I will be an incoming junior and am curious to know if there is still a chance that I can catch any computer science summer programs this summer. I’d really like to enhance my application for college and honestly feel it would be a good idea to get involved this summer.
I wouldn’t count on it for this summer, as most summer programs have application due dates in the winter or spring and are starting now or in a few weeks. Most students I know who have done summer programs do them as rising seniors, so you’re definitely not behind and honestly, I think you’ll get more out of it as a rising senior.
If you’re looking for something that isn’t free, but is cost-effective in that you get something for your money, I would suggest the Carnegie Mellon AP/EA program. It’s 6 weeks and you get to take two courses for college credit. Among those classes are CS, engineering, and science courses.
Agree that it’s way too late for this summer, but not too early to start researching for next summer. Most have deadlines in Jan / Feb timeframe. Two that my S attended were “Be a Computer Scientist for a Week” at McGill University in Montreal. Competitive. Free if you get in, with the catch that it’s non-residential so you need to find a place to stay (we vacationed in Montreal for a week!) When S went about 25% of students were “international” (US + other places). My S also attended a one-week program in Quantum Cryptography at Univeristy of Waterloo, also in Canada. This, too, was highly competitive but free if you get in. Plus it was residential so dorm, food, etc. was all covered. He enjoyed both programs and crossed paths with many of the kids he met during the college application process. Lastly, you might look at idTECH programs - these are not free, but not exorbitant either. Hosted at lots of universities across the country. You might actually find an opening or two still for August of this year. Good luck.