12 Summer Programs for Senior High School Students
If you are a high school senior, summer programs can be a useful way to explore academic interests before starting college. These programs allow you to study subjects in greater depth, participate in research or coursework, and learn from instructors and professionals in different fields. You may also gain exposure to college-level expectations while developing skills in analysis, communication, and independent work.
Why Should You Attend a Program as a Senior?
Participating in a program during your final years of high school can help you better understand the subjects you may want to pursue in college. You can explore areas such as research, technology, medicine, business, or the arts while completing structured academic activities and projects. These opportunities also allow you to work with mentors and meet peers who share similar academic interests.
To help you navigate your options, we’ve narrowed down 12 summer programs for senior high school students.
If you’re looking for online STEM research programs, check out our blog here.
1. Yale Center for Clinical Investigation (YCCI) Exposures Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~6%
Dates: July 6 – July 31
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: High school students at least 15 years of age interested in clinical research or healthcare
This virtual program introduces you to clinical and translational research, with a focus on healthcare technology, data science, and patient engagement. You’re paired with a mentor and participate in lectures, discussions, and structured activities focused on real-world health challenges. The program concludes with a final project presentation to Yale faculty and community leaders. Because of its low acceptance rate and structured mentorship, this is one of the more prestigious summer programs for senior high school students interested in medicine or healthcare research.
2.Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple 12–15 week cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling (January, May, September, November). You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students worldwide; prior AI or Python experience required for advanced tracks
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students looking to get started in AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program.Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and have the opportunity to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students have the opportunity to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
3. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee; $750 stipend upon completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective (12 students)
Dates: June 21 – August 6
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors, at least 17, U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program places students in full-time research positions working directly with Texas Tech University faculty members. Each participant is matched with a mentor and spends several weeks contributing to a research project across fields ranging from biology and engineering to the social sciences and the humanities. With only 12 students selected each year, the program maintains a small cohort that enables close mentorship and individualized research experiences. Besides laboratory or project work, students engage in seminars, discussions, and organized field trips that offer a wider academic perspective. Scholars also present their research findings at the end of the program.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort (January, May, September, November). You can apply here.
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students with strong academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas. The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more.
5. National Institutes of Health (NIH) Summer Internship Program (SIP)
Location: NIH labs across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: None; stipends may be offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~12.5%
Dates: 6 – 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling; closes February 18
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are at least 18 by September 30 (or graduating seniors turning 18 by then and living within 40 miles of an NIH campus), and are enrolled at least half-time in high school, college, or a U.S. graduate program, or starting college after a single gap year
The NIH Summer Internship Program provides students with the opportunity to work in active biomedical research laboratories at one of the largest medical research institutions in the world. Interns are placed in labs where they assist researchers with ongoing projects in areas such as basic biology, clinical studies, or translational biomedical science. Under the guidance of experienced investigators, students learn how scientific research is conducted in professional laboratory settings. In addition to daily lab work, the program includes seminars, workshops, and career talks that introduce participants to different pathways in biomedical research and medicine. Students also have opportunities to interact with other interns and researchers across the NIH network.
6. Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program (SSP)
Location: Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine & Farmington, Conn.
Cost/Stipend: None; $7,000 stipend plus housing and travel
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~5%
Dates: May 30 – August 7 (Bar Harbor) | May 30 – August 10 (Farmington)
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents aged 18+ who have completed Grade 12 (Bar Harbor campus) or are full-time undergraduate students with at least one semester remaining (Bar Harbor and Farmington); applications are open nationwide, though Farmington accepts undergraduates only
The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program focuses on research in genetics and genomics and provides students with hands-on experience in a professional research environment. You are paired with mentors and work on research projects in areas such as cancer biology, immunology, neurobiology, or bioinformatics. Throughout the program, students learn how to design experiments, analyze data, and interpret scientific results while contributing to ongoing studies. The program also features seminars and educational sessions that cover broader topics in genetics and biomedical research. At the end of the experience, students present their findings to fellow participants and laboratory scientists.
