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

13,000+ Opportunities 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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  A New Year, A New FAFSA

  Oct. 19, 2017, 1:10 p.m. by Lesli Amos

  January 1st – it’s a day of resolutions, new beginnings, and for college students, the first day to apply for federal financial aid. The FAFSA, or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, helps your family and prospective universities determine how much money you will be expected to contribute towards higher education. Don’t skip this one – it’s the only way to get federal grants and loans, and almost all colleges use the FAFSA to determine how much financial aid you will need. You can apply for the FAFSA online and through the mail. Not sure if your family qualifies ...

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  Here's the Secret to Making This School Year the Best Ever

  Oct. 19, 2017, 8 a.m. by Dan Lipford

  Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny ~ Mahatma Gandhi Elena Aguilar wrote a blog on edutopia.org in August 2012 aimed at teachers, but it’s equally applicable to students. Here’s part of what she said: “If I could, I'd lay money on the claim I'm about to make: If you do the one little thing I'm about ...

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  These Game Design High School Summer Programs Boost STEM Skills

  Oct. 17, 2017, 8 a.m. by Susan Moeller

  Sometimes, video games can be good for high school students. Playing games on a computer, tablet or smartphone can strengthen a range of cognitive skills such as spatial navigation, reasoning, memory, problem-solving and perception, according to several studies reviewed by the American Psychological Association in 2013. And, gaming might be an excuse for your high school student to get interested in a STEM program. Game development requires a knowledge of science, technology, engineering and math, as well as fine-art skills such as graphic design and 3D animation. And, game design and development is a great way for students to learn ...

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  5 Reasons to Consider an Academic Pre-college Summer Program

  Oct. 13, 2017, 8 a.m. by Laurie Higgins

  After a busy school year focused on learning, it’s tempting for high school students to want to take a break from academics during the summer months. But it’s good for teenagers to spend at least part of their summers on academics and there are plenty of choices. Colleges across the country offer pre-college summer programs that are both educational and fun. These academic summer camps offer courses and summer activities for teenagers that boost grades and help to impress college admission officers. Here are some more reasons you might consider an academic summer program on a college campus: 1. Spending ...

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