15 College Programs for High School Students in Virginia
While you are in high school, structured programs can give you a clearer understanding of what academic and professional fields look like beyond the classroom. Many of these programs are led by colleges or universities, offering you a head start in exploring academics and student life on campus. Whether you are interested in engineering, medicine, business, public policy, computer science, or the humanities, these programs often combine advanced coursework with projects, mentorship, and exposure to university-level learning. Many can also introduce you to collaborative work environments, research methods, and practical problem-solving skills that are difficult to experience in a standard high school setting.
Why should you attend a program in Virginia?
Virginia offers academic enrichment opportunities for high school students across a wide range of disciplines. Here, you may engage in engineering design challenges, medical simulations, coding projects, laboratory research, public policy discussions, entrepreneurship workshops, and residential college experiences. Many programs in the state are hosted by reputable institutions that offer access to advanced educational resources and facilities, mentorship from faculty and researchers, and opportunities to collaborate with motivated students from different backgrounds. These opportunities are great for both local and out-of-state students seeking rigorous summer learning experiences.
We have compiled a list of 15 college programs for high school students in Virginia to help you get started.
If you’re looking for programs in Virginia, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These programs span dentistry, osteopathic medicine, engineering, aerospace, AI, pharmacy, arts, language immersion, and history, so students with a wide range of academic interests can find a relevant college program in Virginia.
Several programs are free, including VCU Dental Careers Exploration, VCOM SEE Camp, Virginia Tech Pathways for Future Engineers, NOVA E-Summer, and both NASA programs (VSCS and VASTS), while others, such as ASSIP and JMU Summer Honors Institute, offer need-based fee waivers or financial aid.
Programs range from one-week intensives (SEE Camp, VCU Pharmacy Summer Scholars, JMU Summer Honors Institute) to multi-month commitments combining online coursework with a residential component (VSCS runs from November to summer, VASTS runs from December to summer).
Application deadlines vary widely, with early deadlines including VSCS and VASTS (October 26), VCOM SEE Camp (March 6), and ASSIP at GMU (February 15), while several programs, such as VCU Pre-College, NOVA E-Summer, and UVA Summer Language Institute, accept rolling applications.
1. Virginia Commonwealth University’s Dental Careers Exploration (DCE)
Location: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, Richmond, VA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Cost: Free
Dates: July 13 – 17
Application deadline: May 2
Eligibility: Rising 10th graders through graduating seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA and U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
Virginia Commonwealth University’s DCE introduces high school students to dentistry through a week of interactive workshops, clinical demonstrations, and lab activities. You will spend five days exploring educational pathways and the day-to-day responsibilities associated with careers in dental hygiene, general dentistry, and dental specialties. Throughout the week, you engage in practical exercises, including tooth carving, dental impressions, suturing, and digital dentistry activities that highlight foundational skills required in clinical settings. You will learn directly from dental professionals and faculty as you explore the technical and collaborative aspects of oral healthcare.
2. VCOM Summer Enrichment Experience (SEE Camp)
Location: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM), Blacksburg, VA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Cost: Free
Dates: Week 1: June 21 – 26 | Week 2: July 5 – 10
Application deadline: March 6
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors from Virginia with a minimum GPA of 3.5
SEE Camp is a free program that offers you a look at careers in science and medicine. Led by VCOM faculty and medical students, the week-long camp places you within a working cadaver lab and simulation center. As a participant, you will practice surgical knot-tying and suturing under a surgeon's guidance, run experiments, analyze cultures under a microscope, learn the basics of epidemiology, and engage in clinical simulations that mirror real healthcare scenarios. The experience wraps up with a small group research project that you will present to faculty and parents on the final day.
3. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual or George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Cost: $25 application fee + $1,299 tuition for three course credits; fee waivers available
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students who are at least 15 years old (or 16+ for wet lab/in-person placements)
ASSIP gives high school students the opportunity to work directly with faculty researchers on advanced research projects across a range of STEM disciplines. During the eight-week experience, you will engage in full-time research using university laboratories, computational tools, and professional-grade technology while developing scientific writing, communication, and analytical skills. You will be paired with mentors and contribute to ongoing research projects, experiencing the pace and structure of real academic research rather than simulated classroom exercises. In addition to laboratory or computational work, you will participate in discussions about STEM careers, research ethics, and scientific problem-solving while building relationships with researchers and peers. The program concludes with a final poster presentation that gives you experience in presenting research findings in a professional academic setting.
