Summer and Pre-College Programs
LEAD (Leadership, Education, and Development) Summer Programs
December 29, 2015
The LEAD Program, since its inception in 1980, has devised a successful formula of identifying, recruiting and selecting high achieving students for the program. Students must complete an application and submit essays, recommendations, transcript and leadership experience.
LEAD’s extraordinary success in diverse workforce development is due in large part to the generosity and shared vision of our university and corporate partners. Realizing the need for increased diversity in business management, leaders in the public and private sector have paved the way for the nation’s brightest high school students to become accomplished and responsible business leaders.
For more than 30 years, LEAD’s Summer Institutes have served over 10,000 students and have grown increasingly competitive, generally receiving three times more applications than available capacity.
- Receive hands-on experience in business or engineering at one of the nation’s leading universities
- Hear first-hand from executives at the top companies in the world
- Reside and attend classes on-campus and attend unique cultural events
- Build relationships with peers from around the country that share your interests and aspirations
- Connect with LEAD alumni who can serve as mentors in your college and professional life
- Learn about internships, employment opportunities and special events available to LEAD alumni
About LEAD Business
The Summer Business Institute (SBI) program is LEAD’s longest running Summer Institute and is considered the “flagship” program. The SBI program exposes scholars to business principles and the skill sets needed for successful business careers. The program challenges them through applied learning experiences often facilitated by college professors, links scholars to corporate executives in business fields and peers with similar aspirations and abilities.
During LEAD SBIs, scholars reside and attend classes on-campus at a select number of the nation’s top business schools for three or four weeks. SBIs provide diverse, high-achieving rising high school seniors the opportunity to explore finance, entrepreneurship, accounting and marketing, among other business sectors.
The goal of the SBI is to expose scholars early in their academic development to the innumerable career opportunities in business. The program equips them with knowledge and expertise from our nation’s leading universities and corporations, empowering LEAD scholars to confidently make better informed decisions when choosing their university and career.
Exposure to business principles and the skill sets needed for successful business careers empowers LEAD scholars to confidently make better-informed decisions when choosing their university and career.
The objectives of a LEAD Summer Business Institute are to:
- Engage scholars in an intense, hands-on curriculum incorporating case studies, business plans and team projects
- Provide scholars with first-hand knowledge from business professionals through mentoring and corporate site visits
- Develop scholars’ presentation and public speaking skills
- Impart principles of responsible leadership
- Engage scholars in cultural and social activities
- Prepare scholars for college
ABOUT LEAD Computer Science (Level I: Experience)
LEAD’s CSI programs create a pipeline in STEM fields based on the need to develop and expand student’s critical thinking and problem solving. We integrate practical issues with theories in STEM in response to economic trends, employment needs and innovation through education.
The program exists to expose academically promising middle and high school students from diverse communities to both colleges and careers in STEM fields.
We introduce, support and expose students with an opportunity to explore the field of computer science by developing a curriculum with each participating university and pair’s active learning with programming topics.
OUR GOALS:
- To introduce students to the fundamentals of computer science through a collaborative curriculum created by LEAD and participating universities.
- Provide support through academic enrichment programs in math, science and standardized testing to prepare students to become college bound. We achieve this goal by pairing students with either faculty or a residential teaching assistant who provides one-to-one instruction as well as learning seminars.
- Expose students to corporations and professionals working in STEM fields to provide them first hand knowledge of working in the industry. We achieve this goal by partnering with companies through workshops, speakers and site visits.
ABOUT LEAD Computer Science (Level II: Foundations)
LEAD’s CSI programs create a pipeline in STEM fields based on the need to develop and expand student’s critical thinking and problem solving. We integrate practical issues with theories in STEM in response to economic trends, employment needs and innovation through education.
The program exists to expose academically promising middle and high school students from diverse communities to both colleges and careers in STEM fields.
We introduce, support and expose students with an opportunity to explore the field of computer science by developing a curriculum with each participating university and pair’s active learning with programming topics.
OUR GOALS:
- To introduce students to the fundamentals of computer science through a collaborative curriculum created by LEAD and participating universities.
- Provide support through academic enrichment programs in math, science and standardized testing to prepare students to become college bound. We achieve this goal by pairing students with either faculty or a residential teaching assistant who provides one-to-one instruction as well as learning seminars.
- Expose students to corporations and professionals working in STEM fields to provide them first hand knowledge of working in the industry. We achieve this goal by partnering with companies through workshops, speakers and site visits.
ABOUT LEAD Engineering
The Summer Engineering Institute (SEI) provides diverse, high-achieving high school sophomores and juniors the opportunity to explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) careers. During the SEI, students reside and attend class on-campus at partner schools, ranked in the nation’s top engineering schools, for three weeks.
