• summer programs

  • Making the Most Out of Summer Vacation

    Dan shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He was dressed up in a button-down shirt and slacks – it was clear to me that he had not chosen his attire. Generally, high school boys are not that adept at using an iron. We were sitting in a couple of wooden chairs in my office and we had a great view of the Kenyon College campus. It was early in September, so still warm enough that the windows could be left open.

    “So, Dan, how was your summer?” I asked.

    “It was pretty busy.” he replied.

    As an experienced interviewer, I know that the first few minutes are sometimes a bit tough, and it can take a bit of small talk before the student opens up.

    “A busy summer is always a good thing; what did you do?”

    “I, uh, just worked all summer,” he said and looked down a little bit.

    This was fascinating to me, as a summer job is a very impressive thing to do. It shows that you are responsible, can conduct yourself in a professional environment, and can work effectively with people of different ages, backgrounds, and experiences. However, Dan was making it seem like a summer job would be received as negative or suboptimal in the college admissions process.

    Many students think that their summer needs to be full of glamour and prestige – perhaps doing a summer program at a prestigious university or “voluntourism” in an exotic location. This could not be farther from the truth. In fact, the best summer experiences don’t have to cost a dime. Admissions officers are not wowed by the glitz and glamor of flashy activities. Instead, they want to see that you have engaged in activities that are meaningful and that allowed you to learn, grow, or perhaps take on a necessary responsibility.

    Here are three free ideas for students who want to have a successful summer:

    Do you want to make a difference?

    As we discussed, you don’t have to travel to a new continent or country in order to make a difference and serve. Instead, you can think local and identify nonprofits and other social impact organizations in your community. The chances are good that local organizations have a variety of volunteering opportunities to both learn and serve. Try to think about the issues that you care about and use that as a starting point for identifying organizations to reach out to.

    Do you want to learn something new?

    High school curriculums can be a bit restrictive, and summer can be an opportunity to try something new. Whether you are interested in furthering an existing passion or trying something totally new, taking classes can be very fulfilling. Your local college or community college will provide an array of options available to high school students. edX, a nonprofit collaboration between MIT and Harvard, also offers a library of free online classes from leading colleges and universities around the world.

    Do you want to make extra money?

    For many students, summer represents an opportunity to earn money for themselves or to help support their family. Whether you are working as a barista, a restaurant server, a camp counselor, or anything else, a job is a very enriching experience. I spent my summers washing dishes and doing kitchen prep at a local deli. Not only was I able to earn money, but I learned a valuable skill – cooking – that I still use today!

    Lastly, don’t forget to recharge

    Summer is also about spending some time on yourself. Spend time with friends and family, read that novel you have had on your bookshelf, and watch that new Netflix series that your friend recommended. This will allow you to start your new academic year refreshed and ready to succeed!

     

    Will Geiger has extensive experience in college admissions that includes work at an elite independent school and a selective liberal arts college. He graduated from Wake Forest University with honors in history and received his master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

     



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    Are you a rising high school sophomore, junior, or senior who is fascinated or thrilled by the field of intelligence – spying and counter-spying? 

    Look here for information on the second annual University of North Georgia (UNG) - National Intelligence Summer Academy (NISA).  It is a five-day daytime program for high school students on the Cumming campus, July 17-21, 2023.  The application deadline is April 15th. To access more information and to apply, click on this hyperlink as it takes you directly to the NISA webpage.  If you have any questions, please contact Heath Williams, Director, Federal Liaison & Military Education Coordinator, Institute for Leadership and Strategic Studies, directly. Heath.Williams@ung.edu (Lee Anne Rice and Valery Lowe).

     


     

    Application Deadline: March 18, 2022

    Program Dates:June 12 - 15, 2022

    The Accelerated Business Program is a highly selective, pre-collegiate program for exceptional high school rising juniors and seniors that provides an inside track on the various fields of business with a focus on the career paths of the high demand fields. This condensed format program provides participants with a broad overview of business and rare exposure to executives from widely known and respected corporations such as Travelers, Chick-fil-A and PricewaterhouseCoopers. In addition, attendees get to sample the life of a college student by staying in UGA residence halls, eating in the university’s award-winning dining halls and attending lectures given by UGA professors. It is by no means all work and no play. The evenings are filled with exciting outings, including a night tour of Athens, a campus pool party and time to socialize with fellow participants from across Georgia and surrounding states. Program is open to current sophomores, juniors and seniors entering UGA this fall.

