15 Summer Writing Programs for High School Students in Chicago
- Stephen Turban
- Jul 13
- 9 min read
Updated: Oct 14
Good writing is a skill that matters in every career, whether you plan to be a journalist, lawyer, scientist, or business professional. If you’re a high school student in Chicago, it makes sense to look for opportunities that can help you build this skill early. Summer writing programs are one of the most practical ways to do that.
These programs can offer exposure to college-level academics, give you a sense of campus life, teach you useful skills, and help you meet people who share your interests, without being a heavy financial burden. For students interested in writing, whether it’s fiction, journalism, essays, or poetry, joining a summer program is a smart option. It lets you test your abilities, learn from experienced writers, and get a clearer idea of where your interests might lead you.
To make this easier, we’ve listed 15 summer writing programs for high school students in Chicago!
10 Summer Writing Programs for High School Students in Chicago
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3 are eligible to apply
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a research opportunity designed for high school students looking to gain hands-on experience in academic research. The program offers one-on-one mentorship with Ph.D. mentors, allowing you to work independently on a project within your chosen subject area. Throughout the 12-week program, you will participate in rigorous research. By the end of the program, you will produce a polished independent research paper. Areas of study include linguistics, history, psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $8,900. Need-based financial aid is available
Dates: July 7 - July 26
Application Deadline: Priority: January 22 | Regular: March 5 | Extended: April 15
Eligibility: High school students in 9-11 grade who are at least 14 years old are eligible to apply
University of Chicago – Creative Writing Program is a summer course where you explore fiction, poetry, and memoir through daily writing and reading. You will take part in writing exercises, create original characters and narratives, and experiment with different forms. The program includes one-on-one conferences, peer editing, and seminar-style discussions. You will be expected to write during and outside class, complete nightly reading assignments, and submit at least three revised major pieces.
Acceptance rate: Selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: $835. Need-based financial aid is available
Dates: June 4 - August 13
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply
Northwestern University’s Creative Writing Honors is a flexible, asynchronous summer course where you spend 9 to 10 weeks exploring short stories, poetry, plays, and visual art. You will read across genres and apply elements like character development, setting, tone, and dialogue to your creative work. Offered as part of the Accelerated Summer Online (ASO) program, the course carries 1 credit and requires 10 to 15 hours of weekly work at your own pace.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $8,900. Need-based financial aid is available
Dates: June 14 - July 4
Application Deadline: Priority: January 22 | Regular: March 5 | Extended: April 15
Eligibility: High school students in 9-11 grade who are at least 14 years old are eligible to apply. Applicants must have strong grades in their History and English classes.
University of Chicago’s What is Truth is an intensive college-level writing program where you explore how truth is constructed and challenged through argument. You will read texts by Plato, Machiavelli, Donna Haraway, and Frantz Fanon, along with cultural works like Dario Fo’s theatre and modern satire such as The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. You will write and revise persuasive essays, take part in rhetorical workshops, and join seminar-style discussions modeled after the university’s Humanities Core. The program includes at least three major writing assignments.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Location: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Cost: Residential: $4,850 | Commuter: $3,450. Need-based financial aid is available.
Dates: July 21 - August 1
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible to apply.
Northwestern University’s “Are You Ready? Writing for College Success” is a summer program that helps you build the writing and critical thinking skills needed for college. You will work on research-based persuasive essays, close text analysis, and college-level reading assignments. The course includes peer review, creative exercises, and discussions to strengthen your communication. You will complete a literary analysis essay and draft your college admissions essay, using real examples for guidance. The program also features guest sessions with Northwestern faculty and students, plus a visit to the university library to explore research tools.
Acceptance rate: Selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: No credit: $600 | For credit: $1,848. Limited need-based financial aid is available.
Dates: July 21 - August 1
Application Deadline: July 14
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-18 years are eligible to apply
School of the Art Institute of Chicago – Creative Writing Program invites you to explore your voice through journaling, freewriting, music prompts, and reflections on memory and dreams. You will write short stories, poetry, monologues, and personal essays while taking part in peer workshops and revision sessions. The program focuses on editing, collaboration, and feedback to help you build confidence and prepare for college-level writing. You will complete reading and writing assignments, share your work in class, and develop your skills with support from faculty and peers.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Location: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Cost: Tuition: $2970 | Residential Fee: $2405. Need-based financial aid is available
Dates: July 20 - August 8
Application Deadline: One week before the start date
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12 are eligible to apply
Northwestern University’s Literary Analysis: The Making of Monsters is a summer writing program where you explore how societies define and respond to “monsters” through close reading, discussion, and reflective writing. You will study sources from mythology, gothic literature, and macabre fiction to analyze how depictions of demons and outsiders reflect cultural fears and biases. The course builds your analytical and interpretive skills and ends with a critical essay on a modern “monster” in today’s world. It also helps you prepare for college-level reading and writing.
