College Enrichment Opportunities

Are you interested in attending college outside of your SoCal? Not sure if far away college is right for you? Then a fly-out program sounds like a great opportunity for you. A "Fly-in" program is a year-round opportunity (although popular during the fall of students' senior year) where colleges invite potential students to their campus for a few days to take a tour, learn about their programs, hear from current students, and much more. Colleges and universities often times will pay for your flight, meals, and overnight hotel expenses as they aim to recruit diverse students to their campus (i.e. first-generation, low-income, and students of color). This is a great opportunity to get to know if you actually want to leave your home since the program is FREE and it is only a few days often Friday through Sunday).

Aside from completing the program's application, each program has its additional application components. Below, you can find a few common items you will want to have ready as part of the application process. Thoroughly review the program's website for a full list of those items.

1.Copy of an unofficial/official high school transcript.

- Speak with your counselor or college adviser for support to obtain a digital copy of your transcript that you can email or upload into the application.

2. Copy of your resume

- Talk to your counselor or college adviser to create a resume that highlights some of your skills, awards (academic or extracurricular), volunteer experience, extracurricular activities, and any unpaid/paid work. Your resume shows the college your involvement outside of school hours. Click here for a helpful resource to start your resume.

3. A short essay

- Some programs can expect you to submit a short essay so they can get to know you, your interest, and why you are applying to their fly-in program. Although each program has its own essay prompt, here are a few prompts that you can practice answering so that you can get a head start with a few drafts that you can use when you apply. Make sure to get drafts revised. Click here for a great resource to help you with the essay/short response.

a. Why are you interested in participating in this program?

b. What is your favorite high school course and why?

c. What is your future career and how do you think our college can help you achieve that?

d. What is one thing that you would like to change in your school or community?

e. Tell us about a hardship you overcame or an achievement you have completed.

Reed College's Junior Scholars is an in-depth virtual program designed to introduce high-achieving high school juniors to the college search, help them produce a competitive admission application, and answer the unique questions posed by underrepresented students and students of color. All students are welcome to apply. Students will get guidance on the college search and application process, form lasting connections, and learn about life at Reed.

App Due March 10th, Apply Here

Northwestern University is hosting a 3 day fully funded fly-in program for rising high school seniors will showcase the distinct resources and support available at Northwestern for young innovators, entrepreneurs, engineers, and more! Participants will stay on-campus in one of Northwestern's residential halls as they explore cutting-edge technologies for building a business or product, all while experiencing the best of Evanston and our neighboring hub of Chicago. START-UP participants will also meet current undergraduate students throughout the program and also receive a deep-dive on the college application and financial aid processes at Northwestern.

App due March 15th, Apply Here

The Carleton Liberal Arts Experience (CLAE) is a week-long summer program for high school juniors June 25 – July 2, 2025. The curriculum explores African American history, identity, and contemporary culture through the framework of a liberal arts education. It’s designed for Black and African American students and those interested in African American studies. The free program provides exposure to highly rigorous, college-level coursework within the unique style of education found only at liberal arts colleges like Carleton.

App due March 14th, Apply Here

Discover Swarthmore, held each fall, is our all-expenses-paid overnight fly-in program for high-achieving high school seniors. Admissions pays for all transportation, meals, and on-campus housing expenses for students selected to attend one of these programs. Participants experience Swarthmore firsthand as they attend classes, stay with current students in our residence halls, eat in the dining hall, and go to campus events. Prospective students hear from faculty, staff, alumni, and current students through a series of panel discussions and informal conversations.

WashU Preview provides students, especially those who might not be able to visit WashU independently, a chance to experience our diverse and supportive community. This programming highlights opportunities for students from underrepresented backgrounds to find community at WashU (including but not limited to first-generation-to-college students, students from low-income families, students from rural areas, underrepresented students of color, and LGBTQIA+ students).

App Due June 6th, Apply Here

Aside from College Fly In opportunities, certain universities offer summer programs were students not only visit the college campus, but participate in college courses, research, or beginning with their college applications. Each university has a range of program to assist students with Most programs as offered in the summer since students are out for vacations and programs lengthens range from 2-3 weeks to 2 months. These opportunities are great for students to explore a possible college major or gain more experience in a particular subject you are currently involved. Although the program might seem rigorous, they are designed to give you a feel of college life, expose you to college academics and to network with others with the hope to feel like you belong in college. Connect with your counselor or college advisor to starting planning your summer plans, TODAY!!!

Explore how design might fit into your future this summer at UC Berkeley, the top public university for environmental design according to QS World University Rankings. Programs in architecture, city planning, landscape architecture, and sustainable environmental design will fire your imagination, stretch your mind, and set you on the path to achieving your goals.

The College of Environmental Design (CED) stands among the nation’s top environmental design schools. It was among the first to conceptualize environmental design as inseparable from its social, political-economic, and cultural contexts. Its faculty and students have always seen environmental design as an exploratory spatial practice, aimed at creating forms of building, landscape, and urban plans that have yet to be imagined. At the same time, CED has historically emphasized environmental design as a profoundly ethical practice, co-produced through dynamic engagements with diverse communities, workers, businesses, and policy-makers.

