Winter Programs for High School Students: Building a Standout Resume

Summer is a popular time for high school students to enhance their resumes for college applications through summer programs, volunteer work, or personal projects. However, winter break offers a valuable, often overlooked opportunity to gain hands-on experience and boost college readiness. Winter programs, though fewer in number than summer options, provide a unique chance for students to delve into their desired fields of study and make themselves more competitive for future opportunities.

The Advantage of Winter Programs

Participating in winter pre-college courses demonstrates initiative and intellectual curiosity, qualities highly valued by admissions officers. It shows a willingness to challenge oneself, adapt to a college environment, and pursue intellectual passions independently. Successfully completing a pre-college program demonstrates your ability to succeed in a rigorous college course. By attending a winter break camp, students can get a jump start on gaining hands-on experience in their desired field of study. That way, they can continue building on their experiences and making themselves more competitive for top summer programs.

College Readiness Activities

Many pre-college programs incorporate college readiness activities, such as workshops on writing college admissions essays, seminars on understanding financial aid, and panels on choosing the right college. Previous Harvard Summer School students, for example, have gone on to attend prestigious institutions like Harvard College, Cornell University, University of Pennsylvania, New York University, Boston University, and Brown University.

Featured Winter Programs

Here are some winter programs designed to help high school students stand out:

1. Georgetown University: Medicine: An Inside Look at Treating Patients

Location: Virtual
Dates: Multiple sessions in December and January
Cost: \$1,495 - \$1,795
Age Requirements: 13+
Overview: This virtual program offers insights into the patient journey and the roles within a healthcare team, exploring various treatment plans.

2. Rosetta Institute

Location: Virtual; Alameda, CA; Berkeley, CA
Dates: December 26-31
Cost: \$570 (virtual), \$1,590 - \$1,790 (in-person)
Age Requirements: 11-18 years old
Overview: Offers virtual workshops in Medical Bioinformatics and Medicinal Chemistry, as well as in-person Biomedical Research and Cancer Research workshops.

3. Rising Researchers

Location: Virtual
Dates: Tuesdays/Fridays, December 19 - January 12
Cost: \$3,200
Age Requirements: 9-12 graders
Overview: A 4-week virtual camp studying social determinants of health in cardiovascular disease and public health's impact on medicine, guided by a research mentor.

4. University of California - San Diego: BioImaging & 3D-Printing (BI3DP)

Location: Virtual
Dates: January 20 - March 9
Cost: \$2,500
Age Requirements: 10-12 grade and at least 14 years of age
Overview: Students learn hands-on skills in Biomedical Imaging and 3D Printing, with a home kit for exercises and remote 3D printing.

5. University of Rochester: Personalized Medicine: Customizing Care Through Genetics

Location: Virtual
Dates: December 7-31
Cost: \$995
Age Requirements: 13+
Overview: Students learn about genetic code, trait inheritance, and genetic breakthroughs in medicine, culminating in a capstone project on personalized medicine for a specific disease.

6. Energy Mag

Location: Virtual
Dates: Varies (1-9 months)
Cost: Free
Age Requirements: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Overview: Students research and analyze scientific or business issues, working 8 hours per week.

7. Great Books Program - Myths Revisited: Unraveling Ancient Tales in Modern Times

Location: Virtual
Dates: December 27-29
Cost: \$450
Age Requirements: 9-12 graders
Overview: Explores the influence of ancient narratives in modern life, covering Greek and Roman myths and works by various authors.

8. Beaver Works Summer Institute

Location: Virtual
Dates: February 1 - June 16
Cost: Free
Age Requirements: 9-12 grade
Overview: Online courses (topics vary) that have included Serious Game Development with AI, Cyber Ops, and Hardware Hacking.

9. Johns Hopkins Center For Talent Youth

Location: Virtual
Dates: Varies
Cost: \$695 - \$2,130
Age Requirements: Varies
Overview: A wide variety of courses are available, including Arabic Language, Art Meets Science: Literature, Interdisciplinary STEM Essay Writing, Chess, Introduction to Forensics and Storytelling through Art, Film and Media.

10. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Remote
Duration: 12 weeks to 1 year
Eligibility: High school students with a high level of academic achievement (unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
Overview: This rigorous program pairs students with Ph.D. mentors for independent research projects in various subjects, culminating in a research paper.

11. Cornell Precollege Program (Winter session)

Location: Online
Cost: \$1,750 per credit (3 credit course)
Dates: January 2-19
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible.
Overview: This program offers a variety of courses that provide a valuable introduction to college-level academics.

12. Immerse Education - Pre-College Programme

Location: Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, and Boston
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Students aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school
Overview: This programme lets high school students experience university-style learning before applying to higher education. Participants can explore a wide range of subjects.

