12 Chemistry Summer Programs
If you’re a high school student with an interest in chemistry, consider participating in a chemistry program this summer. Whether it’s educational programs, lab research, or internships, many of these programs allow you to learn practical skills and gain industry exposure while still in high school. You will also have the opportunity to explore the field of chemistry, understand its connections to other disciplines, and determine whether it is a subject worth pursuing further in college or as a potential career path.
Massachusetts is home to several prestigious institutions and colleges, from Harvard to MIT, many of which offer competitive programs. A benefit of participating in chemistry summer programs in Massachusetts is that you’ll get to learn from experts in the field and work with top industry professionals. You will also have the opportunity to establish meaningful connections and begin developing your professional network early.
In this blog, we’ve covered 15 chemistry summer programs for high school students in Massachusetts that are worth checking out.
If you are looking for programs in Massachusetts, check out our blogs here and here.
1. American Chemical Society (ACS) Project SEED Program
Location: Various labs across the U.S., including Massachusetts (virtual options available)
Stipend: $4,000
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: 8-10 weeks from June – July
Application Deadline: February – April 14 (as per previous year)
Eligibility: High school students (preference for current high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors); Should have finished one course of high school chemistry at least
During the Project SEED Program, you will gain exposure to chemistry in the lab, prepare for college, and learn about the science career paths available to you. The program gives you the chance to do meaningful lab work. You’ll get to work individually or together with other students on a research project and prepare a report or poster on the work you did. Aside from this, you will also get to participate in career panels, go on field trips and campus tours, and join science fair competitions. During the Summer I Program, which is only open to first-time Project SEED participants, you will work on a chemistry-related research project under the supervision of a mentor. You’ll then have the option to participate in the Summer II Program, which is an extension of Summer I. In this program, you will have the option to continue your research or begin a new one. You’ll also get to present your work at ACS or other scientific meetings.
2. Veritas AI: AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; you can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students who have either finished the AI Scholars program or have experience with AI concepts or Python
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students passionate about the field of AI with a suitable environment in which to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. As a participant, you will be expected to have a basic understanding of Python or have completed the AI Scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. The AI Fellowship program will allow you to pursue independent AI research projects for over 15 weeks and even opt to combine AI with any other field of interest, like chemistry. You can find examples of previous projects here read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None (non-refundable application fee of $75)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Less than 2.5%; 100 students
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: December 10
Eligibility: High school juniors (16+); More details here
The Research Science Institute (RSI) is a highly selective and prestigious program that offers high school students the chance to spend their summer conducting hands-on research in a variety of science and STEM fields, including chemistry, engineering, physics, and more. As a participant, you will divide your time between on-campus coursework in scientific theory and off-campus work in science and technology research. You’ll start the program by attending a week of intensive STEM classes and then spend the remaining five weeks participating in a mentored research internship. You will be expected to read up on current literature in your field, develop a detailed research plan, and create written and oral reports of your work. You’ll also get to go on field trips to nearby cultural attractions and science and technology facilities.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: Chemistry Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of 3.3+
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers high school students the chance to participate in an intensive, virtual research program. As a participant, you will be paired with a PhD mentor who will offer guidance and support as you work on an independent research project. You can choose research topics from fields like chemistry, biology, engineering, international relations, psychology, and more. By the end of the program, you will have a research paper that you can present at the Lumiere Research Symposium or publish. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. Northeastern University’s Young Scholars Program (YSP)
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; Stipends may be offered
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 22 – July 30
Application Deadline: December 15 – March 2
Eligibility: Massachusetts rising high school seniors with a minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; Must live within commuting distance of Northeastern University
During the Young Scholars Program (YSP), you will gain research experience while still in high school by working in Northeastern University’s research laboratories alongside faculty. Some of the previous research conducted involves utilising agent-based modelling simulations to investigate active particles, developing new model compression algorithms, optimising battery chemistries, and assessing innovative cancer therapies. Aside from this, you will have the opportunity to attend seminars led by industry professionals, who will share insights about their career paths and assist you in exploring potential career options. You will also benefit from education and career counselling. The program also gives you the chance to go on field trips to corporate and government sites like the MIT Chemical Engineering Labs, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Centre, and more.
6. MITES Summer
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: 6 weeks from June to August
Application Deadline: November – February 1
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors
During the MITES Summer program, you will spend six weeks on campus, immersed in five rigorous courses. The program focuses on offering insight into STEM degrees and careers while also giving you the chance to develop your academic and personal skills. As a participant, you will be expected to take courses in math, life sciences, physics, and humanities, as well as one project-based elective. In the past, some of these electives have included genomics, architecture, machine learning, and more. Through these courses, you’ll learn about the impact STEM has on society and how you can use your knowledge and skills to build a better world.
