Best Summer Academic Programs
Summer break isn’t just for relaxing — it’s also an amazing opportunity to grow, explore, and get ahead. Whether you're in 10th, 11th, or even 12th grade, applying to a summer school program at a top university can help you discover your passions, strengthen your application, and build confidence in an academic environment.
At Lumen, we often recommend high-quality summer programs to students in our Foundation package. It’s one of the best ways to begin shaping your story early — especially if you're still figuring out what direction to take. And the good news? You don’t need to be 100% sure of your future plans to get started.
Students who attend pre-college programs at well-known universities often benefit in three major ways:
Academic Exploration
Try out new subjects — from business and STEM to art, law, or creative writing — in a real college classroom.Stronger Applications
Summer schools show initiative, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to thrive in a university environment — all things that admissions officers love.Confidence & Independence
Living and learning on campus (even short-term) can boost your communication skills, maturity, and global perspective.
Plus, many programs offer certificate completion, which looks great on a CV and can support your university application narrative.
We recommend using SummerApply — a curated platform that helps students discover and apply to programs at top universities around the world. You can filter by location, subject, age group, and even get guidance on English language requirements or visa support.
Here are just a few well-known summer schools worth checking out on SummerApply:
Oxford Royale Academy (UK) – Oxford-style learning in beautiful college settings
Cambridge Summer Institute (UK) – Small seminars in science, law, international relations, and more
Harvard Pre-College Program (US) – Experience Harvard campus life with intensive two-week courses
Yale Young Global Scholars (US) – For globally-minded students interested in humanities, politics, and innovation
Paris College of Art Summer School (FR) – Creative and design-focused programs in the heart of Paris
Note: Most top-tier summer schools require strong grades, English proficiency, and early applications — so don’t wait until spring to start exploring your options!