The Leading Source for College Preparation:
Summer Programs, Gap Year Programs, Community Service and more.

13,000+ Experiences for Students in Grades 7-12.

Discover how spending time in the world outside the classroom can help teens do better in school, during the college admissions process and in their adult lives. Our mission is to connect students, parents and educators with the best experiential learning opportunities for middle- and high-school students.

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  Summer Programs

  Spend this summer expanding your pre-college horizons. Check out thousands of summer programs, from rocket science camps to musical theater classes to wilderness training courses.

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  Gap Year Programs

  Find out more about how a pre-college gap year or semester contributes to personal growth and builds the life skills you need to succeed in college. Check out TeenLife’s once-in-a-lifetime gap year programs, ranging from work internships to premed programs to adventure trips.

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  Volunteer Opportunities

  Volunteer for a community service program to expand your world view, make a difference and feel good. Community service may also be a graduation requirement! Check out these nonprofit organizations that could use your help or connect you with a community service project.

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  STEM Programs

  STEM careers are on the rise, and students can start learning skills in STEM as early as middle school. Browse topic specific STEM summer programs and colleges.

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  Performing & Visual Arts Programs

  Colleges, gap year programs, and summer programs all offer opportunities in the performing & visual arts. Pursue your passions and grow your strengths with a performing and/or visual arts program.

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  Colleges & Universities

  Begin your college search with our comprehensive college & university database. Or explore summer programs taking place on college campuses. College is a big investment. We can help you try before you buy.

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  Boarding Schools

  Ready to combine school with independence? We have more than 400 listings for boarding schools and semester schools in the United States and abroad. Discover how a learning community focused on college prep or a particular interest sparks success. Many offer postgraduate (PG) years.

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  Private Day Schools

  Looking for a private day school that has the classes, extracurricular activities and educational philosophy that match your needs? Explore our more than 1,000 listings and discover the advantages of private school, such as small classes and specialized approaches to learning.

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  Therapeutic Programs and Schools

  Are you a teen struggling with mental illness or substance abuse? Check out our listings of therapy programs and treatment centers to find the right path to a healthy and successful life.

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  Independent Advisors

  Choosing the right school, college or program can be overwhelming. A local independent advisor can help you navigate these important decisions. Find the best path for you and your personal goals, with their help.

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  Tutoring & Test Prep

  Boost your high-school grades and college admission test scores to smooth the way for the college application process. Our thousands of in-person or online tutoring and test prep resources fit a wide range of goals and budgets.

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  College Admissions Resources

  Learn everything you need to know about the college admissions process. With our college resources, teens can discover their dream school, find application help, and fund their undergraduate education.

Trending Posts on the TeenLife Blog.

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  University of Arizona College of Fine Arts: Delphine Chang

  July 18, 2018, 8 a.m. by TeenLife

  Dance plays a significant role in many cultures. I was born in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, surrounded and inspired by the city’s magnetic energy and vibrant culture. I was mesmerized by the dancing in traditional festivals, which ultimately spurred my love for this art form. I love how a performance can mean something different to everyone. The presence of ambiguity in many creations is what excites and inspires me. That said, I have always admired how dance can serve as a universal form of communication. Regardless of personal meaning, dance has the power to bring people together no matter their background. Personally, ...

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  Minneapolis College of Art and Design: Casey Jones

  July 16, 2018, 8 a.m. by TeenLife

  I knew from a young age that I was the happiest with a sketchbook and pencil in hand. Outside of class, I would always be drawing and painting, to the point of receiving paint kits and sketchbooks for holiday presents instead of toys or games. I knew I wanted to pursue art as a career when I was in my first year of college at a university, studying something far from creative. During class I would draw in my notebook, paint instead of studying for tests, and always wondered what studying visual art would entail. One of the hardest decisions ...

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  DePaul University School of Music: Willord Simmons

  July 15, 2018, 8 a.m. by TeenLife

  Classical music was an immediate attraction of mine from a very young age. You could often find me mindlessly plucking at the keys of a piano. My parents had no musical skills, but enrolled me in piano lessons and helped foster what desires I naturally expressed. As time passed, I joined my school’s choir and band programs. My time in these programs encouraged and developed my vision for a career in music education. Now, while at the DePaul University School of Music, I enjoy performing with talented musicians and learning to teach music effectively. Amid the dozens of musical experiences ...

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  STEM High Schools: Could This Boost Your Future?

  July 15, 2018, 8 a.m. by Laurie Higgins

  Every October, the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science in Columbus hosts a Science Carnival. Students at the two-year residential school dress in white lab coats and conduct scientific experiments in chemistry, biology and physics for more than 1,000 elementary grade students from nearby schools. It’s just one of the ways the school provides outreach to other teachers and students in the hope that younger children will become excited about the possibilities of science. MSMS is one of a growing number of schools to focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). STEM schools provide innovative learning experiences that help ...

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