What is covered:
- 20 Summer Writing Programs for High School Students
- How good are summer programs for college admission?
- Other ways to spend the summer
Summer programs offer high school students an excellent opportunity to explore topics that interest them, develop valuable skills, learn about college life, and meet like-minded people. They also look amazing on a college application! If you're interested in writing, check out these 20 Summer Writing Programs for High School Seniors.
20 Summer Writing Programs for High School Students
1.Princeton Summer Journalism Program
Close record limit:February 27, 2023
Location:Princeton, Nova-Jersey
Term:July 28 to August 7, 2023
Cost:Buch
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) selects 40 high-achieving, low-income students to enroll in its prestigious program. At PSJP, students explore current events, listen to lectures, and participate in workshops led by professional journalists and Princeton faculty. The program culminates in the publication of a student-produced newspaper, thePrinceton Summer Journal. To qualify for the PSJP, you must:
- be a junior in high school
- You live in the United States and intend to attend college in the United States.
- You have an average grade of at least 3.5
- have an interest in journalism
- Meet at least one of these socioeconomic conditions:
- Custodial parent/legal guardian combined income plus child support payments cannot exceed $60,000
- Qualify for a free or reduced lunch
- Qualify for an SAT or ACT fee waiver
2.jcamp
Close record limit:March 17, 2023
Location:Washington DC.
Term:July 15-21, 2023
Cost:Buch
JCamp is a free, six-day program hosted by the Asian American Journalists Association that brings together a culturally diverse group of students from across the United States. and gain hands-on experience creating cross-platform newspacks for the show's website. JCamp is not limited to Asian American students; Any student with an interest in journalism, such as writing for a newspaper or magazine, is encouraged to apply.
3.Adroit Journal Summer Mentoring Program
Close record limit:March 12, 2023
Location:Virtually
Term:June 19 to July 31, 2023
Cost:450 $
The Adroit Summer Mentoring Program pairs high school students with experienced writers to explore the creative writing process of drafting, rephrasing, and editing. Instead of offering formal instruction, the program offers individualized and flexible correspondence for students who are good communicators and comfortable with criticism, and who have an interest in the genres of poetry, fiction, nonfiction/creative memory, and spoken word.
4.Iowa Young Writers Study
Close record limit:February 5, 2023
Location:In person in Iowa City, AI or virtually
Term:Session 1: June 11-24; Session 2: July 9-22
Cost:Personal: $2,500; virtual: $575
The Iowa Young Writers Studio offers high school students an incredible opportunity to have a residential experience and study with graduates of one of the most prestigious writing programs in the country: the Iowa Writers Workshop. Participants in this program choose a major, whether it's poetry, fiction, creative writing, drama, or writing for television, and share their work, practice their craft, and improve their writing while collaborating with other high school writers from across America. .
5.Sarah Lawrence Writers Week
Close record limit:open
Location:Virtual or Bronxville NY
Term:Virtual: July 10-14; In person: from August 7 to 11, 2023
Cost:virtual: $725; personal: $1,125
During Sarah Lawrence Writer's Week, participants (the program welcomes students in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12) explore the creative process led by valued Sarah Lawrence faculty and alumni. Sarah Lawrence Writing Week celebrates the risk and adventure of the creative process, fosters a non-judgmental, non-competitive environment, and upholds the Sarah Lawrence tradition of individual attention: groups are limited to 18 students with two teachers per workshop. The program ends with a celebration that includes lectures by teachers and students.
6.Schreibprogramm der California State Summer School of the Arts (CSSSA).
Close record limit:February 28, 2023
Location:Sacramento, California
Term:July 8 to August 4, 2023
Cost:California residents: $4,250; Out of state: $6,500
This summer program for California high school students is a unique public-private partnership established by the California legislature in 1987. Approximately 70 students are selected to participate in this program, which is led by professional writers and educators who guide them through from work in California. Poetry, nonfiction, and dramatic writing. The program prides itself on its creative environment and is looking for young writers who love language and reading and are willing to tell their own stories.
