15 Summer Writing Programs for High School Students
Summer writing programs can be very useful for high schoolers looking to improve their written communication and creative writing skills. These programs help you develop skills such as persuasive argumentation, narrative structure, and effective editing. As a participant, you will learn from professional writers and explore the publishing industry. Written communication is crucial in all industries, from journalism to law and business.
Why should I participate in a summer writing program in high school?
By participating in a summer writing program, you can develop your craft, explore new literatures, and experiment with genres. Taking part in a selective summer writing program shows admissions officers your abilities and commitment to your interests. Many writing programs help you build a portfolio of original work, which can strengthen your college applications, especially if you’re applying for writing-related majors.
Below, we've curated a list of the top 15 summer writing programs for high school students, including virtual options for flexibility.
1. Princeton Summer Journalism Program
Location: Online and Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective. 40 students
Dates: Online workshops begin July 1. Residential July 24 to August 3
Application Deadline: Typically mid to late February
Eligibility: High school juniors from low income backgrounds. Must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program introduces students to journalism through online workshops and a residential experience on campus. You explore current events and attend sessions led by Princeton professors and professional journalists. You will collaborate to produce a student newspaper named “The Princeton Summer Journal,” developing your reporting, editing, and publishing skills. The program includes discussions on media ethics and civic engagement. You also receive college preparation advice, visit major news organizations, and cover live events. This free program targets underrepresented students to diversify the field of journalism.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program type. Financial aid available. No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10 to 25 percent. 70 to 100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year in summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. Spring January. Summer May. Fall September. Winter November
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students able to commit 10 to 20 hours per week for 8 to 12 weeks
Ladder Internships connects high school students with startups for virtual projects in several diverse areas, including media and journalism. You engage in hands-on tasks such as content creation, article writing, and marketing strategy development, contributing to the startup’s objective. You receive training and mentorship from company founders and a Ladder Coach. The program involves weekly check-ins and culminates in a final project presentation, with you building professional writing skills and gaining industry exposure. Financial assistance is available to make this summer writing program for high school students accessible. Apply now!
3. Asian American Journalists Association – JCamp
Location: Seattle, Washington
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive. Typically 30 to 45 students
Dates: July 26 to August 1 tentative based on previous years
Application Deadline: January 11
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors
JCamp is the Asian American Journalists Association's (AAJA) highly selective program for high school students, led by veteran journalists. The curriculum emphasizes core principles, including cross-cultural communication, journalistic ethics, and leadership. You learn to produce multi-platform news packages, including articles and digital content, practicing reporting, interviewing, and editing skills in a collaborative environment. The program focuses on current media trends and ethical practices. You also publish your work on the program website. This summer writing program for high school students emphasizes diverse voices in journalism.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program type. Full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective. Typically 1 to 1 student mentor ratio
Dates: 12 to 20 weeks with multiple cohorts including summer
Application Deadline: Early admission February 8. Priority March 8. Regular I April 13. Regular II May 11
Eligibility: High school students
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program pairs students with Ph.D. mentors for independent research in fields, including computer science, engineering, physics, psychology, data science, economics, chemistry, international relations, and more. You receive one-on-one guidance on methodology and literature review and develop a research paper at the end of 12 weeks, honing your academic writing and analysis skills. The program supports publication efforts in journals. This virtual summer writing program for high school students fosters critical thinking and research-based writing, and also makes you eligible for a UCSD Extended Studies credit. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. University of Southern California – Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective. 26 students
Dates: June 16 to July 3
Application Deadline: April 14
Eligibility: High school students who reside and attend school in Los Angeles County
The USC Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement (AYA) is a highly competitive summer program providing Los Angeles County high school students with an immersive college experience. The curriculum covers essential topics in journalism, media literacy, civic engagement, and public relations. You will conduct field reporting around L.A., develop multimedia projects like short documentaries and news stories, and attend workshops on ethics and digital storytelling. The program focuses on the media's role in social change and is taught by USC Annenberg faculty.
6. Iowa Young Writers’ Studio 2-Week Residential Program
Location: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Cost/Stipend: $2,500 plus $10 reading fee. Financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective. Around 140 to 150 students
Dates: Session 1 June 14 to June 27. Session 2 July 12 to July 25
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 to 12 interested in writing
The Iowa Young Writers’ Studio is a highly selective, two-week residential program at the University of Iowa that provides high school students with an intensive, immersive experience. Core courses cover fiction, poetry, playwriting, TV writing, and creative writing. You will participate in small workshops to critique peer work, attend seminars analyzing published authors’ craft, and complete generative writing exercises to sharpen your descriptive skills. Its unique feature is being taught by graduates of the renowned Iowa Writers’ Workshop, fostering critical thinking, disciplined revision, and the development of a strong, distinctive literary voice within a dedicated community.
7. Sarah Lawrence College Writers Week – Summer Writing & Theater for Teens
Location: Virtual or Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, NY
Cost/Stipend: Virtual $1,195. On campus $1,950
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non competitive. 18 students per class
Dates: Virtual July 6 to July 10. On campus Session 1 July 20 to July 24. On campus Session 2 August 3 to August 7
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 to 12 who will be age 14 or older by the program start
Sarah Lawrence Writers’ Week allows students to explore creative writing in a non-competitive setting. You attend workshops with faculty and alumni, focusing on fiction and poetry, and engage in readings and group discussions. You will write in response to prompts across genres, including speculative fiction, flash fiction, or memoir, and develop your voice. You also participate in the "Writer's Theatre" component, where you explore storytelling through performance. Groups are limited to 18 students for personalized attention in this summer writing program for high school students.
