15 Chemistry Programs for High School Students in Los Angeles, California (LA)
If you are a high school student interested in chemistry, a structured program can help you explore the subject beyond what is typically covered in school. These programs often place participants in professional environments, such as research labs or industrial facilities, where they can observe how chemical principles drive innovation in medicine, energy, and environmental safety. Offered by prestigious organizations, they also offer you the chance to work alongside experienced scientists and mentors, building a professional network that can guide you through future career paths.
Why should you attend a program in Los Angeles, California?
Los Angeles offers a strong setting for studying chemistry, with major universities, medical centers, and research institutes spread across the region. Depending on the program, you may work on lab experiments, research projects, data analysis, or interdisciplinary applications that combine chemistry with biology, physics, or computer science. These programs are suitable for students based in Los Angeles who want local opportunities, as well as out-of-city students interested in learning within a research-driven academic environment.
To help you get started, we have narrowed down 15 chemistry programs for high school students in Los Angeles, California (LA).
If you are looking for engineering internships in Los Angeles, check out our blog here.
1. American Chemical Society Project SEED
Location: Varies by placement; opportunities are available in Los Angeles.
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $4,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; over 350 students selected annually
Dates: June – July
Application Deadline: April 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, seniors, or recent graduates who have completed at least one chemistry course and belong to low-income households (those with an annual income of ≤300% based on the Federal Poverty Guidelines)
Project SEED was founded as an initiative to provide high school students from underserved backgrounds the opportunity to work on research in the field of chemistry. Selected students typically work at a university, industrial, or government lab and are mentored by professional chemists. In the process, you will learn how to develop a hypothesis and present the results of your experiments. Apart from research, Project SEED also hosts enriching activities that include career panels, field trips, college preparation sessions, and the opportunity to attend conferences at the American Chemical Society.
2. Veritas AI Fellowship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; one-on-one mentorship
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November); apply here
Eligibility: Students who have either completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with 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 get a chance to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance 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 and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. City of Hope – Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy
Location: City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, California (Los Angeles area)
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $4,500 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 70–82 students
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 11
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students; must be at least 16 years old by the first day of the program; must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy at City of Hope offers you a prestigious 10-week immersion into the world of high-level chemical and biomedical research. If you are passionate about chemistry, you will explore advanced topics like medicinal chemistry, drug development, DNA repair, and chemical biology while being paired with professional mentors to work on actual laboratory projects. Throughout the program, you will engage in hands-on activities such as synthesizing compounds, performing complex data analysis, and presenting your original findings at a culminating poster session. By participating, you’ll sharpen your technical lab skills and master the art of scientific writing and public speaking.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote , you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; full financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically 1:1 mentor-student ratio
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring; options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (accepted students typically maintain an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher)
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 that you can explore as a high schooler. 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 chemistry, physics, data science, engineering, and more.
5. Bridge Undergraduate Science Jr. Program (BUGS Jr.)
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $800 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 30–40 students
Dates: Mid-June – First Saturday in August
Application Deadline: April 13
Eligibility: Rising 9th graders through 12th graders who are US citizens, permanent residents, or have a valid immigration status in the US, and are at least 16 years old
If you want to gain experience in research while in high school, this BUGS Jr. program allows you to work on experiments across different scientific fields, including chemistry. As a participant in the program, you will spend the summer working alongside a USC staff member and their lab team, which will consist of graduate students or postdoctoral fellows. Apart from working in the advanced lab setting of USC, you will also be involved in campus tours, journal clubs, career symposia, technical panels, research seminars, and multidisciplinary social mixers. There will be a final symposium where you can present your research.
6. Samuels Family LA-HIP High School Internship Program
Location: The Saban Research Institute of Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 24 students
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: 11th graders who attend a public high school in Los Angeles County and have the legal documentation to work in California
The Samuels Family LA-HIP High School Internship Program includes a summer in-lab internship where you'll conduct biomedical research with the assistance of scientists from the Saban Research Institute at Children's Hospital, Los Angeles. Interns typically work on experiments that focus on pediatric health and diseases, making them suitable for students like you who are interested in chemistry. By the end of the program, you will have learned how to maintain lab notebooks, communicate with other scientists, and share your results during lab meetings. The program also features counseling sessions conducted during the academic year.
7. Nanoscience Lab Summer Program
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Estimated to be between $1,500 – $2,999; limited need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohorts
Dates: Session A: June 22–26; Session B: August 3–7
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: 10th to 12th grade students who will be at least 15 years old by the first day of the program and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2
The Nanoscience Lab Summer Program, hosted by the California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI) at UCLA, is a one-week intensive program designed for high school students, focusing on the advancements of science and technology. You will work on experiments that teach you some of the topics or technologies that are being significantly researched by today’s scientists. Through these experiments that were organized by researchers from UCLA, you will learn about bio-toxicity, supercapacitors, photolithography, and more. The program particularly introduces you to the fields of nanotechnology and nanoscience.
8. California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS)
Location: Various University of California campuses, including UCLA, Los Angeles. CA
Cost: $5,518 + $46 application fee; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20-25 students per cluster
Dates: UC Irvine & UC San Diego: July 5–31 | UC Davis, UCLA & UC Santa Cruz: July 5 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Rising 9th through 12th-grade students who are enrolled in a school in California; each cluster has its own prerequisite course requirement
The University of California's various campuses offer the COSMOS program, which caters to students considering careers in STEM. The program consists of a list of clusters that are unique to each campus, and each cluster will have two science and/or math courses and a science communication course. If you are a high school student who is considering attending a chemistry program in LA, COSMOS offers options like High Success: Hydrogen Is Green Headway to Sustainability, Carbon Capture, Energy Transition, and Sustainability, Revealing Molecular Structure, and more. Regardless of which cluster you choose, your daily schedule in the program will include lectures, hands-on projects, discussions, and more.
