Explore Your Intellectual Passions Before College
New College of Florida is excited to invite promising high school students
to participate in the Summer Scholars Program, an exclusive initiative
designed to foster excellence across seven dynamic fields: Creative Writing,
Marine Biology, Civics, Great Books, Cryptography, Psychology of Leadership, and Archaeology.
Program Dates
June 21-26, 2026
Eligibility
All rising 10-12th grade high school students who have submitted an application to any one of our programs.
Application Deadline
March 2, 2026*
Program Fees
Free to apply and all camps are complimentary to those invited.
*Admission dates to the Summer Scholars program is rolling through June 1. Upon applying, students will be immediately notified if they are accepted to the program. Once classes are complete and full, the Application portal will be closed for that section/program.
The Opportunities Awaiting You:
- Immersive Summer Camps: All selected participants will experience an all-expenses-paid, week-long summer camp on our Sarasota campus, where they’ll engage in hands-on learning and collaborate with experts in their designated field.
- Scholarships to New College: High achievers in each program will be eligible for all scholarships to New College, one of the most prestigious liberal arts colleges in the nation.
- Publication & Recognition: Winning and finalist entries will be published, and selected participants will gain valuable experience and recognition in their field.
Current Curricula
Creative Writing
Whether you’re a poet, a fiction writer, or a creative nonfiction author, the Creative Writing Program provides an opportunity to present your original work.
Attend a Creative Writing Workshop at New College, where you will enhance your craft through expert-led discussions and writing exercises.
This experience culminates with the chance to have your work published and the potential for a merit-based scholarship to New College.
Marine Biology
If marine science is your passion, the Marine Biology Program allows you to address an environmental issue affecting any of America’s waterways and estuaries.
You will be invited to a week-long summer camp at the New College Marine Biology Research Center, where you will collaborate on solutions to real-world environmental challenges. High achievers will also qualify for scholarships to attend New College.
Civics Writing Program
To celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary the Civics Writing Program invites students to reflect on the nation’s founding documents and their continued significance today.
High Achievers will participate in an exclusive Civics Workshop at New College, deepening their understanding of constitutional law and governance. Exceptional entries could lead to scholarship opportunities at New College.
Psychology of Leadership
If human behavior and the science of influence capture your curiosity, the Psychology of Leadership program invites you to uncover what makes not only people, but leaders, thrive. Elite participants will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in an exclusive leadership intensive at New College of Florida, where they will explore the psychology behind motivation, decision-making, and teamwork.
Through guided self-assessments, simulations, and real-world case studies, students will analyze how traits, behaviors, and environments shape effective leadership. By the end of the week, participants will not only understand the science behind leadership—they’ll embody it, gaining insight into how psychology can help them lead with empathy, confidence, and purpose.
Archaeology
Pursue the mysteries of the past and ignite your imagination. The Archaeology Program offers a rare opportunity to step into the role of a modern explorer. Elite participants will join New College of Florida faculty and researchers in uncovering the hidden stories of ancient civilizations—handling real artifacts, analyzing early technologies, and interpreting the clues left behind by humanity’s earliest innovators.
Throughout the week, students will learn how archaeologists use science, creativity, and critical thinking to piece together the human story. From excavation techniques to artifact analysis, you’ll experience how the past informs the present—and discover the skills and curiosity it takes to reveal the world beneath our feet.
Great Books
If you find meaning in big ideas and timeless questions, the Great Books Program invites you to explore the texts that have shaped human thought for centuries. Elite participants will immerse themselves in an exclusive seminar experience at New College of Florida, where they will read, question, and debate the works that have defined philosophy, literature, and faith.
By the end of the program, participants will not only study the great thinkers of history but learn to think like them—connecting ideas across time and uncovering the enduring power of the written word.
Cryptography
If unraveling the unseen logic behind our digital world excites you, the Cryptography Program offers a gateway into the science of secrets. Elite participants will join New College of Florida faculty in exploring how mathematics, problem-solving, and creative thinking protect information in an age defined by connection.
From ancient codes to modern encryption, students will learn how cryptography secures everything from private messages to global finance. Through hands-on challenges and real-world examples, participants will decode the systems that keep our world safe—and discover how the innovators of tomorrow will shape the future of technology and trust.