Build your path to your dream school this summer
Get matched with a mentor in your field of interest. Create a project that stands out on college applications. Join a community that believes in your potential.
Takes 15 minutes • No GPA required
Program Impact
Where Our Fellows Are Now
Real outcomes from students who started where you are
Angelica Benitez
Computer Science at Harvard
Gates Millennium Scholar
Janet Yu
Data Theory & Global Health at UCLA
Data Science Intern @ Meta
Jadee Lin
Business Administration at UC Berkeley Haas
Founder & CEO
William Nguyen
Software Engineering
Incoming Engineer @ Google
Join a Community That Gets You
Every Sunday, Fellows and mentors come together for workshops, guest speakers, and real talk. You'll meet other ambitious students from across California, Oregon, and Washington who share your drive.
Our mentors come from diverse backgrounds—STEM professionals, lawyers, consultants, educators, public policy experts, and social impact leaders. Whatever your interests, we'll match you with someone who can guide your journey.
Your Summer Timeline
A 10-week journey from orientation to Pitch Day
Feb 28, 2026
Application Deadline
May 31, 2026
Orientation Day
June – August
Weekly Mentorship
Aug 16, 2026
Pitch Day Finals
What You'll Get
Everything you need to stand out in college applications
1-on-1 Mentorship
Get matched with a mentor in your field of interest—whether that's tech, law, business, healthcare, education, public policy, or social impact. They'll guide you all summer.
Social Impact Project
Design and execute a project that addresses real issues in your community—perfect material for college essays and interviews.
$1,000 Scholarship
Top projects compete for the Growth Mindset Scholarship, awarded at Pitch Day in front of industry professionals.
Career Workshops
Learn public speaking, personal finance, job searching, and mental wellness from industry professionals.
Lifetime Network
Join a community of ambitious students and successful alumni who continue to support each other long after the program ends.
Technology Support
No laptop? No problem. We provide technology assistance to Fellows who need it.
In Their Own Words
Real stories from students whose lives changed
"Without Close The Gap, I would have never thought that I would be able to land a summer job, let alone a marketing internship, at the age of 16. Close the Gap has empowered me to recognize the importance of networking and utilizing all the resources that are available to me."
Janet Yu
2020 Fellow • Now at UCLA & Meta
"Growing up without a father, my mom had to play both roles which was pretty difficult for her. She still managed to raise my brother and me to become great men. Close the Gap didn't just provide me with people who care about me, they truly opened my eyes to the potential that I have."
Brandon Morales
Scholarship Recipient, 2020
"My parents are immigrants, so I don't have a lot of role models to look up to for college prep. Close the Gap provided me with so many opportunities and even paired me up with a mentor from Amazon who has helped me with college applications. I now have so many role models I can always go to for help."
Anjelika Khadka
Scholarship Recipient, 2020
"I began to realize that there were a lot of people in my community also struggling with food insecurity, and I wanted to give back to them through my project. This scholarship will ultimately help my chance of getting into college where I hope to study law and really make change in the POC community."
India Cathcart
Scholarship Recipient, 2021
"I appreciate the whole Close the Gap family for opening so many opportunities for me. This whole program gave me confidence and the ability to create something so amazing with mentorship and guidance. This experience made my whole summer, the people I met and what I learned will forever have a special place in my heart."
Amiya Marbles
Scholarship Recipient, 2021
"As I was exploring project topics, my eyes were opened to the aid my community needed when it came to adolescent vaping. After months of hard work and dedication, the feeling of winning second place was unbelievable. Close the Gap has taught me so much and I have a new understanding of what it is to be a leader."
Valerie Henriquez
Scholarship Recipient, 2021
Our Community In Action
Fellows, mentors, and alumni come together year after year
Watch Fellow Stories
Hear directly from past participants on our YouTube
Where Fellows Have Been Accepted
+ Many more California in-state and Ivy League schools!
Who Can Apply
Check if you're eligible for the 2026 Fellowship
Rising 11th or 12th grader for the 2026–2027 school year
Identify as low-income or previously qualified for free/reduced lunch
Attend high school in California, Oregon, or Washington
Available June through August for weekly virtual sessions
📝 No minimum GPA required—we care about your potential, not your grades
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Applications for Summer 2026 are now open. Takes about 15 minutes.
Deadline: February 28, 2026 at midnight PST