College Summer Programs: What's Hot and What's Hyped

It's that time again—summer’s rolling around, and every ambitious high schooler is hunting for that golden ticket, a.k.a. the "prestigious" summer program, to slap on their college applications. But let’s cut through the clutter and chat about which programs actually turn admissions heads and which ones just turn into expensive summer camps.

How to Judge a Summer Program

Not all summer programs are created equal—and not all of them are worth the price tag. When evaluating whether a program actually matters for college admissions, think like an admissions officer: what does this program prove about the student? ROI (return on investment) isn’t about the name on the brochure—it’s about what you walk away with. 

The strongest programs are selective (we’re talking sub-20% acceptance rate), offer a tangible output (like a research paper, film, portfolio, app, or capstone project), and deepen a student’s intellectual identity. 

If you’re just earning passive credit for showing up, or there’s no application required, admissions offices know it’s pay-to-play. A good test: if your friend’s little brother who’s never taken a rigorous class can also attend, it’s probably not doing much for your résumé. Want ROI? Choose programs that push you, stretch you, and leave you with something that can anchor an essay, supplement, or standout spike in your narrative.

Why Some Programs Actually Give You Juice

Here’s the secret sauce behind summer programs that actually move the needle: they check off boxes that colleges already care about. The best ones do at least two of the following—(1) demonstrate selectivity (i.e., you beat out hundreds to get in), (2) create evidence of talent or growth (through a final project, publication, or presentation), (3) serve institutional priorities (like increasing access for low-income or underrepresented students), or (4) signal a commitment to your niche (pre-med, business, journalism, etc.). Programs like RSI, TASP, MITES, or the Bank of America Student Leaders aren’t just prestigious—they’re structured to surface excellence, and admissions officers know it. 

The more a program demands of you—and the more it shows who you are, not just where you went—the more it becomes a high-impact line on your Common App. 

Otherwise? It’s a bougie summer camp in disguise.

🏆 The Elite Few That Actually Impress Admissions

• Research Science Institute (RSI) – MIT
  With an acceptance rate hovering around 3%, RSI is the crème de la crème of high school research programs. It's not just prestigious; it's a launchpad to top-tier universities. ​

• Telluride Association Summer Programs (TASP)
  Boasting an acceptance rate of approximately 3%, TASP is a beacon for intellectually curious students. It's free, rigorous, and signals to colleges that you're serious about academic discourse. ​

• Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
  With an acceptance rate under 3%, SIMR offers hands-on biomedical research experience. It's competitive and provides a substantial boost for aspiring scientists. ​

• Princeton University Summer Journalism Program (PSJP)
  Targeting high-achieving, low-income students, PSJP is highly selective and offers mentorship from industry professionals. It's a standout for budding journalists. ​

⚠️ Programs That Sound Fancy but Lack Substance

• Cornell University Summer College
  While offering college credit, this program isn't particularly selective and doesn't significantly impact admissions. It's more about experiencing college life than enhancing your application. ​

• USC Summer Programs for High School Students
  These programs offer exposure to college-level courses but lack the selectivity that would make them stand out in admissions. They're more about exploration than distinction. ​Unless a student does something exceptional within the program (e.g., a film project that wins awards), it’s enrichment, not edge.

• Summer @ Brown
  These are pay-to-play. The “Ivy halo” fools people, but AOs know they’re not selective. Worth attending for growth, not glow.

🎨 Specialized Programs with Niche Benefits

• Wharton's Leadership in the Business World
  With a 20% acceptance rate, it's selective and beneficial for students interested in business. But colleges don’t equate it with academic rigor the same way as RSI. Value depends entirely on what the student builds from it.

• Columbia University Science Honors Program (SHP)
  A rigorous Saturday program for local students passionate about science and math. Only available to NYC-area students. Extremely competitive (under 10% acceptance), and long-running. Absolutely respected by STEM-minded AOs.

• Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Programs
  Computer science track is the standout and very competitive. Drama/art programs also hold water. But other tracks vary. Real value depends on what the student creates during the session.

