SMASH Academy

SMASH Academy

July 8 - 26, 2024

Application Launching December 2023

SMASH Academy:

Our intensive & holistic CS-focused program

SMASH Academy, our flagship program, is a FREE, 1-year, intensive CS-focused program that empowers students to deepen their talents and pursue CS careers. Scholars are immersed in tuition-free studies in partnership with leading universities throughout the country for one summer.  

During the program, scholars build relationships with facilitators and CS professionals that reflect their same demographics. Because of their common background, students connect more deeply with gain true mentorship from these CS professionals. As they go through the program, scholars not only develop their skills and network – they also further develop their voice and build the confidence to become who they want to be.

How SMASH Academy works

Beginning the summer after their 10th grade year of high school, scholars gain access to the following:

  • A free summer of residential programming
  • Computer Science (CS), STEM Workshop, College Success,CS Pathways, and Electives courses
  • Networking events with CS and STEM professionals
  • A robust community of peers and support that will last a lifetime

University Partners

Our university partners are an integral part of the SMASH Academy program. The first SMASH Academy was founded at the University of California, Berkeley in 2004.

Since then, it expanded across California and beyond. See below for our current locations.

2004: SMASH x UC Berkeley (Berkeley, CA)

2011: SMASH x Stanford (Stanford, CA)

2016: SMASH x UC Davis (Davis, CA)

2017: SMASH x Morehouse (Atlanta, GA)

2019: SMASH x Illinois (Our first state-wide initiative, with university partners Illinois Institute of Technology and Southern Illinois University and foundation partner, CPASS Foundation.)

2020: SMASH x Northeastern University (Boston, MA) & SMASH x University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)

2021: SMASH x Spelman (Atlanta, GA)

Eligibility

Applicants must meet all the eligibility requirements listed below in order to be considered for SMASH (no exceptions).
  1. GPA: Must have minimum 3.0 GPA or equivalent.
  2. Grade Level: Be in the 10th or 11th grade at the time of application.
  3. Math Skills: Have strong mathematics skills appropriate for your grade level, as determined by your state standardized math test scores.
  4. Attend a public high school or private high school via scholarship.
  5. Location: SMASH Academy will give preference to applicants who attend our target schools. However, if your school is not on the list, you are still welcome to apply.
  6. CS Interest: Must have a strong interest in obtaining a computer science degree or certification and pursuing a career in CS.
  7. Applicants to SMASH Morehouse must be male, and SMASH Spelman must be female.

Target Applicants

The criteria below describes who we aim to serve, however, applicants do not need to fulfill any or all of the criteria to apply to SMASH.
From groups traditionally underrepresented in computer science: African American, Chicano/Latinx, Native American, Filipino, Pacific Islander, Southeast Asian (i.e. Cambodian, Hmong, Laotian, Vietnamese) or mixed race/multiracial groups with at least one parent from the above ethnicities.
First-generation college students: This means that neither one of your parents received a bachelor’s or 4-year degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university in the United States. If you have a sibling in college you are still first generation. If your parents took some courses, but did not complete a degree you are still considered first generation
From a low-income family: (e.g. qualifies for Free or Reduced Lunch program).

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