Summer Springboard
Summer Springboard Reviews
I had such a great time at the camp at Yale campus that I decided to attend another 2 week camp at Colombia university. I had a really insightful introduction to finance. Great experience.
I did the economics and entrepreneurship camp here. I absolutely adored my experience, under the teaching of Sade Owye. I will cherish this for life
I had heard great things about Summer Springboard's programs from my twin boys' college counselor at their high school. I really liked that this program had very friendly admissions coordinators to answer my questions and virtual meetings to fill us in on all of the logistics ahead of time. The whole process was very well organized.
My boys attended the UCLA Aerospace Engineering course this summer. We were extremely pleased with the entire program. Their professor, Dr. Vincent Phong, was excellent and inspired them with his lectures on aerodynamics and aerospace topics, with the experiments he had the students carry out, his mentoring, and with his tours of the UCLA engineering department, the JPL facility, and Aerospace Corporation in Pasadena where he works.
My sons also got a lot out of the afternoon activities and lectures on leadership, public speaking, the college admissions process, finance, etc. Finally, they absolutely loved the UCLA Challenge Course and all the other fun activities Summer Springboard set up for the course participants.
The program was an excellent balance between academics, touring (two local universities and two aerospace industry companies), college applications preparation, and leisure/fun activities. We could not possibly be more pleased with this Summer Springboard program and we highly recommend it to other students hoping to pursue a career in aerospace engineering.
My boys attended the UCLA Aerospace Engineering course this summer. We were extremely pleased with the entire program. Their professor, Dr. Vincent Phong, was excellent and inspired them with his lectures on aerodynamics and aerospace topics, with the experiments he had the students carry out, his mentoring, and with his tours of the UCLA engineering department, the JPL facility, and Aerospace Corporation in Pasadena where he works.
My sons also got a lot out of the afternoon activities and lectures on leadership, public speaking, the college admissions process, finance, etc. Finally, they absolutely loved the UCLA Challenge Course and all the other fun activities Summer Springboard set up for the course participants.
The program was an excellent balance between academics, touring (two local universities and two aerospace industry companies), college applications preparation, and leisure/fun activities. We could not possibly be more pleased with this Summer Springboard program and we highly recommend it to other students hoping to pursue a career in aerospace engineering.
My incoming junior in HS completed the engineering program at Georgia Tech in June. What a wonderful experience for both of us! The program walked us through the application, forms, payment plans, and logistics. The communication leading up to the program and during was very informative. My son came home with hands-on experience in his future field of study and also gained independence and college readiness skills. We highly recommend Summer Springboard for your college-bound student!
This is our daughter’s second summer attending Summer Springboard, and once again, it has been an incredible experience! She absolutely loves the Astrophysics program at Georgia Tech. From the engaging hands-on labs to the inspiring instructors and guest speakers, every part of the program has deepened her passion for space and science.
The structure of the camp strikes the perfect balance between academic enrichment and social connection. She’s made friends from across the country who share her interests, and she came home excited about what she’s learned. The staff is supportive and truly dedicated to making this a meaningful experience for every student.
We’re already looking forward to next year!
The structure of the camp strikes the perfect balance between academic enrichment and social connection. She’s made friends from across the country who share her interests, and she came home excited about what she’s learned. The staff is supportive and truly dedicated to making this a meaningful experience for every student.
We’re already looking forward to next year!
This summer, my daughter attended a summer springboard Georgia Tech Mechanical Engineering program. It was her first time away from home like this, and as a parent, I was a bit nervous & super excited for her all at the same time. It turned out to be one of the best decisions we’ve made.
She came back confident, independent, and excited about continuing on the paths of engineering for when she goes off to college. She made friends from all over the US that she is staying in contact with. It pushed her out of her comfort zone in all the right ways.
For any parent on the fence about letting their teen go to a program like this — do it. It’s hard to let go, but the growth is absolutely worth it.
Highly recommend the experience.
She came back confident, independent, and excited about continuing on the paths of engineering for when she goes off to college. She made friends from all over the US that she is staying in contact with. It pushed her out of her comfort zone in all the right ways.
For any parent on the fence about letting their teen go to a program like this — do it. It’s hard to let go, but the growth is absolutely worth it.
Highly recommend the experience.
