Summer Springboard
Summer Springboard Reviews
Google Reviews
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.
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!
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.
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.
I highly recommend their programs!
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!
Teen Life Reviews
Reviewed on Jan/07/2026
I attended SSB after finishing my freshman year of high school and it was one of the best decisions I could’ve made. I attended the Sports Management program and got to live so many experiences that helped me feel more prepared for my future. The instructor for my class was an expert in the industry, we had amazing workshops to prepare for college with speakers who were passionate about their topics, I went on excursions to stadiums to have a better idea of how it all works from the inside and I met some of the most extraordinary people from all over the world whose friendships I will cherish forever. I really recommend attending!
Reviewed on Aug/15/2025
Upon arriving at SSB, I was nervous that I would have trouble making friends and feeling comfortable in a new environment. My concerns were alleviated almost immediately as I got to meet the mentors and familiarize myself with my new companions. It turned out that many others felt similarly to how I did, but more importantly, we would have each other and our mentors to look for support and consolation. I felt even better when I learned that my mentor had attended college in my hometown, which gave me a huge confidence boost and assured me that everything would turn out just fine. Sure enough, I got myself settled in pretty quickly with the well-structured routines of each day, which included going to breakfast at one of UCLA’s dining halls, then walking to my class across campus, followed by breaking for lunch with my new friends from the aerospace course. The days would vary after lunch between laid-back self- reflections or a college readiness workshop, which I found to be very helpful in growing my knowledge of writing applications, managing finances, and leadership. The program also made sure to leave enough free time for me to spend the afternoon out on the track getting in my miles or working on my summer school assignments. Overall, I can confidently say that Summer Springboard really helped me take a healthy step outside of my comfort zone to meet people who shared my interests, get an idea for what college life looks like, and to learn more about what I want to major in.
Reviewed on Aug/12/2025
SSB is an amazing opportunity for your child or anyone else to get an understanding of the career they may want to endeavor in. It builds character and trust and helps give access to something that may have seemed unachievable. Not only will they learn what career path is right for them and learn some basics and practice that career a bit, they will also build new, lasting relationships with mentors and other members, helping foster beautiful connections that may last a lifetime. SSB was truly an amazing opportunity, and I thank the whole team from the bottom of my heart. This program is an amazing opportunity if you choose to do so.
Reviewed on Aug/12/2025
My son had a fantastic experience attending a session down the road at Duke University. He got to meet kids from all over the world that shared his sames interests and learn about video game design. Being an entering freshman in high school, the experience also got him excited about college and future opportunities. He hopes to be able to participate next year in a different location just to be able to see and experience somewhere different!
Reviewed on Aug/11/2025
I had a great time at Summer Springboard! I went to the UCSD Emergency Medicine program and I really felt like I learned a lot. I really enjoyed the weekly excursions as well, since we got to go outside the classroom and visit other places related to what we were learning like CPR and checking vitals. I definitely consider it a good use of my time.
Reviewed on Aug/11/2025
SSB was one of the best things I could have done as a teen. I urge parents to try to get their kid enrolled so that they may practice and push themselves to become more self-sufficient and see if the career choice they are interested in is actually something that they may want to pursue and align with their goals. It also teaches great tips for their future college endeavors. Thank you to the SSB team for this amazing opportunity.
Reviewed on Aug/07/2025
Summer Springboard was a great way for me to better understand what I wanted to do in the future. I took the Mechanical Engineering course at Georgia Tech and it was an amazing two weeks. I had a great time making new friends and doing club activities. The classes were great and I feel like I got a great introduction to Mechanical Engineering. All the mentors were extremely kind and the experience was great.
Reviewed on Aug/05/2025
My son attended the Yale Summer Springboard Program this past summer as an overnight student in the Business Program. He learned a lot, loved his professors and was challenged by the Shark Tank exercise they did. He made new friends from all over the world and really enjoyed experiencing life as a student living in a dorm. He also really loved exploring Yale, New Haven and Boston.
Reviewed on May/06/2025
I heard great things about Summer Springboard’s programs from my twin boys’ college counselors at their high school. I really liked that this program had very friendly admissions coordinators available for phone appointments to answer my questions. The application and enrollment forms were easy to complete. When a small glitch came up it was handled promptly and completely and I appreciated that. My boys are looking forward to the UCLA Aerospace Engineering course this summer. They are top students in the pre-engineering program at their high school and I know they will get a lot out of this program and also get to check out aerospace-related companies in the area this summer.
Reviewed on Nov/05/2024
This summer program was an incredible experience! It was both fun and filled with learning opportunities. I got to meet amazing people and explore new ideas that really helped expand my knowledge and skills. Each day was packed with interesting activities, hands-on projects, and interactive sessions, making learning feel exciting and engaging. Not only did I gain a lot academically, but I also made unforgettable memories and connections.
Reviewed on Oct/31/2024
My son had a fantastic time during his two week Game Development camp at Duke. Summer Springboard was very organized which made me feel more comfortable with him being away from home. We would highly recommend Summer Springboard camps to any student who is struggling to figure out what area they want to study. It is a great way to try out a future career path. On the other hand, if they already know what they want to do it is a fabulous way to deepen their knowledge and experience in that field.
