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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  FAFSA Changes May Make Filing Easier

  Oct. 20, 2018, 8 a.m. by Suzanne Shaffer

  The biggest complaint from parents and students about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is that it’s too complicated and difficult to complete. In fact, many have found the process so overwhelming that they don’t even start it. This is a bad decision for prospective college students because the FAFSA is the form used to determine not only eligibility for government financial aid, but state and institutional aid, and some private scholarships. The U.S. Education Department’s Office of Federal Student Aid processes about 20 million FAFSA applications a year. But experts say many students who could and ...

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  Royal Central School of Speech and Drama: Jessica Mullen

  Oct. 19, 2018, 5 p.m. by TeenLife

  I discovered my passion for drama when I was very young, performing in school plays and singing songs from “Les Mis” all over the house. I went to a very traditional high school in Boston at first and, while I was there, a new high school for the visual and performing arts opened. I transferred there that year, and was encouraged to write in every class. My theater teacher (from England, coincidentally) often pushed me to consider playwriting, both in school and long after I graduated, but it wasn't for another 10 years or so that I took her up ...

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  Southern Oregon University: Paige Gerhard

  Oct. 19, 2018, 2:10 p.m. by TeenLife

  I wanted to enhance my GPA before graduating from high school so I decided to take a lot of art classes. Not only was it a blast, but it also lead me to realize a hidden interest. After visiting the CVA (Center for the Visual Arts) Galleries on the Southern Oregon University campus and reflecting upon my high school memories, I instantly knew that I belonged in the community of visual arts. My favorite part is the process that takes place when completing a piece of artwork. Because I work in the medium of watercolor, often times the completed piece ...

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  Alverno College: True Anderson

  Oct. 19, 2018, 2:10 p.m. by TeenLife

  When I was young, I had a natural attraction to drawing. I started drawing as a hobby and discovered qualities and passions about myself through art. Art became personal – it helped me to express myself. My quiet thoughts materialized in my works, and my art became a language to me. I opened myself up to other art forms and experiences, such as glass blowing, pottery, blacksmithing, metal working and painting. My enthusiasm in the topic only grew from there. These past experiences helped shaped my choice of studying art, and at the end of high school, I chose art ...

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