I had an amazing experience boarding at the Yale camp. Got to meet a lot of new people that I will never forget. Totally recommend!
Summer Springboard was an incredible experience that helped me grow both personally and academically. Attending the Yale location allowed me to greatly improve my social skills, connect with driven peers from around the country, and explore potential paths for my future. As a business student, I had the opportunity to take engaging classes that gave me a real taste of college-level learning. I also loved being able to walk around campus, experience student life firsthand, and get a true sense of what college is like.
Summer springboard was a transformative experience. Not only did I learn about, and experience college life, but I got to dive into a topic of choice. It is a great experience, and will help show interest in college applications.
DO NOT take this program if you wanted to experience how college life was really like. When I first saw the program, I was excited that I was going to take “college level classes” and they also promised to help with my college level admission process and to get into a good college. But truthfully, this program didn’t live up to any of its promises. I was a residential student at Berkeley and I expected to spend the majority of my time learning and doing my homework and being productive in an academic way, but instead I spent three hours a day going to classes and five hours a day going to “leadership activities and clubs.” These activities were the promised admission help, which didn’t help with admission at all and was like surface-level advice I received in middle school. Not only did I have to waste my time doing that, I also had to spend a mandatory one and a half hours going to clubs. I didn’t do anything at the clubs — I was on TikTok the whole entire time. The classes didn’t cover nearly any of the “college level content” that I had expected. I barely learned anything new in the class that I took.
Another important thing was the living situation. I slept on a bed that DID NOT have what could be considered a mattress. It was as hard as wood and my waist and back physically hurt after sleeping on it. I had to bring my own bed sheets and blankets and pillow.
Now onto the sanitary conditions. The showers didn’t have shower heads, they had a faucet. I had to bring everything: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, everything. The water temperature was constantly changing and there was no water pressure. The shower floors were so dirty — they were black and brown. I felt my feet sticking to the floor every time I took a step in the showers.
Now onto the financial aspect. I spent $7000 to be a residential student there. Half of the students there got to be there for free. That meant that I paid for their food, dorms, and classes. This was absolutely UNACCEPTABLE. I should not have been paying for other people’s living costs and fees.
Now onto the “mentors.” The mentors did not teach me anything. All they did was send me to my guides and tell me where my classes were and force me to go to group bonding activities. The mentors didn’t help me do anything — in fact, they actually prevented me from doing stuff. We were not allowed to be outside the dorm building, even in the courtyard, a safe place on campus, after 9:30 PM. This program gave absolutely zero independence and zero experience of what college life was actually like. It felt like a middle school summer camp. There were so many unreasonable rules that I just couldn’t fathom why they existed in the first place. We were forced to go on trips to places where many of us had already been to. We were forced to go on many trips that normal college students wouldn’t go on.
I regretted choosing this program and I wished I had done the Berkeley Pre-Collegiate official eight-week program for credit where I could’ve actually spent a majority of my time learning and achieved academic results.
The only reason why anyone should’ve taken this program was if they didn’t get into the official program — and it’s not that difficult to get in. I sincerely DID NOT recommend anyone take this program next year and it’s not too late to get a refund.
Another important thing was the living situation. I slept on a bed that DID NOT have what could be considered a mattress. It was as hard as wood and my waist and back physically hurt after sleeping on it. I had to bring my own bed sheets and blankets and pillow.
Now onto the sanitary conditions. The showers didn’t have shower heads, they had a faucet. I had to bring everything: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, everything. The water temperature was constantly changing and there was no water pressure. The shower floors were so dirty — they were black and brown. I felt my feet sticking to the floor every time I took a step in the showers.
Now onto the financial aspect. I spent $7000 to be a residential student there. Half of the students there got to be there for free. That meant that I paid for their food, dorms, and classes. This was absolutely UNACCEPTABLE. I should not have been paying for other people’s living costs and fees.
Now onto the “mentors.” The mentors did not teach me anything. All they did was send me to my guides and tell me where my classes were and force me to go to group bonding activities. The mentors didn’t help me do anything — in fact, they actually prevented me from doing stuff. We were not allowed to be outside the dorm building, even in the courtyard, a safe place on campus, after 9:30 PM. This program gave absolutely zero independence and zero experience of what college life was actually like. It felt like a middle school summer camp. There were so many unreasonable rules that I just couldn’t fathom why they existed in the first place. We were forced to go on trips to places where many of us had already been to. We were forced to go on many trips that normal college students wouldn’t go on.
