How to Apply or Register for Choate Summer Programs 2026

See instructions on how to apply or register.

For the Academic Enrichment Program, students must be at least 11 years old before the start of whichever Academic Program they are interested in. 

For the Young Artist program, students must be at least 5 years old before the start of whichever session they are interested in. 

Summer Programs Financial Aid is available for Middle and High School Academic Enrichment Program students.

The priority deadline to submit a completed Summer Programs Financial Aid application form with accompanying IRS documentation is January 31, 2026. The Financial Aid application form is available in the Summer Programs Student Account Portal after the application is submitted. 

After the priority deadline, it is still possible to submit the Choate Summer Programs Financial Aid application form and upload IRS documents for consideration of any remaining funds that are available. 

Please note that financial aid helps cover on-campus program fees, but does not cover transportation costs or health insurance and is not available for Test Prep, Young Artist, or English Language Institute. Because of limited funds, financial aid is primarily available to U.S. residents filing IRS income tax returns. 

Financial information provided to the Choate Admission Office by current Choate students and applicants for the academic year is not shared with Summer Programs.

Current Choate students who receive aid during the school year and academic year applicants still need to complete the Choate Summer Programs Financial Aid application form and upload supporting IRS documentation.

We have a rolling admission process from mid-November through early June, while space remains.

Applicants whose admission materials are complete are typically notified of a decision within two to four weeks.

Registration for Academic Enrichment courses and programs begins in early February for students who have accepted our offer of admission, signed the Enrollment Contract, and paid the non-refundable Enrollment Deposit.

Admission Decisions

Once the Summer Programs application is submitted and all required materials received, the admission committee reviews the file and releases a decision in the Summer Programs Account Portal. Students will be notified via email when a decision is posted.

To claim their spot, accepted students must:

1. Submit the Admission Decision Reply Form;
2. Upload the Enrollment Contract signed by all parents with legal guardianship/legal guardians;
3. Pay the non-refundable deposit, as applicable.

These steps must be completed within 2 weeks of acceptance to the program. Choate Summer Programs courses and programs fill quickly, so we encourage students to apply and enroll early while spaces remain. 

Financial Aid Decisions

Financial Aid decisions are released following the January 31, 2026 priority deadline. Information on financial aid decisions is included in the acceptance letter and, as applicable, on the Course Registration Form.

Waitlisted Students

Students who are offered a place on the Waitlist receive a link to the Waitlist Reply Form in their decision letter. Those who choose to remain on the Waitlist are notified of any opportunities to enroll as spaces become available. If students are offered a place on the Waitist because the program they applied to is full, they are welcome to change their program choice to one of our offerings which still has space.

Students who only intend to enroll in Test Prep are not required to submit transcripts current grades, or recommendations. The Summer Programs Application form and application fee are still required. 

Please contact the Summer Programs Office by phone at (203) 697-2365 or by email at choatesummer@choate.edu to waive the materials not required. 

Applicants who completed our 2025 Academic Program have a simplified application process and are only required to: 

1.    Verify the 2025 information prepopulated on the application form and fill in any other updates. 
 
2.    Indicate which 2026 courses and programs are of interest 
  
3.    Upload transcript/report card (with Current Grades or program of study) 
  
4.    Pay the $100 Application Fee, if applying after January 5, 2026.
The fee is waived for students who completed the 2025 Academic Enrichment Program and who submit their 2025 application by January 5, 2025. 
  
5.    If applying for financial aid, 2025 Academic Program participants must complete the Choate Summer Programs Financial Aid application form and upload supporting IRS documentation. The priority deadline is January 31, 2026. 

Applicants who participated in Summer Programs prior to 2025 are required to:

1. Complete the application 
2. Pay the application fee 
3. Request two recommendations:
   1. Principal/Counselor Recommendation (inclusive of official transcripts and current grades)
   2. Teacher Recommendation
4. Upload unofficial copy of transcripts and current grades

Past participants do not need to submit Supplemental Recommendations or upload additional information. If applying for financial aid, past participants must complete the Choate Summer Programs Financial Aid form and upload supporting IRS documentation. The priority deadline is January 31, 2026.

Current Choate students applying for Summer Programs admission are only required to submit the Summer Programs application (they do not need to pay an application fee, request recommendations, or upload transcripts). 

If applying for Summer Programs Financial Aid, current Choate students need to complete the Choate Summer Programs Financial Aid application form and upload supporting IRS documentation to the Summer Programs Student Account Portal. 

Note: Matriculating and current Choate students who wish to take an eligible course to fulfill an academic year Choate diploma requirement, or a prerequisite for the academic year, are encouraged to notify the Registrar, registrar@choate.edu, as part of the application and enrollment process for Summer Programs, and must then comply with all attendance and course expectations. The Registrar will determine final eligibility, as applicable, for diploma credit and prerequisite fulfillment based upon the student’s successful completion of the course. 

Summer Programs applicants who are also applying to Choate for the academic year need to submit the Summer Programs Application but do not need to submit recommendations, transcripts, and current grades (we can obtain those materials from the Admission Office). 

If also applying for Summer Programs Financial Aid, the Choate Summer Programs Financial Aid form must be completed and supporting IRS documentation uploaded to the Summer Programs Application Portal (financial information is not shared between the two offices). 

For any changes to biographical information, duplicate accounts, email addresses, etc., please contact the Summer Programs Office at 203-697-2365 or choatesummer@choate.edu.

Please check with the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country for the requirements to obtain a B-1/B-2 Visa (tourist visa) to enter the U.S. for our program. You do not need an I-20 or an F1-Visa (student visa) to attend Choate Summer Programs. If you have ESTA, please see the official ESTA website below. 

We recommend starting the B-1/B-2 Visa process before, or at the same time, you start the application for our program. 

The State Department has changed scheduling policies for tourist visas. If you require a visa to enter the United States of America, please schedule your appointment as soon as possible. Here are some helpful resources:

• Visa Appointment Wait Times
• U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs
• ESTA Official website