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 gap year programs after high school, 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. Also, check out our blog for community service ideas for teens.

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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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  Summer Springboard: Adilene Marie Klink

  Dec. 10, 2018, 8 a.m. by TeenLife

  I’ve always wanted to participate in a summer program ever since I was young, but none of them seemed right for me. I felt like it was pointless for my mother to send me away for weeks to programs with no educational value whatsoever. So when I discovered Summer Springboard, I knew this was the summer program for me. It would allow me to delve deeper into a career I have always been interested in, medicine. I decided that I wanted to have an educational-based summer program. I wanted to learn and apply that education to my future. Through research ...

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  10 Tips To Help You Win A Private Scholarship

  Dec. 9, 2018, 8 a.m. by Shannon Vasconcelos

  By far, the most lucrative source of scholarship funding for college is the colleges themselves. Having said that, however, there are thousands of scholarships available from organizations outside of the colleges that may be worth pursuing. We generally call these funds “private scholarships” or “outside scholarships,” and they can certainly make a sizable dent in your college costs. In order to cash in on the wealth of outside scholarship funding that is out there, follow these 10 tips: I start here because most students do. There are some great scholarship searches on websites like www.scholarships.com, www.bigfuture.org, and www.petersons.com. Understand, however, ...

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  Wellesley Pre-College Immersive Program: Samantha Cherveny

  Dec. 7, 2018, 8 a.m. by TeenLife

  I was more than a little nervous entering Wellesley’s campus this past June, considering I had never been away from home for more than three consecutive days, much less an entire month, much less by myself. Yet, I wanted to break out of my comfort zone, meet new people with ideas that differed from those typical of my small hometown in Ohio, and experience life on my own in a place I could feel completely comfortable being myself. I guess I just wanted to challenge myself a little – be it academically, socially or mentally. So, pushing aside my doubts, ...

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  UMass Amherst: Kraylee Ledger

  Dec. 5, 2018, 8 a.m. by TeenLife

  Why did you choose to participate in a summer program? I chose to participate in an overnight summer program because of all of the opportunities it provides me. Attending a program like this sets you apart from other kids who are just sitting at home during their summer break. Programs like this allow me to have a hands-on learning experience in and out of the classroom. How did you decide which program or camp was right for you? I studied with the Sports Management branch of the UMass Summer programs. I have a passion for sports and business, and the ...

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