8. University of Massachusetts Amherst – Juniper Institute for Young Writers
Location: UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA
Cost/Stipend: Residential $5,100. Commuter $2,200. Scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive. 20 to 50 students across both sessions
Dates: Session 1 July 13 to July 26. Session 2 July 27 to August 9
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 to 12
The Juniper Institute for Young Writers is a selective program for high school students who want to engage deeply with prose, poetry, and mixed media writing. The program’s curriculum is designed by and taught by faculty from the prestigious UMass MFA Program for Poets and Writers. You participate in small writing labs to generate new drafts, attend Craft Sessions focused on advanced literary techniques, and receive individualized mentorship with your instructor. You learn essential skills like revision strategies, close reading, and critical thinking.
9. Denison University – Reynolds Young Writers Workshop
Location: Denison University, Granville, OH
Cost: $1,700. Financial assistance available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective. 48 students. 12 students per group
Dates: June 19 to June 28
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The Denison University Reynolds Young Writers Workshop is an eight-day residential program for students to explore fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. The curriculum is taught by Denison faculty and notable visiting writers, who provide a professional perspective on the writer’s craft. You participate in small morning workshops to critique peer work, attend afternoon craft sessions on specific literary techniques, and engage in one-on-one consultations with instructors. The program also includes recreational outings like hiking and museum visits. You develop essential skills in disciplined revision, critical analysis, and creative experimentation.
10. Arizona State University – Camp Cronkite
Location: Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Cost: $799 to $899. Scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective. Approximately 60 to 70 students per session
Dates: Typically two one week sessions in mid to late June
Application Deadline: Typically early April
Eligibility: All high school students
Arizona State University’s Camp Cronkite is a week-long residential experience that introduces you to digital journalism, broadcast reporting, and sports media. You report on real stories across the Phoenix area, tour professional newsrooms like ABC15, and attend live major league sporting events to practice field reporting. A unique feature is the ability for students to "choose their own adventure" by selecting specific tracks and electives, such as podcasting, videography, or personal branding, all taught by renowned Cronkite faculty. You develop professional-grade skills in vocal delivery, narrative writing, and video editing.
11. Alpha – The Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Workshop for Young Writers
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: Tentatively $1,800. Need based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective. 20 students
Dates: July 15 to July 26
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Students age 14 to 19
Alpha is a 12-day workshop at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg that introduces you to writing in science fiction, fantasy, and horror. The curriculum covers advanced topics such as world-building, speculative character creation, and the business of professional publishing. You participate in intensive critique sessions, attend lectures by award-winning guest authors, and complete a full short story from initial concept to a polished draft. You gain professional-level skills in thematic development, disciplined revision, and manuscript preparation, helping you build the confidence to submit your work to paying markets and literary magazines.
12. 92NY – Young Writers Workshop
Location: New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Ages 12 to 14 $1,800. Ages 15 to 18 $2,600. Need based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective. 12 to 15 students
Dates: Ages 12 to 14 July 14 to July 24. Ages 15 to 18 July 14 to July 31
Application Deadline: May 30
Eligibility: Students age 12 to 18
The 92NY Young Writers Workshop is a prestigious three-week program in Manhattan that focuses on poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. You engage in a curriculum that includes generative morning seminars on craft, collaborative afternoon workshops for peer critique, and weekly lunch meetings with award-winning authors to discuss the literary trade. You experiment with bold artistic risks, practice disciplined revision, and complete a portfolio of polished work across multiple genres. These activities foster essential skills in critical analysis, descriptive imagery, and constructive feedback.
13. Shared Worlds at Wofford College
Location: Wofford College, Spartanburg, SC
Cost/Stipend: Tentatively $2,600. Need based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective. 60 students per year
Dates: July 13 to July 26
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising 8th to 12th grade students
Shared Worlds at Wofford College is a two-week "world-building" program that introduces high school students to science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction. The multidisciplinary curriculum covers history, religion, and science. You collaborate in small groups to build entire worlds from scratch, attend lectures by bestselling authors, and receive professional critiques on stories set in your created universes. This hands-on approach builds essential skills in creative problem-solving, negotiation, and narrative structure. By combining academic rigor with imaginative play, the program fosters a tight-knit community where young writers learn the professional realities of the publishing industry.
14. Bard College at Simon’s Rock – Young Writers Workshop
Location: Bard College at Simon’s Rock, Great Barrington, MA
Cost/Stipend: Tentatively $3,500 to $3,600. Need based financial aid and scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective. Approximately 84 students total divided into classes of about 12 each
Dates: July 5 to July 26
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 to 12
The Young Writers Workshop at Bard College is a three-week program focused on expressive and informal writing as a catalyst for deep thinking. The curriculum explores topics like sensory observation, musical response, and social inquiry. You participate in focused workshops, maintain a reflective portfolio, and engage in individual conferences with faculty. The program features the "Language and Thinking" pedagogy, which prioritizes discovery over formal critique. Through these practices, you develop vital skills in intellectual autonomy, collaborative inquiry, and descriptive precision.
15. Kenyon Review Summer Residential Young Writers Workshops
Location: Kenyon College, Gambier, OH
Cost/Stipend: $2,575. Need based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective. 12 to 14 students per workshop
Dates: Session 1 June 21 to July 4. Session 2 July 12 to July 25
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors age 16 to 18 at the time of the program. Talented students who have graduated high school before the program start are occasionally accepted
The Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop is a residential program at Kenyon College focused on fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. You will participate in small-group workshops, attend evening readings by visiting authors, and collaborate on a published student anthology. A unique feature is the "Kenyon method," which mandates writing by hand and focuses on the generative process rather than final grades. The program helps you master skills like critical analysis, empathetic peer critique, and disciplined revision. Ultimately, writers leave with a more authentic voice and a supportive, lifelong community of literary peers.
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