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 (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) 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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  Freewriting: How To Save Your College Essay

  Nov. 12, 2018, 8 a.m. by Sara Nolan

  Are you stuck on your college essay draft? Or don’t even know where to start? Are you sure that you have nothing of interest to say? Bogged down by wordiness and obfuscations? Or are you trying to write too many essays at once? First, freewriting is cherished by almost all writers as one of the best (and tried and true) ways to become unstuck and make discoveries, and also to force yourself to JUST WRITE SOMETHING. It doesn’t have to be good, like, at all. You counteract anxiety that comes from procrastination and a blank page. You inevitably discover something. ...

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  How To Get Better at Public Speaking (and Why)

  Nov. 8, 2018, 8 a.m. by Jason Patel

  There’s a good chance that you’ll have to give a presentation in at least one class during high school before you graduate. You might even be asked to speak at a community engagement, if you’re the president of a club or receiving an award. You’re probably wondering why it’s important to worry about improving your public speaking skills. This skill can help you throughout your entire life. Here are some situations that outstanding public speaking skills will make you stand out from the rest of the crowd. College and scholarship interviews. If you’re applying to a college or for a ...

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  10 Great Summer Programs In New York City

  Nov. 6, 2018, 8 a.m. by Susan Moeller

  With its diverse population of 8.6 million people and its dynamic cultural scene, there really is something for everybody. And, many teen summer programs take advantage of their locations in or near the city, using it as another resource or learning site. Others are on campuses within a short commute and either offer field trips or time for students to explore on their own. You can find almost any summer program you can imagine in New York City: STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), fashion, the arts, journalism, cooking and even outdoor adventures. Programs vary in length from one week ...

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  Gap Year Solutions: Miranda Milunsky

  Nov. 4, 2018, 8 a.m. by TeenLife

  During my junior year of high school, I was dealing with significant family stressors. I needed to find a way to decompress. Removing the immediacy of the college search and application process allowed me to breathe. I decided I would not take my ACTs until the spring of senior year or apply to college until my gap year. Retrospectively, my gap year was necessary to help me figure out who I am and who I want to be, what college would be the best fit and what I wanted to study. My advisor at Gap Year Solutions, Katherine Stievater, took ...

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