7. Smith College: Summer Science & Engineering Program
Location: Smith College, Northampton, MA
Cost: Varies by program type; $50 application fee; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; Over 100 students/year
Dates: July 4 – 17 (session 1); July 19 – August 1 (session 2)
Application Deadline: December 10 – May 1
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9-12
The Summer Science & Engineering Program is for high school students interested in participating in lab-based courses alongside Smith faculty. Courses cover various fields, from life and physical sciences to engineering, and you will explore chemistry-related topics like the Chemistry of Herbal Medicine, Chemistry Under the Sun, Truth in Advertising: A Chemical Analysis of the Products We Buy, and more. As a participant, you will learn through work alongside peers and Smith faculty members. You’ll also get to attend lectures in the lab and field and get to conduct actual experiments. The program will teach you how scientists and engineers formulate questions and how to operate advanced scientific instruments. You’ll also develop essential critical thinking and analytical skills.
8. Harvard Summer School’s Secondary School Program (SSP)
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (virtual options available)
Cost: $4,180 – $15,735 + $75 application fee; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: July 12 – August 8 (4 weeks); June 20 – August 8 (7 weeks)
Application Deadline: December 1 – April 1 (late); Apply as early as possible
Eligibility: High school students (16-19); Specific requirements vary by course
The Harvard Summer School Secondary School Program offers high schoolers the chance to participate in rigorous, college-level courses while earning college credit. You can choose to participate in either the 4-week format or the 7-week format, and can choose from a variety of chemistry courses. One of them is the 4-week Quantum, Statistical, and Computational Foundations of Chemistry, during which you will explore the fundamental theories of quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics. Some other 7-week courses include Chemistry in Context, the Principles of Organic Chemistry, Experimental Chemistry and Chemical Biology, and more.
9. Pre-College @ UMass Amherst: Everyday Magic: Chemistry & Its Environmental Impact
Location: University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA
Cost: $3,907 (in-person); $2,262 (commuter); Scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: July 27 – August 9 (as per previous year)
Application Deadline: May 2 (tentative)
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores to seniors
The Pre-College @ UMass Amherst program offers high school students the chance to participate in college-level courses while still in high school. During the program, you’ll experience life on campus, explore your academic interests, and make connections with peers and faculty. One of the courses you can participate in is “Everyday Magic: Chemistry & Its Environmental Impact,” during which you will explore matter's physical and chemical behaviour in general and organic chemistry. You will learn about concepts like chemical bonding, acid-base reaction, thermochemistry, and more. You’ll also develop skills like problem solving, lab techniques, scientific communication, analytical reasoning, and so on. The course helps you understand the role chemistry plays in environmental issues. You’ll also get to go on field trips to the Digital Media Lab (DML) and the Common Lab Facility in the Chemistry Department, where you will participate in hands-on activities.
10. George Mason University: Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Remote + in-person at George Mason University
Cost/Stipend: None (except for a $25 application fee, which can be waived)
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 18 – August 8 (as per previous year)
Application Deadline: February 2 (as per previous year)
Eligibility: High school students aged 15+ (remote internships + in-person/hybrid computer labs); High school students aged 16+ (in-person or hybrid wet-lab internships)
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University offers high school and college students the chance to participate in intensive research opportunities. As a participant, you will get to work on research projects alongside faculty researchers who will also act as mentors for the duration of your time there. Some areas of focus include chemistry and biochemistry, bioengineering, astronomy, and more. You will also gain practical experience using advanced equipment and technologies and will develop your scientific writing and communication skills. Aside from this, you will learn about the various STEM career choices available to you.
11. UCLA Summer Sessions
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $385 per unit; Financial aid available; See details here
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple sessions in the summer
Application Deadline: Opens in December; See details here
Eligibility: High school students; Specific requirements vary by course
The UCLA Summer Sessions gives high school students the chance to spend the summer participating in college-level courses. As a high school student, you can choose from one to two courses. If you’re interested in chemistry, here are some of the courses you can take: CHEM 14A: General Chemistry for Life Scientists, CHEM 14B: General Chemistry for Life Scientists II, and CHEM 20A: Chemical Structure. During the General Chemistry for Life Scientists, you’ll learn about physical and general chemistry principles, quantum mechanics, atomic properties, chemical bonding, and more, whereas General Chemistry for Life Scientists II explores concepts like thermochemistry, acid-base equilibrium, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, and so on. During Chemical Structure, you’ll learn about general chemistry concepts, chemical processes, and more.
12. Columbia’s Online Summer Program
Location: Virtual. Massachusetts students can apply
Cost: $2,815 (1 week); $3,965 (2 weeks); Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple sessions from July – August
Application Deadline: April 2
Eligibility: High school students; Specific requirements vary by course
Columbia’s Online Summer Program gives high school students the chance to experience a prestigious Ivy League program from their homes. As a participant, you will attend class discussions, group projects, debates, and more in order to enhance your academic skills. You can choose to participate in 1-week or 2-week programs or both, and can choose from courses in several subject areas, including chemistry. The Introduction to the Physical Sciences is one of them. During this course, you attend lectures and discussions that explore the foundations of physics and chemistry. You will learn about concepts like spectroscopy, elementary particles, the quantum mechanics of atoms, electromagnetic radiation, and more.
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