Horizons
Hack Club
A summer program for high school students to learn computer science and build projects with mentorship from industry professionals.
Visit Official Page →At a Glance
- Acceptance Rate
- Unknown - no public data avail…
- Applicants
- Unknown - not publicly di…
- Selected
- Unknown - program scale n…
- Cost
- Hack Club programs a…
Eligibility
- Grades
- High school students (9-12), though Hack Club serves ages 13-18
- Age
- 13-18 years old
- Citizenship
- Not specified on available sources; likely open internationally or US-based (requires verification)
- Prerequisites
- No formal prerequisites mentioned; open to beginners through advanced students
Application Process
Steps
- Visit horizons.hackclub.com
- Complete online application form
- Provide background information and statement of interest
- Await acceptance notification
- Confirm participation if accepted
Materials Needed
- Basic personal information
- Statement of interest in computer science/coding
- Possibly a description of past projects or experience (exact requirements unclear)
- Timeline
- Likely opens spring for summer program; exact dates require verification on official website
- Cost
- Hack Club programs are typically FREE for all teenagers (Hack Club is fully nonprofit)
Selection Criteria
What Judges Look For
- Genuine interest in computer science and project building
- Enthusiasm and willingness to learn
- Ability to work with mentors and peers
- Clear vision of what you want to build or learn
- Commitment to completing the program
Scoring
Not publicly available; likely based on application quality and fit with program goals
Common Mistakes
- Generic applications without specific project ideas
- Lack of enthusiasm or clear motivation
- Not demonstrating genuine interest in learning
- Incomplete applications or missing information
Statistics
- Acceptance Rate
- Unknown - no public data available
- Applicants
- Unknown - not publicly disclosed
- Winners / Selected
- Unknown - program scale not documented
Tips & Strategy
- Show genuine passion for building something real, not just coding for grades
- Have a specific project idea or learning goal in mind for the summer
- Highlight any past projects, hackathons, or coding experience (even beginner projects)
- Write compelling essays about why you want to spend your summer on this program
- Demonstrate that you want to learn from experienced mentors and collaborate with peers
- Emphasize your growth mindset and willingness to tackle challenges
- Show you understand what Hack Club stands for: 'Where teens make cool stuff'
- Follow Hack Club on social media to understand their culture and values
- Apply early if rolling admissions
- Be honest about your current skill level - beginner-friendly is encouraged
Preparation
How to Prepare
- Learn basic coding fundamentals (Python, JavaScript, or similar) through free resources
- Build small personal projects to showcase in your application
- Participate in online Hack Club community via Slack to understand the culture
- Research past Hack Club events and hackathons to understand their approach
- Prepare a compelling personal statement about your coding goals
- Consider participating in a local Hack Club if one exists near you
- Document your project ideas clearly
Resources
- Hack Club official website: hackclub.com
- Hack Club Slack community (free to join)
- Hack Club YouTube channel with tutorials and event coverage
- freeCodeCamp for coding fundamentals
- Codecademy for beginner programming courses
- GitHub for showcasing projects
- Local Hack Club chapters for networking and learning
- Time Needed
- 1-2 months of preparation: learning basics, building a project, and crafting application materials
Past Winners Profile
Hack Club attracts self-motivated teenagers who want to build real projects. Successful applicants typically have demonstrated curiosity about technology, some coding experience (though not required), and clear ideas about what they want to create. The community values authenticity, creativity, and a desire to learn from real-world mentors.
College Admissions Impact
Hack Club programs, including Horizons, are viewed positively by college admissions officers as evidence of genuine interest in computer science. They demonstrate self-motivation, real project experience, and peer learning. Tier 3 prestige suggests moderate recognition - not as prestigious as major STEM competitions but still valuable as proof of initiative and technical skill. Colleges see Hack Club participants as passionate learners who take initiative.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Horizons acceptance rate?
The Horizons acceptance rate is Unknown - no public data available. Approximately Unknown - not publicly disclosed students apply each year.
How do I apply to Horizons?
The application process includes: Visit horizons.hackclub.com; Complete online application form; Provide background information and statement of interest; Await acceptance notification; Confirm participation if accepted.
Who is eligible for Horizons?
Grades: High school students (9-12), though Hack Club serves ages 13-18. Citizenship: Not specified on available sources; likely open internationally or US-based (requires verification). Prerequisites: No formal prerequisites mentioned; open to beginners through advanced students.
Sources
Last updated: June 2026