Underclassmen Summer Opportunities
Keep an eye on this list for updates on free/low cost summer opportunities for students!
Running list here!
Search for opportunities here!
Please note that MOST colleges have some sort of summer programs available to young people. Although most programs have some sort of cost or fee(s) associated with them, remember to ask about scholarship/financial aid opportunities for students interested in these programs. It NEVER hurts to ASK!
NC School of Science and Mathematics Summer Ventures
- Open to sophomores and juniors
- Application due in Mid-October (but deadlines may vary year-to-year)
- In Summer Ventures, you will live on a college campus for four weeks in the summer and conduct research around topics of your interest — while enjoying the company of like-minded peers. You will have the opportunity to engage in research with faculty and get hands-on experience at a university.
Fayetteville State University Summer Athletics Camps
- Registration required to participate.
- Dates: Varies by sport of interest, several offered.
NC State University Summer VetCamp
- Application open: January 27th – April 7th
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VetCAMP 2023 Camp Dates
- Virtual (June 19-June 23, 2023)
- In-person (June 26 - June 30, 2023 OR July 10 - July 14, 2023)
- Program Description: VetCAMP is a 5 day summer camp hosted by the Veterinary Professions Advising Center (VetPAC) at North Carolina State University. Since 2011, this camp has educated students about careers in veterinary medicine and the various opportunities within the field. Camp activities include a tour of the College of Veterinary Medicine, basics of a small animal clinic, hands-on experience with horses, sheep and pigs at the NC State Animal Education Units, suture and dissection labs, meeting the NC Turtle Rescue Team, learning about NC State majors and more!
- Eligibility:
- For students age 15-18 who are interested in science and animals
NC Farm Bureau 2022 IFAL Program
- Application due no later than mid-March!
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NC Farm Bureau IFAL Program is designed for students between 16 and 17 years of age. Students need to be NO YOUNGER than 16 years of age NOR OLDER than 17 years of age as of April 13 of the program year. If you have questions regarding student age or eligibility, please call Lendy Johnson at (919) 783-4326. STUDENTS must complete ALL the information with a parent/guardian present (must initial off on the application.
- IFAL (Insititue for Future Agricultural Leaders) is a unique week-long leadership development program for rising high school seniors interested in careers in agriculture. Emphasis is placed on career opportunities, emerging technology, citizenship and leadership development.This is a NO TUITION COST program that will take place JUNE 11 – 16, 2023
Summer Textile Exploration Program at NC State University
- Deadline: Opens January 1, 2023 and Closes April 1, 2023. Your unofficial transcript is required to be uploaded as a part of your application, it should be uploaded as one complete document. Please do not take a picture of your transcript. Progress reports will not be accepted.
- Dates:
- Week 1: June 11 – 16
- Week 2: June 18 – 23
- Week 3: June 25 – 30
- Week 4: July 9 – 14
- Week 5: July 16 – 21
- Program Description: The Wilson College of Textiles Summer Textile Exploration Program (STEP) consists of five one-week sessions for rising high school seniors interested in learning about the textile industry, fashion, engineering, polymer science, and business marketing.
- Price for Camp: $450 (The program cost covers lodging, transportation, materials and various meals during the camp.)
- MarineQuest is a summer for a commuter or residential program at UNCW. This program offers weeklong half-day programs for students starting at the age of 4 and full-day programs beginning at the age of 7. Residential programs are available for students ages 9-17. Each program follows a unique curriculum and is sure to excite the inner scientist in your child!
- Deadline is NOT listed due to several programs being offered - check the specific program you're interested in. If you have any further questions, please contact UNCW's Marine Quest staff at (910) 962 - 2640.
- Cost varies depending on each program.
Mercy School of Business Leadership Academy
- Students accepted on a rolling basis (first-come, first-served)
- For high school juniors with cumulative, weighted GPA above 90 (4.0+), demonstrated leadership skills, excellence in public speaking, passion for business
- Cost: $495 if apply before March 31. $795 afterwards (Estimates based on last year's cost)
- Dates (one week sessions): June 25 – July 1, July 9 – July 15, July 23 – July 29
- Program description: Students participate in active learning lessons led by faculty and leaders from top companies. Topics include: Career Mindset, Four Leadership Archetypes, Personal Branding, Careers in Finance, Careers in Accounting and Careers in Marketing.
