IvyStrides

Gifted & talent-search resources

University gifted summer programs.

Selective, university-run summer programs where academically talented students take accelerated courses, live on a college campus, and study alongside intellectual peers. Many admit by talent-search scores or an application; most are multi-subject, so they fit any academic interest.

CTY Summer Programs

Johns Hopkins University

Grades 2–12; three-week accelerated courses across math, science, humanities, writing & CS in residential, day, and online formats.

International & homeschool ✓

CTD Summer Programs

Northwestern University

Grades PreK–12; college-prep and honors/AP-level courses in day and three-week residential formats.

International welcome

Vanderbilt Summer Academy (PTY)

Vanderbilt University

Grades 7–12; one-week accelerated courses (nanotech, medicine, philosophy…), primarily residential.

International ✓

VAMPY

Western Kentucky University

Completed grades 7–10; three-week residential single-course immersion; SAT/ACT score required.

See site

Joseph Baldwin Academy

Truman State University

Completed grades 7–9; three-week residential single liberal-arts course.

Homeschool ✓

Summer Institute for the Gifted (SIG)

Multi-campus (Yale, UCLA, Bryn Mawr…)

Grades 1–12; two- to three-week STEAM+ residential and day programs on partner university campuses.

See site

Academic Talent Development Program (ATDP)

UC Berkeley

Grades K–11; accelerated and enrichment courses, primarily a commuter day program.

See site

COSMOS

University of California (6 campuses)

Grades 8–12; four-week residential STEM clusters including medicine, biomedical and engineering tracks.

California students (priority)

Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes

Stanford University

Grades 8–11; 75+ live-online courses across AI, engineering, math, writing and philosophy.

International ✓ (online)

Summer Academy for Math & Science (SAMS)

Carnegie Mellon University

Rising seniors; a free six-week residential STEM and research program.

US citizens/residents

GER²I Summer Residential

Purdue University

Grades 5–12 (COMET/STAR/PULSAR); multi-subject enrichment, residential with a commuter option.

International ✓ (visa support)

THINK Summer Institute

Davidson Institute (Univ. of Nevada, Reno)

Ages 13–16; earn up to six college credits in a three-week residential program; SAT/ACT-gated.

See site

WCATY / Badger Precollege

UW–Madison

Grades 4–12; accelerated academic courses with day and three-week residential (ALP) options.

International welcome

Camp Launch

William & Mary

Rising grades 7–10; two-week residential STEM and writing for high-ability students from low-income households.

Virginia, income-based

Baylor Gifted (TIP Academy / UYP)

Baylor University

Grades 1–12; gifted enrichment, with one-week commuter or residential Academy courses for grades 8–12.

See site

Youth Adventure Program (YAP)

Texas A&M University

Rising grades 7–12; one-week residential career-exploration courses taught by A&M faculty.

See site

Indiana Academy Summer Adventures

Ball State University

Rising grades 6–9; one-week interdisciplinary STEM and humanities day camp.

Day camp

Honors Summer Math Camp (HSMC)

Texas State University (Mathworks)

High schoolers; a six-week residential advanced-mathematics and research intensive.

International ✓

MSMS Summer Enrichment

Mississippi School for Mathematics & Science

Rising grades 7–10; week-long residential math and science enrichment.

See site

Georgia Governor's Honors Program (GHP)

State of Georgia

Rising juniors/seniors; a residential summer program in a single nominated subject area.

Georgia; homeschool ✓

HumCog Summer Institute

Ohio State University

Rising grades 10–12; a week-long day camp at the intersection of humanities and cognitive science.

Day; homeschool ✓

MSTL

Michigan State University

Grades 9–10; a one-week STEM and leadership program, commuter or residential.

See site

UMTYMP Summer Camp

University of Minnesota

A four-day commuter math-enrichment camp for students in the Talented Youth Mathematics Program.

UMTYMP students

Duke Summer Session (Pre-College)

Duke University

Rising grades 10–11; earn college credit in select arts & sciences courses, in-person or online.

International ✓ (online)

Deadlines, costs, and eligibility vary and change yearly — confirm on each program's official site. Some programs are region-specific or need-based (noted on each card). All verified operating in 2026.

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