Summer Enrichment 2022

As the new semester/trimester begins across all the schools, I hope the students are adjusting well to the varying formats of instruction and the uncertainties with the pandemic.  This too shall pass!

Before we know it, the summer break will be upon us. Now is a good time to start thinking about summer activities and enrichment. Some programs have application deadlines that are soon approaching and would require additional materials like letters of recommendations, essays etc. should you decide to enroll.

Why Summer Enrichment:

Many colleges and universities like to see what students choose to do when they have a significant amount of free time. Stanford university application asks you to answer the question “How did you spend your last two summers” in 50 words. They in fact are looking to enroll students who want to engage in their academic experiences, classrooms, campuses, and communities in meaningful ways. Engaged students are more likely to feel motivated, excel in their classes and have a positive outlook.

Types of Summer Activities to consider

  • Summer school in your school
  • College classes for credit at a local community college
  • Jobs – your local Starbucks, gym, retail store etc.
  • Internship – Ask parents, neighbors, friends for a referral if they work in an area of your interest.
  • Prepare for standardized testing (ACT/SAT)
  • Pursue a hobby
  • Summer Academic Enrichment program
  • Pre-College Programs in Colleges / Universities

Please note:

  1. Some of the programs can be costly. There are others that have a nominal cost, are free, or provide a stipend. Please do your due diligence on how you will benefit from a program versus the cost, before enrolling.
  2. Universities will not select you just because you attended a program. They will look at it in a holistic context of your application.
  3. Attending a costly program at a university campus (including programs in highly selective colleges, ivy leagues) is not necessarily going to improve the prospects of admission to college.

With that said, there are still programs that are selective, meaning they select high achieving students from a pool of applicants, and offer a great experience. They are a means for you to learn more, get deeper, as well as demonstrate your interest in an academic area. They can help you form connections with likeminded peers, professors, researchers, industry experts and so on, which can benefit if you are looking to enroll in highly selective colleges or majors.

The following is a list of programs that have been highly rated by past attendees. While many have said they will be conducting the programs in-person for summer of 2022, due to uncertainties with the pandemic things can change. Please check.

Math and Science Programs

COSMOS at University of California

Research Mentorship at UCSB

Canada/USA Mathcamp

SUMaC: Stanford University Math Camp

Engineering and CS Programs

EPIC at Cal Poly SLO

UC Irvine ASPIRE

InSpirit AI Scholars

Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) – Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)

Embrey-Riddle Aeronautical University

Biotech and Pre-Med Programs

UCLA Pre-Med Scholars

Eve and Gene Black Summer Medical

City of Hope Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy:

Rosetta Institute of Biomedical Research

UCI Urology Summer Surgery Program

UC San Diego Research Scholar’s Program

Economics, Politics and Law

ACLU Summer Institute

USC University of Southern California – Pre-Law

Economics for Leaders

Business and Leadership

UC Berkeley Haas Business Academy for Youth

Bank of America Student Leaders

Ronald Reagan Student Leadership Program

Arts, Film, Music and Acting

California State Summer School for the Arts

Summer of Art – Otis College of Art and Design

ART Center College of Design, Pasadena

Chapman University Summer Film Academy

Idyllwild Arts Academy

The USC School of Cinematic Arts Summer Program