Native Education Forum at NC State University
- Deadline: April 1, 2023
- Program Dates: The 2023 Native Education Forum will be held in June 2023
- Program Description:
- The Native Education Form (NEF) is a pre-college summer preparation program for rising high school juniors and seniors that presents future scholars to opportunities within and around higher education while reinforcing cultural identity and community ties.
- Eligibility Requirements:
- Are a rising 11th or 12th grade student that identifies as Native American/American Indian or has an interest in Native American/American Indian culture
- Have a cumulative unweighted GPA of a 3.4 or higher or are in the top 15% of your class
- Are interested in pursuing higher education
- Are a leader in your school, family and/or community
Emerging Scholars Academy at NC State University
- Deadline: April 1, 2023
- Dates: The 2023 Emerging Scholars Academy will be held in June 2023.
- Program Description:
- Emerging Scholars Academy (ESA) is a pre-college summer preparation program for rising high school juniors that presents future scholars to opportunities within and around higher education while reinforcing cultural identity and community ties.
- Eligibility Requirements:
- Rising 11th grade student that identifies as Black/African American or has an interest in Black/African American Culture
- Have a cumulative unweighted GPA of a 3.4 or higher or are in the top 15% of your class
- Show interest in pursuing higher education
- A leader in your school, family and/or community
CAMINOS: Your Journey to College at NC State University
- Deadline: April 1, 2023
- Dates: The 2023 CAMINOS program will be held in June 2023.
- Program Description:
- CAMINOS: Your Journey to College is a pre-college summer preparation program for rising high school juniors and seniors that presents future scholars to opportunities within and around higher education while reinforcing cultural identity and community ties.
- Eligibility Requirements:
- Rising 11th or 12th-grade student that identifies as Hispanic/Latinx or has an interest in Hispanic/Latinx Culture
- Have a cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.4 or higher or are in the top 15% of your class
- Are interested in pursuing higher education
- Leader in your school, family, and/or community
North Carolina Scholastic Media Institute (NCSMI)
- Registration opens March 1, 2023.
- Students will learn skills relating to media and journalism that they can apply in their school and future careers. For rising 9th-12th graders.
- Cost: $200-$300, but scholarships are available to help cover costs!
- Dates: June 20-22, 2023 at UNC-Chapel Hill.
- The 2023 Summer Institute will feature the following divisions:
- Design
- Literary Magazine
- News (Newspaper and Online News)
- Photojournalism
- The Rush Staff
- Broadcast News
- Yearbook
- Advising Student Media
NC State Leadership Institute for Future Teachers (LIFT)
- Deadline: Not yet announced, please keep checking website for updates
- Dates: Not yet posted (2022's dates were Sunday, July 24-Thursday, July 28, 2022)
- The Leadership Institute for Future Teachers (LIFT) is a five-day, invitational program for students of color and bilingual students who are rising high school seniors in North Carolina and who are interested in enhancing their leadership skills and exploring a potential career in education. Students will delve into the field of education through engaging in field-based school activities, interacting with leaders in education and exploring career options in education and related fields.
- Deadline: Not yet announced, please keep checking website for updates
- Dates: Not yet posted
- Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be an American Indian student that is a rising high school junior or senior
- Program Description: This year, Horizons is a two-day student enrichment program at UNC-Chapel Hill designed to support American Indian students as they prepare to apply to college. The program will consolidate our typical 4 days worth of training into 2 days to ensure our students are prepared to enter the college application process. Students meet and are able to network with admissions advisors, current Native college students, and college representatives from within the UNC system. They will learn about the common application, essay prompts, and essay writing tips. They also begin drafting their common application essays during the program. Students will learn communication etiquette, SAT/ACT guidelines, and financial aid and scholarship information. Carolina Horizons is open to American Indian rising high school juniors and seniors with priority given to rising seniors.
- Dates:
- 2023 Not yet announced. Please keep checking website.
- Program Description: This free 4-day virtual challenge will take you into the world of professional services to help hone your technical skills, compete with teammates in a tech innovation challenge, and help prepare you for the next step ahead: college. We’ll talk artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, analytics, and more. Winning team members of the Team Tech Challenge will each win Deloitte-branded Airpods®
- Application Requirements:
- Must be a current 11th grade student who will be a rising high school senior in the summer of 2023
- Must agree to the competition rules
- Must express a strong interest in technology
- Must be a legal resident of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia