14 College Programs for High School Students in Michigan
If you're a high school student thinking about college applications, summer academic programs can be a useful way to explore your interests beyond the classroom. These programs give you the chance to work on research, learn from university faculty, build technical and academic skills, and experience college-level learning early. Some focus on STEM and medicine, while others cover entrepreneurship, humanities, engineering, or computer science. Participating in a structured program can also help you better understand potential majors and career paths while showing colleges that you’ve pursued your interests outside of school.
Why should you attend a college program in Michigan?
Michigan is home to several major research universities, healthcare systems, engineering centers, and academic institutes that offer programs specifically designed for high school students. Depending on the program, you might conduct scientific research in a university lab, work on engineering or AI projects, explore healthcare careers, or participate in discussion-based humanities seminars. Many programs also include mentorship from faculty, researchers, graduate students, and industry professionals.
To make your search easier, we’ve narrowed down 14 college programs for high school students in Michigan.
If you’re looking for programs in Michigan, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
This blog lists 14 college programs for high school students in Michigan, spanning biomedical research, nuclear engineering, business, coding, and humanities.
Most programs are free, including Aspirnaut, TASS, and Wayne State's Discovery to Cure, while several also provide stipends, such as Aspirnaut ($3,000) and Wayne State's Semiconductor Stars ($200/week).
One program, the University of Michigan's Joy of Coding, is fully virtual, while the rest involve in-person residential or day programs at Michigan universities.
Application deadlines range from December 1 (Aspirnaut) to rolling admissions (Wayne State's Ocean Odyssey, Joy of Coding), so students should check individual timelines early.
1. Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship @ University of Michigan
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: $3,000 stipend; housing and meals provided
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 6–10 interns each year
Program Dates: June 14 – July 24
Application Deadline: Applications open December 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors attending high school in Michigan
Aspirnaut is a residential biomedical research internship where you’ll spend six weeks working in a life sciences lab at the University of Michigan. Students contribute to active research projects, analyze data, and learn what scientific research looks like in a university setting. Outside the lab, you’ll attend workshops on science communication, interact with researchers from different fields, and live on campus with other interns. The program is especially notable for its combination of paid research experience and direct mentorship from university scientists. You’ll also present your research publicly at the end of the internship, which gives you experience communicating scientific work to broader audiences.
2. Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)
Location: Varies by year; previously hosted at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free; additional financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 100–160 students selected annually
Program Dates: June 21 – July 25
Application Deadline: December 3
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors ages 15–17
TASS is a highly selective humanities and social sciences program in which students participate in discussion-based seminars on topics such as politics, literature, history, and systems of power. Instead of traditional lectures, the program emphasizes collaborative learning, close reading, and critical discussion with faculty and peers. You’ll spend several weeks living in a residential academic community while also helping organize activities and shared responsibilities. One thing that makes TASS stand out is its strong focus on intellectual discussion and community-driven learning rather than grades or testing. Students interested in writing, public policy, history, philosophy, or social sciences often find the experience especially rewarding.
3. Harper Academy 4 Future Nuclear Engineers
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free with stipend provided
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 6 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Michigan-resident 11th graders who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Harper Academy introduces students to nuclear engineering through coursework, research exposure, leadership development, and college readiness workshops. During the program, you’ll attend science and math instruction sessions in the mornings before participating in seminars, lab visits, and technical discussions later in the day. Students tour facilities such as the ZEUS laser system, the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, and the Michigan Ion Beam Laboratory. The program gives students early exposure to advanced engineering and energy research environments. Some participants may also have the opportunity to assist faculty members with research projects during the program.
4. Wayne State University Discovery to Cure Program
Location: Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 25 – 30 students
Program Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors age 16 and older
Wayne State’s Discovery to Cure Program is an intensive medical research experience where you’ll spend the summer working directly in a university research lab. Students are paired with faculty mentors and research staff while contributing to projects connected to cancer biology, genomics, infertility research, and related biomedical fields. The program runs like a full-time research internship, with participants spending around 40 hours each week in the lab. You’ll gain exposure to real laboratory procedures and research culture rather than completing predesigned classroom experiments. Alongside the research, the program includes seminars and a final research presentation in which you’ll share your findings with faculty and peers.
5. Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN) @ FRIB
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free; room and board available if needed
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 26 – 31
Application Deadline: March 5
Eligibility: U.S. high school students
The Physics of Atomic Nuclei program is a week-long summer experience focused on nuclear physics, astrophysics, and cosmology research at Michigan State University’s Facility for Rare Isotope Beams. Students participate in lab demonstrations, experiments, and hands-on activities as they learn how scientists study atomic nuclei and cosmic processes. You’ll interact with faculty, graduate students, and researchers working in advanced physics laboratories throughout the week. A major advantage of PAN is the direct exposure students receive to active research facilities and scientists working in highly specialized areas of physics. The program also includes conversations about scientific careers and what studying physics at the university level entails.
6. MSU Broad College of Business Entrepreneur Leadership High School Camp
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 23 – 26
Application Deadline: April 11
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
The Entrepreneur Leadership High School Camp introduces students to entrepreneurship and business development through workshops, collaborative projects, and mentorship. During the residential program, you’ll work with peers to create business ideas, build plans, and learn concepts related to marketing, finance, and e-commerce. Faculty members, entrepreneurs, and corporate professionals lead sessions throughout the camp. The collaborative structure gives students the chance to practice pitching ideas and working in teams while learning how startups are developed. It’s a practical option for students curious about business, leadership, or entrepreneurship before college.
7. Eastern Michigan University High School Summer Science Research Program
Location: Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 8–12 students
Program Dates: June 22 – July 13
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Local high school students with at least one science course completed
Eastern Michigan University’s Summer Science Research Program gives students the chance to participate in faculty-guided research projects in biology, chemistry, or physics. Participants work closely with faculty mentors and student researchers while learning laboratory procedures, data collection methods, and scientific ethics. Past research projects have explored cancer biology, ecological systems, and antibiotic-related studies. The small cohort size allows students to receive direct mentorship while gaining early exposure to scientific research practices. Students also prepare research posters and presentations at the end of the program.
8. Wayne State University Ocean Odyssey Program
Location: Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 14 – August 7
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students
The Ocean Odyssey Program combines engineering, environmental science, and ocean technology through a four-week summer academy experience. Students learn about ocean currents, renewable energy systems, climate change, and marine engineering concepts while using design software and fabrication tools. You’ll also build and test prototypes, such as wave energy devices, in simulated aquatic environments. The program stands out for blending environmental science with hands-on engineering design. It can be especially interesting for students considering environmental engineering, renewable energy, or marine technology fields.
9. Michigan State University Multicultural Apprenticeship Program (MAP)
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free with stipend provided
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 5 – 31
Application Deadline: December 22 – March 13
Eligibility: Current 10th- and 11th-grade students interested in science and math
The Multicultural Apprenticeship Program at Michigan State University focuses on agricultural and environmental research while introducing students to lab- and field-based scientific work. Participants are matched with faculty mentors from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and work on research projects in areas such as food science, veterinary medicine, horticulture, forestry, and agricultural engineering. You’ll spend time learning technical research methods while also attending seminars, field trips, and leadership activities. The program stands out for combining hands-on research with mentorship from university faculty and professionals in agriculture and science-related industries.
10. Wayne State University Semiconductor Stars Program
Location: Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free with a $200 weekly stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 10 students
Program Dates: July 28 – August 22
Application Deadline: June 15
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th graders
The Semiconductor Stars Program introduces students to engineering research through specialized tracks in semiconductor engineering and advanced manufacturing. Participants work in university labs under the guidance of faculty and engineering students while learning concepts connected to chip design, fabrication, materials, and manufacturing systems. You’ll also use professional lab equipment and develop technical problem-solving skills through project-based learning. The small cohort size makes the experience highly interactive, with significant access to faculty mentorship and lab facilities. Students interested in electrical engineering, hardware, manufacturing, or applied physics may find this program especially relevant.
