15 College Programs for High School Students in Maryland
Choosing the right extracurriculars can feel confusing when so many programs promise similar benefits. College-affiliated programs stand out for combining academic exploration, practical experience, and mentorship within a single structured environment. As a high school student, you get the chance to explore fields like medicine, computer science, engineering, business, and more, before committing to a major. These programs often include hands-on components like research, collaborative projects, and skill-based workshops that help you understand what working in that field is actually like.
Why should you attend a program in Maryland?
Programs in Maryland offer a unique mix of academic rigor and hands-on learning through well-established colleges and universities. You can engage in activities like lab research, tech development, group projects, and interactive seminars that give you a clearer sense of what studying that field in college would look like. These opportunities are a strong fit if you’re based in Maryland and want accessible options, or if you’re from out of state and interested in exploring programs in a region known for its academic institutions. No matter your background, these experiences can help you refine your interests and strengthen your college profile.
To make your search easier, we’ve curated a list of 15 college programs for high school students in Maryland.
If you’re looking for science programs in Maryland, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These programs span a wide range of disciplines including engineering (ESTEEM/SER-Quest, Jumpstart Your Engineering Career, USNA Summer STEM), business (Sellinger Mission-Driven Business Academy, JHU Big Data and Advertising), visual art and design (MICA Pre-College, MICA Saturday Studios), and writing (Goucher Young Writers' Camp, Maryland Writing Project).
Several programs are free or very low cost, including TU Teacher Scholars Summer Institute, ESTEEM/SER-Quest at UMD, Montgomery College's Early College Program (fully free including materials), and the UMD Jumpstart Your Engineering Career ($200 upon acceptance).
Programs that award college credit include Terp Young Scholars (three UMD credits), Babson-equivalent options, Hood College Dual Enrollment (per-credit tuition), and Montgomery College's Early College Program (full associate's degree pathway).
Program lengths vary widely, from short four to five day intensives (TU Teacher Scholars, Sellinger Business Academy, Goucher Young Writers' Camp) to multi-week and semester-length commitments (Montgomery College Early College Program, Hood College Dual Enrollment, ESTEEM/SER-Quest).
Many programs are restricted to Maryland residents or students attending Maryland schools, including TU Teacher Scholars, Montgomery College Early College Program, ESTEEM/SER-Quest, and Jumpstart Your Engineering Career.
1. TU Teacher Scholars Summer Institute
Location: Towson University, Towson, MD
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 13 – 16
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in a Maryland high school
This program is built for students who are already considering teaching and want a clearer picture of what that path actually looks like. Over four days, you’ll take part in a college-level course focused on careers in education, while also engaging with faculty from Towson’s College of Education. The experience centers specifically on the teaching profession — how educators are trained, what classrooms look like in practice, and which skills are essential for success. You’ll also explore campus resources and participate in activities that reflect student life, giving you a sense of how education majors navigate college. Because the program is short and targeted, it works best if you’re looking to confirm (or rethink) your interest in becoming a teacher.
2. Early College Program (Montgomery College)
Location: Montgomery College (multiple campuses in Montgomery County, MD)
Cost/Stipend: Free (tuition, fees, and materials covered)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective (limited seats; lottery if oversubscribed)
Dates: Begins summer before 11th grade and continues through 11th–12th grade
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: Current 10th-grade MCPS students; minimum 2.75 GPA; must meet placement and coursework requirements
This program fully integrates college into your last two years of high school. You’ll take courses directly at Montgomery College, following a structured degree pathway that leads to an associate’s degree by the time you graduate from high school. The pace is closer to a full-time college schedule, with significant independent study and responsibility expected each week. Your curriculum is mapped out in advance to ensure you complete all requirements for your chosen field. Along the way, you’ll have access to academic advisors, career exploration opportunities, and support systems designed to help you balance both high school and college expectations.
