15 College Programs for High School Students in Boston

As a high school student, structured programs hosted by colleges let you explore new fields, build skills, and gain exposure to higher education environments. College-led programs allow you to dive into your interests, work with university faculty and students, and learn how to manage project-based coursework. These programs also replicate aspects of undergraduate academics through seminars, labs, and workshops. 

Why should you attend a program in Boston?

Boston is home to institutions that offer rigorous college programs for high school students, providing access to advanced labs, research centers, innovation hubs, hospitals, and industry partners. As a participant, you will explore which major might work for you in college and develop skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, research, and communication. Some programs also offer site visits and industry exposure, along with portfolio-building assignments, giving you a clearer view of how academic concepts connect to practical applications. 

To help you shortlist the right options, we have compiled a list of 15 college programs for high school students in Boston.

If you are looking for summer programs in Boston, check out our blog here.

1. Immerse Education’s Academic Insights Pathway

Location: Boston, MA (also offered in Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore, Sydney, and Toronto)

Cost/Stipend: Varies by location; financial aid is available.

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Two-week summer sessions; dates vary

Application deadline: Rolling admissions with multiple cohort start dates

Eligibility: Students, ages 13 – 18

The Academic Insights Pathway offers undergraduate-style classes taught by faculty and researchers from universities such as Harvard, Oxford, and Cambridge. You will participate in seminar-based lessons, small group discussions, and weekly 1:1 tutorials designed to build subject-specific analytical and research skills. Depending on your chosen track, such as medicine, artificial intelligence, economics, or engineering, you may complete hands-on activities like medical case analyses, coding exercises, robotic arm prototyping, or structured debates. You will also complete an independent academic project, receiving written feedback that mirrors university-level assessment. The program is designed to help you practice academic writing, presentation skills, and discipline-specific reasoning within a small, supportive cohort environment.

2. Tufts University’s Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars (TUBERS)

Location: Tufts University, Medford (Greater Boston area), MA

Cost/Stipend: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: July 1 – August 15

Application deadline: Not specified; application opens in February.

Eligibility: High school students who are 16 when the program starts and live in Boston, Medford, Arlington, Cambridge, Malden, Somerville, Chelsea, Everett, Melrose, Revere, Winchester, or Quincy, MA

The TUBERS program offers local high school students an opportunity to spend six weeks conducting research in Tufts University’s biomedical engineering labs. As a participant, you will learn techniques for investigating cells, tissues, and organs. You will work with a mentor and engage in every step of the research process, from formulating research questions to running experiments and analyzing results. Throughout the program, you will focus on one specific topic within biomedical engineering, work on a research project, and later present your work to peers, family, and your mentor. You will work with professional researchers and receive support from undergraduate and graduate student mentors. You can also submit your project to local or national science fairs.

3. Harvard Medical School’s Project Success 

Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

Cost/Stipend: Free; stipends available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: June 29 – August 14

Application deadline: February 4

Eligibility: Boston/Cambridge high school juniors and seniors who will be over 16 by June 30, are from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds, hold a GPA of 2.7 or higher, and have completed courses in chemistry, biology, and algebra.

Project Success is a seven-week research internship designed for students from underrepresented backgrounds in science. During the program, you will work at Harvard Medical School or a Harvard-affiliated biomedical lab, engaging in research on disease, treatment, or health. Here, you will also develop technical skills in lab work. Mentorship is a key part of the experience, as you will learn directly from researchers and clinicians in the Harvard network. In addition to lab work, you will attend seminars and go on site visits to biotech companies and hospitals.

