14 College Summer Programs for High School Students in Massachusetts
If you’re a high school student in Massachusetts, summer programs can be a practical way to explore college-level learning and explore your interests without committing to a full course or degree. Many colleges and universities in Massachusetts run programs for high schoolers that give you access to their classrooms, labs, and campus resources. You can work on projects, take part in workshops, and interact with faculty and current college students.
Massachusetts is home to some of the world’s leading universities, and many programs here give you the chance to experience that academic environment while still in high school. These programs cover a wide range of subjects, from science and engineering to writing, business, and the arts. Some focus on building practical skills you can use in school or future internships, while others give you exposure to how certain industries work, introduce you to professional tools, and connect you with people working in the field. Since they’re local, you can often attend without the extra costs of long-distance travel, and some offer financial aid to make participation more accessible.
To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 14 college summer programs for high school students in Massachusetts!
15 College Summer Programs for High School Students in Massachusetts
1. MIT’s Research Science Institute
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: June 22–August 2
Application deadline: December 11
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors worldwide
The Research Science Institute (RSI) is a free, six-week summer program at MIT where you do real research alongside professional scientists and engineers. In the first week, you attend seminars in fields like biology, physics, and engineering. Then you’re matched with a mentor and spend five weeks working in a lab or research center near campus. You learn how to review scientific literature, design a research plan, and present your findings. In the final week, you write a formal research paper and present your work at a symposium. You also attend evening lectures by leading researchers and explore Boston through group outings. If selected, you get full access to MIT’s labs, libraries, and support systems to help you grow as a researcher.
2. Tufts University Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars (TUBERS)
Location: Tufts University, Medford Campus, Boston Avenue, Medford, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: July 1–August 15
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Applicants must be 16 years of age by the start of the program and reside in one of the following cities or towns in MA: Medford, Somerville, Arlington, Cambridge, Malden, Everett, Melrose, Revere, Chelsea, Winchester, Boston, or Quincy.
Tufts University Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars (TUBERS) is a six-week summer program where you work in a Tufts lab on real biomedical engineering research. You’re mentored by faculty and graduate students and focus on problems related to cells, tissues, or organs, how they work, and how engineering can help study or repair them. Depending on your project, you might use tools like microscopy, computational modeling, or biomaterials testing. You learn to apply the scientific method, think critically, and present your findings at the end of the program. With faculty approval, you can also submit your work to science fairs or competitions.
3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology - MITES Summer
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: Late June-early August
Application deadline: Typically early February
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible to apply.
MITES Summer is a six-week residential program at MIT that centers on academic growth, college preparation, and STEM exposure for high school juniors. If selected, you’ll take five advanced courses in science, math, and humanities, designed to challenge you intellectually and help you prepare for college-level study. The schedule includes lectures, lab tours, and opportunities to meet MIT students, faculty, and alumni. Outside of class, you’ll participate in social activities and attend workshops on college admissions and life skills.
4. Harvard Medical School – Project Success
Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: June 30 - August 15
Application deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Boston/Cambridge high school juniors and seniors who will be over 16 years of age by June 30, are from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds, have a GPA of 2.7+, and have completed courses in biology, algebra, and chemistry.
Project Success is a paid, seven-week research internship for high school students from Boston and Cambridge, especially those from underrepresented or underserved backgrounds. You work in a Harvard-affiliated lab on biomedical research related to disease or treatment. You learn lab techniques, research ethics, and science communication, and get mentorship from scientists and clinicians. Outside the lab, you attend seminars on public health, visit hospitals and biotech companies, and explore academic and career paths in medicine.
5. Northeastern University - Young Scholars Program (YSP)
Location: Northeastern University, Boston
Cost: Free
Dates: June 22 – July 30
Application deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Open to rising high school seniors who are Massachusetts residents and U.S. citizens/permanent residents
Northeastern Young Scholars Program (YSP) is a free, six-week summer research program for rising high school seniors from the Boston area. You commute to campus and work in a faculty lab in science, engineering, or health sciences. Your project may involve coding, experiments, data analysis, or design, depending on your lab. Each week, you attend seminars on college prep, science communication, and STEM careers. You also go on field trips to tech companies, research centers, and government labs. At the end, you present your research in a poster session with peers, mentors, and Northeastern faculty.
6. √Mathroots @ MIT
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus, Cambridge
Cost: Free
Dates: July 1–15
Application deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens or attending high school in the U.S. (before the last year of high school) who are between the ages of 14-18
√mathroots is a free, two-week summer program at MIT for high school students who love math and want to go beyond the standard curriculum. You explore proof-based problem solving through interactive lectures, group work, and guest talks from professional mathematicians. You learn techniques from both competition math and theoretical math, focusing on how to think analytically and explain your reasoning. You work closely with mentors and instructors and join a community of peers who share your interest in creative math.
7. UMass Chan High School Health Careers Program (HSHCP)
Location: UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester
Cost: Pays a stipend
Dates: June 29 – July 25
Application deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Massachusetts residents who are sophomores or juniors in a Massachusetts high school
UMass Chan High School Health Careers Program (HSHCP) is a free, four-week residential program for Massachusetts high school sophomores and juniors interested in healthcare and biomedical research. You take enrichment classes in science, math, English, and IT, and complete a health disparities research project. You also attend seminars on current health issues and shadow professionals in hospitals and clinics. The program includes field trips and exposure to careers in medicine and biotechnology. You live on campus at UMass Chan Medical School, receive a stipend, and earn a Certificate of Achievement at the end.
