Civic Leadership Institute (Northwestern University)

Summer program · Northwestern University Center for Talent Development

This three-week course, offered through Northwestern's Center for Talent Development summer program, has students study current social and political issues alongside service-learning projects, meetings with community leaders, and structured debate and dialogue. It's open to students in grades 9-12 as either a day camp or a residential camp on Northwestern's Evanston campus. Admission follows CTD's tiered eligibility system -- a transcript and teacher recommendation, or qualifying above-grade-level test scores, depending on the course tier -- and financial aid is available on a rolling, limited basis.

Who can apply

GradesGrades 9–12

Min GPA—

ScopeNational

StatesAll states

FieldsCivics · Government · Political Science · Public Policy

Logistics

Cost to you$3,125 (day) / $5,530 (residential); financial aid available

Financial aidAvailable

StipendNone

FormatVaries

Length3 weeks in summer (June 28-July 17, 2026)

WhereNorthwestern University, Evanston, IL

Applying

DueRolling admission; apply early as financial aid funds are limited

You submitCTD admission review: transcript and teacher recommendation, or qualifying above-grade-level test scores (tier varies by course)

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