4. UMass Boston’s Urban Scholars Program 

Location: University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA

Cost/Stipend: Free; eligible students may receive annual summer scholarships

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Year-round academic programming with a multi-week summer academic session

Application Deadline: Rolling, with recruitment focused on the academic year

Eligibility: High school students from Excel High School, Dearborn STEM Academy, Jeremiah E. Burke High School, TechBoston Academy, or Boston International Newcomers Academy who meet academic and program-specific criteria

The Urban Scholars Program is a long-term academic enrichment initiative designed to support motivated students preparing for college-level coursework. During the school year, you will participate in structured academic advising, skill-building workshops, tutoring, and college readiness seminars that focus on helping you build study strategies and work on long-term planning. The summer component offers intensive classes in core subjects—such as math, writing, and science—along with learning modules and community-based learning. You will work with advisors who help you practice time management, academic goal-setting, and research-based learning habits typical of undergraduate environments. The program also offers campus exposure, group activities, and opportunities to build mentoring relationships. 

5. Northeastern University’s Young Scholars Program (YSP)

Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA

Cost: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: June 22 – July 30

Application deadline: Typically, February/March

Eligibility: High school juniors who are permanent residents of Massachusetts and attend school in the state, and are U.S. citizens/permanent residents.

Northeastern’s Young Scholars Program is a six-week research opportunity. Here, you will work in university labs, gain exposure to research in areas like engineering, science, or health sciences, and engage in hands-on lab projects. You will work with faculty and graduate mentors, learning about experimental design, data collection, and analysis. Weekly seminars and talks led by researchers will cover topics in STEM, college preparation, science communication, and career exploration in STEM fields. You will also engage in field trips to government and industry sites. This college program for high school students in Boston ends with a poster session where you will present your research to peers, faculty, and family members.

6. MassArt’s Artward Bound

Location: Massachusetts College of Art & Design, Boston, MA

Cost/Stipend: Free; students may earn stipends after completing one year.

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; priority given to Boston Public Schools students

Dates: Year-round programming with summer studio sessions; full schedule shared following admission

Application deadline: January 26

Eligibility: Boston-area students in grades 8 – 11 who meet income criteria and commit to a four-year engagement

Artward Bound is a four-year, tuition-free college preparation program for Boston-area teens interested in pursuing art and design at the college level. You will engage in year-round coursework covering drawing, painting, illustration, fashion, fibers, sculpture, and digital media, with modules designed to build technical skill and conceptual development. The program includes academic tutoring, portfolio support, and structured workshops on college readiness, creative careers, and artist-led critique methods. During the summer, you will participate in immersive studio classes that emphasize iterative design processes, observational skills, and interdisciplinary experimentation. During the program, you will also visit museums, artist studios, and cultural institutions to understand how creative practice operates in professional contexts. Students in good standing may earn stipends and college credit, and receive transportation support to access MassArt’s campus.

7. Fisher College Pre-College Programs

Location: Fisher College, Boston, MA

Cost/Stipend: Free; students who enroll at Fisher afterward receive a $23,000 annual scholarship

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; open only to partner-school students

Dates: College 101: Six-week summer program (commitment of four days/week) | Dual Enrollment: Fall and spring semesters

Application deadline: Varies by partner school; typically before the start of summer or academic terms

Eligibility: College 101: Rising 11th–12th graders from partner high schools | Dual Enrollment: 12th graders from partner schools

Fisher College’s pre-college offerings provide structured academic preparation to high school students interested in transitioning to college-level coursework early on. College 101 is a six-week summer immersion where you will attend undergraduate-style classes, practice key study strategies, and complete assignments aligning with first-year college expectations. On completing this program, you can enroll in an additional course during both fall and spring of senior year to work toward early credit accumulation. Another track is Dual Enrollment, which allows you to take Fisher College classes during the academic year and learn about discipline-specific content and college assessment systems. Both programs focus on academic readiness, time management, and familiarity with higher-education learning environments. Participants who later enroll at Fisher receive renewable scholarships.