    Program Tuition: $195. A limited number of need-based financial scholarships are available upon acceptance.

    More info and application HERE

     


     

    Forsyth County Family YMCA

     

    For the different employment opportunities, the Y offers training for ALL positions and competitive hourly wages. In addition, we offer flexible scheduling. We would love for teachers and staff to apply, as well. Below are a few different part-time positions we are currently hiring for:

    • Lifeguards 
    • Swim Instructors 
    • Assistant Swim Coach
    • Camp Counselors
    • Play Center Staff
    • Sports Instructors 
    • Wellness Coaches/Personal Trainers
    • Front Desk Staff

    Contact: Caroline B. delCarmen CarolineD@ymcaatlanta.org

     


     

     

    Any high school student in Georgia who is currently a freshman – junior is eligible to apply to join 21st Century Leaders and spend a week exploring leadership and careers alongside diverse, like-minded peers and corporate partners across Georgia.

     

    Three of the institutes (SYLI, EarthCare and the Healthcare & IT Institute) will be residential programs on a college campus! The WarnerMedia Institute for Future Leaders will be virtual.

    • Current freshmen, sophomores and juniors in high school (public, private or homeschool) in Georgia are eligible to apply.
    • We are looking for a diverse group of students who are ready to develop their leadership and connect with peers and professionals from around the state, regardless of previous leadership experience.
    • Students must submit their own online application and ask a teacher or community leader submit a separate recommendation online for the student (it’s brief!). An interview is also required for applicants to SYLI, the WarnerMedia Institute, and the Healthcare & IT Institute.
    • For residential programs, students will need to be dropped off on Sunday and picked up on Friday.
    • NOTE: Two of the institutes have a registration fee for accepted students, however we have financial waivers available for any accepted student who needs it, to ensure they can attend if offered a spot!

     

    Learn more about each of the institutes and find the student application and recommendation form at https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/student-programs/summer/.

     

    Apply by March 1st at https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/student-programs/student-application-form/

     

    All four institutes focus on leadership, diversity, equity and inclusion training, networking and skills for personal and professional development; each institute has a unique industry focus, so students can apply for the one that resonates with them the most!

    • Summer Youth Leadership Institute (SYLI@Goizueta)  – Sunday, June 5 – Friday, June 10, 2022 @ Emory University; focus on business, social enterprise and entrepreneurship
    • EarthCare – Sunday, June 12 – Friday, June 17, 2022 @ Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, GA; supported by the Georgia Power Foundation, the focus is on STEAM, energy and sustainability
    • Healthcare & IT Institute – Sunday, June 19 – Friday, June 24, 2022 @ Kennesaw State University; focus on healthcare, healthcare tech and healthcare business
    • WarnerMedia Institute for Future Leaders – Sunday, July 10 – Friday, July 15, 2022, online; sponsored by WarnerMedia, focuses on all things media and entertainment; current sophomores and juniors only

    The application deadline is March 1st, 2022 (March 15th for EarthCare): https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/student-programs/student-application-form/

     

    Plus, enrollment for our online learning platform Leadership Connect is open all year. We’re offering 50% off all enrollment packages (1, 2, or 3 year) through February 28th. Leadership Connect’s gamefied, self-paced lessons explore 7 core leadership competencies, diversity and inclusion, social-emotional intelligence, and life skills with over 130 lessons and multiple levels. Learn more and enroll at https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/student-programs/leadership-connect/.

     

    This is a great opportunity for high school students to meet and learn from peers, gain and apply leadership skills and social-emotional awareness, explore careers through connections to professionals, and experience life on a college campus. Let me know if you have any questions!

