Tens of thousands of middle and high school students around the globe are getting the chance to explore their academic passion, potential future career paths, and college life on real university campuses thanks to Summer Discovery.
Founded nearly six decades ago, Summer Discovery has established itself as the premier provider of summer academic enrichment programs for high school, middle school, and gifted students. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for empowering students to explore their interests, Summer Discovery has served over 100,000 students since its inception in 1966. What sets Summer Discovery apart is its extensive network of partnerships with some of the most prestigious universities and institutions worldwide including UCLA, University of Cambridge, Georgetown University, and more. These partnerships allow students to immerse themselves in a transformative educational experience on top-tier university campuses, gaining insights while preparing for their academic futures.
The High School & Middle School summer programs balance immersive and fun academic programming with off-campus adventures, travel, and city exploration. Students visit local hot spots, city landmarks, sporting events, theme parks, and more. The high school program focuses on college preparedness where students are academically encouraged to explore current interests and discover new ones before declaring a major freshman year. Students also experience what residential life on a college campus will be like – as they build invaluable life skills for college, and beyond.
“We are thrilled to partner with some of the most prestigious universities in the world. Our mission at Summer Discovery is to provide students with transformative experiences that prepare them for success in college and beyond. By offering our programs at these renowned campuses, we are able to immerse students in a stimulating academic environment while fostering personal growth and exploration. We are committed to delivering exceptional educational opportunities that inspire a lifelong love of learning,” said Summer Discovery CEO Adriane Thorpe.
All Summer Discovery programs are aimed at sparking curiosity, fostering personal growth, and preparing students for future success. With 16 university campus options in the US and abroad, plus over 300 courses designed for student growth, academic excellence, career path discovery, and college preparedness, Summer Discovery's best-in-class curriculum ensures that every student discovers the perfect fit for their interests and aspirations.
Choosing a Campus
Here are some of the prestigious universities Summer Discovery offers programs at:
Dartmouth Summer Scholars Program
Summer Discovery has partnered with Dartmouth, a distinguished Ivy League university and one of the premier academic institutions in the world, to offer summer programs with Ivy League instructors, small class sizes, and rigorous academics through its renowned Geisel School of Medicine, Thayer School of Engineering, Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Sciences, Tuck School of Business, and Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship. The diverse lineup of courses range from business and entrepreneurship, STEAM to humanities, and social science. Students will participate in interactive academies delving into real-world challenges, such as Agents of Social Change - High-Impact Entrepreneurship, Eyes on the World: Language, Culture, and Diplomacy, The New Essentials of Medicine, AI for Creatives: Ethics and Aesthetics in the Age of ChatGPT, Data Science and more!
Real Madrid Graduate School Universidad Europea
With this partnership, Summer Discovery offers students the unique opportunity to learn from the business and transformation model of Real Madrid C.F., visit headquarters, and meet directors of the club through its Global Sports Management program with Real Madrid Graduate School Universidad Europea. In addition to several arena visits, students will have the opportunity to engage in courses including Introduction to the Sports Industry, Context of European Football, Stadium & Arena Management, Digital Transformation of Sports, as well as case studies on esports & the Olympic Games.
Berkeley Changemaker Program and Jacob’s Institute for Design Innovation at UC Berkeley
With the Berkeley Changemaker Program, students will sharpen their skills in three key areas – critical thinking, communication, and collaboration – while exploring what changemaking looks like in a wide variety of disciplines. Through daily lectures, compelling faculty interviews, and interactive team assignments with fellow changemakers, students will develop their own changemaking mindset and learn how to turn ideas into action. The Designing Emerging Technologies Lab (DET Lab) at UC Berkeley is an intensive, hands-on, four-week summer engagement opportunity for rising high school seniors and juniors to encounter social, scientific, and engineering problems, learn from world class scientists, industry leaders, and research experts, and design and fabricate physical functional solutions that improve the lives of people and planet.
University of Michigan
Our 30+ year relationship with the University of Michigan has raised the bar for our summer academic enrichment programs. Our best-in-class curriculum at America’s “Public Ivy” in the #1 College Town offers students elective courses in sports management, medicine, psychology, entrepreneurship, STEAM, and more! If you are Interested in coding and data science, we have enrichment courses that can help you learn the fundamentals of the Python programming language and establish a foundational knowledge of coding. Or you can explore engineering at a top ten university known for its engineering programs! Do you have your sights set on medical school or are curious about other fields in the health sciences? The renowned University of Michigan medical school and associated health centers sets the stage for an exploration into medicine. You can even get a sneak peek into some top academic STEAM disciplines this summer like exploring technical skills that underpin the field of architecture, examining the intersection of biopsychology, cognition, and neuroscience, or taking a deep dive into molecular biology. Whatever your passion, we have a path for you!
Whether students aspire to excel in sports management, delve into cutting-edge medicine, explore emerging technologies, or pursue their passions in STEAM disciplines, Summer Discovery provides a transformative summer experience tailored to each individual's interests and aspirations. With a commitment to excellence and innovation, Summer Discovery prepares students for success in academia and beyond.
How to Apply
Summer Discovery reviews applications on a rolling basis each summer. The Summer 2024 program applications are open, and space is starting to fill up as it gets closer to summer. Tuition starts at $3,799, however, costs vary depending on the campus, length of program, and commuter or residential housing options. Learn more and apply at summerdiscovery.com.
“We review every application to ensure students will be successful at the program they selected based on academic rigor and acceptance criteria,” Thorpe said. “As we forge new university relationships, programs may be added throughout the season, so we recommend checking back regularly. We also encourage families to apply early, as space is limited at each campus and program — and the most popular programs fill up quickly with students looking to attend a top university.”
Summer Discovery is accepting applications for its 2024 programs now.