One of the best ways to get a leg up on top college admission is by getting in early. No, I am not talking about Early Action or Early Decision applications, but summer college sessions offered for high school students. While several of America’s top schools offer summer programs, such as Brown, University of Chicago, Columbia, Harvard, Northwestern, and Yale; we believe one of the best programs for Australian students, besides Yale Young Global Scholars Program is the Stanford’s Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes.
Stanford pre-collegiate summer institutes provide gifted and motivated high school and middle school students with a unique residential study experience where they can participate in an intensive single subject course. (https://summerinstitutes.stanford.edu/)
When:
Stanford pre-collegiate summer institutes are provided in three separate terms throughout summer, each lasting 3 – 4 weeks. While Australian high school students take their winter break from the 27th of June to the 12th of July, there is a bit of discrepancy in the timetable. Students are only able to logically attend the 1st summer session, and must take a week off of high school. This program runs from the 21st of June to the 10th of July.
What:
Intensive courses in the Stanford pre-collegiate summer institutes range in subject area, covering arts and humanities, business, computer science, engineering, legal studies, mathematics, social science, physical and biological science, and writing. Each course has individual grade and age requirements.
Courses chosen for the summer program are not typically presented at the high school level, and therefore offer a unique opportunity for mature study on the beautiful Stanford campus. While credit or grades are not given for this program, students receive a written evaluation and a certificate of completion at the conclusion of the course.
Where:
Stanford pre-collegiate summer institutes students live in supervised Stanford dormitories for the duration of their course. Housing is broken up according to choice of subject, so students are able to bond with others who share their interests and abilities.
How:
All courses are taught by instructors who are experts in their fields and passionate about teaching.
What else:
A variety of recreational activities are offered as part of the Stanford pre-collegiate summer institutes program package. Daily studies take place between meals until 4PM, and students are allowed to engage in a plethora of activities between four and six, as well as after dinner. Some popular activities include, sports, arts and crafts, chess tournaments, card games, a cappella singing, hiking, Rubik’s cube workshops, theater and improv workshops, dance, shopping and swimming.
In addition, one day each weekend, students are taken by chartered bus on excursions to cultural, historical or recreational interest in the local area. These include beaches, museums, and aquariums. Social events are also scheduled into the program with a talent show, dance, weekend carnival, campfire night, as well as a variety of other social activities.
Admission:
Early Application Deadline: January 21st
Regular Application Deadline: March 4th
Extended Application Deadline: April 1st
Required Materials:
Online application form
50$ Application fee
Work samples
Copy of transcript
Teacher Recommendation
Copy of recent standardized exam score report
How Much:
5.990 : Covers housing in supervised residences, meals, field trips, towels, bedding, trsnsportation between Stanford and San Francisco Internatioal Airport, Instruction and all course materials.
If you have any further questions about the Stanford pre-collegiate summer institutes program please contact [email protected]