     


     

     


     

    SUMMER LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

    The Office of Undergraduate Admissions is excited to announce the 12th annual Summer Leadership Academy at Georgia State University.

    The 2022 Summer Leadership Academy program returns onsite. Our virtual experiences the last two years were wonderful – but it’s time to return this great event face-to-face. Space will be limited so apply soon!

    Summer Leadership Academy is a five-day service-learning program for outstanding high school students. This is a great opportunity for you to build upon your leadership skills and prepare you for leadership roles in high school, in college, and beyond.

    Summer Leadership Academy is free of charge.

    The 2022 Summer Leadership Academy program will be held on Georgia State University’s main campus in Atlanta, GA. This five-day program will begin: Monday, June 13, and last through Friday, June 17, 2022, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily.

    More info and application HERE

     


     

     


     

    Click HERE for more information 

     


     

    Young Women's Leadership Institute

    Athena Summer Innovation Institute

    Pre-Baccalaureate Program

     


     

     


     

    Are Your Students Questioning Their Future?

    They will find answers to these questions and more at Life Launch @ HENDRIX. Explore career planning and experience college life in this new, one-week, residential program at Hendrix College for rising high school juniors and seniors. Life Launch features mentoring & teaching from Hendrix faculty and staff as well as learning from professionals in their fields. Let us help your students plan their next steps. 

    Programming encourages students to: 

    EXPLORE talents, purpose, and career paths as they enter their final years of education before college. 

    ENGAGE in sessions with experts on topics like careers and professionalism, college, personal wellness, and life skills. 

    EXPERIENCE college life alongside like-minded peers and receive mentoring from Hendrix faculty and students. 

    This program is a perfect fit for students who are forward-thinking, naturally curious, passionate about learning, and excited about meeting other students like them! 

    Life Launch @ HDX seeks to empower your students in their own educational and career choices as they discover pathways for purpose and fulfillment. 

     

    Register for informational session: HERE

     


     

     

     

    Since 2011, the MIT OEOP has provided over 1,500 scholars with a transformative and life-changing experience through our MITES and MOSTEC programs. Our programs provide a meaningful and fun experience for rising high school seniors, where they learn about new and cutting-edge technologies in science and engineering, build a strong community of friends and mentors from across the globe, and receive support and coaching in the college application process, all at no cost. To learn more about MITES and MOSTEC, please click here

     


     

    summer lang camp

     

    WHAT

    The fifteen-day Chinese program will allow high school students (rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors) who have limited, or no experience in Chinese, to attain proficiency in the target language. In addition to classroom learning, students will be able to use the target language they learn in the classroom while exploring the 13,000 acres of natural beauty surrounding the university. We also encourage novice-high to intermediate level learners to join the camp as well, as there will be plenty of interaction with Chinese native speakers in and outside of the classroom. 

    Most mornings students will engage in immersive language learning in the classroom. In the afternoon, students will continue to learn through project-based activities (e.g. hiking, organic gardening, biking, caving, etc.) while maintaining as much of an immersive environment as possible. The theme of “Environmental Stewardship” will provide ample opportunities for communication about food, geography, and culture; learning about the cultures and environments of China; connecting to art and history. By the end of the program, students will be able to handle many authentic tasks, including telling and asking about basic personal information, as well as commenting on the geography and environment of China and the USA. 

    The anticipated cost per student for Sewanee's Chinese Language Camp is $1,900. This will cover all tuition, lodging, meals, and transportation associated with the program once students arrive on campus. Limited scholarships are available. Please inquire for more information about financial aid. 

     

    WHEN

    The exact dates of the Chinese Language Camp are from June 17 to July 1, 2022. Students will live in a residence hall on campus for the entire time, with the possibility of an overnight camping trip.

     

    WHO

    Any current rising sophomore, junior, and seniors in high school may apply. A strong interest in learning the Chinese language is highly encouraged. 

     

    Application: https://engage.sewanee.edu/register/chinesecampapp22

     


     

     

    vet camp 

     

    Application: https://vet.uga.edu/education/k-12-programs/vetcamp/

  • Forsyth County Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or gender in employment decisions or educational programs and activities.