College admissions trends have been changing recently, but many of the top universities are still very selective. The crucial period for high school students to decide their next steps is getting earlier and earlier. High school students need strong resumes to impress college admissions teams, while those who aren’t interested in college need a strong path that will lead to a promising career.
High School Camps powered by 2U give students a head start no matter which path they plan to choose. For students who want to pursue higher education, these summer camps give them key technical training and transferable skills that can make their college applications stand out. For students that may not want to go to college, these camps give them a foundation in two of the fastest-growing career fields: front-end web development and data analytics.
Why Should I Attend a Coding or Data Camp?
The web development and data analytics fields are growing rapidly, with no signs of slowing down. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, web development jobs are expected to grow by eight percent by 2029, double the average growth that the rest of the job market is seeing. Many of the fields that work with big data are predicted to see similar growth.
Coding camps provide high school students with an inexpensive entry point into these growing industries. Students in these university-backed web development and data analytics camps learn more than just how to code; they also learn skills that can prepare them for a host of positions.
These camps also help nurture soft skills like cooperation and teamwork, which are equally important for those getting ready to enter the workforce. Even if you’re not interested in working in web development or data analytics, you’ll still walk away from the camps with a polished new skill set.
Data science and web development continue to find new ways to benefit fields like medicine, finance, retail, and more. These camps can strengthen any student’s college applications by showing that they’re prepared for inevitable technological changes that will come to their field of study.
What Will I Learn at These Tech Camps?
2U is partnering with five of the top universities in the nation to offer two types of technical camps: one for students interested in front-end coding, the other for those who want to pursue data analytics.
Summer Camps Powered by 2U
For three weeks out of their summer, students in the front-end development courses learn the basics of coding through popular, in-demand programming languages. Students in the data analytics program learn to use industry tools like Python, Excel, Tableau, and more.
These programs are challenging, but also fun. Students will meet plenty of new friends throughout the process while building in-demand skills that prepare them for high-growth careers in tech. To help applicants choose the path that maximizes their experience, here’s a guide to what you can expect from each camp.
Front-End Web Development Camp
Students in this coding camp learn how to use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript through the front-end development curriculum. Front-end coders build the client-side of websites — the side that you’re most familiar with as an internet user. This side has to function well and look even better for users to have an enjoyable experience.
If you attend this camp, you’ll learn how to build fast and functional front-ends while attending live instructor-led classes. You’ll be able to ask questions, get help from instructional staff, and even collaborate with your classmates on some of your projects.
Front-End Camp Curriculum
During the course, you’ll build sample portfolio pieces to show off your tech skills, and upon completion, you’ll earn a certificate of completion or participation from the university you attended for the course. Students who complete the program can showcase their portfolios and credentials to job recruiters or admissions advisors to prove that they’ve got a solid foundation in the tools that drive front-end development.
If you have a good eye for design and feel like you know how to put things together in a way people enjoy using, then this coding camp is a great option. It won’t be easy learning front-end development, so you’ll also need good attention to detail and some patience to get the skills down.
Data Analytics Camp
Students in the data analytics camp learn critical coding skills and tools for data analytics. These tools include the Python programming language, Excel, data visualization with Tableau, and how to collect, clean, and plot data sets with Python, Pandas, and Plotly.
Data analysts leverage businesses’ and other organizations’ past initiatives to help them decide how well they’re performing with hard, factual evidence. This role is crucial for numerous industries that rely on hard numbers to chart their progress and make key decisions.
Even if students don’t decide to become data analysts themselves, they’ll have the skills to make sense of data on their own instead of relying on other people’s interpretations. They’ll make stronger decisions because they can draw their own conclusions.
Data Analytics Curriculum
If math is your forte and you like solving mysteries, this camp may be right for you. You’ll have to sort through large piles of data and turn them into presentations that anyone can understand. To do that, you’ll have to be good with numbers and skilled at creating a narrative out of information to explain your conclusions.
Like the front-end coding camp, you’ll be learning via live online courses while building a sample portfolio. At the end of the program, you’ll also receive a university-backed credential to show you’re a true budding data analyst.
The data analytics option is exclusive to the University of Pennsylvania’s College of Liberal and Professional Studies. However, like all of these 2U-powered courses, it’s taught in an online format, so you can take it from anywhere in the country.
Key Benefits From the Programs
After your three weeks are up and you’ve completed your program, you’ll walk away with three key benefits.
Preparation for Your Future
These programs give you a foundation that you can build on in the future. You won’t master front-end coding or data analytics in just three weeks, but you will have a stronger start in these fields than most other people. You can choose to build on this foundation to start a career or to apply these fundamental skills to whichever field you pursue in your future.
Stronger College Applications
Students who complete technical camps can add their university-backed credentials to their college applications to show that they’re future-minded and know where the job market is headed. These camps are also a great extracurricular activity for students to show any college admissions staff that they’re well-rounded candidates for admission.
Real-Life Skills
Through either the front-end coding or data analytics camp, you’ll gain firsthand experience with real-world tools used every day by industry professionals and skills that are highly prized in real workplaces. You’ll collaborate on projects and have stronger communication with your future coworkers. You’ll also strengthen your critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and you’ll have fun learning how to do it.
2U University Partners
Some of the best colleges in the country have partnered with 2U to offer these exciting summer programs. Students have multiple options when selecting coding camps, and one strong option if they’re interested in data analytics. All of these courses are currently offered online, so don’t worry about whether you live in their area. You can take these courses from the comfort of your own home anywhere in the U.S.
Columbia Engineering
The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science at Columbia University is one of two Ivy League-affiliated options on the list. This school researches alongside prominent organizations and businesses including NASA, IBM, and more.
- Dates: Session I: June 28–July 16, Session II: July 19–August 6
- Class Times: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Eastern Time
- Tuition: $2,500
Rice University
This Houston-based university has been providing quality education since 1912. This university is well-known for its research activity which touches on fields including nanotechnology and artificial heart research.
- Dates: Session I: June 14–July 2, Session II: July 19–August 6
- Class Times: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Central Time
- Tuition: $2,500
University of Pennsylvania College of Liberal and Professional Studies
The University of Pennsylvania — also known as Penn — is an Ivy League school older than the Declaration of Independence. Its graduates include two Presidents and three Supreme Court justices, and it’s home to the first programmable general-purpose digital computer. The data analytics camp is only available through this option.
- Front End Coding Camp Dates: Session I: June 14–July 2, Session II: July 19–August 6
- Data Analytics Camp Dates: Session I: June 14–July 2, Session II: July 19–August 6
- Class Times: Monday–Friday, 2 p.m.–5 p.m. Eastern Time
- Tuition: $2,500 Front End Coding Camp; $2,500 Data Science Camp
Northwestern University
This Chicago-based university is consistently ranked as one of the top universities in the country, as well as around the planet. Northwestern graduates have gone on to serve on the Supreme Court and found numerous businesses like U.S. Steel, Accenture, and more.
- Dates: Session I: July 19–August 6
- Class Times: Monday–Friday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Central Time
- Tuition: $2,500
A Head Start to Higher Education
These programs aren’t just for students preparing for graduation. Open to high school students from 13 to 18 years old currently residing within the U.S., these camps are a fun way for students to learn skills that could change the rest of their lives in just three weeks. Different camps have different age requirements, however, so be sure to explore the details for the program that appeals to you to see if you qualify.
These 2U-powered programs are offered through some of the leading universities in the world. These camps are more than just your chance to get a taste of their educational rigor without paying full price — affiliation with these universities will look great on your resume as well.
If you’re interested in learning more, visit your chosen school’s program page to request more information today.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
