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Barrett Summer Scholars

Barrett Summer Scholars (BSS) is a summer residential program that gives motivated high school students the opportunity to experience college life while strengthening academic and leadership skills. Participants explore challenging topics, build college-ready habits, and learn what it’s like to study on a university campus. Designed for students across multiple grade levels, BSS helps participants feel more prepared, confident, and excited about their transition to higher education.

Applications for Summer 2026 are now closed.

The BSS program provides an immersive academic experience that prepares students for success in college and beyond, with a focus on:

  • Academic Enrichment: Engaging, high-level learning opportunities across various subjects.
  • Career Exploration: Discover exciting career options, try out real-world skills and build confidence in your next steps towards future career goals.
  • Engagement and Enjoyment: Experience a challenging yet fun environment that fosters growth and lifelong connections.

BSS invites students to engage in college-level coursework and participate in a community of peers from across the state.

Contact Us

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 480-727-4948

  • Eligibility:
    • Applicants entering the 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade in Fall 2026 are eligible to apply. Academically motivated and/or high-achieving students are encouraged to apply.
  • Minimum GPA:
    • 9th and 10th Grade: Unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher
    • 11th and 12th Grade: Unweighted GPA of 3.25 or higher
  • Date and location:
    • 9th and 10th Grade: May 31-June 3, 2026, ASU Tempe
    • 11th and 12th Grade: June 7-10, 2026, ASU Tempe
  • Program Fees:
    • Program fees are $800 per participant and cover housing, dining, and program materials. A $50 non-refundable deposit is due after notification of acceptance into the program.
  • Scholarships:
    • Limited scholarships are available to applicants who demonstrate financial need or recent financial hardships. Interested applicants must complete the Scholarship Application section included within the program application. Scholarships awarded will not cover the $50 non-refundable deposit.
       

  • Architecture & the Built Environment
    • College: Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts (HIDA)
    • Instructors: Dr. Marc Neveu & Dr. Phil Horton
  • Learning Python through Video Game Design
    • College: The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – School of Earth and Space Exploration
    • Instructor: Dr. Mingming Li
  • Automation Hackathon: Invent – Build – Demo
    • College: Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
    • Instructor: Dr. Anoop S. Grewal
  • AI, Algorithms, and You: How Computers Think (and Sometimes Get It Wrong)
    • College: The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
    • Instructor: Dr. Asiyeh Rafieipour
  • Health Solutions: Communication Disorders, Genetics & Neuroscience
    • College: College of Health Solutions
    • Instructor: Aparna Rao, Clinical Professor

  • Lighting Up the Sciences
    • College: School of Molecular Sciences
    • Instructor: Dr. Darcy Kimball
  • Thinking with AI: Critical Writing, Learning, and Decision-Making in the AI Era
    • College: Department of English – Writing Programs & Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
    • Instructor: Cathleen (Wen) Li
  • Thinking Without a Script: How Leaders Make Decisions When There Are No Clear Answers
    • College: Thunderbird School of Global Management
    • Instructor: Steve Gemmiti
  • Building the Future: Engineering Smart Buildings and Cities
    • College: Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
    • Instructor: Dr. Ayca Tuzmen
  • Health Detectives: Designing Smarter Primary Care Through Social Determinants of Health & Integrated Care
    • College: College of Health Solutions
    • Instructor: Dr. Jessica L. Hogan

Program Highlights

Barrett Summer Scholars Spotlight

My son was extremely excited to have attended this program, and the information he gained through the projects and activities he participated in while there made him even more enthusiastic about pursuing engineering in the future.

BSS Participant Parent

2025 Barrett Summer Scholars

FAQ

BSS program participation is based on the rising grade level for the 2026-2027 school year. Current 8th-graders will participate in the 9th grade program, current 9th-graders will participate in the 10th grade program, current 10th-graders will participate in the 11th-grade program, and current 11th-graders will participate in the 12th-grade program.

Participants will be asked to rank all of the offered electives based on interest in the subject matter. We will do our best to place participants in one of their top three choices. BSS cannot guarantee that all participants will be placed in the elective of their choosing, but will strive to ensure that all students benefit from their assigned elective.

Participants are required to participate for the entire duration in order to gain the full experience of the program. Students who are not available for any portion of the program should consider applying next year.

Staff will be with the participants at all times during the program.

When acceptance notifications go out, participants and parents will receive information regarding Program Orientation. Orientation is not mandatory, but is highly recommended as it will allow participants and parents to learn additional details about the program.

Participants will be notified of their admission status, program fee and scholarship award (if applicable) by early- April. Participants will be notified to pay their program fee balance by late-April.

Yes! All BSS grade level sessions are designed to deliver a unique experience. Participants are encouraged to re-apply as many years as they are eligible.

  • Scholarships are available. If a student wishes to be considered for a scholarship, they should complete the following steps in the Barrett Summer Scholars application.
    • 1. Select "yes" to question "Do you wish to apply for financial assistance if admitted into the program?" in program application.
    • 2. Questions required include information on family annual average earned income, number of dependents in household under the age of 18, and if applicant receives free/reduced lunch.
    • 3. In the event of recent financial hardship, students have the option to provide additional information about their circumstance and need for financial assistance.
       
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