Read Time: 4 minutes
At A Glance
- Explore future career paths through hands-on, real-world learning
- Build leadership skills that support success in all areas of life
- Experience campus living, new locations, and a diverse peer community
Since 1989, the National Student Leadership Conference has been dedicated to helping teens prepare for their next steps after high school, providing summer programs rooted in academic exploration and personal growth that offer a unique look at the opportunities and challenges of college life.
Students from around the world participate in NSLC programs to gain clarity, confidence, and real exposure to subjects they’re considering for the future. No matter where you are in your educational journey, NSLC offers a meaningful way to explore your interests and lay the groundwork for a successful transition into college.
Explore a Career Path Before College
With more than 30 programs to choose from, NSLC gives you an inside look at subjects you’re curious about, helping you explore potential career paths before getting to college. Guided by professors and industry professionals, NSLC’s pre-college programs emphasize active learning through hands-on simulations and projects that create an academic experience not easily replicated in traditional K–12 classrooms. This deeper exposure to a future career field helps you make more informed decisions and gives you practical guidance and resources to make your goals achievable.
Build Leadership Skills That Transfer Anywhere
Leadership is a core principle at NSLC and an important part of each program experience, shaping how you communicate, collaborate, and approach challenges. The leadership curriculum focuses on key skills such as conflict resolution and communication and is designed to strengthen your natural talents, regardless of your chosen career path. Leadership development workshops are led by a trained Leadership Facilitator and focus on practical tools that support both personal growth and professional development. The skills you build in these sessions carry beyond the classroom, helping you navigate college with greater confidence and adaptability.
Experience Life on a College Campus
NSLC programs give you the opportunity to experience daily life as a college student, immersing you in an academic environment that mirrors a real university experience. Program schedules feature advanced, college-level material that challenges you to explore real-world applications of the subject you’re studying.
You’ll learn in university classrooms, eat in campus dining halls, and live in supervised residence halls alongside other students. This college setting helps you build the independence needed to succeed after high school, from navigating a campus to sharing space with a roommate and managing a full academic schedule.
Expand Your Network and Perspective
Each NSLC program offers opportunities to hear directly from industry leaders and gain insight into possible career paths. Many of these speakers have been where you are now and share practical advice drawn from real experience, along with perspective on the steps ahead.
NSLC also brings together students from all 50 states and more than 110 countries, creating a diverse community of peers who share similar interests and ambitions. By connecting with industry professionals and fellow students, you leave with a broader perspective and a meaningful network that can support you as you move into college and beyond.
Explore What Location Feels Right for You
When choosing a college, the surrounding city can be just as influential as the campus itself. NSLC programs are hosted at prestigious universities across the country and abroad, giving you the opportunity to experience the academic, cultural, and recreational character of different locations. Each program includes field trips connected to your area of study, highlighting how industries and career opportunities take shape in the surrounding region.
Experiencing different environments firsthand helps you better understand where you might thrive, making it easier to approach your college decision with greater confidence and clarity.