What Summer Programs Should Students Apply to in January?
By Sarah M.
It’s already January, and if you’re a 10th or 11th grader hoping to make the most of your upcoming summer, now is the time to start applying to great programs. Many elite and exciting opportunities have deadlines in January and February, so now is the ideal time to put strong applications together.
Most colleges have summer programs these days, so keep in mind that when deciding where to apply for the summer, it’s worth considering schools that you might apply to attend for college as well. Whether you spend time living on campus or do online coursework, you gain valuable experience that can guide your final years of high school, and boost your college applications. Here are four programs worth applying to this month:
1. Engineering Summer Academy at Penn (ESAP) If you’re passionate about engineering, computer science, or tech, the Engineering Summer Academy at Penn is a fantastic choice. This immersive program at the University of Pennsylvania lets you explore engineering topics — from robotics and AI to biotechnology — through hands-on projects and expert faculty guidance.
Deadline: Priority deadline: January 31, 2026, Final Deadline February 28, 2026
2. Boston University RISE Internship/Practicum Are you curious about scientific research and real lab work? The Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) program at Boston University gives high school students the chance to work on authentic research projects alongside university faculty and graduate students.
Deadline: February 4, 2026
3. Harvard Summer School — Secondary & Pre-College Programs Harvard’s Summer School offers academic experiences for high school students in a broad range of disciplines. While the priority deadline is already passed, the regular application deadline of February 11, 2026 is still open (and financial aid applications are accepted by that date too).
Deadline: February 11, 2026
4. Dartmouth, Georgetown & More — Rolling Deadlines Many universities also list pre-college programs with February 1 deadlines that are still open or on a rolling basis, including Dartmouth, Georgetown, Purdue, and the University of Chicago Immersion program.
Deadlines: Various around February 1–February 15, 2026
