Summer Search students are special. Each Summer Search student becomes an integral part of a unique community comprised of amazing individuals dedicated to making a positive impact in the world. As a result, our expectations are high. We expect our students to:

• Take responsibility for their actions
• Make a commitment to the program and what is required of them
  
• Make a contribution to others in return

We want our students to succeed and become leaders in their families, schools, communities, our nation and the world.

Program Services

The Summer Search program consists of four important elements:

1. Weekly Mentoring – the most critical component of the Summer Search experience, each student is assigned a mentor for these weekly conversations. This is crucial to every student’s growth and development and teaches them to be insightful into their own behavior and accountable for their actions. In addition to the weekly check-in, students will be asked to participate in two annual Summer Search events, speak publicly about their experience to an adult audience, write a personal essay about their growth and share what they learned, and help new students gain awareness about the program.

2. Summer Experiential Education Programs – each Summer Search student receives a full scholarship to participate in two summer trips designed to broaden their world, open up the realm of possibility, and help them realize their potential. Typically student trips occur after sophomore and junior years, and range from wilderness experience, to study-away, or to community service in a developing country. To see a list of our participating summer program partners, click here.

3. College Advisory Services – applying to college can be an overwhelming process. At Summer Search, each student has access to college counseling services and workshops designed to help them with their college applications. In addition, we provide financial aid counseling for all students.

4. Alumni Services – once a Summer Search student, always a Summer Search student! We have established a whole array of alumni services designed to help our graduates be successful in the real world. These include networking events with other alumni and donors and professional development services including career workshops, internships, and professional mentors. To learn more, go to alumni services.

Who Do We Select?

Students are referred to Summer Search by Referral Partners, counselors and teachers at schools in the community. We do not accept open applications for admission. To refer a student to Summer Search or to learn more about student referrals see referral information.

Selection Process

Summer Search students are selected based on a number of criteria:

• By referral – Summer Search students are nominated by a referral partner in their sophomore year of high school.
• Need – we select students from disadvantaged families with a recognizable need.
• Resident status – applicants must reside near the local Summer Search community.
• RAP Characteristics – applicants must demonstrate resiliency, altruism and performance.

Once candidates have met the basic criteria above, they begin the application process.

Step 1: Orientation
The Outreach Director or referring partner conducts an informational session including a video orientation to the Summer Search program.

Step 2: Information
After the orientation, each applicant receives an information packet to review. There are permission slips the parent must sign and required family financial information to provide.

Step 3: The interview
Every student will interview with a Summer Search mentor. During the interview they will be asked probing questions to try and determine their potential for resiliency, altruism and performance.

Step 4: Acceptance
Within one week after the interview, students will be alerted and told whether they have been accepted or not, and the reasons why.

Accepted students receive a Student Handbook, a specific summer program recommendation, and then start the weekly mentoring process. From here forward, it is up to each student to be responsible for all follow up with Summer Search staff.

Referral Information

Students MUST be nominated by a referral source and cannot apply directly to Summer Search.

Summer Search only admits students who are referred to us by our Referral Partners in any of our seven operating sites: Boston, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, North San Francisco Bay area, Seattle, and Silicon Valley. Students must be a resident of the local community we serve. We look to teachers, guidance counselors and youth agency staff to nominate students for the Summer Search program. View a list of our referral partners.

Students are nominated for Summer Search in their sophomore year of high school. Candidates must be from low-income families, demonstrate leadership potential and possess the desire to help others.

If you are a professional working with high school students in a school or agency setting and are interested in nominating students for Summer Search, please contact the outreach coordinator of your local program for more information.