Summer & Experiential Programs, 2026–27

A highly competitive, merit-based program for junior and senior delegates who currently hold an elected or appointed leadership role representing a constituency. North Carolina selects two delegates and two alternates for a week-long program in Washington, D.C., plus a $12,500 college scholarship for history or political science.

A state-funded, four-week research program for academically talented NC students pursuing STEM. Students work alongside university faculty and get hands-on lab experience.

A week of problem solving, exploratory learning, critical thinking, and team building for students interested in a future in science, technology, engineering, and math.

On-campus learning options that fit around a busy summer schedule, giving students a feel for college life and a chance to explore majors and career paths. All coursework is in English.

A highly competitive recruiting program for rising seniors to experience life as a USAFA cadet. Space is limited, but attending has no bearing on a later Academy application.

A one-week, on-campus program letting students test-drive college life. Students learn from UNC faculty and current students, tour labs and studios, and explore two academic tracks.

Sunday-to-Friday, on-campus courses across the arts and sciences, from app development and game design to river ecology and music composition. Students live on campus and experience the Asheville community.

A week-long immersion into cadet academic, military, and social life, led by current West Point cadets. The application doubles as a first step toward a West Point application, but doesn't commit a student to one.

A six-day introduction to life at the Naval Academy, with academic, athletic, and professional training. Designed for juniors considering the Naval Academy, and the Summer Seminar application also serves as a preliminary application to the Academy.

Flexible online courses designed by Rice faculty, covering engineering, business, medicine, and more. A low-commitment way for motivated students to build college-application experience over the summer.

Fully online, flexible courses in international relations, medicine, business, and other fields. Students choose enrichment courses or college-credit options to build their college readiness.

The Northwestern Pre-College Online Program offers high school students the opportunity to engage with college-level material in business, law, medicine, and STEM. Courses are 100% online and structured to fit around students' school, extracurriculars, and other responsibilities.

Flexible online courses in business, law, biology, and more, built for curious, driven students who want to learn for the love of it without the pressure of a traditional course. Students work through expert-led content with guidance from mentors, on their own schedule.

Flexible online certificate courses offered over winter break, designed to help motivated students find out whether an interest in medicine could become a college major or career.

A six-week, faculty-mentored virtual research program where students complete a college-level project (approximately 5–10 hours per week), with project areas including computer science, engineering, financial mathematics, and social sciences.

A week-long entrepreneurship intensive at Cambridge Judge Business School, limited to 50 students worldwide. Covers creative problem-solving, leadership, and teamwork alongside Cambridge faculty and industry mentors, plus cultural excursions in Cambridge.