9. USC Summer Programs – The Science of Food, Nutrition, and the Biological World
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Estimated Residential: $11,570; Commuter: $8,130 + $85 application fee; international students: $12,208 + $185 Visa application fee + $350 SEVIS I-901 fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size details not available
Dates: June 22 – July 17
Application Deadline: International students: March 13; Domestic students: May 8
Eligibility: Students who have completed 9th grade and are pursuing a rigorous high school curriculum
In this four-week immersive program, you will explore how the principles of chemistry and biology dictate everything you eat and how your body functions. The curriculum dives deep into the biochemistry of macro- and micronutrients, food molecular structures, and the chemical processes involved in fermentation and metabolism. You will engage in hands-on activities like extracting DNA, performing gel electrophoresis, and even making your own lactose-free cream cheese or miso. A unique feature of this course is its interdisciplinary approach, blending rigorous lab work with culinary field trips and discussions on the environmental impact of genetically modified foods. By the end of the session, you’ll have mastered technical skills in PCR and experimental design.
10. Loyola High School of Los Angeles Summer Session – Pre-AP Chemistry
Location: Loyola High School of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $600
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; generally 20–25 students per section
Dates: June 15 – July 10
Application Deadline: Mid-June
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12
Summer Session at Loyola High School of Los Angeles offers the Pre-AP Chemistry course, specifically designed to prepare students for the rigors of a year-long AP Chemistry curriculum. In this course, you will learn about the composition of matter, measurement, atomic structure, stoichiometry, and other concepts in the subject. The syllabus will also focus on strengthening your laboratory skills by engaging you in experiments that are part of AP Chemistry’s curriculum. The program has four periods; make sure to check the course catalogue to confirm which period each class is.
11. Loyola Marymount University – Environmental Science: The Living City
Location: Loyola Marymount University, Westchester Campus (Los Angeles, CA)
Cost: $6,500 + $65 application fee; limited need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; approximately 15–25 students per session
Dates: July 5–17
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors (Ages 14–18)
In this two-week immersion at LMU, you will explore how chemistry and biology converge to solve environmental challenges within urban ecosystems like the Ballona Wetlands. The curriculum spans critical topics such as water quality, pollution management, carbon cycling, and the metabolic energetics of local wildlife. You’ll get hands-on experience by testing sugar-water concentrations with a spectrometer, conducting chemical field assays of wetland water, and analyzing soil samples for urban contaminants. The program features a "research paradigm" approach, which includes creating resin wildlife casts to blend scientific observation with creative expression. This experience builds your professional skills in field research protocols and data interpretation, providing a high-level foundation for future collegiate STEM studies.
12. Bruin Ascent Summer Experience (BASE)
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 100–150 students (across various course tracks)
Dates: June 22 – July 31
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: 10th and 11th graders who are enrolled in a high school in California must have a minimum unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.5, should not be recipients of Summer Scholars Support, and must have a household adjusted gross income (AGI) that is equal to or lower than the amount specified in your relevant category in the Family Income Eligibility Tables.
UCLA’s BASE program is aimed at high school students from California who demonstrate a strong academic record and come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Each BASE participant can enroll in a course of their interest and earn college credits for it. For instance, you can choose Chemistry 14A: General Chemistry for Life Scientists. When enrolled in this online program, you will gain the skills and support required to succeed academically in the future. The program will engage you in mentorship sessions by current UCLA students and workshops that are catered toward your academic and personal growth.
13. Brown Pre-College – Acid/Base Chemistry: From Food to Everyday Phenomena
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $3,364 + application fee of $80; scholarships are provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; cohort size of 20–30 students
Dates: July 14 – July 25
Application Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: 9th to 12th graders between the ages of 14 and 18
If you are interested in chemistry topics such as acids and bases, then this Brown Pre-College course is sure to fascinate you. The course covers different acid and base theories, such as Arrhenius, Bronsted-Lowry, and Lewis acid/base theories. You will learn about them through lectures, assignments, and reading course materials. In this program, you will also learn how to use various tools that are typically used in chemistry labs. These include, but are not limited to, pH meters, UV-vis spectrophotometers, and volumetric pipettes. The ultimate goal of this pre-college course is to ensure you are ready for a career in chemistry or similar fields.
14. UCLA Summer College Immersion Program SCIP+
Location: Online
Cost: Registration fee $350 + Program fee $1,950 + $385 Per unit fee + Document fee $50 + IEI fee $61 + RES PRC 97XD Unit Fee $385; need-based and merit scholarships are available for students enrolled in a high school in California
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective;
Dates: June 22 – July 31
Application Deadline: International students: April 1; Domestic students: May 1
Eligibility: 10th and 11th-grade students with a minimum GPA of 3.8
This summer immersion program, offered by UCLA, is designed for high school students who wish to explore concepts typically covered in college courses. Students considering the SCIP+ can choose to enroll in one or two courses from the list of options available, including those related to chemistry, like the CHEM 14A: General Chemistry for Life Scientists I and CHEM 20A: Chemical Structure. You will study concepts like organic molecules, RNA, DNA, enzymes, drug discoveries, and more. Most importantly, the university's Undergraduate Research Center will give you a theoretical introduction to the research field.
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