<p>I got my job at McDonald’s and volunteered at the library.
I would recommend getting a work permit and applying for jobs like this, if programs don’t work out. Work experience is impressive, even when it’s at a fast food place or something, because it shows colleges you’re not an overprivileged schmuck. </p>
<p>Here are some free programs I’m aware of that accept juniors. (I would recommend looking for a free program, because the more expensive ones are less likely to be selective/prestigious.) I went to the second one as a rising senior, but not the others. </p>
<p>Edit: Note the typo…I went to the second program on this list.</p>
<p>[International</a> Summer School for Young Physicists | Perimeter Institute](<a href=“http://www.perimeterinstitute.ca/fr/outreach/students/programs/international-summer-school-young-physicists]International”>ISSYP | Perimeter Institute)
[The</a> Physics of Atomic Nuclei Program at NSCL | National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL)](<a href=“http://www.nscl.msu.edu/teachersstudents/programs/pan]The”>http://www.nscl.msu.edu/teachersstudents/programs/pan)
[SAMS:</a> The Summer Academy for Mathematics + Science](<a href=“http://www.cmu.edu/enrollment/summerprogramsfordiversity/sams.html]SAMS:”>http://www.cmu.edu/enrollment/summerprogramsfordiversity/sams.html)
[Wyoming</a> SRAP | University of Wyoming | Home Page](<a href=“404 - Page Not Found”>404 - Page Not Found)
<a href=“http://www.aaja.org/2013-jcamp/[/url]”>http://www.aaja.org/2013-jcamp/</a></p>