The SEI immerses students early in their academic development and exposes them to innumerable career opportunities in engineering and computer science. The program equips them with knowledge and expertise from our nation’s leading universities and corporations, empowering students to confidently make better informed decisions when choosing their university and career. Students are engaged in an intense, hands-on curriculum comprised of engineering instruction, computer programming, problem solving, and data analysis.
The objectives of LEAD’s Summer Engineering program are to:
- Engage students in an intense, hands-on curriculum comprised of engineering instruction, computer programming, problem solving, and data analysis
- Develop students’ presentation and public speaking skills
- Impart principles of responsible leadership
- Engage students in cultural and social activities
- Prepare students for college
ABOUT LAUNCHPAD
Career Readiness Program for High School Students
Start paving your way to college and career success in high school with Goldman Sachs LaunchPAD (Prepare, Advance and Develop). Our three-year program, created in partnership with LEAD (LEADership, Education and Development), offers a unique combination of experiential learning, mentorship and college readiness. You will develop your strengths, build confidence and gain exposure to the many career opportunities within the financial services industry.
LaunchPAD at a Glance
- All expenses paid, three-year program including a series of 10+ day-long college preparation and career-readiness symposiums
- Weeklong kickoff program, including a one-day symposium at Goldman Sachs, while living and attending classes at New York University
- Invaluable, ongoing mentorship from business professionals in the financial services industry
To learn more about Goldman Sachs, please visit our website: gs.com/careers.
Who is eligible to apply to a LEAD Summer Program?
We accept applications from current eighth graders, freshman, sophomores and juniors for our summer programs. Please review the chart below for program eligibility.
| Program Name | Applicants |
| LEAD Business Institute | Current 11th grade students |
| LEAD Engineering Institute | Current 10th and 11th grade students |
| LEAD Computer Science Institute (Level I) | Current 8th grade students |
| LEAD Computer Science Institute (Level II) | Current 9th and 10th grade students |
Do I have to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident in order to apply for the LEAD Program?
Yes. You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident in order to apply.
What if I can’t afford the program?
Some scholarships are available for students with financial need. In order to be considered for a scholarship, students must request and submit our scholarship application. Information on how to apply for a scholarship will be included in acceptance documents.
Who should I contact if I experience technical difficulties with the application?
Please contact apply@leadprogram.org or call LEAD at 215.261.7001.
What standardized test results are required?
We require either PSAT, SAT (Critical Reading and Math) or ACT (composite) scores. Results of SAT II (Subject Tests) and AP exams are optional.
What if I don’t have the exact test scores or GPA that LEAD requires? Does that mean I have no chance of getting accepted?
The LEAD Admissions Committee understands that test scores and grades can’t possibly paint a full picture of an applicant. Therefore, the LEAD application review process is holistic, meaning that family situations, and the required short responses, essay and recommendations, also play major parts in one’s admittance into the LEAD program. However, that does not mean that one shouldn’t strive to reach and surpass LEAD’s minimum requirements for GPA and standardized tests scores.
What if I don’t get into a LEAD program?
Please understand that the LEAD application process is highly selective, and that many highly qualified applicants cannot be offered admission. Also realize though, that there is a waiting list that holds many students from all four programs, all eager to share a LEAD experience, so if you are not initially accepted, you still have the possibility of attending. We also recommend re-applying the next year if you are still eligible.
Cornell Engineering Summer Programs
July 16, 2015
The CURIE Academy is a one-week summer residential program for high school girls who excel in math and science. The focus is on juniors and seniors who may not have had prior opportunities to explore engineering, but want to learn more about the many opportunities in engineering in an interactive atmosphere.
Cornell University’s world-renowned faculty and graduate students will lead CURIE participants in classes, lab sessions, and project research. Social events, panel discussions, and other out-of-classroom activities will provide participants with opportunities to network informally with Cornell faculty, staff, and students.
Join us for the CURIE Academy and spend a week making new friends, experiencing life on a university campus, and exploring the many exciting possibilities awaiting you in engineering!
For more information about the CURIE Academy application requirements, program dates, and tuition information, click here to LEARN MORE…
The CATALYST Academy is a one-week summer residential program for rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The mission of the CATALYST Academy is to advance diversity in engineering and its related disciplines. Therefore, applications from students from backgrounds (African American, Latino/a, or Native American) critically underrepresented in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math are especially encouraged.
This summer spend a week making new friends, experience life on a university campus, and explore the many exciting possibilities awaiting you in engineering!
During the CATALYST Academy, Cornell University’s world-renowned faculty and graduate students lead participants in classes, lab sessions, and project research. Social events, panel discussions, and other out-of-classroom activities provide participants with opportunities to network informally with Cornell faculty, staff, and students.
For information about CATALYST Academy’s program dates, application requirements and tuition information, click here to LEARN MORE…
Summer College Programs – A Word of Caution
January 19, 2015U.S. News & World Reports provides important considerations before spending thousands of dollars on a pre-college or summer program:
Pre-college summer programs often give teens a taste of the most attractive aspects of college life: dorm housing, challenging classes and a parent-free environment. While advisers and program directors help students navigate their new surroundings, there are ways parents can help high schoolstudents prepare for the experience before they ever set foot on campus.
Mollie Garberg believes sending one of her daughters to a pre-college program to study neuroscience at Emory University helped when it was time to apply for schools.
[Find the Best High Schools that prepare students for college.]
“She got a glowing evaluation and we attached it to her [college] application[s],” says Garberg. Her daughter, she says, is now in the honors program at Tulane University. Garberg, a mom of three who lives outside of Boston, says the program also helped boost her child’s confidence.
“She understood what college was going to be like,” she says. “She was excited about it.” This summer Garberg plans to send another one of her girls to Brown University for a two-week summer program.
Academic enrichment programs for teens typically run anywhere from one to 10 weeks. Garberg paid about $3,000 to send her oldest daughter to the two-week Emory program. Some programs cost as much as $10,000.
“They’re not cheap, but they’re worth it,” Garberg says.
Click here to read the full article…
12 Best Pre-College Programs
January 19, 2015By Rebecca Rubin
As a high school student, it’s hard to know what colleges are looking for in their applicants. Officer positions in clubs and good grades in advanced-level classes are always a nice place to start, but it’s the students who go the extra mile (literally!) who tend to catch the eyes of admission officers.
Summer vacation can be a great time to get ahead, especially if you decide to attend an academic program. Whether you’re a business buff or a journalism junkie, there’s a summer program that can help you learn more about your future career field and develop connections for the future. It’s never too early to start racking up experiences for your resume, and summer programs are also an effective way for any high school student to get a taste of college living!
The programs listed below are held at universities in the top of their field. Check out some of the leading ranked programs in the country, broken up by area of interest!
Click here to read the full article…
UNC – Charlotte Pre-College Program
January 19, 2015
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s North Carolina Mathematics and Science Education Network (NC-MSEN) Pre-College Program is housed in the Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education. The goal of the NC-MSEN Pre-College Program is to broaden the pool of students pursuing mathematics, science, and engineering based majors and careers. The UNC Charlotte NC-MSEN Pre-College Program actively recruits and prepares students of average to above average ability in grades 6-12 from six counties surrounding the UNC Charlotte area.
The parents, students, administrative staff, and teachers continually strive to provide opportunities to enhance abilities and develop skills that will enable the students to recognize and achieve their potential.
- Saturday Academy
The program consists of twelve Saturdays during the academic year. During each of the Saturday Academy (SA) sessions the students engage in various hands-on enrichment activities in math, science, communications, and test taking skills by qualified instructional staff. Other SA activities include: participation in Lego robotics, Women in Engineering, Super Math competitions, SPARCS, regional science fair, regional MSEN day, guest speakers from businesses and communities, USA Test Prep, and NC Writing Program (NCWRITE). Optional activities offered for SA students are extended online learning K-12 instruction*, SAT/ACT, and the Girls & Tech-Aspire Program. Students also participate in the MSEN day competitions between UNC pre-college MSEN sites in North Carolina. The enrollment fee for SA is $150.00 for twelve Saturdays (sibling and summer scholars discounts are available upon request).
- Summer Scholars
The Summer Scholars Program offers students interactive experiences that refine the skills, knowledge, and attributes related to mathematical and scientific careers. The students are engaged in instructional contact in math, science research, engineering activities, and technical writing skills for 2-3 weeks during the month of June and/or July. Additional activities may include field trip to an educational site, guest speakers, local area competitions, preparatory activities for science fair and public speaking. The enrollment fee for Summer Scholars only is $125.00 for twelve instructional days (sibling discounts are available upon request)
*CSTEM Pre-College program provides remote access to students from Mecklenburg and surrounding counties (Anson, Cabarrus, Gaston, Stanley, and Union) via K-12 online learning resources for rising 6th through 12th grade students in North Carolina ($100 per course).
Vanderbilt Pre-College Programs
January 19, 2015
You don’t have to be out of high school to enjoy a Vanderbilt education. Vanderbilt offers a variety of programs to pre-college students, including:
Saturday Academy at Vanderbilt for the Young (SAVY)
Saturday Academy at Vanderbilt for the Young (SAVY) offers weekend enrichment classes for students in kindergarten through 7th grade.
Vanderbilt Center for Science Outreach (CSO)
The Vanderbilt Center for Science Outreach establishes partnerships between university scientists, K-12 educators and students, and the local and global science community and offers summer programs including GAS (Girls And Science) and BEST (Boys Exploring Science and Technology).