Early Deadline Feb 18th Apply Here

High school students gain the computer science skills they need to make an impact and prepare for tech careers in our free, virtual Summer Programs. With two program options to choose from, beginner to advanced coders can develop valuable skills, find community, and build their professional networks at a pace and format that works best for them.

Early Deadline Feb 26th, General deadline: April 11th

Apply Here

The Pathways to Health Careers Academy (PHCA) is a year long academic enrichment program for 10th - 12th grade students interested in improving community health. PHCA was developed to establish a unique experience to prepare students to pursue careers in the healthcare professions.

Apply Here:

The cornerstone of The Hidden Genius Project is our award-winning Intensive Immersion Program. This FREE, 15- month, cohort-based training program provides Black males in high school with upwards of 800 hours of holistic, trauma/healing-informed, high-touch mentorship and intensive training that seeks to develop youth into strong and responsible leaders equipped with coding and entrepreneurial skills, who can identify and develop tech-enabled solutions to address society’s most compelling challenges.

Promo Video: click here

App Due February 21st. Apply Here

SIMR is an 8-week summer internship program open to high school juniors and seniors. The program consists of hands-on research under the direct guidance of a one-on-one mentor at a top class lab within the Institutes of Medicine at Stanford University as well as select departments. Students applying to the program can choose from our eight areas of research (institutes). After being accepted, they are then assigned to a specific institute based on their choices. To learn more about each institute and the research involved, click on the links to the department websites below.

Program Video click here

App Due February 22nd Apply Here

Summer TUTTI is an 8-day residential summer high school intensive in dance, music, musical theatre, and theatre. At Summer TUTTI, students live and learn with peers from across the disciplines and across the country. They’ll deepen their skills and talents in their chosen area while exploring new ways of making art, guided by Denison professors as well as nationally-acclaimed professional artists and ensembles, Third Coast Percussion, string quartet ETHEL, and members from Available Light Theatre.

App Due March 1st, Apply Here

The Turner UCLA Allied Health Internship is implemented by the UCLA Community Engagement Program, in partnership with Bobby and Lauren Turner, to provide learning opportunities for high school students and recent graduates in finding out more about careers in the entry-level, allied health professions. The one week long, summer internship program is designed to address workforce shortages and offers career education for students from under-resourced communities who express interest in learning about health care career opportunities. For our students interested in pursuing careers in healthcare, we offer a range of shadowing opportunities from entry-level, clinical and administrative positions. We want to highlight rewarding careers in healthcare that do not require traditional four-year college education or medical school.

App Due March 7th, Apply Here

Our program is targeted towards 9th–11th grade high school students. The goal of this program is to provide students with resources and encouragement to achieve higher education. It is a one-week hybrid program during the week of in April.

• Days 1-4 consist of various workshops done through Zoom, including a motivational speaker, financial aid and scholarships, A-G requirements, and mental health.

• Day 5 consists of an in-person visit to UCSB, where transportation to and from the campus is provided. Throughout the day, students will take a tour, experience a mock lecture, and attend informative workshops.

Our goal is to encourage students from these underrepresented high schools to attend our university alongside other universities by educating them on the resources and requirements to apply to universities.

Apply by March 10th, click here

For a truly immersive college experience, students who will be 16 years of age or older at the program’s start are eligible to reside on our Morningside Campus: a serene academic community where they will always be mere steps away from classrooms, libraries, amenities—and New York City. For a truly immersive college experience, students who will be 16 years of age or older at the program’s start are eligible to reside on our Morningside Campus: a serene academic community where they will always be mere steps away from classrooms, libraries, amenities—and New York City.

Click here for information DUE March 18th Click here

Promotional Video click here

Being a College Prep Scholar is a notable distinction that shows our college partners that you are a competitive candidate for admission. In addition, your application will automatically carry over for the National College Match when you’re a senior, giving you a head start on applying for a full four-year scholarship to our college partners. College Prep Scholars are nearly five times more likely than other applicants to receive full four-year scholarships through the National College Match.

App Due March 20th, Apply Here

Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes is an online summer program where participants engage in single-subject intensive study and benefit from small class sizes and academically motivated peers. Courses are offered in a range of subject areas, including Business, Bioscience, Computer Science, Creative Writing, Engineering, Math, Philosophy, and more. Each course is customized by its instructors to give students deep exposure and hands-on experience. Academics and social activities are integrated into every aspect of our program.

App Due March 20th Apply Here

The Experience Berkeley Program for High School Students (EBHS) is a free 10-month program that provides Black, Latinx, & Native American rising high school seniors with mentors, tools, and resources to complete a competitive UC college application and the opportunity to get a close, personal look at UC Berkeley. We are currently accepting applications for our 2022 Experience Berkeley Program!

Promo Video click here

App Due March 28th, Apply Here

PHCA provides high school students with a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience, academic support, and professional mentorship to jumpstart their careers in healthcare.

Free College-Level Courses – Earn credits while preparing for your future.

Tutoring & Mentorship – Get guidance from experienced professionals and educators.

