Summer isn't just a time to lounge around with friends and take trips to the beach.For students who are serious about getting accepted to top colleges, summer is also the time to participate in programs that will set them apart from their peers.Martha Allman, director of admissions at Wake Forest University says that even if a student is not in the best school system, summer programs offer "enrichment opportunities [and] enhance your education.†There are numerous programs available, all of which vary greatly in location, cost, duration, and selectivity. Typically, programs last from one week to one month beginning in June or July. Aside from some government-funded programs, which are free, costs range from $500 to $4,000 for domestic programs and $4,000 to $7,000 for international programs. Don't let costs deter you, however, because the majority of programs offer merit scholarships and need-based financial aid. Application deadlines differ greatly; some programs close acceptance in the fall, others in the spring and some offer rolling admissions until all spaces are filled. As a general rule of thumb, apply as early as possible because scholarship deadlines are always earlier. Many colleges and universities have summer programs for high school students so it is key to check out an individual school's Website, or contact the summer term office for more information. Isaac Black, founder of Black Excel: The College Help Network, says, "Involvement might signal things about your character, drive, leadership potential, personal initiative, self-confidence and maturity, special talents and skills, and whether you'll be a plus on a particular campus.†Not all summer programs are competitive, but use them as a practice run for applying to college. Some require letters of recommendation, high GPAs, interviews and community involvement. Students can also earn up to three college credits at many programs, thus increasing their benefit. Here you can find a wide range of summer programs and resources sure to suit the needs of any student:  Domestic Global Scholars: Expand your knowledge of world affairs through college-level coursework and videoconferences with students worldwide. www.aidemocracy.org/globalscholar LEAD Summer Business Institute: Experience life as a student at one of the nation's leading business schools. www.leadprogram.org National Student Leadership Conference: In programs ranging from entrepreneurship and business to forensic science, students participate in leadership workshops, career simulations, and hear prominent guest speakers. www.nslcleaders.org Honorable Mentions: Boys or Girls State www.boysandgirlsstate.org Citizenship Washington Focus http://4hcwf.org Congressional Youth Leadership Council www.cylc.org Exploration Summer Programs www.explo.org Governor's School http://ncogs.org/web Julian Krinsky Camps & Programs www.jkcp.com Presidential Classroom www.presidentialclassroom.org Tavis Smiley Foundation Leadership Institute www.youthtoleaders.org Upward Bound www.ed.gov/programs/trioupbound/index.html Ventures Scholars Program www.venturescholar.org Level Playing Field Institute www.lpfi.org  International Academic Study Associates Program: Summersion and Summerfuel programs provide exciting cultural immersion and pre-college programs. www.asaprograms.com LEAD-America Ambassadors Abroad: Become a global citizen as you tour China, Europe, or Australia and learn about their unique cultures. www.lead-america.org/conferences/ambassadorsabroad People to People Student Ambassador Programs: Earn college credit while traveling the world with the program founded by President Dwight Eisenhower. www.studentambassadors.org Honorable Mentions: Academic Treks http://academictreks.com AIFS Summer Advantage www.summeradvantage.com American Field Services www.usa.afs.org Brighton Study Abroad www.brightonedge.org Edu-culture International www.educulture.org The Experiment in International Living www.worldlearning.org/225.htm Global Leadership Adventures http://experiencegla.com Global Routes www.globalroutes.org Intrax Study Abroad www.intraxstudyabroad.com The Summer Youth Employment Program www.nyc.gov/html/dycd/html/jobs/summer_youth_employment.shtml VISIONS www.visionsserviceadventures.com  For more options visit www.highschoolprogramsabroad.com or http://highschool.studyabroad.com/ to customize a program search to meet your needs.  Additional resources: American Mathematical Society www.ams.org/employment/mathcamps.html ASEE Engineering Center www.engineeringk12.org/outreach/Making_Engineers_Cool/search.cfm Doors of Opportunity www.doorsofopportunity.org Engineering Education Service Center www.engineeringedu.com/summercamps.html Enrichment Alley www.enrichmentalley.com Peterson's https://www.collegeraptor.com/find-colleges/articles/student-life/tips-for-finding-the-right-summer-program/ Sloan Career Cornerstone Center www.careercornerstone.org/pcsumcamps.htm Student Education Programs www.studenteducationprograms.com Summer Medical and Dental Education Program www.smdep.org Year-round Programs: A Better Chance www.abetterchance.org The Achieve Program www.nobles.edu Boston Scholars www.bostonscholars.org Building Educated Leaders for Life (BELL) www.bellnewyork.org Building with Books www.buildingwithbooks.org Breakthrough Collaborative www.breakthroughcollaborative.org Bright Prospect Scholar Support Program www.brightprospect.org Business Advancement & Social Entrepreneurship (BASE) www.basenational.org Emerging Scholars Program (ESP) www.emergingscholarsprogram.org Hartford Youth Scholars Foundation (HYSF) www.hysf.org High Jump www.highjumpchicago.org Higher Achievement Program www.higherachievement.org Jeter's Leaders www. www.nyjetersleaders.com Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) www.kipp.org Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America (LEDA) www.ledascholars.org Let's Get Ready www.letsgetready.org Liberty LEADS Program www.bankstreet.edu/libertyleads New Jersey SEEDS www.njseeds.org One Voice Scholars Program www.onevoice-la.org The Opportunity Network www.opportunitynetwork.org Philadelphia Futures www.philadelphiafutures.org The Posse Foundation www.possefoundation.org Prep for Prep www.prepforprep.org Rainier Scholars www.rainierscholars.org Sponsors for Educational Opportunity www.seo-usa.org The Steppingstone Foundation www.tsf.org Washington Metropolitan Scholars www.wmscholars.org YES for PREP www.yesforprep.org Youth Bridge www.youthbridge.com  Scholarship Resources: Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund (DMSF) www.dmsf.org Scholarship Chicago www.scholarshipchicago.org Black Excel www.blackexcel.org/200-Scholarships.html Â