Acceptance rate: Selective
Location: School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL.
Cost: No credit: $600 | For credit: $1,848. Limited need-based financial aid is available.
Dates: August 4 - 25
Application Deadline: July 28
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-18 years are eligible to apply
During this program, you will examine the power of visual storytelling through the expressive mediums of comics and graphic novels. You will engage with a variety of creative practices, including writing, storyboarding, penciling, inking, and coloring. You will produce thoughtful projects that investigate narrative forms while integrating text and imagery with visual coherence. Additionally, you will visit the Art Institute of Chicago and gain exposure to the work of contemporary artists, illustrators, and designers.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Location: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Cost: Tuition: $990 | Residential Fee: $815. Need-based financial aid is available
Dates: July 6 - July 11
Application Deadline: One week before the start date
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12 are eligible to apply
Northwestern University’s Writing Satire is a summer course where you explore how satire uses tools like parody, irony, and caricature to critique society. You will study classic and modern examples of satire and examine how digital platforms have reshaped the way satire is created and shared. Through readings, discussions, and creative assignments, you will analyze the role of satire in public discourse and develop your original works, such as essays, cartoons, or sketches that respond to cultural and political issues.
Acceptance rate: High acceptance rate
Location: StoryStudio Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $350. Need-based financial aid is available
Dates: The program typically runs for a week through the summer (July-August)
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply
StoryStudio Chicago Youth Summer Camps offer week-long writing workshops where you build your skills in a supportive setting. Guided by experienced instructors, you explore key elements of storytelling, take part in individual and group writing exercises, and study published works to learn new techniques. You will join peer review sessions to get feedback and improve your drafts, while connecting with other young writers. The camp ends with a showcase where you present your work to family, friends, and fellow participants.
Acceptance rate: Selective
Location: Latin School of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $550. Need-based financial aid is available
Dates: June 16 - June 27
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: High school students in grade 9 are eligible to apply
Latin School of Chicago's Introduction to Literary Analysis is a summer program for rising high school freshmen that builds the skills you need for success in English classes. You will practice annotation, close reading, and literary analysis through reading assignments, written responses, and class discussions. The course focuses on helping you understand authorial intent, style, and structure while strengthening your ability to write critically about literature. All activities are designed to prepare you for the reading and writing demands of high school.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 50 students
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,300. Need-based scholarships are available
Dates: July 7–11
Application Deadline: April 7
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply
Juniper Young Writers Online is a one-week virtual program for high school students where you take part in workshops, writing labs, craft sessions, and write-alongs led by writers from the UMass Amherst MFA program. You work with other students from different places, share your ideas, and get feedback. The program helps you explore new writing styles, try out different techniques, and build your skills. You also attend faculty talks and take part in participant readings.
Acceptance rate: 10% - 20%
Location: Virtual
Cost: $475 per course
Dates: June 15 - July 27
Application Deadline: March 1 - April 18
Eligibility: High school students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher are eligible to apply
The Iowa Young Writers’ Studio offers five six-week online courses for high school students: Writing From Everyday Life (nonfiction and personal essays), Sense of Witness (poetry and perception), A Perusable Feast (creative writing), Ricochet Visions (speculative fiction), and Forget Ready, Forget Set, Go! (fiction writing). You pick one course. Each is taught by a graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. You spend 3 to 4 hours per week on writing assignments, readings, peer feedback, and online discussions. You receive a Letter of Completion once you finish the program.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 12-14 students
Location: Virtual
Cost: $995. Need-based financial aid is available
Dates: June 15–20
Application Deadline: April 14
Eligibility: Current sophomores or juniors who will be between the ages of 16 and 18 years at the time of the program are eligible to apply
The Young Writers Summer Online Workshop is a one-week virtual program where you explore short stories, poetry, and personal essays through writing exercises, group discussions, and craft talks. You take part in daily live Zoom sessions, get time to write on your own, and meet one-on-one with instructors. You can choose between afternoon and evening sessions. You work alongside other students who are interested in storytelling and want to build their writing skills.
Acceptance rate: 8%
Location: Virtual
Cost: $575. Need-based financial aid is available
Dates: June 26 - July 28
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students, including graduating seniors and gap year students, can apply
The Adroit Journal’s Summer Mentorship Program is a virtual writing mentorship for high school students interested in poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction. You get paired with an experienced writer for one-on-one guidance through flexible correspondence. Poetry mentees send work weekly, while fiction and nonfiction mentees submit every two weeks. Along with regular feedback from your mentor, you also engage in discussions with other students in the program.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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