Paid Internship Opportunities – Gain real-world experience in healthcare settings.

App due March 31st; App Link: Click Here

The Future Leaders Initiative (FLI) equips underserved Southern California students with business education, financial literacy, and career preparation. Through in-person courses, FLI enhances college readiness and supports careers in business, technology, and entrepreneurship with UC Irvine’s expert faculty and resources.

App Due April 6th; Apply Here

Promotional Video click here

The Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement is a four-week summer intensive academy for 26 talented high school students. Students are exposed to the equivalent of first-year college-level courses and develop a rich conceptual understanding and practice of the necessary role that media communications and journalism play in fashioning civic-minded thought leaders and innovators. The students are introduced to USC Annenberg’s undergraduate programs and services, as well as possible careers in media and journalism. They have opportunities to meet the school's innovative scholars who are advancing issues of race, gender, and ethnicity in communication and journalism communities of practice.

App Due April 14th; Apply Here

Promotional Video click here

The Pacific Life LIFEvest Financial Literacy Summer Program offers underserved first-generation 8th and 9th graders in Southern California a free week-long, in-person experience. Students gain financial planning and college-readiness skills, create personal financial and career plans with expert mentorship, and explore business and networking opportunities.

App Due Mid April, Apply https://merage.uci.edu/ciwm-events/LIFEvest.html

Promotional Video click here

The CS@SC Coding Camps provide K-12 students with an opportunity to explore topics that are not typically covered in traditional curricula, specifically topics in computer science including stand-alone programming, web development, mobile app creation, and robotics.

App Due April 30th, Apply Here

Promo Video: click Here

Summer pre-college programs at Loyola Marymount University are an engaging opportunity for motivated high school students to get a sneak peek at college through a unique experience designed to challenge their critical and creative ways of thinking.

Programs in:

Engineering

Theater Technology

Political Science

Many more...

App Due End of April, Apply Here

College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology (ECST) LAunchPad Summer Program. LAunchPad is a two-week in-person summer program at Cal State LA, sponsored by Boeing Global Engagement, where you learn about the exciting ways engineers and computer scientists make the world a better place. The Summer 2025 program runs from July 7 to 18, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Opens May 2025 , Apply Here

Promo Video, Click Here

Harvard Medical School through pre-college online courses designed for high school students aged 13 and older. Led by renowned Harvard Medical School faculty, this engaging program brings medical concepts to life through real-world applications and interactive tools.

Programs include:

+ Biochemistry: From Molecules to Medicine

+ Genetics: Unlocking the Power of DNA

+ Immunology: Explore the Body's Natural Defenses

+ Pharmacology: From Drug Discovery to Patient Care

+ Physiology: Inside the Body's Inner Workings

App Due May 11th, Apply Here

Dive into chemistry experiments with polymers, build and launch rockets while exploring physics and math, and discover the impact of biotechnology. Plus, you'll code and control robots using Arduino! Along the way, you'll team up, tackle The Engineering Design Process, and explore awesome careers in STEM. With workshops on goal setting, financing college, and more, this program is your chance to explore, create, and launch your STEM future! Are you up to the challenge?

App Due May 23th, Apply Here: bit.ly/2025ExploreSTEM

Summer Pathways is a unique opportunity to jumpstart your student experience at the Mount! This program is led by the Chalon and Doheny Academic Support Center. A small stipend of $250 will be provided to participants.

• Students attend two courses, Monday through Friday:
  • Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Thursday: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Engage in a variety of interactive workshops and campus experiences!
• All students will take SPR_001SP: Summer Pathways Seminar AND choose a second course. (Math, English, Science, Sociology)

App Due June 23th, Apply Here

Due 4/2 - Columbia University Pre-College Programs

Due 3/3 - Carleton College Pre-College Programs

Due 3/31 - Organization of Latino Actuaries Academic Scholarship

Due 4/1 - Northwestern University: College Preparation Program

Due 4/15 - Boston University: Summer Programs for Pre-College Students

Due 4/15 - Missouri University of Science & Technology Summer Camps

Due 5/1 - University of Wisconsin Madison: Badger Summer Scholars

Due 5/1 - St. John’s College: Summer Academy

Due 5/1 - UMass @ Amherst Pre College and Research Programs

Due 5/9 - Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Program

Due 5/10- Brown Pre-College Program

Kollab Youth ensures our Los Angeles County youth have the skills and knowledge they need to contribute to the global economy. Cultivating resourcefulness as a skill prepares young people for jobs that may not yet exist; in fact, the more resourceful they are, the more likely the next generation will be to create their own jobs - and companies that will create jobs for others. Mentorship is a significant part of the personal and professional journey for our youth.

Contact your school's Higher Education Coordinator or visit your school's College Center.

• Centennial HS: Mrs. Smith-Tyner sharsmith@compton.k12.ca.us
• Compton Early College: Mr. Hernandez omahernandez@compton.k12.ca.us
• Compton HS: Mr. Cruz jcruz@compton.k12.ca.us
• Dominguez High: Mr. Ramirez riramirez@compton.k12.ca.us