11. MSU St. Andrews Summer Research Program
Location: MSU St. Andrews, Midland, MI
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Around 13–24 students in previous years
Program Dates: 7–8 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The MSU St. Andrews Summer Research Program offers students the opportunity to participate in research in chemistry and environmental science alongside professional researchers. Students work on long-term projects involving topics such as drug development, materials science, renewable plastics, and chemical engineering applications. You’ll spend time learning research methods, using lab equipment, and preparing research presentations for the end of the program. Because the projects are tied to ongoing scientific work, students gain a clearer understanding of how research operates outside the classroom setting.
12. Oakland University Explorations in Health Careers Summer Camp
Location: Oakland University, Rochester, MI
Cost/Stipend: Varies
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Around 40–60 students in previous years
Program Dates: June 15 – 26
Application Deadline: Opens February 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10–12
Oakland University’s Explorations in Health Careers Camp familiarizes students with various medical and healthcare careers through interactive activities and campus visits. Participants learn about public health, clinical sciences, physical therapy, medical imaging, and nutrition while interacting with faculty and healthcare professionals. You’ll also tour university labs and simulation spaces to better understand healthcare training environments. The program is especially helpful if you’re still deciding which healthcare pathway interests you most because it exposes students to several different specialties in a short period of time.
13. University of Michigan: Math and Science Scholars Summer Program (MMSS)
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: $100 application fee, $1,400 tuition, and $1,100 residential fee; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Up to 15 students per class
Program Dates: June 21 – July 31 across three sessions
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions beginning in mid-January
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The Michigan Math and Science Scholars program gives you the chance to study advanced STEM and interdisciplinary topics in small classroom settings led by University of Michigan faculty. You can choose from courses in areas like AI, environmental science, psychology, biology, mathematics, and computer science, depending on your interests. Classes mix lectures with discussions, demonstrations, lab activities, and fieldwork, so the experience feels more hands-on than a traditional summer class. One of the biggest draws of MMSS is the small class size, which allows you to interact closely with professors and classmates throughout the session. You’ll also get exposure to college-level academics while living on campus or commuting, making it a useful option if you want to experience university coursework before applying to college.
14. University of Michigan Joy of Coding
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $149 plus tax; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 17 – July 31
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students age 13+ with an algebra background
Joy of Coding is a self-paced virtual coding course developed by the University of Michigan engineering faculty for high school students interested in programming and AI concepts. Over several weeks, you’ll work through coding modules, video lessons, readings, and programming challenges while receiving support from engineering student mentors. The curriculum covers foundational coding concepts such as functions, loops, and program flow before introducing projects like chatbot development. The flexibility of the online format makes it accessible for students balancing other summer activities while still wanting structured technical learning.
Frequently asked questions
1. Which programs in this list are free to attend?
Most programs are free, including Aspirnaut, TASS, Harper Academy, Wayne State's Discovery to Cure, PAN at FRIB, the MSU Entrepreneur Leadership Camp, Eastern Michigan's Research Program, Ocean Odyssey, and MSU's MAP.
2. Which programs on this list offer a paid stipend?
Aspirnaut ($3,000), Harper Academy, and Wayne State's Semiconductor Stars Program ($200 weekly) all provide stipends to participating students.
3. Which programs on this list are fully virtual?
University of Michigan's Joy of Coding is the only fully virtual program, offering a self-paced coding course accessible from anywhere.
4. Which programs are limited to Michigan residents or local students?
Harper Academy requires Michigan residency, and Eastern Michigan University's Summer Science Research Program is limited to local high school students.
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