Extracurricular Deadlines in December — Programs to Apply to

December is the gateway to summer: many of the most selective summer research programs open or close applications this month.

Most programs listed here run on annual cycles, so this month's deadline pattern repeats every year — check each listing for the exact current date.

91 verified programs match this page; 23 of the featured listings are completely free; 5 can be done online.

Featured programs

Browse 30+ curated programs for high school students:

• Telluride Association Summer Seminars (TASS) — Telluride Association: Explore a free in-person summer program for high school students in grades 10-11. Build leadership skills, study humanities, and boost your college ap
• Telluride Association Sophomore Seminars (TASS) — Telluride Association: Explore a free summer program for rising juniors focused on Black experience, leadership, and humanities. Build critical thinking skills and strengthe
• Putnam Competition — MAA: Compete in the elite Putnam Competition, the toughest undergrad math challenge. High school juniors and seniors sharpen problem-solving skills and boo
• Wharton Investment Competition — Wharton/UPenn: Compete in a global investing competition for high school students. Manage a $100k portfolio, gain real-world finance skills, and boost your college a
• Virginia Governor's School Programs — State of Virginia: Transform your summer with Virginia Governor's School Programs! Free in-person leadership and STEM opportunities for 10th-11th graders to boost skills
• Cum Laude Society — The Cum Laude Society: Join a prestigious academic honor society for high school juniors and seniors. Boost college applications, earn scholarships, and showcase your academ
• National Ocean Sciences Bowl National Finals — Consortium for Ocean Leadership: Academic competition on ocean sciences. Regional winners advance to nationals.
• Stanford Invitational — Stanford University: Compete in the prestigious Stanford Invitational, a top-tier speech and debate competition for high schoolers. Build critical thinking skills and boos
• Chinese Mathematical Olympiad (CMO) — Chinese Mathematical Society: China’s premier national high school math Olympiad and selection contest for the IMO team.
• NYU Tisch School of the Arts Summer Programs — New York University: Discover hands-on summer programs in film, theater, and dance for high schoolers in grades 10-12. Build skills, gain college-ready experience, and pur
• Youth for Understanding (YFU) Exchange Programs — Youth For Understanding USA: Academic exchange in 60+ countries. Year, semester, and summer options. Extensive scholarship opportunities.
• MIT PRIMES-USA Math Research Program — Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT's online math research program for students outside Boston. Year-long mentorship conducting original mathematics research.
• Toyota Community Scholars — Toyota: Earn a $40,000 scholarship for community service leadership. Perfect for seniors looking to boost college applications and develop real-world skills v
• Intel International Science and Engineering Fair Regional — Society for Science: Regional science fairs qualifying for International ISEF. Winning original research projects advance to world's largest pre-college science competitio
• Cleveland Institute of Music Young Artist Program — Cleveland Institute of Music: Intensive music training at Cleveland Institute of Music. Lessons, chamber music, and orchestra for advanced pre-college musicians.
• U.S. Senate Youth Program (USSYP) — The Hearst Foundations: Fully funded, weeklong Washington Week for two students per state plus a $10,000 scholarship.
• NFMC Junior Festival and Competition — National Federation of Music Clubs: National Federation of Music Clubs performance competition. Piano, strings, and voice categories from local to national levels.
• Scholastic Art & Writing Awards - Gold Medal Portfolio — Alliance for Young Artists & Writers: Highest honor in Scholastic Awards for exceptional art or writing portfolios. Past winners include Andy Warhol, Sylvia Plath.
• Hagan Scholarship — Hagan Scholarship Foundation: The Hagan Scholarship awards up to $60,000 over 4 years (up to $7,500/year + stipends) to high-achieving rural students attending college away from ho
• Cornell Math Explorers Program — Cornell University: Boost math skills in this summer enrichment program for 9th-10th graders. Gain hands-on experience, enhance college applications, and explore advanced
• Carnegie Hall NYO2 — Carnegie Hall: National training ensemble (ages 14-16) with full scholarship and residency.
• We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution — Center for Civic Education: A nationwide high school competition on the U.S. Constitution, civil liberties, and democratic principles through simulated congressional hearings.
• USA Science Olympiad National Champion — Science Olympiad: National champion team. Highest achievement in Science Olympiad.
• Carnegie Hall NYO Jazz — Carnegie Hall: Join a free, elite summer jazz program for high schoolers (grades 10-12). Perform in a premier big band, tour nationally, and boost college applicatio
• Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) — Entrepreneurs' Organization: World's premier competition for student entrepreneurs. Regional, national, and global rounds. Cash prizes and mentorship. Validates real business achi
• Berkeley Forum Invitational — UC Berkeley: Compete in Berkeley Forum Invitational, a premier high school debate tournament. Build public speaking skills, enhance critical thinking, and boost co
• Odyssey of the Mind — Creative Competitions, Inc.: Join Odyssey of the Mind, a hands-on competition for high school students to boost creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills—perfect for colleg
• USBC Star of Tomorrow Scholarship — United States Bowling Congress: USBC awards two $6,000 Star of Tomorrow scholarships annually to exceptional young male and female bowlers who demonstrate outstanding athletic achiev
• Emory Barkley Forum for High Schools — Emory University: Major national tournament since 1956. 1000+ students from 35 states.
• Scholastic Art & Writing Awards — Scholastic Inc. / Alliance for Young Artists & Writers: The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is the nation's longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens in grades 7–12. Over $

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