NSLC is a legitimate for-profit pre-college provider that has run career exploration programs since 1989, and in 2026 it cost between $3,095 and $6,395 for five to twelve days on one of 12 campuses across the US and England.

RSI is free and highly selective. You'll pay a $75 application fee (waivers available), but tuition, housing, and meals are fully covered if you're admitted.

The USABO is a four-round national biology competition run by the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE), open to US students in grades 9-12 (homeschoolers included) for a $125 school registration fee, with the 2027 cycle's final registration deadline set for November 15, 2026 and the Open Exam expected in late January or early February 2027.

The Regeneron Science Talent Search is the oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors in the United States, and the 2027 application is open right now through 8:00 pm Eastern on Thursday, November 5, 2026. Over 2,600 seniors enter each year, 300 are named scholars and receive $2,000 each, 40 become finalists and receive at least $25,000, and the first place winner receives $250,000.

The Concord Review publishes around 5% of the essays it receives, which makes it one of the hardest history credentials for a high schooler to earn.