8. MIT Think Scholars Program
Location: Virtual and MIT campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: February–June
Application deadline: January 1
Eligibility: Open to high school students with permanent residence in the U.S.
THINK Scholars Program is a remote, semester-long research program run by MIT students. You apply with a detailed proposal for a science or engineering project. If selected, you get up to $1,000 in funding and weekly mentorship from MIT undergraduates who help you plan your research, solve technical problems, and turn your idea into a full project. At the end, you submit a written report and present your results. Finalists may also be invited to MIT for a free four-day visit that includes lab tours and a chance to share your work with the MIT community.
9. GROW (Greater Boston Research Opportunities for Young Women)
Location: Boston University campus
Stipend: Up to $1,500
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application deadline: Applications open in March
Eligibility: Open to current juniors enrolled in a school in Massachusetts living within a 30-mile radius of Boston who are at least sixteen years old by July 1
GROW (Greater Boston Research Opportunities for Young Women) is a six-week summer research program at Boston University for rising high school seniors from the Greater Boston area. You start with a two-day orientation, then join a lab in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, or physics. You work with faculty and graduate students on active research projects and build practical lab skills. You also attend science communication workshops, STEM career talks, and visit local research institutions. The program ends with a symposium where you present your findings. You receive a stipend after completing the program.
10. Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Beaver Works Summer Institute
Location: Virtual and in-person at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.
Cost: Free! For families with an income of $150,000 or greater, the fee for the program will be $2,350.
Dates: Online Courses: February 3 - June 20 | In-person Summer Program: July 7 - August 3
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students entering their senior year who are U.S. citizens are eligible to apply.
Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) is a free, four-week STEM program for rising high school seniors, hosted by MIT Lincoln Laboratory and the MIT School of Engineering. You choose a specific course, like autonomous vehicles, cybersecurity, wearable tech, or quantum software, and spend the summer solving problems through projects. You use tools like Python, VSCode, and git while working in teams on lab work, simulations, and a final capstone project. Past projects include building underwater robots and training machine learning models for medical use.
11. Harvard Summer School Pre-College Program
Location: Harvard campus
Cost: $5,800 + $75 application fee (limited number of scholarships available)
Dates: Session I: June 22 – July 3 | Session II: July 6 – 18 | Session III: July 20 – August 1
Application deadline: April 9
Eligibility: Open to students aged 16–18 who have completed their sophomore or junior year.
Harvard Pre-College Program is a two-week summer experience where you live on campus and take one non-credit college-level course taught by Harvard instructors. You join a small seminar-style class focused on discussion, writing, and critical thinking. You will receive a written evaluation and an official Harvard transcript showing that you completed the course. Outside class, you attend academic workshops, evening lectures, and social events, and take part in off-campus trips around Cambridge. You choose from courses in fields like economics, global health, philosophy, and political science, and build skills in communication and time management.
12. BU Summer Challenge
Location: Boston University
Cost: $4,920 (tuition $3,585 + service fee $75 + room/board $1,200 + application $60)
Dates: Session 1: June 15 – 27 | Session 2: July 6 – 18 | Session 3: July 20 – August 1
Application deadline: Typically in the spring
Eligibility: Open to students entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school in the fall
Boston University Summer Challenge is a two-week residential program where you live on campus and take two non-credit courses taught by BU instructors. You choose from subjects like psychology, business, computer science, and law, and learn in small seminar-style classes. Each weekday includes morning and afternoon sessions, plus time for group projects, field trips, and social events. You get a feel for college life by living in dorms, navigating campus, and using university resources like libraries and fitness centers. You also attend workshops on college admissions and academic writing. At the end, you receive a certificate and instructor evaluations.
13. Boston University Summer Term - Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) Internship
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost: $5,700; $60 non-refundable application fee
Dates: June 29 - August 8
Application deadline: February 14
Eligibility: Open to students entering their senior year of high school in the fall who are U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents
Boston University RISE Internship is a six-week summer research program for rising high school seniors. You work full-time in a BU lab with mentorship from faculty, postdoctoral researchers, or graduate students. You contribute to ongoing research in areas like biomedical engineering, neuroscience, computer science, or public health. You take ownership of your project, analyze data, and present your findings at a final Poster Symposium. Each week includes seminars on research ethics, science communication, and college preparation. Some students also choose to submit their work to national competitions if their project is ready.
14. Hampshire College Summer Studies in Mathematics (HCSSiS)
Location: Hampshire College, Amherst
Cost: $6511 (financial aid is available, find details here)
Dates: June 29 – August 9
Application deadline: April
Eligibility: High school students with demonstrated excellence in mathematics
Hampshire College Summer Studies in Mathematics (HCSSiS) is a residential math program where you spend each day solving problems, exploring ideas, and working with others. The schedule includes morning workshops, afternoon recreation or study time, and evening problem sessions. You study topics like number theory, graph theory, combinatorics, and fractals, and use tools like Mathematica. As the program continues, you choose mini-courses to explore specific areas more deeply. You’re encouraged to present your work during and after the program.
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