the kids who succeeded get a break, but the ones who came up short must spend the summer learning — yuck!

If you picture summer learning as the same mandatory classroom regimen you’re used to during the school year, it probably feels like something to avoid at all costs — and it’s often thrown around as a threat: “Pass this test, or else you get…SUMMER SCHOOL!”

But summer learning programs are very different. The Close the Gap Foundation, which helps students from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds succeed in college, explains that summer learning programs are “a chance for students to grow year-round, typically in preparation for a new phase of learning…Sometimes, these enrichment programs have a traditional school curriculum similar to the courses that the student takes during the school year, and other times, they have extracurricular activities that the students can choose from.”

To say there is variety would be an understatement. There is a whole world of summer learning programs out there, matching every interest. Instead of being stuck in a classroom, you might be in Chicago, exploring the Art Institute. Instead of homework, you may be urged to conduct a science experiment and given the tools to do it.

Let’s look at some kinds of summer learning programs and analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Exploring Types of Summer Learning Programs

What are your interests? What are your goals? These are the first two questions you should ask before you begin “shopping” for a summer learning program to join. After you’ve found a few that appeal to you, consider accessibility; some private summer learning programs and pre-college programs can be pricey, and nearly all limit the number of students they can accept for practical reasons.

Fortunately, opportunities abound, so if your first choice doesn’t work out, you’ll have backup options. Here’s what you can expect.

Private Summer Learning Programs

Private summer learning programs are very common. They are offered by most organizations that center education in their mission, including museums, non-profit organizations, and universities, eager to attract bright young minds.

Consider the Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS), which consistently ranks as one of the best private summer learning programs in the nation. Each summer, TASS brings students to college campuses, where engaging lectures give students an in-depth understanding of sociological topics within the zeitgeist. During free time, students are allowed to democratically plan activities, outings, and community and are expected to navigate disagreements civilly and with as little adult intervention as possible. That’s a far cry from summer school — that’s full-on preparation for life as a grown up!

In Central Florida, the region surrounding USF, local chapters of global philanthropic organization Rotary International band together to plan and fund the Seminar for Tomorrow’s Leaders (S4TL), a week-long program for local incoming seniors that sharpens their leadership, public speaking, and collaboration abilities. Alumni call the program lifechanging, providing them with valuable lessons, strong bonds, and treasured memories that they look back on fondly for decades. I’m speaking from personal experience — one of those alumni is me!

There’s a private summer learning program out there for everyone. Interested in computer programming? There’s the Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program. Are you an aspiring entrepreneur? The LaunchX program at MIT will guide you through the process of starting a real business. Do you live for the stage? Choose one of the Tisch Summer High School Drama Program options. There are so. Many. More!

Advantages

• Private summer learning programs range from general to highly specialized. You have a lot of options to choose from, and better odds of finding a program that matches your interests and goals.
• They are often able to attract prominent experts as speakers, so the quality of programming is outstanding.
• Many private summer learning programs have long histories and have built excellent reputations for themselves. Their reputation might make your college application shine a little brighter by association.
• Many private summer learning programs are hosted on university campuses, giving you a preview of college life.
• Travelling to a private summer learning program gets you out of your comfort zone, adding an extra level of challenge that will help your confidence grow.
  
  

Disadvantages

• Accessibility can be an issue with private summer learning programs. The competition to get in can be fierce. Even if you bring your A-game to essay writing, it might not be enough.
• Cost is another huge issue for many programs. Some cost you nothing, like TASS and S4TL, mentioned above. Others, like the Tisch drama program, can cost as much as a semester of college. It’s worth noting that many of these programs offer financial aid to less privileged students. Additionally, some federally-funded summer learning programs, like the Governor’s Schools that exist in around 20 states, provide a comparable experience at a discounted rate.

Public Summer Learning Programs

Public summer learning programs are usually funded by a school district and hosted at public schools within the district. While traditional summer school retreads material already covered during the school year, these summer learning programs offer an opportunity to learn something new.

Commonly, these will include opportunities to dive deeper into subjects like math, reading, and language, but there are K-12 summer learning programs that do much, much more. Consider as an example the summer learning programs offered by the public school system of Fairfax County, VA. They offer the typical general education and credit recovery courses, but two additional program options stand out.

Fairfax County Schools’s Institute for the Arts (IFTA) offers over 60 classes students can choose from, providing a wide range of practical arts training by certified educators. Quality art instruction can be hard to find, so IFTA provides definite value.

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Summer Academy allows students to explore and experiment with different career paths through a personalized experience that matches their areas of interest: business and IT, medical science, technology and engineering, and various trades, to name a few of the options. Many people won’t have the opportunity to try out multiple careers before enrolling in college courses, so CTE is a unique experience that influences the way participants will approach critical personal decisions.

And Fairfax County is just one example! All over America, school districts fund and plan similar programs for students. It shouldn’t be difficult to find one near you.

Advantages

• Public summer learning programs are provided by school districts close to your home. Managing the commute is much simpler.
• Familiar faces will be involved, like teachers and students you know, or other people you recognize from around town.
• Public summer learning programs are affordable: compare the $530 fee of our IFTA example with the $14,000 price tag for the private Tisch drama program referenced earlier.
  
  

Disadvantages

• Enrolling in a public summer learning program locally won’t do much to get you out of your comfort zone. Surrounded by familiarity, you may not be challenged as much as someone who travels for a summer learning program.
• Working with limited public funds, the quality of the educational experience will likely be lower than what you’d get from a private summer learning program.

Pre-College Programs

Few summer learning programs can do more to prepare you for college or enhance your college application than a pre-college program that’s planned and hosted by a university.

