If you’re interested in politics or a political science major, attending a summer program centered on these topics can help you show colleges just how much you care about politics. A summer program is also a great way to meet new people and push your comfort zone–many of these programs are on-site, so you can even get a feel for what it’s like to live at a college.
Many of the programs listed below are both on-site and online, so you can often choose if you’d like to study from home. Remember that the pandemic can alter the best-laid plans–certain programs haven’t run in the past years, and others have shifted fully online.
Applications for these summer programs vary, but most require at least one teacher recommendation, a copy of your transcript, and sometimes a statement or sample of your previous work. The programs listed below are targeted mainly towards Juniors and Seniors, but some will take students of other ages too.
Georgetown University American Politics Academy
Location: Georgetown, Washington DC
Overview: Georgetown’s American Politics Academy allows high school students to examine government with lectures and debates. Students will hear from a variety of elected officials and policymakers to understand the different factors in governance.
Age: All HS Students
Application Deadline: May 15th, 2022
Dates: June 26th-July 2nd, 2022
Tuition: $3,115
UCLA Political Science Summer Institute
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Overview: UCLA’s Political Science Summer Institute brings students to sunny Los Angeles to study an introduction to politics. The institute also includes a variety of career panels, where students hear about the different paths they can pursue with a political science degree. UCLA also offers online Summer Sessions that focus on political science and government.
Age: All HS Students
Application Deadline: May 1st, 2022
Dates: June 21st-July 8th, 2022
Tuition: ~$2,500
Columbia Summer Immersion Program
Location: New York City, Online
Overview: Columbia’s Summer Immersion Program offers students the opportunity to study a variety of college courses both online or on-campus in New York City. Students have the opportunity to select from over 70 courses, which touch on both political science and government.
Age: All HS Students
Application Deadline: March 3rd, 2022
Dates: Various dates depending on program / course selected (1 week or 3 week, offered at different times in summer.)
Tuition: Varies based on program length and residential/commuter/online
Harvard Summer School
Location: Cambridge, MA, Online
Overview: Harvard’s Summer School offers both a full session, and shorter two week intensives for students to explore a number of different college courses. There are a number of options regarding politics and government, and students can choose whichever courses they’d like. The information below is for the full summer program, but more information on the two-week program can be found here.
Age: 16 or older by June 18th, 2022
Application Deadline: March 2nd, 2022 (regular decision), May 11th, 2022 (Late Decision)
Dates: June 18th-August 6th, 2022
Tuition: $3,500–$13,200
UChicago Summer Immersion Programs
Location: Chicago, IL, Online
Overview: UChicago offers summer courses for students that focus on politics and government. Students can study online or on-campus, and the courses range from one to five weeks in length. All courses are part of UChicago’s normal curriculum: high schoolers study alongside college students.
Age: All HS Students
Application Deadline: March 9th, 2022 (regular decision), April 7th, 2022 (Extended Decision), May 1st (Rolling)
Dates: Various, courses offered in different sections throughout the summer
Tuition: $4,300–$7,775
Brown Pre College Programs
Location: Providence, RI, Online
Overview: Brown offers a number of online and on-campus courses for students to pursue their interests in government and politics. Students can choose from a variety of courses, ranging in length from one to six weeks.
Age: All HS Students
Application Deadline: April 18th, 2022
Dates: Various, courses offered in different sections throughout the summer
Tuition: $2,500-10,000
Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
Location: Online
Overview: Stanford offers a variety of courses over the summer, with many available on politics and government. This program was previously in-person but will be fully online for summer 2022. Students will have the opportunity to learn about politics with peers from all over the world. Stanford’s courses are much more affordable than many other options.
Age: All HS Students, but certain courses are Juniors/Seniors only
Application Deadline: March 15th, 2022
Dates: June 20th-July 1st 2022 OR July 11th-July 22nd 2022
Tuition: $2,700
National Student Leadership Conference - Political Action and Public Policy
Location: American University, Washington DC
Overview: The National Student Leadership Conference offers two sections focusing on Politics wherein students will get the opportunity to simulate the United States Senate and a Presidential Campaign to better understand the political process. Speakers include the former secretary of state and chairs of various national political commissions.
Age: All HS Students
Application Deadline: Rolling Decision
Dates: June 11th - June 19th OR June 23 - July 1
Tuition: $3,595
The School of the New York Times - U.S. Government/Law/Ethics
Location: Washington DC
Overview: The School of the New York Times offers three sections of U.S. Government/Law/Ethics focusing on political science. Students will listen to speakers from a variety of political backgrounds, and the course includes visits to various site of U.S. Government.
Age: All HS Students
Application Deadline: April 4th, 2022
Dates: June 19th - July 1st // July 3rd - July 15th // July 17th - July 30th, 2022
Tuition: $5,325 (commuter) or $5,925 (residential)
Advanced Studies Programme at Brasenose College, Oxford
Location: Oxford, United Kingdom
Overview: Campus Oxford’s Advanced Studies Program allows students to dive deep into international politics and political science with a variety of courses. Students live on-campus at historic Oxford College, and get the chance to spend part of their summer abroad while learning at one of the world’s oldest universities. Programs are in two, four, or six-week increments.
Age: 16-18
Application Deadline: Rolling
Dates: June 5th - August 16th, 2022
Tuition: $3,030 per week
If any of these courses appeal to you, get started applying soon. Many of them will be easier to get into if you apply now–it’s always simpler if you apply first. If the costs are too prohibitive, remember that many of them offer financial aid.
Whether you attend or not, make sure you find something for the summer. If you’re unsure of how to move forward, or what course/program is best for you, feel free to reach out to us with any questions.
If you have any further questions, or would like to discuss junior-year advising with us, please feel free to reach out to us here.