Civil rights, public policy, and activism are increasingly central to how young people engage with today’s world. The ACLU National Advocacy Institute offers a unique summer enrichment opportunity for high school students aged 15–18 to study and participate in advocacy in Washington, D.C.
Hosted on campus at American University, the program brings together ACLU lawyers, policy advocates and organizers to lead workshops, seminars and hands-on advocacy experiences.
Unlike traditional academic summer programs, the ACLU National Advocacy Institute emphasizes applied civic engagement and real-world advocacy. Students participate in policy discussions, collaborative projects and issue-based activities that deepen their understanding of constitutional rights, legal strategy, pressing civil liberties issues, and social change.
For students looking to demonstrate in-depth interest in civic engagement and advocacy, the ACLU High School Summer Advocacy Program might just be the right fit.
For students who want to understand how real political and legal change actually happens, the ACLU High School Summer Advocacy Program offers an immersive introduction to civil rights advocacy. In this one-and-a-half week long program, participants will learn about advocacy tools to bolster the next generation of social justice advocates.
Participants explore everything from constitutional law, to public policy and social justice through interactive workshops, seminars and discussions led by ACLU advocates, lawyers and organizers. This program also works to identify strategies for encouraging collective action.
You will engage with issues such as free speech, voting rights, racial justice and immigration, while learning how advocacy strategies are developed and applied in real-world contexts.
There’s also an opportunity to take part in experiences like the “Day of Action,” which exposes students directly to grassroots organizing and policy engagement.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is one of the most well-known civil rights organizations in the United States. Its long-standing national reputation for its role in landmark civil liberties cases and policy advocacy gives the ACLU High School Summer Advocacy Program institutional weight.
The ACLU does not consistently publish admissions statistics, but the program is described as selective and typically attracts a competitive pool of applicants. Its value comes through the access it offers to professional advocates, legal experts and real-world policy shaping.
Students can expect a fast-paced schedule of workshops, discussions and collaborative advocacy projects, but not graded coursework or formal exams. The challenge lies in the level of participation and critical thinking required. Students interested in applying should be willing to be a part of an intensive, fast-paced program.
The ACLU High School Summer Advocacy Program is open to high school students who meet the following criteria:
Note that minimum GPA, standardized test scores or specific coursework requirements are NOT required for eligibility.
Unlike more academically structured summer programs, eligibility is intentionally broad, with selection focusing more on interest, motivation and engagement with civic or social issues than academic performance metrics.
Yes. The ACLU High School Summer Advocacy Program is open to both U.S. and international students, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements and are able to attend the program in-person.
Students who apply by the Early Decision or Regular Decision deadlines typically receive an admissions decision within about two weeks. Applications submitted after the Regular Decision deadline are generally reviewed on a rolling basis, with decisions usually released within approximately 2–3 weeks.
Students who are accepted into the program will receive additional instructions by email explaining how to confirm their enrollment and complete the next steps for participation.
The ACLU High School Summer Advocacy Program allow students tackle a diverse range of problems, from defining religious freedom, detangling the complex nature of systemic equality, as well as providing insights to issue based advocacy campaigns and policy development.
Students will engage with this immersive learning experience through a variety of registers, including:
A major focus of the program is experiential learning. Students work in teams, participate in policy discussions and hear directly from ACLU lawyers, organizers and activists.
Program participants will also participate in social events, intended so that students can form life long bonds and networks.
From the very moment that they enter this intensive program, program participants try maximizing impact on pressing issues within issue advocacy, and foster life long connections with fellow advocates.
Students will receive the full agenda three weeks prior to the program’s start date.
Yes. In addition to scheduled workshops and advocacy activities, students are encouraged to experience Washington, D.C. through organized site visits, group activities and some free time.
Because the program is centered on civic engagement and public policy, many activities take advantage of the city’s political and historical setting. Students may visit landmarks, attend events or participate in activities connected to government, law and advocacy work.
The ACLU High School Summer Advocacy Program can strengthen a college application by demonstrating sustained interest in civic engagement, law, public policy and social justice.
The program may be especially valuable for students planning to study political science, public policy, international relations, journalism, sociology or pre-law-related fields.
Given the interactive nature of the program, program participants have a chance to be deeply involved with the advocacy work they complete. Through this, students will potentially enrich/clarify their interests, and may undergo a transformational experience through which they can better articulate their passions.
Students applying to the ACLU High School Summer Advocacy Program should focus on showcasing genuine interest in civic engagement, advocacy and social issues.
Here are a few ways to strengthen your application:
The ACLU High School Summer Program’s biggest strength is the opportunity to engage directly with real-world advocacy work and learn from lawyers, organizers and policy professionals actively working on major civil liberties issues.
Students who continue engaging with advocacy, leadership, journalism, debate or community service after the program will likely gain the most long-term benefit. While the program alone is unlikely to dramatically change admissions outcomes, it can help students build a clearer academic and extracurricular narrative around civic engagement and social impact.
The ACLU High School Summer Advocacy Program is a strong option for students who want early exposure to civil rights, public policy and real-world advocacy work.
For those looking to build a broader portfolio of academic and extracurricular experiences, the program can be a meaningful way to explore interests and develop a clearer direction in civic or legal fields.
If you’re interested in programs similar to the ACLU High School Summer Advocacy Program – especially those focused on law, public policy, leadership or civic engagement – there are several strong alternatives to consider:
For high school students searching for prestigious summer research programs respected and valued by colleges, Pioneer Academics is a great alternative to this featured program.
Based on a recent survey from Pioneer Academics alumni, 71 percent of Pioneer Research scholars’ college admissions records were to the top 20 US colleges and universities. Six percent of Pioneer’s alumni attended university-affiliated summer programs.
If you’re interested in conducting the highest level of research for high school students, consider joining a Pioneer information session to learn more about the Pioneer Research Institute.
If you are a 9th or 10th grader, you should check out the Global Problem-Solving Institute today. You’ll have the rare opportunity to study current world problems in an interdisciplinary approach and earn college credits from UNC-Chapel Hill at a young age.
The ACLU summer advocacy program does offer a limited supply of full and partial scholarship opportunities. For these financial aid awards, students qualify based on family income and should submit a financial aid application with their program one.
No. Prior activism experience is not required. The program is designed for students at all levels of familiarity with civic engagement and advocacy.
The program is held in Washington, D.C., typically on the campus of American University.
Yes. Students stay in provided housing in Washington, D.C.
Topics include civil rights and liberties such as free speech, voting rights, racial justice, immigration, criminal justice reform and LGBTQ+ rights.
No. The program does not offer college credit.
Yes. It can be a strong fit for students interested in law, political science or public policy, as it provides exposure to legal advocacy and civic engagement.
The program typically runs for about 10 days in the summer.
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