These programs are built to give outstanding high school students a taste of college life. For up to a month, participants live in dorms on campus, eat in the cafeteria, benefit from campus resources, and complete college coursework — sometimes for real college credit.

Almost every university in the nation has some form of pre-college program, so you can take a few different approaches. Will you aim for a prestigious school with a strong reputation, like Stanford or Harvard — names that will stand out on your college application? Or will you attend a pre-college program at your college of choice, gaining a better understanding of what the school offers before committing?

The decision is yours, but either way, it will be a beneficial experience. Tallo, a career readiness service for students, says, “Pre-college programs are honestly a great way to get a feel for college life and explore your academic interests on a deeper level.”

Advantages

• Pre-college programs are the most authentic college experience that a high schooler can have. They are a fantastic way to get exposure to that environment early.
• Since these programs are common, most of the schools on your short list will probably offer one, giving you a chance to gather valuable information before making your final decision.
• Similarly, pre-college programs will be a great chance to meet other prospective students — maybe a future study buddy or roommate.
• Earning college credit is a huge bonus, if offered. That gives you more bang for your buck.
• Pre-college programs demonstrate your keen interest in academics, which may enhance your college application.
• Attending a pre-college program at a school you’ve applied to may put you on their radar early. Attending one at a prestigious school can make you appear to be a stronger student.
  
  

Disadvantages

• Pre-college programs have the same accessibility issues as private summer learning programs: many are expensive, and the application process for others can be highly competitive.
• The coursework will be difficult. You may not feel ready to take on college courses just yet.
• Not all pre-college programs offer college credit, so you may feel like you endured a tough courseload for nothing.
• Attending a pre-college program will not guarantee you admission to that college.

Are Summer Learning Programs Worth It?

It’s clear that there’s a wide variety of summer learning programs available. The question remains: are they worth the investment of time and money — worth sacrificing part of summer break?

Summer Learning Programs as Resume Enhancers

When reviewing applications, admissions personnel consider the overall student, looking at more than grades and test scores. The College Board advises students to “present a well-rounded picture of their skills, experience, and personal traits. Applications should highlight their ability to succeed at each institution and what they can contribute to student life on campus.”

To paint this flattering picture of themselves, high school students are advised to highlight their community service, extracurriculars, and other resume-building activities, in addition to academic achievements. If you are lacking in one or more areas, a summer learning program might be the perfect way to shore up those gaps. An academically-focused summer learning program can help you demonstrate your scholarly prowess. As the College Board points out, “It shows colleges that you’re committed to learning.”

Beyond that, community service-oriented programs are an opportunity to gain valuable volunteer hours. A training program for your extracurricular activity of choice can help build that skill into an impressive feature of your resume. In short, thanks to freedom from your usual school commitments, summer is the time to strengthen your overall applicant profile.

Review your current resume as a college would. Do you have any areas that need improvement before you can secure your acceptance letter? If the answer is “yes,” your last few summers should be focused on those activities, and a summer learning program may be an efficient way to achieve your goals.

Personal Growth from Summer Learning Programs

Most summer learning programs will give you experiences you wouldn’t have had otherwise, building your confidence and helping you excel at admissions essays and interviews.

In fact, while a summer learning program is likely to add some oomph to your college application, the most important reason to do one is personal growth. The transition from high school to college is tough (which is why USF offers the special Summer ACE program, easing the transition for incoming students). So is committing to a major — a lot of people struggle because they lack the experience that would help them rule out options and make informed choices. Participation in a summer learning program can help you navigate unfamiliar waters by providing a reference point that many of your peers will lack if they spent their summer breaks tanning and TikToking.

Getting more specific, summer learning programs help students grow by providing:

• Exposure to new settings, getting you outside your comfort zone.
• Exposure to new topics, helping you decide whether you like them or not.
• Exposure to new people, helping you build a network.
• A chance to preview college life, if hosted on campus.
• A chance to hear from distinguished speakers — and maybe meet them.
• A chance to gain hands-on experience through activities and exercises.
• A chance to build new skills and knowledge.
• A supportive environment for passionate students.
• A way to avoid “summer slide:” the loss of academic skills and knowledge during summer break.
• Opportunities to speak publicly and practice presentation skills.
• Treasured memories and friendships.
• An achievement to be proud of.

All these benefits will help shape you as a person. At this time in your life, you’re undergoing a lot of growth and change. Embracing new experiences will help you navigate this turbulent period and prepare you for the big shakeup that’s right around the corner: starting college.

Summer Learning Program Recap

To recap, summer learning programs come in a multitude of forms. They can appeal to any kind of interest and are designed to get you closer to your goals. Many give you a preview of college life, setting your expectations and helping you make informed decisions. They can be a big boost to your college application because they shore up gaps, making you appear more well-rounded. Finally, they help you grow as a person and give you a chance to step outside of your comfort zone before the major transition of high school to college occurs. That way, you can approach that monumental life shift with confidence.

That’s extraordinary value in exchange for a few weeks of summer break! Speaking from my own experience, the summer learning programs I attended as an incoming high school senior provided valuable lessons and experiences that still stick with me. They helped form my college mindset and helped build the person I am today. My advice: find a program that meets your needs, goals, and interests and go all in!

One note: if you are an incoming freshman who has already committed to a school, starting college during the summer semester, rather than the fall, is probably more beneficial than attending a summer learning program — unless it’s a can’t-miss opportunity in an exclusive, high profile program, like a NASA summer internship.

If you have questions about the effect a summer learning program can have on your college application, trust our admissions counselors to give you their expert perspectives. Email admissions@usf.edu or call 813-974-3350 to speak to the USF admissions team!