8. The Boston College Experience (BCE)

Location: Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA

Cost: Residential: $5,600 | Commuter: $3,000 | Online tracks: $1,800

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Multiple two-week summer sessions (June – August)

Application deadline: Rolling (payment due within two weeks of acceptance)

Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10–12

The Boston College Experience allows you to enroll in two-week academic seminars that simulate undergraduate learning across fields such as economics, business, psychology, global affairs, climate studies, and creative writing. You will engage in structured coursework, group projects, reflective activities, and faculty-led discussions that emphasize critical thinking and independent time management. Depending on your track, you may engage in case analyses, develop policy briefs, conduct basic research exercises, or complete creative and analytical writing assignments. Residential students also engage in service-learning events and cultural outings designed to expose them to Boston’s academic and civic environment. The commuter format provides the same academic curriculum without housing, while online offerings provide asynchronous access to certain psychology and neuroscience tracks.

9. UMass Boston Upward Bound

Location: University of Massachusetts Boston (school-year programming) + summer residential program hosted at rotating college campuses

Cost/Stipend: Free; participants receive a small monthly stipend.

Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~120 students/year across four partner high schools

Dates: Summer Residential Program: six-week session (late June–early August) + academic-year after-school classes + monthly cohort meetings

Application deadline: Rolling; recruitment typically in fall for 9th–10th graders

Eligibility: Students ages 13–19 enrolled at Burke HS, Madison Park HS, Excel HS, or Dearborn STEM Academy who meet federal low-income and/or first-generation criteria

Upward Bound is a year-round academic enrichment program designed to support first-generation and low-income students preparing for college. During the school year, you will participate in after-school tutoring, academic advising, financial aid workshops, and monthly cohort meetings that can help you build college readiness and organizational skills. The six-week residential summer program simulates a college schedule, allowing you to take courses in English, math, science, and an elective such as world languages, financial literacy, or media literacy. Afternoons include supervised study sessions and structured physical activities, while evenings focus on cultural and creative workshops on journalism, community activism, cooking, or digital media. The program also offers field trips, campus events, and social activities along with academic guidance, college counseling, and long-term mentorship.

10. Boston Architectural College Pre-College Summer Academy

Location: Boston Architectural College, Boston, MA

Cost: $2,000 (credit-bearing option worth three credits) | $1,800 (non-credit option)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified 

Dates: July 6 – 31

Application deadline: June 22

Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12, ages 14+; no design experience required

The Pre-College Summer Academy at Boston Architectural College is a studio-based program that introduces you to core design disciplines such as architecture, interior design, and landscape design. You will work in small studio groups of peers, practicing iterative design techniques including sketching, digital modeling, fabrication, and critique-based refinement. The curriculum offers two tracks—Exploration for beginners and Investigation for students with prior design exposure—allowing you to tailor the experience to your skill level. Throughout the program, you will connect with practicing designers through lectures, site visits, and structured feedback sessions that simulate collegiate studio workflows. The program focuses on portfolio development, allowing you to work on projects and deliver a final presentation that demonstrates your design research, concept generation, and modeling skills. Following the program, you will be eligible to earn $2,000 scholarship toward Boston Architectural College’s undergraduate programs.

11. Wentworth Institute of Technology’s ImpactLab 

Location: Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, MA

Cost: $3,995/two-week session or $6,990 for both sessions; partial tuition assistance available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; residential cohort with limited spaces

Dates: Session One: July 5 – 17 | Session Two: July 19 – 31

Application deadline: Application opens December 12; reviewed on a rolling basis

Eligibility: Rising 11th–12th graders; open to domestic and international students

ImpactLab is a two-week residential pre-college program where you explore STEM and design disciplines through project-based courses offered across Wentworth’s five academic schools. You will work in engineering, design, and technology labs alongside peers, undergraduate mentors, and faculty. Coursework emphasizes rapid prototyping, problem-solving workflows, and applied experimentation rather than tests or formal assessments. Each track integrates lab modules, short lectures, and extensive project time, culminating in a final build or demonstration that reflects your design process and technical reasoning. The residential format also offers you a taste of campus life in Boston, with scheduled activities and opportunities to engage with the surrounding academic district.