13. HarvardX Courses

Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible
Overview: These courses offer you the opportunity to engage with intellectually stimulating and rigorous academic content.

14. Research Scholars at UC San Diego

Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: \$2500
Dates: January - March
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15, in grades 10-12, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0
Overview: This program offers an exceptional opportunity for you to immerse yourself in a variety of research-focused tracks.

15. PennX Courses

Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible
Overview: These courses offer high school students a gateway to explore intellectually stimulating subjects and gain valuable knowledge.

16. UMBC’s Pre-College Program - Winter Session

Location: University of Maryland, Baltimore County, MD
Dates: January 2 - January 26
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
Fee: Ranges from \$439 - \$6,426
Overview: You will spend the winter at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), collaborating with talented peers and distinguished faculty members.

17. SCAD Joint Enrollment Program

Location: Online
Dates: January 9 - March 16
Eligibility: Juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years of age
Fee: \$2,285 for one class
Overview: Through the SCAD Joint Enrollment Program, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of art and design.

18. Fralin Biomedical Research Institute’s High School Research Mentorship

Location: Virginia Tech, VA
Eligibility: Juniors and seniors
Overview: You will work side by side with leading scientists and researchers in state-of-the-art laboratories, gaining hands-on experience in cutting-edge biomedical investigations.

19. BetterMind Labs AI & Machine Learning Winter Program

Who It’s For: Students in grades 9-12 interested in artificial intelligence, data science, or applied technology.
Format: Live online mentorship sessions with flexible scheduling.
Overview: Students don’t just study AI concepts they build AI-driven solutions for sectors like healthcare, finance, neuroscience, and law. Every participant completes a tangible project, guided by an industry expert mentor, and earns a professional portfolio, verified certification, and a detailed letter of recommendation.

20. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies Winter Courses

Overview: Offers rigorous university-level courses in computer science, physics, and mathematics, taught by Stanford faculty. Completion demonstrates readiness for college academics.

21. Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) Winter Courses

Overview: Provides advanced learning beyond high school curriculum. Courses in astrophysics, creative writing, and competitive mathematics challenge even the most gifted students.

22. Wolfram High School Winter Research Program

Overview: Students conduct computational research guided by Wolfram experts, producing publishable essays and interactive notebooks-ideal for STEM competition submissions.

23. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)

Overview: Ideal for students exploring both STEM and humanities, HARP pairs you with university faculty for guided research, culminating in a 20-page academic paper.

24. Columbia University Academic Year Immersion

Overview: Columbia’s weekend winter program immerses students in Ivy League coursework across writing, global affairs, and technology. Participants receive Columbia instructor evaluations and certificates valuable for applications.

25. Georgetown’s Winter in Washington

Overview: In-person exposure to policy, diplomacy, and foreign affairs.

26. Notre Dame Winter Leadership Institute

Overview: A selective, free online program focusing on ethical leadership, collaboration, and mentorship for aspiring changemakers.

27. Columbia’s College Edge

Best for: High-achieving students aiming for Ivy League or top-tier colleges who want to prove they can succeed in rigorous college courses.
Overview: Allows high school students to enroll in real Columbia undergraduate courses during the spring semester, which begins in January and overlaps with the winter season.

28. Columbia Academic Year Weekend Program

Best for: Students who want structured enrichment at Columbia without the workload of a full college course.
Overview: This program is more flexible than College Edge, designed for high school students who want to explore Columbia-style coursework without a full semester commitment.

29. The University of Wisconsin-Madison

Overview: Offers academically advanced high school students the chance to enroll in university courses as High School Specials. Winter term (January) is included, making it possible for students to take college classes during their high school years.

30. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Best for: Students who want a short-term but rigorous academic challenge that provides real college credit.
Overview: Offers a Winterim session that high school students can access through the “Special Student” designation. This short January term allows students to take one or two university courses during their high school years.

31. Immersion Science Program (ISP) at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia

Best for: Students passionate about laboratory science, medicine, or research who want real lab exposure.
Overview: The winter session, typically running from January to March, places students directly into a professional lab environment. Participants learn essential laboratory techniques, explore experimental design, and contribute to ongoing cancer-related research under the mentorship of experienced scientists.

32. Tufts University

Overview: Offers pre-college courses during the spring semester, beginning in January, which allows motivated high school students to join Tufts undergraduates in real college classes.

Virtual and Online Programs

Many winter programs are offered virtually, providing flexibility for students who may be traveling or juggling school commitments. These online options provide access to world-class mentorship and a supportive community.

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Choosing the Right Program

Selecting the right winter program involves aligning your interests and goals with the program's focus. Consider your academic strengths, career aspirations, and desired learning environment when making your decision.

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