The programs are student-oriented. They introduce students to college life, help them sharpen their study habits and identify their goals. Fuzziness dissipates and is replaced by self-confidence. After completing the course of study, students arrive on campus in the fall better prepared and more focused than many of their classmates. Their transition is easier, and their dropout rate is significantly lower.  
Further, even students who haven’t completed high school can enroll in these useful developmental programs at many colleges. They should consider taking these courses. Where are they offered? As noted, virtually everywhere. 

Community Colleges

There are more than 1,200 community colleges nationwide. These low-tuition institutions are very accessible to most students.  Geared specifically to helping students learn, their excellence is no longer questioned. Many distinguished Americans in virtually every profession began their academic studies at a community college. 
For decades, most Hispanics have begun their college careers in those institutions. That trend continues today, and Hispanics have been well served. Years of successful experiences have developed useful and effective modalities that have been adopted across the nation.
It behooves all to familiarize themselves with the offerings of their local community-oriented college. Seek out one of their counselors and discover what opportunities exist near home.  Take the necessary steps now so your Summer of 2018 can be a particularly productive one for you. 

Four-year Colleges and Universities

Hundreds of other opportunities exist nationwide. I list in no particular order a few institutions with unique summer programs in a wide variety of disciplines. Some are for credit; others are enrichment programs. Once again, most colleges in one’s own geographic location offer a plethora of good programs as well.  But perhaps you might want to explore one of the unique opportunities far from home.  Financial assistance is frequently available.  
The College of William and Mary, in Virginia, offers interdisciplinary programs in early American history, museum studies and public history.  High school students earn four hours of college credit for courses taught on site at the numerous historic locations in Virginia.  Faculty utilize archaeology sites, surviving period structures, historic landscapes, battlefields and various museums to teach students America’s past.  
For more than 30 years, the University of Delaware has offered summer courses specifically designed for high school sophomores and juniors.  For four weeks from mid-July to mid-August students live together in a residence hall and have access to all the resources college students do. Students take two courses and earn seven transfer credits. In addition to a varied choice in core classes such as entrepreneurship, architecture and biology, students undertake writing, research and core college application skills.  
The University of Dallas High School Summer Program offers a study abroad option, as well as one on the main campus in Texas. The Study Abroad Program provides three choices: Shakespeare in Italy, Latin in Rome, and Rome and the Catholic Church. The three-week college credit programs involve intense reading, small group discussions, travel and classes. Students who complete the program are eligible to receive a $4,000 scholarship.  Students who select the Texas program attend either the two-week, college credit: An Introduction to the Classics or American Studies, or an intense five-day non-credit Summer Music Academy.
Every summer, high school students conduct research at the University of Iowa through a five-and-a-half-week residential summer research program.  Students conduct research, as well as participate in a variety of cultural and recreational activities, including social events, special seminars and off-campus field trips. 
The University of Maryland’s TERP Young Scholars program held in July focuses on creative problem solving.  Aside from the university resources, the nearby Smithsonian Institute, the Library of Congress and the National Archives provide unique laboratories for exploration and enrichment.  The three-credit course provides such options as Engineering Design, Environmental Biology, American Government, Economics, Kinesiology and more. Aside from formal classes, field trips, guest speakers, workshops and other academic opportunities are provided.  
The University of Nevada, Reno THINK Summer Institute is open to 13- to 16-year-old students. The purpose of THINK is to provide a challenging academic experience while having fun and developing socially. Group games and outside activities in the evenings, along with weekend field trips, are scheduled to local attractions, including Lake Tahoe, Squaw Valley Olympic Village and historic Virginia City. Financial assistance is available. 
New York University has more than 40,000 students worldwide. NYU’s six-week Pre-College credit program has more than 30 academic options. The Tisch School of the Arts, a four-week credit residential program for aspiring musicians and artists, is very popular. Cost at $5,000-$15,000 is a consideration. A shorter, less expensive, non-credit program is offered as well.  Another option is the Urban Journalism Workshop, a 10-day boot camp for writers offered for free.  
Founded in 1890 by John D. Rockefeller, the University of Chicago offers 49 majors and 40 minors.  Summer opportunities for high school students include the UChicago Immersion, Research in the Biological Sciences and Traveling Academy programs. These intensive three- or four-week courses are taught at the college level and kept small, offering both experiential and seminar-style learning. Their Summer Bridge program is designed for advanced high school students from the Chicago Public Schools. Top students engaged in Hispanic and Latino communities participate free of charge as Adelante Summer Scholars. 

Bottom Line

Time is a rare commodity that cannot be replaced, duplicated or augmented. Thoughtful people throughout recorded time have urged humans not to waste time.  
So much can be acquired with a focused use of our time. Plan to utilize the Summer of 2018 to add to your academic achievements and goals. 
Experiment. Invest in yourself. Continue your personal discovery this summer! •