3. ESTEEM/SER-Quest Summer Program
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD (commuter only, in-person)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 – 31
Application Deadline: March 29
Eligibility: Rising 12th graders with a minimum 3.2 GPA; strong math/science background (no C’s), completion of Trigonometry, Chemistry, and Pre-Calculus with a B or better; demonstrated interest in engineering
In the ESTEEM/SER-Quest Summer Program, you’ll work closely with mentors to develop a research question, conduct a literature review, and carry out an engineering-focused investigation. The structure mirrors an introductory research lab experience, emphasizing both technical understanding and effective communication of your findings. Alongside project work, you’ll explore different engineering fields, connect with undergraduate and graduate students, and learn about the college application and financial aid process. The program also includes exposure to campus resources and engineering departments, helping you understand what studying engineering at a university entails.
4. Pre-College Summer Intensive (MICA)
Location: Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD
Cost/Stipend: $2,725 (2-week commuter) | $3,850 (2-week residential) | $5,450–$7,700 (4-week) + $25 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 13 – 24 | July 27 – August 7 | July 13 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 5 (early) | April 30 (final)
Eligibility: Students ages 15–17; portfolio of 4 artworks required
In this program, you’ll commit to a single studio discipline, like animation, illustration, or photography, and spend extended blocks of time producing work within that medium. Much of the learning happens through critique, iteration, and faculty feedback, helping you understand how artists refine ideas. The program also builds in time for independent studio work, which mirrors how art students manage open-ended creative projects. If you live on campus, your experience expands beyond class through workshops, peer collaboration, and exposure to Baltimore’s creative community. By the end, you’ll leave with a cohesive body of work and a clearer sense of whether pursuing art or design at the college level is the right path for you.
5. Terp Young Scholars
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD (campus or online)
Cost/Stipend: $1,791 (campus) / $1,420 (online)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 13 – 31
Application Deadline: June 1
Eligibility: High school students (rising 10th grade to graduating 12th grade)
A good fit for students who want a real taste of college academics, this program lets you enroll directly in a credit-bearing university course. Over three weeks, you’ll choose one subject from fields like business, psychology, computer science, or public health and complete it alongside other motivated high school students. Classes follow a true college format, with lectures, discussions, assignments, and exams, and you’ll earn three official university credits that appear on a transcript. The structure also expects independence: you’ll spend significant time studying outside class and managing your workload like an undergraduate. Depending on your preference, you can attend on campus (commuting daily) or join fully online, both of which offer interaction with instructors and peers.
6. Jumpstart Your Engineering Career
Location: University of Maryland, Shady Grove Campus (Rockville, MD)
Cost/Stipend: $200 (in-state; upon acceptance)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective, only about 50 spots available
Dates: July 13 – August 14
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school, community college, and university students in Maryland with rudimentary programming experience
Designed for students who want to build real engineering systems from the ground up, this program emphasizes hands-on creation. Over five weeks, you’ll work with electronics, sensors, and microcontrollers while developing software that connects physical devices to digital systems. The curriculum introduces tools like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and Python, along with concepts in IoT, networking protocols, and even early-stage machine learning. A major focus is collaborative project development; you’ll move from idea generation to prototyping in teams, using an agile workflow similar to real engineering environments. The experience culminates in a Demo Day, where you present your working system and design process.
7. Summer Enrichment Academy (UMBC)
Location: University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD (with select sessions at Shady Grove)
Cost/Stipend: ~$374–$499 per course (varies by workshop)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small classes of ~10–25 students
Dates: One-week sessions (e.g., June 22 – 26; July 6 – 31 across multiple sessions)
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Middle and high school students
If you’re looking to try out different subjects without committing to a long program, this academy is built around short, focused experiences. Each week, you’ll enroll in a single course, ranging from STEM topics to creative fields, and spend your days working through hands-on activities, group projects, and guided discussions. The structure is intentionally flexible, with full- and half-day options that make it easier to fit into a busy summer schedule. Class sizes are kept small, so you’ll get more direct interaction with instructors and opportunities to participate actively. At the end of the week, students present what they’ve worked on in a closing showcase, giving you a tangible outcome from your experience.
