College Admissions Consulting Summer Programs with Early Application Deadlines Written by Brian Swannon September 19th, 2025 I started my career in higher education as program coordinator at the Center for Excellence in Urban Teaching at Hamline University’s School of Education. My interest in diversity, equity and inclusion work took me to the Carleton College admissions office, where I initially served as Assistant Dean of Admissions & Coordinator of Outreach Programs. While in this role, I directed the Carleton Liberal Arts Experience (CLAE) summer program, worked closely with the POSSE Foundation and read applications from students all over the United States. After I was promoted to Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions & Coordinator of International Recruitment, I became responsible for crafting the strategic direction of our international recruitment. This included developing in person and virtual recruitment strategies, revamping application review policies, making final decisions on applications, and managing the financial aid budget for international students. While serving in this capacity, I also served as the men’s athletic liaison for our office. Learn More About Brian summer planning, deadlines, As the school year begins, it’s common for high school students to turn their attention to their new classes, extracurricular activities, and reconnecting with their peers. But, as they settle in, we also recommend students take a moment to reflect on how they spent the summer, and how those experiences might shape what they do next summer. Maybe they volunteered with a local organization and discovered a new interest. Perhaps they completed a research program which deepened their desire to pursue that field in college. They might also have realized that part-time job they were so excited about at the beginning of the summer isn’t worth the hassle. Regardless, taking a moment to think about what they enjoyed this past summer, and how that might inform their goals for next summer, can be a valuable exercise this fall, as some summer programs have surprisingly early deadlines. Summer Program Application Timelines Understanding the application timeline for summer opportunities can help students plan ahead. Many of the most competitive, popular summer programs will begin their application process in December, January, or February. That said, there are several summer programs that will open their application process even earlier! Beyond the great experiences students could have at a summer program, there’s also a hidden benefit to programs with earlier deadlines: applying to them is great practice for applying to college. Many of these selective summer programs require applicants to submit an essay, a resume, and a letter of recommendation, so students can consider these apps a test run for what they’ll experience in senior year. Examples of Competitive Summer Programs These four programs highlight the variety of opportunities that exist for students looking to deepen their interests over the summer. These all typically have fall deadlines (subject to change): Research Science Institute (RSI) lets high school students develop their research and presentation skills in a rigorous environment. Students begin the program by attending seminars highlighting research topics in biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, physics, and humanities. Applications typically open in mid-September and are due by mid-November. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) is operated by the U.S. Navy’s Office of Naval Research. Students who participate in this program work with mentors and researchers, gain hands-on experience through guided research projects, and get exposure to emerging technologies. Applications typically open on August 1 and close in early November. National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) is a merit-based scholarship program organized by the U.S. Department of State and open to U.S. high school students. Participants live abroad with a host family for six to eight weeks to study languages critical to U.S. national security and economic competitiveness. Languages include Arabic, Indonesian, Korean, Mandarin, Persian (Tajiki),Russian, and Turkish. Previous language study is not required. Applications typically open in early September and are due by early November. Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS) is geared towards students interested in the humanities and social sciences, particularly those with a desire to study how power and privilege shape social structures. Students attend classes, engage in critical thinking, and develop a sense of community. Applications typically open on October 15 and close in early December. Please know this is a short sampling of the variety of competitive summer programs that exist for high school students. Whether or not you participate in one of these, using the summer to explore your interests is never a bad idea! Find out where our team of admissions decision-makers came from and why they joined College Coach. Meet The Team Related Resources Read | Posted on August 21st, 2025 Reflections from an Open Nester Read | Posted on July 22nd, 2025 Class of 2025 College Admissions Recap: Trends, Wins, and What's Next Read | Posted on July 16th, 2025 Am I competitive for medical school?
