BY STEPHANIE SZITANYI

ummer academic programs are one of the best ways for high school teens to make their summer more productive, but not all students feel like a summer study is worth their time, especially after putting so much work into their previous school year. However, summer programs differ significantly from both the regular school year and traditional after school programs, and they’re worth considering for any student.

Here’s 4 things that set summer programs apart!

A summer program may help you choose a major or even choose a college, as many programs require you to choose one specialized topic to study while you’re enrolled. Doing so will help you decide whether you have a true love for that field and whether you can see yourself studying it for a lengthier period of time. They can also help you realize that what you thought was an interest may not actually be for you.

Once you’ve found something you’re passionate about, summer programs can help you decide which colleges to apply to, especially if you attend multiple programs while still in high school. In fact, many college-bound students end up at the same university where they completed a summer program!

Summer Programs often give students direct access to both academic and industry experts in their chosen area of interest – think scholars, researchers, and organizational leaders. This can be through the actual courses you take or through a lecture series, career workshop, or site visit to a company in the industry. Experts you meet could help you choose a college or a major, land an internship, or even write a letter of recommendation for your college applications down the line. Always be sure to keep in touch with both professors and industry contacts you met during your summer program because you never know what opportunities may come of it.

Summer academic programs can be a great way to get a head-start on earning credits towards your college degree, sometimes even allowing you to complete your degree quicker and keep more money in your pocket. If not explicitly mentioned in the marketing materials, be sure to ask a program manager whether there are any limits on transferring credits earned from your chosen summer academic program to outside universities.

If you can, pick a summer program that you find enjoyable that also gets you out of your comfort zone! Admissions officers are interested in candidates with strong character and a sense of direction. They’re also interested in understanding how a candidate deals with adversity when it comes their way. While attending a summer academic program looks good on any college admissions application, a well-crafted personal essay that demonstrates how the experience made you a more well-rounded person will be of particular interest to any admissions counselor, so keep that in mind when making your decision!

Summer programs provide high school students a host of benefits that the general school year does not. Whether it’s developing a new skill, engaging in an experiential project, or gaining hands-on knowledge from industry experts, summer programs can be a wonderful experience for high school teens.