4. Virginia Tech: Pathways for Future Engineers
Location: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Cost: Free
Dates: Rising seniors: June 14 – 27 | Rising Sophomores and juniors: June 21 – 27
Application deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Virginia residents entering grades 10 – 12 who are potential first-generation college students
Virginia Tech’s Pathways for Future Engineers is a multi-year engineering access program designed to support first-generation students as they explore engineering pathways from high school through college. The program combines residential summer experiences, engineering design challenges, campus visits, mentorship, and year-round academic support to help you better understand both engineering careers and the college experience. During the summer component, you will work collaboratively on hands-on engineering projects that encourage problem-solving, teamwork, and creative thinking while connecting with faculty, staff, and current engineering students. You will also receive guidance related to college applications, academic preparation, and navigating university life, making the experience especially valuable for those who may not already have access to these resources. Beyond the summer camp, the broader Pathways initiative will continue supporting you through community-building activities and transition programs connected to Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering.
5. Virginia Commonwealth University’s Summer Pre-College Program
Location: Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Cost: Residential: $4,300 | Commuter: $2,900; scholarships available
Dates: July 12 – 31
Application deadline: Rolling admissions until spots fill; priority deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors
The Summer Pre-College Program at VCUarts gives high school students the opportunity to engage in an intensive studio-based arts experience while exploring college-level creative education. Over three weeks, you will enroll in a single non-credit course taught by VCUarts faculty and develop technical, conceptual, and portfolio-building skills in disciplines ranging from animation and graphic design to ceramics, filmmaking, fashion, painting, and musical theatre. The program emphasizes hands-on learning and creative experimentation, allowing you to produce original work while receiving feedback from practicing artists and instructors. As you will spend extended time working in studios, workshops, and collaborative creative environments, the experience also offers insight into the pace and expectations of an art and design school. Residential participants additionally get a taste of campus life in Richmond, a city known for its arts and creative culture.
6. Aspiring Inventors’ Fellowship Program @ George Mason University
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 48 students
Cost: $1,200 + $5 application fee; need-based fee waivers available
Dates: June 23 – August 6 (Tuesdays and Thursdays) + Graduation Symposium: August 12
Application deadline: Rolling admissions; application opens April 15
Eligibility: High school students
The Aspiring Inventors' Fellowship Program is a seven-week part-time hands-on experience organized at George Mason University's Fairfax campus, where you will work in teams to design, build, and pitch original inventions. You will work with tools like AI software, 3D printers, and CAD/CAM design tech available in GMU's Innovation Exchange Lab to build a working prototype of your idea. You will also fill out an official Patent Disclosure Form and attend a guest lecture led by patent attorneys and examiners. At the end of the experience, you will present your invention and receive a certificate of completion. You will additionally make a research poster that you can use for future college applications or design competitions.
7. University of Northern Virginia Inspire Summer: AI Literacy Bootcamp
Location: University of Northern Virginia, Fairfax, VA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Cost: $2,150; need-based financial aid is not available
Dates: July 27 – 31
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising 10th to 12th grade students
The AI Literacy Bootcamp at UVA Northern Virginia introduces high school students to the foundations and real-world applications of artificial intelligence through an intensive week of hands-on learning. Using beginner-friendly no-code platforms, you will explore topics such as deep learning, machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, and generative AI while building and testing your own models. Activities throughout the program focus on how AI systems function, where they succeed, and where their limitations become visible. For example, you will work with tools like Google’s Teachable Machine to train image recognition models and evaluate how factors such as lighting, object variation, and training data affect accuracy. Along with technical exploration, the bootcamp emphasizes ethical questions surrounding privacy, fairness, algorithmic bias, and the societal impact of AI technologies. You will also learn prompt engineering techniques, analyze AI-generated content, and discuss how AI is used across industries, including healthcare, media, and entertainment.
8. University of Northern Virginia Inspire Summer’s E4: Mission: Engineering
Location: University of Virginia Northern Virginia, Fairfax, VA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Cost: $2,150; need-based financial aid is not available
Dates: July 13 – 17
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising 10th to 12th grade students
E4: Mission: Engineering, part of UVA’s E4 Exploring Exciting Engineering Essentials series, at UVA Northern Virginia, is designed to introduce high school students to the fundamentals of engineering through collaborative projects, design challenges, and applied problem-solving activities. Working in teams, you will explore concepts such as the engineering design process, digital modeling, basic programming, and systems thinking while completing hands-on tasks throughout the week. The program also encourages you to think critically about the broader responsibilities of engineers, including ethical decision-making and the social impact of technology and design. Through guided discussions and project-based learning, you will explore how different engineering fields approach real-world problems. Field trips may also be a part of the experience.
