Can summer programs help with high school or college admissions later on?

They can, and not in a “gold star on your transcript” kind of way. The best summer programs help middle schoolers figure out what lights them up. That kind of self-discovery can shape course choices, extracurriculars, and essay-worthy moments down the line. Colleges love applicants with real interests and experiences to match, whether that’s researching marine ecosystems or training like a future D1 athlete. And let’s not forget: early exposure to high-level academics or athletics can give kids the confidence to aim higher. So while a summer camp probably won’t make or break a Harvard app, it could absolutely shape the story that gets written years later. Also, it’s just cool to say, “I studied nanotech at Penn when I was 13.”