Summer Programs
Summer Programs for High School Students in Washington, D.C.
4 selective summer and pre-college programs in Washington, D.C.. 1 are free to attend and 4 are residential.
- Programs
- 4
- Free to attend
- 1
- Residential
- 4
- 2027 deadline posted
- 2
- of 4
| Program | Where | Who can apply | Cost | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALA Girls NationAmerican Legion Auxiliary | Washington, DCResidential | ALA Girls State participants entering their senior year | Not posted | Not posted |
| Boys NationThe American Legion | Washington, DCResidential | Boys State participants (rising seniors) | Not posted | Not posted |
| Georgetown AcademiesGeorgetown University School of Continuing Studies | Washington, DCResidential | Current 8th graders through high school seniors | Paid, aid available | Early bird January 31, 2027; final deadline for Academies May 15, 2027 |
| USSYPUnited States Senate and The Hearst Foundations | Washington, DCResidential | High school juniors and seniors | Free with stipend | Varies by state; December 1, 2026 is the national deadline for states to submit their selections |
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A link to this list, so you have the deadlines when applications open.
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Frequently asked questions
When should I start a summer program application?
Each program sets its own deadline, and some fall months before summer. Check each deadline in the table and work backward from the earliest one.
Do summer programs help with college admissions?
A program is one line on an application. What a student did there, and what they did next with it, matters more than the name.
Each program was read from its own official site. A date or fee the site has not posted is left blank. Last checked 2026-10-09. A deadline marked “last cycle’s date” is from the previous year, shown because the new one is not posted. Dewey Smart is not affiliated with these programs.