9. Virginia Space Grant Consortium’s Virginia Space Coast Scholars (VSCS)
Location: NASA Wallops, Wallops Island, VA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Cost: Free
Dates: Online program: November – March; Residential academy: One week during the summer
Application deadline: October 26
Eligibility: Virginia high school sophomores with a minimum 2.7 GPA; U.S. citizenship is required to participate in the residential academy.
The
VSCS program introduces high school students to the science and technology behind NASA missions through a combination of online learning and an immersive residential experience. Organized by the Virginia Space Grant Consortium in partnership with NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, the program covers STEM concepts connected to aerospace engineering, space exploration, and flight operations. You will begin with a series of interactive online modules covering topics related to NASA technology, research, and current missions, while also exploring the broader applications of STEM in the aerospace industry. If you are one of the top-performing participants, you may be invited to a weeklong residential academy at NASA Wallops, where you will work alongside NASA professionals and gain exposure to cutting-edge technologies used in real missions. During the academy, you will participate in hands-on activities, team-based projects, and behind-the-scenes experiences that provide a closer look at careers in engineering, aviation, and space science.
10. William & Mary Pre-College Program in American History
Location: College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA
Cohort size: ~100 students
Cost: $6,950; financial aid available
Dates: Session 1: June 21 – July 11 | Session 2: July 12 – August 1
Application deadline: May 1 for international students | May 15 for domestic Session 1 applicants | June 6 for domestic Session 2 applicants
Eligibility: High school students who have completed their freshman year
William & Mary’s Pre-College Program in American History offers an immersive look into major turning points in U.S. history through college-level coursework and place-based learning. You will enroll in one four-credit course focused on topics such as the American Revolution, the Civil War, or American Independence while living on campus and engaging with the historic environment surrounding Williamsburg. The curriculum focuses on experiential learning, letting you combine the study of historical events in the classroom with hands-on examination of artifacts, site visits, and regional history exploration. The schedule combines lectures, discussion-based learning, and hands-on heritage experiences that encourage you to think critically about how history is interpreted and preserved. You will also develop written and oral arguments on historical events using evidence-based reasoning.
11. Virginia Space Grant Consortium’s Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars Program (VASTS)
Location: Online + in-person at NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Cost: Free
Dates: Online component: December – May; Summer academy: One week in summer
Application deadline: October 26
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are Virginia residents, at least 16 years old, and U.S. citizens; applicants must have a GPA of 2.7 or higher.
VASTS gives high school students the opportunity to explore aerospace engineering, space science, and NASA-related research through a structured online course and an immersive summer academy. Developed in partnership with NASA Langley Research Center, the program covers STEM concepts connected to aviation, engineering design, space exploration, and scientific research. During the online portion, you will complete NASA-developed lessons and a final project that adds to your understanding of aerospace technologies and real-world STEM applications. Based on your performance in the course, you may be invited to a fully funded residential academy at NASA Langley in Hampton. At the academy, you will work with peers to design a hypothetical human mission to Mars while engaging in engineering and problem-solving activities alongside NASA scientists, engineers, and STEM educators. The experience can offer exposure to research environments and careers in aerospace and advanced tech fields.
12. Virginia Commonwealth University’s Pharmacy Summer Scholars
Location: VCU School of Pharmacy, Richmond, VA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Cost: $50
Dates: July 20 – 24
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 – 12
This program gives high school students an introduction to the pharmacy profession through a week of hands-on activities, professional development, and career exploration. Hosted at the VCU School of Pharmacy, the program allows you to learn about different pathways within pharmacy while interacting with current pharmacy students and healthcare professionals. Throughout the week, you will learn about medication preparation, patient care, and hospital pharmacy systems through activities such as nonsterile compounding and guided pharmacy tours. The curriculum also offers insights into the academic preparation required for careers in pharmacy and related healthcare fields. You will additionally tour the VCU campus and attend professional development sessions.