Vanderbilt Summer Academy
Vanderbilt Summer Academy serves the needs of highly gifted rising 8th through 12th grade students through a fast-paced academic enrichment program with residential living on the Vanderbilt campus.
Weekend Academy at Vanderbilt University (WAVU)
Weekend Academy at Vanderbilt University (WAVU) is an exciting two-day residential learning and social experience for gifted students currently in grades 7 through 10.
More Summer Programs at Vanderbilt: http://www.vanderbilt.edu/cngr/summer_programs/
Carnegie Mellon Summer Pre-College Programs
January 19, 2015
Jumpstart Your Future with Pre-College Summer Programs
Are you going to be a junior or senior in high school? If so, consider spending the summer in one of our six distinct Pre-College programs, from June 27-August 8. You can either explore architecture, art & design, drama, music or the National High School Game Academy to prepare yourself for study at the college level. Through our Advanced Placement/Early Admission program, you can take two challenging college courses in order to gain advanced placement and get a head start in college when you visit Carnegie Mellon.
Our Pre-College programs will show you what life at Carnegie Mellon is all about – from in the classroom to what’s happening on weekends. You’ll meet people from all over the world, be inspired by our world-renowned faculty, take part in the excitement of campus life and have the opportunity to explore the city of Pittsburgh.
To get a better idea of what Pre-College is all about, check out our media page, featuring students and professors from past summers and “like” us on Facebook.
See what life is like for a Pre-College Summer Program student at Carnegie Mellon! Also view the Pre-College Playlist which is broken down by program.
Pre-College and Summer STEM Programs
January 19, 2015The Career Cornerstone Center website provides links to pre-college and summer STEM programs throughout the United States.
Pre-College Program for Middle School Students
January 19, 2015
SPARK is a residential science program for curious middle school students who seek to:
- Immerse themselves in exciting science subjects
- Gain the foundations necessary for further scientific inquiry
- Spend two weeks on Brown University’s campus
This two-week program consists of a range of courses that students can chose (either one two-week course or two one-week courses), carefully selected scientific inquiry activities, inspiring science talks, as well as thought-provoking leadership activities. Students will study the foundations of one or two scientific disciplines, while also having the opportunity to participate in programs that help adolescents develop into responsible, globally aware citizens.
The SPARK Experience
The SPARK program is designed to inspire students who have similar interests in the sciences. Students are immersed in a discipline of their choice, get a real taste for being a scientist, and learn to explore and discover. This process allows for stimulating and meaningful learning.
The team building/leadership aspect of the SPARK program introduces students to what it means to excel in the sciences, while becoming responsible, engaged citizens capable of working well in groups. Through age-appropriate activities, talks, and discussions, students will learn how flourish in the field of science, both in and out of the classroom.
The SPARK experience is enriched further through collegiality and collaboration where students from diverse backgrounds work together in teams. Students learn from each other, are inspired by each other, and form lasting friendships. We strive to create an enjoyable, safe, and comfortable environment where each student can live up to his or her full potential. Our aim is to help students to build their self-confidence and grow as individuals. We hope that when students return home, they are transformed and energized to take charge of their learning while remaining connected to a community of students with similar passions.
View Course Details to choose your course(s) and learn more about the SPARK Program.
Eligibility
For middle school students who have completed grades 6 through 8 by the start of the program. The minimum age is 12.
Apply Now! »
Jackson Laboratory Summer Program
January 17, 2015
Learn, earn & explore
Our Summer Student Program provides high school and college students with an opportunity to conduct independent research under the guidance of staff scientists. More than 2,000 students, including three Nobel Laureates, have participated in the program.
Learn
Conduct biomedical research independently under the expert tutelage of world-renowned scientists.
Earn
Receive a stipend while experiencing real science and research.
Explore
Live in a mansion by the sea, climb Mount Katahdin and hike the trails of Acadia National Park.
Admission
Admission is competitive, and students of all backgrounds are selected. All students receive a stipend of $4,500 for the 10-week program, including room and board at Highseas. The cost of round-trip travel between the student’s home and the Laboratory is also provided.
All students are required to attend the entire program. Students with minor date conflicts are encouraged to apply despite the conflicts; JAX staff will assist admitted students in negotiating early release, early finals, etc., to facilitate their on-time participation in the program. Students with significant date conflicts – such as early departure for overseas study – are encouraged to delay their application for another year.
Important Dates
February 2 – Submission deadline* for applications
Late March – Notification of admission
June 6 – Program begins
August 10 – Summer symposium and graduation
Deadline*
The application deadline is February 2, at 11:59 pm EST (Eastern Standard Time). All application materials, including the application form and all letters of recommendation, must be submitted before this posted deadline. Application materials received after 12:00 am EST, February 3, will be considered late and may not be reviewed.