HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAM
College Admissions Summer Intensive in New York City
Turn your college ambitions into a concrete roadmap to acceptance in the world's most vibrant classroom. Join us for an immersive, 3-week program for high school students in NYC with elite college admissions goals.
Sessions:
July 6 - July 24, 2026
August 3 - August 21, 2026
An Unforgettable Summer.
A Competitive Edge for College.
Join an ambitious cohort of motivated peers at our 56th Street Manhattan campus for a summer that redefines your future. Our summer intensive experience combines one-on-one guidance from admissions insiders, essay writing workshops, and immersive experiences in the city to help you build the application that stands out to top-tier universities.
- 1:1 College Advising: Take part in personalized strategy sessions to refine your college list and application plan
- Essay Writing Workshops: Craft a compelling personal statement that stands out to top colleges with feedback from college admissions insiders
- Admissions Officer Access: Hear directly from top university admissions officers during candid Q&A sessions
- Comprehensive ACT®/SAT® Prep: Get 20 hours of hands-on guidance from Kaplan’s experienced, 99th-percentile instructors
- Project-Based Challenges: Tackle real-world challenges that build teamwork and problem-solving skills
- NYC Field Trips: Explore the city’s cultural icons and hidden gems to spark new interests, gaining insights and experiences you can discuss in college essays
- All-Inclusive Program Materials: Includes all books and online resources
- Daily Catered Lunches
Make This the Summer That
Defines Your Future
Trade a traditional summer camp for a college advantage. Master the admissions process, all in one college prep summer program.
Build a High-Impact Strategy for Your Dream School
Skip the stress of the unknown. We’ll partner with you to create a personalized plan tailored to your specific goals, complete with a targeted college list and a results-driven application strategy.
Craft a Personal Narrative That Gets You Noticed
Stand out in a competitive pool with a polished personal essay that highlights your unique strengths. You’ll hone your voice under the guidance of experts who have reviewed thousands of applications.
Prep for a Competitive ACT or SAT Score
As universities place more weight on test results, our expert guidance helps ensure your score sets you apart. Master the proven strategies used by top scorers to elevate your entire application.
Demonstrate Skills Top Universities Demand
Build skills that go beyond academics. Through collaborative, real-world challenges, you’ll develop the leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities that elite admissions officers look for.
Session Highlights
1:1 College Advising Support
You don’t have to navigate the road to college alone. Partner with an expert advisor for tailored, in-person guidance through every step of the admissions journey. From refining your college list to building a standout application and acing interviews, we’ll help you create a customized plan that gets you noticed.
The Secret to a Memorable Personal Essay
Gain an insider’s edge in our structured writing workshops. Led by expert advisors who have reviewed thousands of applications, these sessions help you craft an authentic story that highlights your unique strengths. Through personalized feedback and guided drafting, you’ll move from a blank page to a compelling essay that commands attention in competitive pools.
Proven ACT or SAT Prep, In Person
Unlock your highest potential with the most personalized prep Kaplan offers. Work face-to-face with 99th-percentile instructors who have mastered the path to success. With hands-on guidance and real-time feedback, you’ll have the elite strategies and support you need to earn a top-tier score.
Exclusive Admissions Officer Q&As
What does it take to get a "yes" from your top-choice school? Go behind the scenes with officers from highly selective universities in rare, candid sessions. Gain first-hand knowledge of how schools evaluate applicants and discover the "why" behind the most successful applications.
Frequently Asked Questions/FAQs
What are the specific dates for the 2026 Summer Intensive sessions?
Session #1 runs from July 6–24, and Session #2 runs from August 3–21.
What is the daily schedule for students and where do they meet?
The program operates daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and includes a catered lunch. The location is the Kaplan NYC center at 56th St in Midtown. Here is a sample schedule of what we will cover during each day of the camp. Before the camp begins, each student will be issued a personalized, custom schedule based on their specific interests.
Is there an age or grade requirement to attend?
This program is designed for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors. To attend the Summer Intensive, students must have completed 9th grade and cannot have already graduated from high school.
Does the Summer Intensive include housing?
No, this is a non-residential program. This is a day camp in New York City running from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday-Friday. This is ideal for families living in or surrounding the New York City area, or for families planning to spend the summer in or near the city.
Will students meet with the same advisor throughout the program?
Yes, your teen will meet with the same advisor for all of their 1:1 sessions. Once you register for the Summer Intensive, one of our program specialists will contact you to personalize your teen’s schedule and assign them an advisor that’s a perfect fit for them. Your teen will get a chance to interface with the other program advisors during the group time, but all their 1:1 advising sessions will be with their assigned advisor.
How many students are accepted into each summer program session?
Each session is highly selective and limited to 50 students.
What is the total number of sessions and/or total hours included in the program?
The Summer Intensive includes 100+ hours of programming. Here is a sample schedule of what sessions will be included during the camp.
How much SAT or ACT preparation is included in the summer program?
The program includes 20 hours of SAT or ACT prep, delivered in small-group breakout sessions. Your teen will be able to choose their preferred test after registration.
What kind of "Challenges" or competitions do the students participate in?
Students engage in high-energy, team-based Project-Based Learning (PBL) challenges, such as "Diplomacy + Debate" and "Design Thinking," which mirror college-level problem solving.
Are the field trips purely for fun, or are they educational?
The curated New York City field trips blend fun with enrichment, aiming to broaden perspectives and spark new interests while exploring cultural icons and hidden gems throughout the city.
Will allergy and dietary restrictions be accommodated?
Yes. After you register for the Summer Intensive, you’ll be contacted by one of our program specialists who will help create your teen’s personalized schedule for the program, including notating any dietary restrictions/allergies regarding the catered lunches.
I have additional questions about the program. Where can I get answers?
We’d love to answer any specific questions you have and help tailor this summer experience to you and your family. Please book a time here to chat with one of our advisors.
Have Questions?
Schedule a time to talk with one of our experts about the College Admissions Summer Intensive. We’re ready to help you and your teen plan a life-changing summer.