13. Northern Virginia Community College’s E-Summer Program
Location: Northern Virginia Community College campuses, Manassas and Loudoun, VA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Cost: Free
Dates: June 22 – July 29
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old and meet the Virginia Community College System dual enrollment readiness requirements
Northern Virginia Community College’s E-Summer Program introduces high school students to STEM and energy-related careers through a six-week academic and career exploration experience. Sponsored by HACU and Dominion Energy, the program combines college-level coursework with industry exposure to help you better understand pathways in technology, infrastructure, and the energy sector. You will earn college credit while taking courses focused on data center operations and college success skills, gaining early exposure to technical concepts and postsecondary learning expectations. In addition to classroom instruction, you will hear from industry professionals and visit local facilities to explore how STEM is applied in real workplace settings. The curriculum also offers insight into rapidly growing tech fields connected to engineering, operations, and IT.
14. University of Virginia Summer Language Institute
Location: University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Cost: $60 application fee + $493 – $553 comprehensive fees + tuition starting at $484/credit hour
Dates: June 15 – August 7; four-week and eight-week options available
Application deadline: Rolling; applications open on December 1
Eligibility: High school rising juniors and seniors and college students who meet the proficiency level for selected language courses
The University of Virginia’s Summer Language Institute is an intensive language immersion program that allows students to accelerate their language learning through concentrated coursework and cultural engagement. Offering instruction in languages including Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Latin, Russian, and Spanish, the institute is designed for students interested in global studies, international careers, research, or study abroad preparation. You will complete the equivalent of up to 2 years of language study in a 4- to 8-week period. Courses combine speaking, reading, writing, listening, and cultural instruction through classroom experiences and activities that encourage active language use. Depending on the language, you may choose between in-person and synchronous online formats, as well as between four- and full eight-week sessions.
15. Summer Honors Institute @ James Madison University
Location: James Madison, Harrisonburg, VA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 30 students
Cost: $1,500; financial aid available
Dates: July 12 – 18
Application deadline: Not specified; decisions released around April 6
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
James Madison University’s Summer Honors Institute is a weeklong residential program designed for high-achieving high school students interested in experiencing university academics and honors education firsthand. Hosted at JMU’s Honors College, the program lets you choose from a range of courses across the sciences, humanities, arts, business, and social sciences under the guidance of university faculty. Alongside classroom learning, you will attend admissions workshops, explore potential college majors and career paths, and gain insight into how honors programs can shape the undergraduate experience. You will also live on campus, engage in social activities, and take part in excursions around the Shenandoah Valley, getting a broader sense of college life beyond academics.
Frequently asked questions
1. What college programs are available for high school students in Virginia?
Options include medical and health programs, such as VCU Dental Careers Exploration, VCOM SEE Camp, and VCU Pharmacy Summer Scholars, engineering and STEM programs, such as Virginia Tech Pathways, ASSIP at GMU, and NOVA E-Summer, aerospace and NASA programs, such as VSCS and VASTS, arts programs, such as VCU Summer Pre-College, and academic enrichment programs, such as William and Mary Pre-College, JMU Summer Honors Institute, and UVA Summer Language Institute.
2. Are there free college programs for high school students in Virginia?
Yes, VCU Dental Careers Exploration, VCOM SEE Camp, Virginia Tech Pathways for Future Engineers, NOVA E-Summer, VSCS, and VASTS are all free. ASSIP at GMU offers fee waivers based on financial need, and programs such as William and Mary Pre-College and JMU Summer Honors Institute, offer financial aid.
3. Which Virginia programs are best for students interested in medicine or health sciences?
Students interested in medicine or health sciences might consider VCOM SEE Camp for hands-on clinical simulations and cadaver lab work, VCU Dental Careers Exploration for an introduction to dentistry and oral healthcare, VCU Pharmacy Summer Scholars for an introduction to pharmacy and medication preparation, and ASSIP at GMU for research across biomedical and health-related disciplines.
4. When should I apply to college programs for high school students in Virginia?
The earliest deadlines are VSCS and VASTS (October 26) for programs beginning in the fall, followed by ASSIP at GMU (February 15) and VCOM SEE Camp (March 6). Programs, such as VCU Pre-College, UVA Summer Language Institute, and GMU Aspiring Inventors Fellowship, accept rolling applications, so students should begin researching options in the fall and apply early in the spring.
If you’re looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
With Veritas AI, which was founded by Harvard graduate students, you can work 1-on-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn AI & ML with us. Check out a past student’s experience in the program here. You can apply here!