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 horizons! Browse the thousands of summer programs for students entering 7th grade to college that allow you learn about yourself and experience the joy of learning. Whether you're interested in rocket science, musical theater, mastering a foreign language, or hiking up mountains - you'll find it here!

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  Gap Year Programs

  Find out more about how a gap year or semester before college contributes to personal growth and builds the life skills you need to succeed in college. Check out TeenLife’s gap year programs after high school, ranging from work internships to community service to premed programs to overseas and outdoor 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 Summer 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.

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  Performing & Visual Arts Programs

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

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  Academic Summer Programs

  Explore Academic Summer Programs on a college campus to get extra course credits, confidence, and inspiration for your major!

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  STEM Colleges

  STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) careers are on the rise, and students who major in these subjects are are more likely to be hired in their field after graduation and earn higher incomes in their lifetime.

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  Arts Summer Programs

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

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  Colleges & Universities

  Begin your college search with our comprehensive college & university database. Find out which summer programs they offer! 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 list 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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  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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  Therapeutic Schools

  Students who are experiencing a high level of stress, anxiety or depression may have needs that can't be met by a traditional school. Therapeutic day or boarding schools could be the solution.

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  Residential Treatment Centers

  Are you a teen or parent of a teen who is struggling with mental illness or substance abuse? Check out our listings of residential treatment centers that serve students under 18 to find the right path to a healthy and successful life.

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  Therapeutic Programs

  When your family is dealing with behavioral issues, mental health problems, or eating disorders, a specialized program can help you overcome the challenges you’re facing. Our program offerings will help you find the right experience for your teen.

Trending Posts on the TeenLife Blog.

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  How to Choose an Academic Summer Program

  March 19, 2019, 8 a.m. by Jason Patel

  You might be thinking, “Why would I want to go to an academic summer program?” School will be out and you’d probably prefer to spend your summer at the beach catching up on Netflix shows with your friends. Still, there are several reasons signing up for a summer program is worth your time. High school summer programs usually take place on college campuses, with participants sleeping in dorm rooms. These summer programs are available in just about every area of study: creative writing, international diplomacy, engineering, medicine, environmental studies, foreign languages, drama, and many more. Benefits of summer programs include: ...

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  How to Create Your Own Community Service Project

  March 15, 2019, 11 a.m. by Sarah Good

  If you’re planning to apply to college, you’ve already thought about community service. Admissions offices love it and some high schools even require it for graduation. So maybe you’ve volunteered at a local food pantry or have been researching opportunities at a nearby hospital. (And if you’re looking for more opportunities, we’ve got plenty to inspire you.) But there’s another option: You could create your own community service project. Why create your own community service project? First, it allows you to tailor your volunteer experience very precisely to your strengths, goals, and passions. Also, self-directed projects look great on college ...

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  Conservatory vs. College: What's the difference?

  March 12, 2019, 8 a.m. by Laurie Higgins

  For students who want to major in the visual or performing arts, there are three choices: a music or art conservatory; a university or liberal arts college with a strong arts department; or a university with its own conservatory. Each option offers something slightly different, so it’s important to know your goals before you decide. “It really comes down to how serious you are about your craft,” said Abby Siegel, a college counselor based in New York City. “If this is something that you really want to pursue as your career, and you’re not interested in liberal arts and the ...

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  What's an IB High School and Why Consider It?

  March 7, 2019, 8 a.m. by Katrielle Soussana

  The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is an international education system that in the United States spans the last two years of secondary education – junior and senior year. My high school is a new IB World School and I am only in the second cohort to graduate from it – a guinea pig group, if you will. The IB population of my school is also relatively small with around 38 students in what my school calls the senior “cohort” and 28 in the junior one. In addition, I am taking five IB “higher level” courses (instead of three or four) ...

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