How Pre-College Programs Strengthen Your College Application 

College admissions teams review thousands of applications each year, and they’ve learned to recognize certain qualities that set students apart. One thing they’ve noticed consistently: students who participate in summer pre-college programs bring something different to their applications.

If you’re a high school student thinking about your summer plans, or a parent or guardian wondering how to help your student prepare for college, here’s what you need to know about how these summer programs can make a real difference.

The college admissions landscape has become increasingly competitive, particularly at colleges with specialized programs such as cybersecurity, for example. While test scores and grades certainly matter, admissions counselors are also looking for students who demonstrate ambition, curiosity, and readiness for college. Pre-college summer programs offer exactly this.

Showing college readiness on an application essay isn’t always simple. But when you’ve already participated in a summer pre-college program, you don’t have to tell us—you’ve shown us. That experience sets you apart.

While there’s value in working a summer job or volunteering, an academic program offers the chance to explore a potential major in depth, experience college life firsthand, and demonstrate your commitment to learning.

Test-Drive Your Major Before Committing

Many students arrive on campus in their first year and realize within weeks that they’ve chosen the wrong major. Summer pre-college programs allow you to test-drive that major before committing. Interested in game design? Are you a storyteller wanting to explore all the many careers in the world of filmmaking and digital media? Will you enjoy living on campus? Pre-college programs let you explore all these things.

Scholarship Opportunities

Summer programs can also strengthen your scholarship applications. Admissions committees look at multiple factors, including academic records and work within your field of interest. When you invest your summer in serious academic exploration, that shows the kind of commitment scholarships are designed to support.

Not all pre-college programs are created equal. Some institutions contract with third-party vendors who run their programs on campuses. But not Champlain. We give students the whole experience, from courses in our undergraduate curriculum to campus life and community.

Programs Built on Decades of Experience

For nearly 150 years, Champlain has been perfecting career-focused education. We’ve watched industries evolve, trends come and go, and careers transform. That experience shapes everything we do, from our curriculum to our pre-college summer programs. When you choose any one of our pre-college academies, you’re getting the culmination of decades of real experience.

Learn from Faculty Who Work in the Industry

Our pre-college programs are taught by the same experienced faculty you’ll find leading discussions or facilitating projects with our undergraduates throughout the academic year. They bring real industry experience into every classroom. They know what employers want because they’re active professionals in these industries who bring genuine passion to the classroom.

When a student participates in our summer cyber program, for example, they will work in our Leahy Center for Digital Forensics & Cybersecurity alongside faculty who are active in the field. When they participate in our summer animation program, they learn from a professional animator with experience on brands like Transformers, Spiderman, and NatGeo.

No Grades, No Pressure. Just Academic Exploration

Our summer programs give students the freedom to explore without the pressure of being graded. Ask questions. Tackle ambitious projects. Don’t be afraid of messing up. Academic exploration gets harder once you’re juggling a full course load, so we encourage students to take advantage of it during our pre-college summer programs. However, don’t mistake “no grades” for “no work.” Come ready to push yourself, but embrace the chance to learn without the pressure of perfect performance.

Experience Burlington, Vermont’s College Town Atmosphere

Learning in a safe, engaging environment matters. Our students gain some college experience in a city that’s vibrant and accessible without being overwhelming. Burlington offers a beautiful waterfront, nearby hiking trails, farmers’ markets, and a genuine college-town atmosphere. For parents, it’s the perfect place to let your student develop a bit of independence while enjoying breathtaking campus views and Vermont’s natural scenery.