Class of 2027 Notes 2-27

Competitions & Programs by Deadline

Competitions

•  Bill of Rights Institute MyImpact Challenge submissions are due May 3 (video explanation). 

  • Civic engagement contest that rewards student service projects with cash prizes of up to $10,000.  

  • Send a project report of up to 2000 words, an essay of up to 1200 words on how your project upholds one civic virtue and one founding principle, and photo or video documentation. 

  • Entries may be from groups of up to 5 or from individuals. Winning group entries split the prize money. 

• Is your AP Research project on global health? Consider submitting to the Pre-Collegiate Global Health Review. 

• We the Future Contest for grades 9-12 submissions are due 11:00 p.m. our time, May 31, but early entries are encouraged. The contest is hosted by Hillsdale College.

  • Submissions might be one of 2 different essay prompts, a song, a survey with a marketing plan to determine knowledge of the U.S. Constitution, a short film on how the Constitution makes the U.S. unique, or a PSA geared to one of 2 prompts about citizenship. 

  • The winner from each category will receive a $1000 scholarship prize (group entries will split the prize money); winners who commit to attend Hillsdale College will also be considered for a one-time $5000 scholarship award.

Summer Programs--No University Affiliation

• Future Latino Leaders Summer Law Camp application closes February 28. 

  • Eligibility: rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and students graduating in 2026 who have demonstrated an interest in law, community service, and leadership development.

  • July 19-26, in Washington D.C. Fully funded with transportation scholarships available. 

• New Deaconess Hospital Junior Volunteer Program application is due March 20. 

  • Must be 15 by June 1.

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• American Legion Auxiliary Girls State application due April 1, but apply now to give organizers time secure funding by our local ALA chapters. 

  • There is a $50 registration fee. The program is otherwise fully funded by American Legion chapters. 

  • June 21-27, at Trine University, Angola, IN. 

  • Eligibility: Open to rising seniors interested in government and current events, with high moral character, strong leadership abilities, an above average scholastic standing, and a desire to learn

• American Legion's Hoosier Boys State application due before May 15. 

  • There is a $50 registration fee. The program is otherwise fully funded by local American Legion chapters. 

  • June 14-19, at Trine University, Angola, IN. 

  • About: Hoosier Boys State builds important real-world skills and leadership qualities in exceptional young men by creating a functional state government based on Indiana’s political process. 

• Girls Who Code Free Summer Program early application regular application due April 11 before 11:59 PM PST. 

  • a six-week asynchronous course starting June 29, multiple pathways offered; flyer

  • Early Decision Application Deadline: February 25

Summer Programs--University-Affiliated

• Spring Program  Explore Engineering at Purdue applications are open, deadline unclear. 

  • Free program, for all students, and sponsored by Women in Engineering, April 20 with an optional "meet and greet" on April 19 for early arrivers  

• Purdue Summer College for High School Students

  • Many university credit courses offered, both online and in person, both long-term and short-term.

  • Applications accepted on a rolling basis until April 1, application fee waived for eligible students

  • Must have a minimum GPA of 3.30, some age restrictions depending on the program chosen

• Cinema Academy at IU-Bloomington applications accepted on a rolling basis

  • Many summer sessions offered from beginning levels to advanced, from online to in-person

  • Scholarships available

• Game Development Camp at IU-Bloomington applications are accepted on a rolling basis

  • Many sessions offered for all levels, in person and online

  • Scholarships available

• Interior Design Summer Workshops at Ball State registration now open; space is limited--apply now! 

  • In-person and online options available.

• Actuarial and Data Science camps at Lebanon Valley College, in Harrisburg, PA, applications accepted on a rolling basis; cost is $950, but financial aid is available

  • Computer and Data Science Camp-June 21-26

• Ball State's Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning High School Workshops registration now open; space is limited--apply now! 

  • In-person and online options available, programs in interior design, archtecture, and urban planning, both residential and singe-day offerings, scholarships available

• Johns Hopkins Global Health Leaders Conference application priority deadline is February 20, but spaces fill up so don't delay.

  • Online, highly selective program to learn about global health.

  • Cost is $99.00, but this can be waived if a hardship. 

• New IU's Rising Leaders app due March 2, June 21-25; Free program; even travel scholarships available if indicated on app. Program features: 

  • Designed for high school students who want to understand the impact they can have on society; 

  • Participate in classes taught by the top-ranked IU O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs; 

  • Build leadership and communication skills;

  • Explore academic programs, internships and career opportunities.

• New University of Wisconsin-Madison Engineering Summer Program (ESP) due March 2, July 11–31, 2026, three-week residential program for rising 11th and 12th graders, includes coursework in math, physics, chemistry, and engineering design. Free of charge (all costs covered, including room and board). 

• TCU Neeley Analytics Academy app due March 8.

  • Highly selective program is on TCU's campus, July 21-26; need-based scholarships available

  • Focus is on data analytics and market research skills.

• Arabic High School Summer Program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign due March 29 for early admission, final application deadline May 8

  • Generous scholarships available to those who apply by March 29

  • June 14-June 27

  • Earn 2 college credits

• IU's Jim Holland Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) due April 10, July 12–19, 2026, one-week intensive lab research for rising 10th-12th graders (min. 3.2 GPA), focus on underrepresented students in STEM, $125 registration fee (program costs covered). 

• IU's Jim Holland Research Initiative in STEM Education (RISE) due April 10, June 21–July 3, 2026, two-week residential camp with research and college prep, exclusively for rising 12th graders (min. 3.2 GPA), focus on underrepresented students in STEM, $125 registration fee (program costs covered).

• High School Journalism Camp at IU-Bloomington, 2 sessions available in July

  • The residential workshop is $525; scholarships available for those who apply by April 15.

• Sewanee, University of the South, Pre-College summer programs in writing, music, Spanish, and the environment application deadline for those seeking financial aid is April 18. Prospective attendees are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, however. 

• Valparaiso's Beacon Engineering Academy applicaton is due May 3

  • for current 10th-11th graders, June 21-27

  • Projects in bio-nuclear-environmental engineering 

  • partial scholarships available to help with the $800 cost for overnight camp

• Butler's Pre-College Program application due May 15.

  • Tracks available: Exploratory, Business, Healthcare, dates vary

  • Cost is $1000 for the residential package, but tuition assistance is available to 21st Century Scholars, Free/Reduced Lunch participants, and First Gen students.

• New Dickinson College's Knowledge for Freedom FREE 2-week seminar application due May 31. 

  • The seminar is organized and run by acclaimed historian and professor Matthew Pinsker. He has assured me that Signature School applicants are welcome. He can't provide travel money, but the program is otherwise free.

  • July 12-24: Two weeks of free residential college experience at Dickinson College, in Carlisle, PA.

  • Field trips to Carlisle, Gettysburg, and Washington, DC for a deep dive into our nation's history, especially for rising seniors.

• UE's Journey to Justice registration not yet open, deadline unclear.

  • Join a bus tour to visit key sites in the Civil Rights movement, June 6-12

  • Open to teachers, community members, and students at least 15 years old

  • College credit has been available in the past (tuition is $100) and scholarships to help pay the $1400 cost that includes lodging, transportation, museum entry fees, and most meals.

• Pre-College Programs are available throughout the year. This list is not exhaustive.