8. Summer Academy (St. John’s College)
Location: St. John's College (Annapolis, MD; Santa Fe, NM; or online)
Cost/Stipend: $1,400 per on-campus session / $240 online
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June – July (one-week sessions; e.g., June 21 – July 24, depending on course)
Application Deadline: May 1 (priority)
Eligibility: High school students ages 15–18
Each week centers on a theme, like Shakespeare, inequality, or philosophy, and you’ll spend your days discussing texts with a small group of peers and a faculty tutor. Instead of being told what to think, you’re expected to bring your own interpretations, ask questions, and respond to others in real time. The curriculum draws on literature, philosophy, math, and science, so discussions often span disciplines in unexpected ways. Outside the classroom, you’ll continue those conversations informally with other students, creating a community built around shared intellectual curiosity.
9. Big Data and Advertising
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Homewood Campus (Baltimore, MD)
Cost/Stipend: $6,140 tuition + $85 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 20 – 30
Application Deadline: March 10
Eligibility: High school students (must have completed 9th grade); minimum GPA of 3.0
The course introduces you to the technical and behavioral foundations behind modern marketing, blending concepts from psychology, economics, and data science. A key component involves working with real datasets in Python, where you’ll identify trends and simulate how ad campaigns are optimized, no prior coding experience required. You’ll also examine how platforms gather user data and what that means for privacy, giving you space to think critically about ethical trade-offs. The course emphasizes application, helping you connect analytical insights to real business decisions.
10. Sellinger Mission-Driven Business Academy
Location: Loyola University Maryland, Baltimore, MD
Cost/Stipend: $3,000 tuition + $50 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 10
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors; minimum 3.0 GPA; extracurricular involvement; essay + recommendation required
Over five days in this program, you’ll explore how leadership, ethics, and strategy intersect through workshops, case studies, and a hands-on capstone project. Early in the program, you’ll examine Jesuit principles and how they shape decision-making, then apply those ideas to real-world business challenges. You’ll also step outside the classroom through a field experience with a local innovation hub, where you can see how mission-driven organizations operate in practice. Throughout the week, faculty and industry mentors guide your work, offering feedback as you refine your ideas and collaborate with peers. This program is especially relevant if you’re interested in entrepreneurship, leadership, or business through a social-impact lens and want a more values-driven perspective on the field.
11. Summer Writers Camps (Maryland Writing Project)
Location: Towson University, Towson, MD (in-person) + virtual/asynchronous options
Cost/Stipend: $300 (in-person) / $100 (asynchronous)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 20 – July 24; July 27 – July 31; or June 23 – August 22 (asynchronous)
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Students in grades 3–12 (varies by session)
Each session functions as a workshop where you select your focus — be it stories, poetry, or other creative works — and develop it throughout the week. Brief lessons cover techniques such as character development and dialogue, but the majority of your time will be spent writing, sharing, and revising. A key part of the experience is feedback: you’ll participate in group discussions and one-on-one conferences with experienced instructors who help you improve specific aspects of your work. The environment is intentionally collaborative, so you’re learning just as much from peers as from teachers. This is a strong option if you already enjoy writing and want focused time, guidance, and community to push your work further.
12. Summer STEM (U.S. Naval Academy)
Location: United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD
Cost/Stipend: $450 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – 6 (rising 9th) | June 8 – 13 (rising 10th) | June 15 – 19 (rising 11th)
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Rising 9th–11th graders with strong academic performance and interest in STEM
Over the course of a week, you’ll rotate through engineering modules where you might take apart engines, design structures to withstand extreme conditions, or write code to solve technical challenges. The experience is collaborative, with students working in teams to tackle problems under the guidance of Naval Academy faculty and midshipmen. Outside of lab work, the schedule includes field trips, campus activities, and exposure to different academic majors, giving you a broader sense of what STEM looks like at a military academy. According to the program materials, students spend the week “creating, building, and exploring” in professional-grade facilities while applying concepts to real-world scenarios (see overview on page 2 of the brochure).