7.Juniper Young Writers Online-Schreiblabor
Close record limit:Rolando
Location:Amherst, MA
Term:July 23-29, 2023
Cost:2.500 $
Students in the Juniper Young Writers online writing lab participate in writing sessions, exchange questions, and discuss their work and writing-related topics during this program. Led by professional faculty, published authors, and UMass Amherst graduate students, Writing Lab participants gain insight into the creative process, find inspiration for work, learn tips to improve their writing, and develop relationships with other young writers. Students receive a written summary of their work, an assessment of writing objectives, and future writing considerations.
8.Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement (AYA)
Close record limit:March 31, 2023
Location:Los Angeles, California
Term:June 19 to July 14, 2023
Cost:Buch
AYA is a free immersion experience for gifted high school students in the USC area. The program allows participants to explore USC Annenberg's degree programs, learn about careers in media and journalism, and meet people who advance issues of race, gender, and ethnicity in communications and journalism. During this program, students will develop a variety of skills including writing and critical thinking.
9.Reynolds Young Writers Workshop
Close record limit:March 1, 2023
Location:Granville, Ohio
Term:June 24 to July 1, 2023
Cost:1.500 $
For more than a quarter of a century, Denison University has hosted talented high school writers at its acclaimed Reynolds Young Writers Workshop. Led by Denison's creative writing faculty and esteemed guest writers, participants participate in small creative writing workshops and group sessions to explore a variety of writing techniques in an intimate and relaxed setting.
10Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Close record limit:April 9, 2023
Location:Phoenix, Arizona
Term:June 11-17, 2023
Cost:399 $
The Camp Cronkite program is a media enrichment summer camp that allows high school students to immerse themselves in the world of media. Led by Cronkite faculty, staff, and students, campers learn about digital journalism, broadcast journalism, or sports media. You'll work on reporting, presentation, storytelling, and editing, and receive hands-on instruction in video editing, photography, reporting and writing, script development, and more. There are several scholarships for students who demonstrate financial need.
11Alpha workshop on science fiction, fantasy and horror for young writers
Close record limit:March 12, 2023
Location:Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Term:July 19 to July 30, 2023
Cost:1.200 $
During the 12 days of Alpha, students interested in science fiction, fantasy, or horror will learn how to generate ideas, turn those ideas into drafts, critique the work of others, review it, and submit their work to paid marketplaces. The program also gives students an introduction to college life and allows them to explore a career as a professional writer.
1292Y Unterberg Poetry Center Workshop for Young Writers
Close record limit:5. June 2023
Location:New York, NY
Term:July 10-27, 2023
Cost:2.600 $
The Unterberg Poetry Center has been home to established and emerging poets since its inception in 1939. Trained by some of New York's top writing teachers, Young Writers Workshop students explore a variety of forms, styles, and voices in a welcoming and supportive environment. Participants learn to critically question their own work and leave the workshop with a clearer understanding of their goals as writers and what it takes to make a career in the literary world.
13shared worlds
Close record limit:Rolando
Location:Spartanburg, South Carolina
Term:July 16-29, 2023
Cost:2.500 $
This fun writing program is geared toward high school students interested in speculative fiction, such as science fiction, fantasy, and steampunk. Shared Worlds is a residential program for students in grades 8-12 to work under the tutelage of renowned science fiction and fantasy writers. Throughout the workshop, students will imagine, build and write their own stories, awakening their enthusiasm for writing.
14Bard College bei Simon's Rock Young Writers Workshop
Close record limit:Rolando
Location:Grosser Barrington, MA
Term:July 9-29, 2023
Cost:3.500 $
This program is based on the well-known Language and Thought Workshop, which all students entering Bard College are required to attend. Unlike other creative writing workshops, the leaders of this Young Writers Workshop encourage informal, playful, and expressive writing, relying on peer feedback to develop polished writing. Students will live, eat, and work on campus and gain first-hand experience of living and learning in a college setting while producing pieces ranging from short stories and poetry to short plays and experiments in creative nonfiction.