I regretted choosing this program and I wished I had done the Berkeley Pre-Collegiate official eight-week program for credit where I could’ve actually spent a majority of my time learning and achieved academic results.
The only reason why anyone should’ve taken this program was if they didn’t get into the official program — and it’s not that difficult to get in. I sincerely DID NOT recommend anyone take this program next year and it’s not too late to get a refund.
My two kids have participated in Summer Springboard programs and our entire family has been incredibly impressed with their offerings. Their programs are fun and enriching, and really give the kids a chance to see what college life might be like. We've experienced UC Berkley, Oxford, and MIT. Each program is well run and well organized. SSB has excellent communications and very clear rules and expectations for the participants and families. Our kids felt safe, made friends, and had experiences they will remember for years. They were incredibly accommodating when we had last minute scheduling challenges, and our kids had nothing but praise for their instructors and leaders.
I highly recommend their programs!
I highly recommend their programs!
Excellent two-week program at NYSID! My child really enjoyed it, learned a ton about interior design and made some great friends. The field trips were a highlight! Highly recommend!
Our daughter loved her time at Cal Poly SLO SSB program. Everything was well organized and planned out. She enjoyed learning about the ins and outs of marketing and getting to know the professor. The public speaking elective class helped her gain more confidence as well. She met a great group of students and counselors during her stay. Her time there definitely helped prepare her for going off to college next summer. I highly recommend the program.
Summer Springboard changed my daughter in very positive ways. So much that she has signed up for 2 classes this upcoming summer! Between the experience of traveling to a new country and meeting people from literally all over the world, to learning how to structure and navigate the day-to-day independently while being absorbed into an academic experience -- the experience brought her back home with a new outlook on life. I saw the impact immediately as the new school year began. The shift was noteworthy by her high school teachers as well. Besides the academic and experiential background she gained, my daughter had a lot of fun being independent with friends on the campus and getting to explore and sightsee the best that the area had to share. I feel that Summer Springboard does an amazing job at curating the opportunities and experiences so that the students get to see and experience a lot, yet remain safe. I cannot recommend this experience enough! This year to join my daughter and her friend from last year, we have recruited another friend to join the Springboard family. Thanks to all of you at Summer Springboard for this experience. Keep up the positive work!
I am also sharing this review from my daughter to share her perspective:
I attended the Summer Springboard program at Oxford with my friend. It was a new and exciting experience. I thought being far away from my family and friends for two weeks would be difficult and challenging, but the people at Oxford made me forget about my worries. I met new people and made new friends even with the teachers. Every day I learned something new from the three-hour lectures to the excursion. Dinner was a highlight because our small group could go into town and explore, walk around, and have dinner. Because of the Summer Springboard program, I was able to experience a new culture, make new friends, and learn so much. It helped me to experience new things that were out of my comfort zone. It also helped me understand myself and the path I want to take in the future. I am looking forward to this summer and doing two programs this year. There are so many interesting programs, it was hard to choose just two!
I am also sharing this review from my daughter to share her perspective:
I attended the Summer Springboard program at Oxford with my friend. It was a new and exciting experience. I thought being far away from my family and friends for two weeks would be difficult and challenging, but the people at Oxford made me forget about my worries. I met new people and made new friends even with the teachers. Every day I learned something new from the three-hour lectures to the excursion. Dinner was a highlight because our small group could go into town and explore, walk around, and have dinner. Because of the Summer Springboard program, I was able to experience a new culture, make new friends, and learn so much. It helped me to experience new things that were out of my comfort zone. It also helped me understand myself and the path I want to take in the future. I am looking forward to this summer and doing two programs this year. There are so many interesting programs, it was hard to choose just two!
I would highly recommend summer springboard as an exciting, educational, and culturally enriching experience for teens who want to travel.Summer springboard gave my child a very unique opportunity to explore a career field while on a two week summer program on a university campus abroad. My daughter had an amazing experience, grew in independence, and has more solidly identified her intended career path. As a parent, I was pleased at how very well organized the program was. Most importantly, I felt confident that my child was safe during the program. She’s planning to attend again this summer!