• NYU Tisch Summer High School Filmmaking Workshop
  Tisch name holds weight in the arts. The deliverable (short film) can be portfolio gold. Just know it’s expensive and not highly selective—value comes from product.

• Interlochen Arts Camp (Selective High School Programs)
  Recognized in creative writing, music, and visual arts. Especially strong feeder for conservatories and elite arts supplements.

• Iowa Young Writers’ Studio (University of Iowa)
  Selective, highly respected by top liberal arts colleges. Great for English/writing kids.

• Notre Dame Leadership Seminars
  Competitive humanities and ethics-oriented programs. Feeds well into ND and peer Catholic institutions.

• School of The New York Times Summer Academy
  Not crazy selective, but useful if the student builds a portfolio or earns a publication through it. Name + niche can be a good combo if executed well.
  

🧠 Programs That Foster Growth but Don't Guarantee Admission

• UChicago Immersion
  Offers rigorous coursework and a taste of college life. While beneficial for academic growth, it's not a significant admissions differentiator. 

• Johns Hopkins University Pre-College Summer Programs
  Provides exposure to college-level courses, particularly in health and science. It's more about preparation than admissions impact. ​Many programs are online or hybrid. Useful for students interested in health/science, but not a prestige lever on its own.

• Northwestern College Preparation Program
  Not highly selective. Offers college credit and academic rigor—but little standalone clout.

• Rice University Summer Sessions
  Allows students to take college courses, but enrollment doesn't influence regular admission to Rice. ​

🌟 Programs That Shine for Underrepresented Students

• Dartmouth Bound: Summer Program
  Fly-in style preview program—great for building demonstrated interest and building an insider story. Competitive and valuable for URM/first-gen students.

• Pomona College Academy for Youth Success (PAYS)
  Selective, free, focused on academic rigor for high-achieving low-income students. Colleges love to see it.

• Swarthmore Summer Scholars Program (S3P)
  Known for strong support and rigorous STEM foundation. Swat and peer schools see it as pipeline-building, which can lead to meaningful admissions advantages.

🧨 Overlooked Heavy-Hitters

Some elite, under-the-radar, or recently surging programs are MIA. If you're pitching this as the definitive guide for smart, strategy-driven families, you’ve gotta include:

• Clark Scholars Program (Texas Tech)
  Ultra-selective, fully funded, research-intensive. Think RSI for kids outside the MIT orbit. Less known, but respected by AOs in the know.

• MITES (formerly OEOP) – MIT
  Free STEM program for underrepresented students. Very competitive and mission-aligned with DEI priorities in admissions.

• Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program
  Free, selective (especially flagship programs). For students into CS, it's a résumé booster and a signal of real initiative.

• COSMOS (UCs – especially UC Irvine, UC San Diego)
  Selective, research-based STEM program for California residents. High ROI for UC hopefuls.

• Bank of America Student Leaders Program
  Often ignored by counselors but highly respected by selective colleges. Paid internship + leadership summit in D.C. This one is gold for civics/government/social impact applicants.

• Civics Unplugged Fellowship
  Selective, emerging prestige. Good for future policymakers, activists, or philosophy kids. Can lead to deeper, year-long impact projects.

The truth no glossy program brochure will tell you?

Colleges don’t admit names. They admit narratives. 

A summer at Stanford or Harvard can enhance your story—but only if it builds on who you already are. If it’s just a name-drop, admissions officers see through it faster than you can say “$12,000 price tag.”

The most impressive applicants aren’t the ones who collect brand names like Pokémon cards. They’re the ones who chase ideas, build things, and take intellectual risks. You want to be memorable? Do something memorable. Start a community health initiative. Self-publish a zine. Build an AI model. Teach coding to kids. Not because it’ll “look good,” but because it is good—and it makes your application impossible to copy.

Use summer to deepen your niche, not just decorate your résumé. If a program helps you do that—and is genuinely selective, challenging, or produces a tangible result—great. Go for it. But if you're just looking for a name to flex on your Common App? Save the money. Build something better.

At Top Dog, we don’t chase brands. We chase brilliance. Be the kid who builds. Be the kid who leads. Be the kid who’s unforgettable—because they actually did something unforgettable.