Camp Psych at Gettysburg College

Aspiring psych majors may want to explore this engaging psychology-focused summer program at Gettysburg College. It’s short, but a nice opportunity to connect with other “like-minded” high school students! Like many summer programs, the barrier to entry is pretty low (and there’s a price of admission. Nevertheless, this is a unique opportunity to explore a highly engaging field and experience life on a beautiful college campus!

“The goal of Camp Psych is to provide a window into how psychological science works . What are some of the major questions investigated by psychologists? Campers will get experiences that introduce them to research in psychology in a fun, challenging, and engaging environment. Perfect for students interested in psychology, this camp gives students an insider view of the field as well as preparation for college studies .”

How do I get started? Click here.

How do I expand this narrative arc?

  • take a psychology course at your high school if you are fortunate enough to be at one where the class is offered;

  • do an independent study (or even research project) with a teacher or supervising professional, ideally expanding on what you learned in your BU summer program;

  • if you’re looking for something a little longer and more robust, have a look at the psych program at Boston University. The course changes yearly, and is Abnormal Psych for 2022;

  • check out the fascinating psychology and neuroscience summer program offered at Wellesley.

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT SUMMER PROGRAMS: College admissions officers are very adept at identifying “resume padders”: expensive, one-off programs paid for by your parents which do not mesh with your narrative arc. Therefore, make sure any summer program or course you consider falls into one (or more) of these four buckets: 

  • Highly selective/competitive

  • Totally unique + linked to your narrative arc

  • Evidence of adulthood (long hours, multi-year commitment or simply hard work)

  • A jumping off point or expansion for an authentic narrative arc. 

If none of the above apply, a program could still have value to you if it allows you to test a potential interest. However, if it does not end up being a jumping off point for further interests, then you may not want to mention it in your high school resume

Summer ProgramBetsy PutnamScience, Social Sciences