15.Kenyon revision workshops for young writers
Close record limit:March 1, 2023
Location:Gambier, Ohio
Term:June 25 to July 8; July 16-29, 2023
Cost:2.575 $
Every summer, talented writers from across the United States come to Kenyon College's picturesque campus to participate in its Young Writers Workshop. In this cross-genre program, students experience what it's like to be a part of the literary community as they hone their talents, discover new strengths, and challenge themselves in the company of like-minded peers.
sixteen.BYU Young Writers Academy
Close record limit:Rolando
Location:Provo, UT
Term:July 10-15, 2023
Cost:489 $
At BYU's Young Authors Academy, students speak with locally and nationally recognized authors, review each other's writing, collaborate with professors in BYU's English department, live in dormitories on campus, take writing classes in small groups and meet other people with similar interests. Students can choose from two electives throughout the program, including creating believable stories and villains, breaking fiction, and breaking news.
17For the Acres editorial office
Close record limit:March 10, 2023
Location:Portland, Oregon
Term:June 25 to July 8, 2023
Cost:3.500 $
The Fir Acres Writing Program accepts sixty aspiring students in grades 10-12 from across the country and builds a community of enthusiastic writers on the Lewis and Clark College campus. Students participate in daily workshops studying and writing under the guidance of the Lewis and Clark faculty. They also meet and listen to guest authors and work on their own poetry, fiction, and other writing.
18First script program at LMU
Close record limit:March 15, 2023
Location:Los Angeles, California
Term:June 25 to July 8; July 16-29, 2023
Cost:5.400 $
The LMU Academy of Film and Television offers this program for students who wish to improve their writing skills and learn the elements of screenwriting. Students work on structure, character development, dialogue, format, and genre while analyzing popular classic and contemporary films. You'll learn from faculty members who are also professional screenwriters, and you'll leave the show with a short script.
19Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Writing and Cultural Program
Close record limit:March 15, 2023
Location:Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Term:July 1 to August 11, 2023
Cost:7.417 US$ hasta 10.025 US$
During the weeks of the program, CMU students will examine film, writing, design, art, and culture through a variety of lenses. Learning takes place on the CMU campus and in the city of Pittsburgh. Students will create perfect portfolio work during the program under the guidance of highly respected professors in the Department of English. Classes are held Monday through Friday and students receive individual feedback and guidance to enhance their creative pursuits.
20Boston University Summer School of Journalism
Close record limit:April 14, 2023
Location:Virtual o Boston, MA
Term: Personal:Reporting and news writing: from June 26 to July 14, 2023; Virtual:Reporting and news writing A: June 19-30, 2023; Reporting and news writing B: from July 3 to 14, 2023; Reporting and News Writing C: July 17 to July 28, 2023
Cost: Staff, resident: $6,000. ($5,600 until March 3). Personal, Traveler: $4,350. ($3,950 until March 3). Online: $1,450. ($1250 until March 3).
Taught by working journalists, BU's Summer Journalism Academy offers high school students real-world reporting assignments to give them a jump start in the world of journalism. With virtual and in-person options, there's something for everyone. There are scholarships and financial aid for students who demonstrate financial need. Students must be in grade 9, 10, 11, or 12 to participate.
How good are summer programs for college admission?
Summer programs and other extracurricular activities can help you set yourself apart, especially in highly selective schools.CollegeVine Free Admissions CalculatorIt can tell you how colleges rank your extracurricular activities and uses factors like grades and test scores (along with extracurricular activities) to estimate your chances for admission to hundreds of schools across the country. It even gives you information on how to improve your profile!
Other ways to spend the summer
While summer vacation gives you more time to pursue your passions, it's not the only time. Universities want to see that you are curious about the world around you and that you are constantly looking for new learning opportunities.
Instead of joining a program, you can create your own. Writing a book or mobilizing a team to solve a problem in your community are examples of independent efforts that impress universities.
You can show more initiative by accepting internships and paying jobs. Both demonstrate initiative, career orientation, and essential life skills such as time management and responsibility. Since most internships are reserved for undergraduates and graduate students, it can be difficult to find opportunities for high school students. To help with the search, here's oneSummer Internship Listfor high school students. Looking for more summer programs? check it outVirtual Opportunity Listfor high school students.