13. Young Writers’ Camp
Location: Goucher College, Baltimore, MD
Cost/Stipend: $600 (early) / $650 (late)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application Deadline: May 1 (early)
Eligibility: High school students
Across five days, you’ll rotate through workshops in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, guided by practicing authors who emphasize experimentation as much as technique. You’ll engage in frequent peer discussions and structured feedback sessions that help you refine your voice and ideas. The program also introduces you to the editing and publishing side of writing, culminating in a collaborative anthology that showcases student work. Along the way, visiting writers lead seminars that expose you to different styles and career paths in the literary world.
14. Dual Enrollment Program
Location: Hood College, Frederick, MD
Cost/Stipend: $195 per credit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Fall and Spring semesters (year-round program)
Application Deadline: June 1 (priority fall) / December 1 (priority spring)
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.0 GPA in the relevant subject area; counselor recommendation and parent approval required
Unlike short-term summer programs, this option lets you integrate college coursework directly into your high school schedule. You’ll enroll in actual Hood College classes on campus, taking up to two courses per semester alongside undergraduate students. The focus is less on exploration and more on academic readiness as you’re expected to meet college-level expectations in assignments, pacing, and participation. Because course selection typically includes classes without prerequisites, you can try subjects across the liberal arts while still earning transferable credit. The program also gives you a sense of what it's like to manage a college schedule, including balancing coursework with your existing commitments.
15. Pre-College Saturday & Summer Studios (MICA)
Location: Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD
Cost/Stipend: ~$495 per course (varies by class)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by session (e.g., June 22 – 26 for sample summer course)
Application Deadline: Rolling/varies by course
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12)
This program lets you explore art and design in shorter, flexible formats. You can choose between weekend classes during the school year or one-week summer sessions, depending on your schedule and interests. Each course focuses on a specific skill, like portfolio building, photography, or design, so you’re able to target areas you want to improve instead of following a broad curriculum. A strong emphasis is placed on critique and iteration, meaning you’ll not only create work but also learn how to evaluate and present it effectively. These courses are useful if you’re trying to strengthen your portfolio over time or experiment with new media before committing to a longer program.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best college programs for high school students in Maryland?
Strong options depend on a student's interests. Students drawn to engineering might consider ESTEEM/SER-Quest or USNA Summer STEM, those interested in business might look at Sellinger Mission-Driven Business Academy or JHU Big Data and Advertising, and those interested in art and design might consider MICA's Pre-College Summer Intensive.
Are there free college programs for high school students in Maryland?
Yes, several programs are free, including TU Teacher Scholars Summer Institute, ESTEEM/SER-Quest at UMD, Montgomery College's Early College Program (fully funded including tuition and materials), and Jumpstart Your Engineering Career (only $200 upon acceptance for a five-week program).
Which Maryland programs offer college credit?
Terp Young Scholars at UMD awards three transferable university credits, Hood College Dual Enrollment allows students to take actual college courses for credit each semester, and Montgomery College's Early College Program leads to a full associate's degree by high school graduation.
Are there Maryland programs specifically for students interested in creative arts or writing?
Yes, MICA's Pre-College Summer Intensive and Saturday Studios both focus on studio art and design disciplines, while the Maryland Writing Project at Towson University and Goucher College's Young Writers' Camp both offer focused creative writing workshops across fiction, poetry, and nonfiction.
Which programs are open to students from outside Maryland?
MICA Pre-College and Saturday Studios, St. John's College Summer Academy, JHU Big Data and Advertising, and Terp Young Scholars (with an online option) are all accessible to out-of-state students, while several other programs prioritize or restrict admission to Maryland residents.
When should I apply to college programs for high school students in Maryland?
Deadlines vary widely. Early deadlines include MICA Pre-College (January 5 early deadline) and Montgomery College Early College Program (January 30), while others like Terp Young Scholars (June 1) and UMBC Summer Enrichment Academy (rolling until full) fall later in the spring.
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