12. Wentworth Institute of Technology’s Momentum 

Location: Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, MA

Cost: TBA

Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~20 students/course

Dates: August 3 – 7

Application deadline: Registration opens early January; rolling enrollment until courses are full

Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 and 10

Momentum is a one-week commuter pre-college program designed for high school students interested in exploring STEM and design pathways. You will choose an interdisciplinary course that blends engineering, computing, product design, and health technology and introduces you to foundational technical concepts relevant to the theme through hands-on activities. You will attend sessions in Wentworth’s studios and labs, practicing early prototyping, working with digital tools, and structured problem-solving. The program emphasizes exploratory skill-building rather than assessment, offering you exposure to different majors through short modules and guided workshops. With a 10:1 student-to-staff ratio, you receive close mentoring and opportunities to work within small groups.

13. Berklee College of Music’s Brass Workshop

Location: Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA

Cost: $1,295 tuition ($1,095 if registered by January 31); $895 housing fee; $50 registration fee

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited-capacity program; placement based on performance video

Dates: June 14 – 18

Application deadline: May 1

Eligibility: Students, ages 15 and up, with at least six months of brass-playing experience and English proficiency

The Brass Workshop at Berklee is a one-week performance-intensive program that allows you to develop technical and ensemble skills in either classical or contemporary brass. You will participate in studio classes focused on tone control, technique, sight-reading, and musicianship, with ensemble placements determined by a submitted performance video. In the classical track, you will rehearse in small and large brass groups and attend specialized masterclasses, while in the contemporary track, you will work in jazz, funk, or New Orleans ensembles that focus on improvisation, rhythm-section collaboration, and stylistic articulation. The daily schedule includes rehearsals, electives, recitals, and supervised jam sessions, offering you the opportunity to practice within multiple performance settings. Boston Conservatory and Berklee instructors with professional orchestral and touring backgrounds lead the program and offer feedback and mentorship throughout the week.

14. Northeastern University’s Boston Campus Pre-College Programs

Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA

Cost: $7,095; need-based aid available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 15 – 30 students/program

Dates: July 12 – 24 or July 26 – August 7, based on the program you choose

Application deadline: Multiple deadlines between January and March; applications open in December

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; open to domestic and international students

Northeastern University offers multiple two-week, on-campus pre-college programs that introduce you to research-driven, experiential learning across STEM, humanities, design, and emerging technologies. Each program is taught by Northeastern faculty and emphasizes hands-on, inquiry-based work—such as prototyping in engineering tracks, case analyses in ethics and technology courses, or computational modeling in biotechnology and cyber tracks. You will join small cohorts of peers, use university labs and makerspaces, and complete structured projects that simulate college-level coursework. Many tracks also offer fieldwork, lab rotations, or applied exercises in areas like extended reality, engineering design, health science innovation, journalism, and modern physics. All programs end with a final presentation or deliverable relevant to your chosen track.

15. Wentworth Institute of Technology’s SummerFAB

Location: Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, MA

Cost: TBA

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; open only to Boston residents/Boston Public Schools students

Dates: July 6 – 31

Application deadline: Details released in early January; applications are open until filled

Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are Boston residents or Boston Public Schools’ attendees

SummerFAB is a five-week commuter program focused on architectural design, fabrication, and full-scale construction. Here, you will work alongside Wentworth faculty and design students progressing through three structured phases—designing, fabricating, and building—mirroring a professional architectural workflow. Early modules focus on foundational skills such as spatial analysis, technical drawing, material studies, and building-science concepts. As you progress, you will create scaled prototypes, analyze urban conditions, and practice representation techniques used in architectural communication. The program culminates in a collaborative, full-scale construction project responding to a local community need, allowing you to apply fabrication methods, modeling, and on-site installation skills. This program can offer you practical exposure to working with the built environment while developing both technical and teamwork skills.

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