7. U.S. Advanced Cyber Academy
Location: U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, AL
Cost: Starts from $1,999
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open registration
Dates: 6 days; varies by expedition
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18 who are U.S. citizens
The U.S. Advanced Cyber Academy is a short residential program focused on cybersecurity and digital defense. Hosted at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, the academy introduces participants to topics such as network systems, Linux environments, digital forensics, and cyber threat analysis. Students work through hands-on exercises and team-based challenges designed to simulate real cybersecurity scenarios. The curriculum includes instruction in Python programming and ethical considerations surrounding cybersecurity practices. The program is developed in collaboration with organizations such as the FBI, which provides additional professional context.
8. Cornell University Summer Pre-College Studies
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; virtual options
Cost: $1,940 per credit plus a $75 application fee, with total costs ranging from $5,820 to $22,282 depending on credits, session length, and whether the program is online, commuter, or residential
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies based on program. Check more details here
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18
Cornell’s Summer Precollege Studies program allows high school students to enroll in actual college courses taught by Cornell faculty. Participants can choose from a wide range of subjects, including engineering, psychology, medicine, government, and the arts. Classes follow the structure of regular university courses, with assigned readings, coursework, and assessments that mirror undergraduate expectations. Students attend lectures, participate in discussions, and complete projects or exams depending on the course.
9. Harvard Secondary School Program (SSP)
Location: Virtual or in-person at Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $4,180 – $15,735
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 21 – August 9
Application Deadline: February 11 (Regular
Eligibility: Academically motivated high school students who will graduate and enter college, and are at least 16 by June 20 but not yet 19 by July 31
Harvard’s Secondary School Program allows high school students to enroll in college-level courses offered during the university’s summer term. Participants can select from over fifty subject areas and study with other high school students in classes modeled on Harvard’s academic standards. They attend lectures, complete assignments, and participate in discussions that replicate the experience of undergraduate courses. The program offers various participation options, including residential, commuter, and online formats.
10. School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) Early College Program Summer Institute (ECPSI)
Location: Virtual or in-person at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL;
Cost: $1,908 (one college credit), $3,816 (two college credits), $7,632 (four college credits) + housing and other costs
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple sessions throughout the summer
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18 who have completed their sophomore year
SAIC’s Early College Program Summer Institute is designed for high school seniors serious about developing their artistic voice while earning college credit. You can choose from one-, two-, or four-week studio-based courses in areas such as drawing, fashion construction, animation, or video, all taught by SAIC faculty who are active artists and designers. The program focuses on practical studio work, critique sessions, and portfolio development rather than on lectures alone. Students can attend in person in downtown Chicago with options for residential or commuter arrangements, or join virtually if travel isn't feasible. Those attending in person also participate in evening workshops and have access to SAIC’s professional-grade studios and facilities.
11. Tufts High School Summer Program
Location: Tufts University, Medford, MA
Cost: Varies; limited financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by program
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students in grades 10–12; residential programs require students to be 15–18
Tufts High School Summer Programs offer short, focused academic experiences that typically run between one and three weeks. You can choose from subjects such as engineering, computer science, health and medicine, business, or the arts, depending on your academic interests. Tufts faculty members and instructors teach courses focused on applied learning, case studies, and hands-on projects. Certain programs offer college credits, while others prioritize exploration and skill-building.
12. NSLC Pre-college Summer Programs
Location: Various university campuses across the U.S.
Cost: Varies based on program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by program
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 14–18 who have completed at least one year of high school
The National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) emphasizes merging career exploration with leadership development. Participants can select from various subject tracks, including Business, Government & Law, Computer Science, Medicine, STEM, or Art & Design, based on their interests. Programs include simulations, leadership workshops, guest lectures, and field trips tied to the chosen discipline. You’ll live on a university campus and follow a structured daily schedule that mirrors college expectations.
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