Reviewed on Oct/30/2024
This summer program was an incredible experience! It was both fun and filled with learning opportunities. I got to meet amazing people and explore new ideas that really helped expand my knowledge and skills. Each day was packed with interesting activities, hands-on projects, and interactive sessions, making learning feel exciting and engaging. Not only did I gain a lot academically, but I also made unforgettable memories and connections.
Reviewed on Oct/31/2024
During my time at the New York School of Interior Design through Summer Springboard’s program, I was able to immerse myself in the vibrant world of design and artistic expression through a variety of engaging experiences. One of the highlights of my time in New York was a trip to the Museum of Modern Art, which inspired me with its unique designs and diverse displays. My trip to Sicis, The Art Mosaic Factory, was eye-opening, as I had never seen such art and the process of creating gorgeous mosaics by combining old craftsmanship with modern techniques. Alongside this, I also got the opportunity to make my own design and visit several showrooms. These visits broadened the boundaries of interior design and inspired my creativity. Along with these trips, I made incredible connections and memories. Integrating myself into a world where each student has unique interior design ideas was a major shift, but the people around me, mentors, friends, and classmates, all put into perspective how much freedom one is given with design. My relationships at the New York School of Interior Design were remarkable. As our final project, we were tasked with designing a New York City apartment for a client of my choice. As I began working on the project, I recognized the beauty of a single room to be uniquely shaped by an individual. The smallest details that the human eye can’t recognize can have the greatest impact in space. I had to strike a compromise between functionality and elegance, as well as selecting materials that functioned well collectively. Learning from professional licensed interior designers at the New York School of Interior Design allowed me to comprehend the technical aspects of both residential and commercial interior design. Their experience and teaching showed the complexities of organizing space, material selection, and the importance of combining aesthetics and functionality, which improved my design skills. These experiences at the New York School of Interior Design were invaluable, impacting my career as a designer and leaving a permanent mark on my design perspective.
Reviewed on Oct/29/2024
My girls had a wonderful experience that Summer Springboard this summer. They participated in the Duke program and thought it was both educational and fun. The program was very well organized and the staff was great. They are exited about doing the program again this summer. I would highly recommend Summer Springboard.
Reviewed on Oct/29/2024
Our son was nervous to attend this program for the first time- leaving home for two weeks to live on a college campus as an incoming sophomore in high school is intimidating! He was SO happy that he did, though. When we picked him up, he said that he already wanted to sign up for next summer. The friendships he made, independence he gained and knowledge he attained; all in a supportive, encouraging environment was above and beyond what we had expected. We are grateful we decided on this summer program for our son, and will be signing him up again this summer!
Reviewed on Oct/23/2024
The course content was excellent. The process was very easy, and they were very professional and helpful. They even offered my son a recommendation letter.
Reviewed on Oct/21/2024
SSB was a wonderful experience for my son who was seeking a hands on experience in a future major-related field and to get a feel for the university he is seriously considering for college. SSB did a great job providing information to parents and participants through webinars and were very responsive to inquiries. After this experience my son is now more confident applying to colleges and in his choice of major. He is also still in touch with the friends made at SSB!
Reviewed on Aug/30/2024
My daughter had an amazing time with Summer Springboard. She got to learn so much about the college life, and when she got home, she wouldn’t stop talking about how she missed her roommates, her mentoring group, and the community. She also chose to study Biotechnology at UC Berkeley, where she fell in love with the lab. Thank you SSB for giving my daughter this opportunity, allowing her to explore things she otherwise wouldn’t have been able to.
Reviewed on Feb/07/2024
I will always be grateful for SSB.I attended the camp at the Cal poly campus. It was amazing to experience a major that I may want to pursue. I also learned more knowledge about college admissions and college experience in it self. I am grateful to attend a SSB again in New York this summer.
Reviewed on Feb/06/2024
My daughter attended SSB’s summer program in Oxford to study Green Entrepreneurship and had so much fun and learned a lot. She not only loved exploring a new country but made amazing friends. You also make what you can out of the experience. Yes there may be some rowdy kids or what not, but as long as your kid knows what they should be doing, is focused on the program and chooses the right people to be around the experience will be more fulfilling. I heard nothing but great things about the faculty and staff who also made sure everyone made it to the airport and to their flights. We^aEURTMre participating in another program this year and my daughter is super excited!
Reviewed on Feb/03/2024
Our 15yo daughter had a terrific experience in the Summer Springboard last summer at UCSD. She went through a rigorous Emergency Medicine program and loved every minute of it. The program has a well-balanced mix of hands on activities and classroom instruction. Plus field trips and more. Highly recommend. She’s taking another Summer Springboard program at UCSD this summer focusing on neuropsychology.
Reviewed on Feb/01/2024
My daughter spent time with SSB on the campus of Duke University. The amount of enthusiasm and growth she demonstrated during and afterwards was incredible. The amount of exposure to life on campus and college curriculum stretched her in ways that could only be accomplished by a well orchestrated program. Special shout out to the facilitators as well as the college level staff that served as excellent counselors during the session.