| Application deadline | February 1, 2027 (2027 cycle) | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
|---|
| Cost | Free attendance; check separate expenses (2027 cycle) | Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): $4,860; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
|---|
| Financial aid | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): Scholarships: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Apply before registering and paying any fees.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
|---|
| Expenses and aid conditions | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): Summer 2026 nonrefundable registration deposit: $200. Part of the program cost.; Scholarships: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Apply before registering and paying any fees.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
|---|
| Stipend or pay | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
|---|
| Eligibility | Grades 10–11 when applying; summer rising grade is one higher | Unconfirmed — check official site | Grades 9–12; Grade timing: Unconfirmed — check official site |
|---|
| Additional eligibility | Residency: Texas high school students; Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 10–11 when applying; Requirement: Not enrolled in summer school during the program dates (full-time attendance required) | Ages 13–17 | Ages 14–18; Requirement: Open to grades 9–12 |
|---|
| Session dates or duration | Starts June 6, 2027; Ends June 11, 2027; 1 week (2027 cycle) | Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): Starts June 15, 2026; Ends June 26, 2026; 2 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
|---|
| Format | In person | In person | In person |
|---|
| Housing and supervision | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site |
|---|
| Location | Austin, TX | Apple Valley, MN | Salt Lake City, UT |
|---|
| Selection and application | Application materials: Essay(s); One letter of recommendation | Selection: The zoo closes applications when the summer cohort is filled, but it does not publish applicant counts, cohort size, interview process or selection rate. | Selection: The 2026 cohort reached capacity and accepted waitlist interest. Scholarships were limited and considered merit and need. Current cohort size, applicant count, acceptance rate, selection rubric, and waitlist movement are not published. |
|---|
| Official sources | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-08-22 |
|---|