| Application deadline | Unconfirmed — check official site | February 1, 2027 (2027 cycle) | January 31, 2027 (2027 cycle) |
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| Cost | Last year's cycle (2026): $100; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | $2,868–$12,838 (2027 cycle) | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Financial aid | Last year's cycle (2026): Full financial aid: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Need-based scholarships (NYC Commuter or Online Summer, one course): Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Awards equal 25%-50% of the program or course cost; for permanent residents in the US or its five major territories. (2027 cycle) | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Expenses and aid conditions | Last year's cycle (2026): Full financial aid: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Nonrefundable application fee: $80–$95. Columbia quotes the fee as $80 in its program cost and application materials sections and as $95.00 in its application fee section.; Non-refundable enrollment deposit (credited toward the program cost): $1,000–$3,500. $3,500 residential, $2,000 commuter 3-week, $1,000 for 1-week commuter and online sessions.; Course fee for The Business of Sports: Marketing the Game (3-week in-person): $100. Most courses also need about $50 for books and field trips.; Need-based scholarships (NYC Commuter or Online Summer, one course): Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Awards equal 25%-50% of the program or course cost; for permanent residents in the US or its five major territories. (2027 cycle) | Catalog terms: Non-refundable program fee, due upon acceptance: $60. Covers all materials, a camp T-shirt to keep and the loan of a Zoo uniform shirt.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Stipend or pay | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Eligibility | Grades 10–11 (provider uses rising grades) | Grades 8–12 when applying; check the provider's rules for graduating seniors | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Additional eligibility | Requirement: Open to rising grades 10–11 | Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 8–12 when applying; Requirement: Summer programs take rising 9th graders through current 12th graders, domestic and international; Requirement: NYC Residential Summer students must be at least 15 and, if 15, turn 16 by December 31 of the program year; Requirement: English proficiency equivalent to 90+ on the internet-based TOEFL or 6.5+ on the IELTS | Ages 13–17; Requirement: Must be between 13 and 17 years old on May 1, 2027; Requirement: First- and second-year ZooTeens commit to at least 100 hours (including one 40-hour week of camp); third-year and returning ZooTeens commit to at least 70 hours; Requirement: Must be able to receive program information by email and keep an online ZooTeen profile to log service hours |
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| Session dates or duration | Last year's cycle (2026): Starts August 10, 2026; Ends August 14, 2026; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Starts June 21, 2027; Ends August 6, 2027; 1–3 weeks (2027 cycle) | Starts May 31, 2027 (2027 cycle) |
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| Format | In person | In person / Online | In person |
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| Housing and supervision | Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Location | Providence, RI | New York, NY | Cincinnati, OH |
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| Selection and application | Unconfirmed — check official site | Selection: Admission to the overall pre-college program is selective and rolling; admission does not guarantee a place in a requested course. Application materials: Teacher recommendation; School counselor/administrator recommendation (NYC Residential and NYC Commuter Summer) | Selection: The Zoo says the program is very popular and cannot accept all applicants; it publishes no applicant count, cohort size, or acceptance rate. Application materials: Online application (separate forms for new and returning ZooTeens) with short essay questions; One in-person group interview |
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| Official sources | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24Source 4 · checked 2026-10-24Source 5 · checked 2026-10-24Source 6 · checked 2026-10-24Source 7 · checked 2026-08-20Source 8 · checked 2026-08-20 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24 |
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