Stanford University’s Summer Programs for Middle School Students
If you’re a middle school student looking to expand your knowledge through extracurricular opportunities, consider applying for a summer program. These programs expose you to advanced academic content, deepen your interest in a subject, and develop a passion for learning.
Summer programs hosted on college campuses give you an insight into college life, build a network of like-minded peers, and you can receive mentorship from esteemed faculty. Studying at a prestigious university can enhance your resume, setting a strong foundation for future academic and personal success.
In this blog, we will review Stanford University’s summer programs for middle school students, giving you helpful information on cost, eligibility, course offerings, and prestige, and end with our review!
What should I consider when choosing a summer program?
Stanford offers two summer programs for middle school students, each tailored to different academic interests and goals: the Stanford Middle School Scholars Program and the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes. To choose one, ask yourself the following questions:
1. What do I want to gain from the program?
Reflect on your goals and expectations to identify the right program. Are you interested in experiencing college life at Stanford? Do you want exposure and experience in a specific research field? Are you looking to take high school-level courses to explore subjects in middle school?
If you're primarily interested in the last point, you might want to consider credit-based courses at Stanford's Online High School (OHS) , which offers options for middle school students during the academic year.
2. How much time can I commit?
Consider your schedule and availability. If you have a packed schedule during the school term and summer break, opt for a short-term summer program lasting one to two weeks like SMSSP. Alternatively, if you're seeking an immersive experience in high school-level academics, consider longer programs that run during the academic year like Stanford OHS.
3. Are there any cost-based constraints?
Programs offering free tuition tend to be highly selective or have eligibility constraints, such as being open only to students from underrepresented backgrounds. Discuss the costs and financial implications with your guardians or a guidance counselor before applying to these programs.
The Stanford Middle School Scholars Program (SMSSP) is a tuition-free, three-week online summer program with a weekly online after-school component during the fall semester. The program is meant for low-income middle school students in grades 6 and 7 who reside in and attend school in the U.S. A small exclusive cohort of just 12 students is selected. Students work closely with their peers and instructors.
The program prepares students for high school through 3-hour virtual classroom discussions held daily during the summer. Stanford Online High School (OHS) instructors lead these sessions. Scholars gather weekly for instructor-led course discussions and focused workshops on topics such as options for high school, academic writing, math enrichment, and learning to foster a growth mindset.
In the fall semester, scholars meet once a week for an hour with their cohort and instructor after school. These meetings include course-related discussions and focused workshops on themes like personal essay writing and interview prep, which prepare scholars to apply to Stanford OHS and other rigorous schools and programs.
Subject Areas: STEM, Humanities, Social Sciences
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: The deadline for the summer 2024 program was March 29, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Program Dates: The summer courses run from July 8, 2024, to July 26, 2024. Fall semester meetings run from August 26, 2024, to December 13, 2024. Students can expect similar dates for 2025.
Eligibility: Middle school students from grades 6-7 can apply.
Selectivity: High. However, they are likely to accept students with a B- average or above, provided they show an upward trajectory in grades. Being a tuition-free program, admissions are likely to be selective.
The Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes is an online summer program that offers middle school students an opportunity for intensive, single-subject study in small, groups of 16 students per class. The program covers a range of subjects, including business, bioscience, computer science, creative writing, engineering, math, and philosophy. You can choose from 60 online courses to study from. Each course is customized by its instructors to provide deep exposure and hands-on experience, integrating academics and social activities.
The courses, which do not offer credit or grades, are designed for an interactive exploration of advanced middle school classes covering creative writing, math, history, languages, philosophy, social justice, english, and science. ,. The program fosters collaboration, with live online classes where students learn from both their instructors and peers. Courses meet for two hours each day (Monday–Friday) for live online discussions and run for 10 days.
Students can participate in workshops covering topics like health and wellness, leadership, life and career planning, design thinking, cross-cultural communication, and more.. Upon completion, you receive a certificate and your instructors provide a qualitative written evaluation, which can add value to your student profile. Outside of academics, students can participate in various student life seminars, workshops, and activities to build community. This program could be a good fit if you’re looking to deepen your knowledge within a certain subject and connect with like-minded peers from the U.S. and internationally.
Subject Areas: Humanities, STEM, Business, Social Science
Location: Online
Cost: $3,050 + $65 application fee (waiver available). Some courses may require additional purchase of materials like textbooks which will not exceed $100. Financial aid is available for tuition fees.
Application Deadline: The deadline for the summer 2024 program was March 29, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Program Dates: Session One: June 17, 2024 — June 28, 2024 | Session Two: July 8, 2024 — July 19, 2024. Expect similar dates for the summer 2025 program.
Eligibility:Middle school students in grade 8 can apply!.
Selectivity: Moderately selective.While there is no test score or grade point cut-off, the program is paid and looking for students who demonstrate overall academic excellence. All application materials (such as work samples, written responses, test scores, etc.) are considered together.
Pros and Cons of Stanford Summer Programs for Middle School Students
Pros:
You get to engage in an academically intensive program where learning is emphasized.
You get to build connections with peers through various social activities and workshops, ensuring a strong community bond.
You have a greater chance of participating if you come from a low-income household, increasing accessibility.
You are part of a small cohort for better interactions, enhancing the learning experience.
You can participate from anywhere in the world since the programs are 100% online, allowing you to expand your network globally and experience learning from an Ivy League institution.
Cons:
You do not earn any academic credit or grades, which may not provide formal recognition for your efforts.
You have to commit time during the school year to attend weekly fall sessions, potentially conflicting with other extracurricular activities.
Admission is competitive, and not all applicants may be accepted into the programs.
Wrapping Up
Stanford’s pre-college offerings for middle schoolers, including the SMSSP and Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes, provide excellent opportunities for academically motivated students to engage in rigorous and enriching academic experiences. These programs emphasize skill development, creativity, and collaboration, helping middle school students build a strong foundation over the summer for future academic pursuits.
The online format and focus on community building make these programs accessible and appealing to a wide range of students. Prospective applicants should consider their academic goals, time availability, and the specific focus of each program when deciding to apply. Overall, these programs offer a unique and valuable experience that can inspire lifelong learning and prepare students for academic success.
One more option - The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a program for middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests and build a project they are passionate about. Our mentors are scholars from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE.
The program was founded by a Harvard & Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. The program is rigorous and fully virtual. We offer need-based financial aid for students who qualify. You can find the application in the brochure!
To learn more, you can reach out to our Head of Partnerships, Maya, at maya.novak-herzog@lumiere.education or go to our website.
Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year, you can apply using this application link! If you'd like to take a look at the cohorts + deadlines for 2024, you can refer to this page!
Trisha Malhotra, an Ashoka University alumna, has 5 years of experience being a freelance writer and currently writes for Lumiere Education. She is passionate about music, reading, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, as well as a devoted cat parent.
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