10 Competitive Summer Programs that Admissions Officers Love
While summer vacations allow you to unwind from the previous academic year, they also present an opportunity to prepare for future academics and improve your chances of getting into a top college. Participating in competitive summer programs for high school students helps you show college admissions officers your interests and motivations. They let you explore your preferred field while gaining practical experience.
Many of the competitive summer programs for high school students in this list are hosted by prestigious institutions and are fully or partially funded. They also have a rigorous selection process and often have acceptance rates below 10%. They cover subjects ranging from STEM and engineering to economics and creative writing, among others.
Here are 10 competitive summer programs for high school students that college admissions officers love!
1. Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)
Location: Cornell University and the University of Maryland
Acceptance Rate: 3% – 5%
Dates: June 22 – July 26
Application Deadline: October 15 – December 3
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors; Must be 15-18; More details here
Cost/Stipend: Free; Stipends available for students with financial need
The Telluride Association offers competitive summer programs for high school students seeking educational experiences that foster critical thinking and a democratic community. As a participant in the Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS), you will attend college-level humanities and social sciences courses that explore how power and privilege shape our social structures. The two main areas of study include: TASS-CBS (Critical Black Studies) and TASS-AOS (Anti-Oppressive Studies). In either course, you will participate in discussions, small-group work, lectures by faculty, and other activities. You will also be expected to read and write essays on relevant topics. Participating in this program provides an opportunity to develop critical thinking skills while exploring fields such as history, politics, literature, and art.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year; Summer Cohort II starts on July 14
Application Deadline: Differs based on cohort; Summer Cohort II deadline is June 23
Eligibility: High-achieving high school students with an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4 (at least)
Cost: Starting at $2,990; Financial aid available
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers several competitive summer programs for high school students that are sure to stand out on your college resume. The focus of the program is to offer extensive, rigorous 1-on-1 research opportunities across a wide variety of subjects, including psychology, international relations, STEM, economics, and more. As a participant, you will be paired with a Ph.D. mentor who will guide you as you work on an independent research project. If you participate in the Premium Research and Publication Program, you will get to submit your research paper to a journal for publication along with your mentor. You can apply here!
3. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University
Acceptance Rate: Less than 3%
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 2
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee; $750 stipend
With an acceptance rate of less than 3% and a cohort size of 12, the Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is one of the more competitive summer programs for high school students. The program is an intense, seven-week experience where you will work one-on-one with faculty to conduct research in areas such as computer science, biology, cancer biology, history, and physics. As a participant, you’ll also engage in weekly seminars, discussions, and field trips, developing your critical thinking and professional skills. This program admits only the most academically accomplished high school students and will impress admissions officers if it is added to your resume.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Differs based on cohort; Apply here!
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students; Applicants for the AI Fellowship program must either have completed the AI Scholar program or have experience with Python and AI concepts
Cost: Starting from $2,290; Financial aid available
Veritas AI, a program that’s founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers competitive summer programs for high school students looking to learn more about artificial intelligence. You can choose to participate in two main programs: the AI Scholars program and the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase program. If you’re just getting started with AI, ML, and data science, then the AI Scholars program is for you! You’ll get to participate in a 10-session boot camp that introduces you to the fundamentals of AI and data science. You’ll also gain hands-on experience in these fields, working on real-world projects.
However, if you’re looking for a more advanced program, then try the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase program. During this program, you will work 1-on-1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. You’ll also get to publish your work in high school research journals with the help of the in-house publication team. Here are some past projects you can check out!
5. MITES Summer
Location: MIT
Acceptance Rate: Around 3%
Dates: 6 weeks from June to August
Application Deadline: November 1 – February 1
Eligibility: 11th graders with a strong academic record; More details here
Cost: Free
One of the best competitive summer programs for high school students, MITES Summer is a national program that provides a firsthand experience of a career or degree in STEM. For over six weeks, you will take five college-level courses and learn about STEM’s impact on society. These courses include math, physics, life sciences, humanities, and one project-based elective. Previous electives have included machine learning, architecture, engineering design, and others. You’ll discover life on the MIT campus and participate in lab tours and social events. You’ll also connect with alumni from other prestigious colleges and engage with college admissions counselors. Check out this guide for more information!
6. JCamp
Location: Held in different cities in the U.S. every year
Cohort Size: 30 students per year
Dates: 6 days
Application Deadline: January to March
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors of any background
Cost: Free
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in journalism and want to learn more about broadcasting, newspapers, magazines, photojournalism, or online media, JCamp is a great place to start. This is a six-day program designed to increase diversity in journalism and allow high school students to learn from veteran journalists and leading media executives. Prominent speakers have included Cheryl Diaz Meyer (Pulitzer Prize-winning war photographer), Bill Whitaker (CBS News’ “60 Minutes” correspondent), Hoda Kotb (co-host of NBC’s “Today Show”), and more. You will gain experience in reporting and production and have access to state-of-the-art media and facilities. The curriculum focuses on teaching students the importance of journalistic ethics.
7. Economics for Leaders (EFL)
Location: Various university campuses; Virtual options available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; Approximately 25-40 students per site
Dates: Varies
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors
Cost: $900 – $2,600 participation fee + $35 non-refundable processing fee; Costs depend on location; Scholarships available
The Economics for Leaders (EFL) program is a summer program for high school students that many college admissions officers recognize as competitive. During the program, you’ll develop leadership skills and learn how to apply economic analysis to public policy decisions. You’ll participate in classroom activities, case studies, and lectures that teach economic concepts, reasoning, and leadership theory. You’ll examine current national and international issues. The program also focuses on providing instruction within the context of the 5 Economic Reasoning Propositions (ERPs) and covers leadership topics related to the Leadership Pyramid Matrix. If you’re looking for a more advanced experience, you can try the Advanced Economics for Leaders program.
8. Iowa Young Writers’ Studio: Summer Residential Program
Location: University of Iowa campus
Cohort Size: 10 students or fewer
Dates: Session 1: June 15 – 28 | Session 2: July 13 – 26
Application Deadline: January 20 – February 2
Eligibility: Current 10th to 12th graders
Cost: $2,500 (Financial aid available); $10 reading fee (Can be waived)
The Iowa Young Writers’ Studio’s Summer Residential Program is a two-week program that introduces students to creative writing. You will take one of five core courses—poetry, fiction, creative writing, playwriting, and TV writing/writers' room. These courses are generally taught by graduates of the renowned Iowa Writers' Workshop. You’ll participate in writing exercises and activities to hone your skills and share your work with teachers and peers to receive constructive criticism. You’ll also attend readings by published writers, workshops, and discussions on writing techniques or other related topics. Additionally, you’ll go to open mics, talent shows, icebreakers, and other social gatherings.
9. Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
Location: Carnegie Mellon University
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: June 21 – August 2
Application Deadline: Preferred Deadline: February 1 | Final Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Students in 11th grade at the time of applying; 16+ by program start; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Cost: Free
Carnegie Mellon University’s SAMS is one of the most competitive summer programs for high school students, introducing you to STEM through projects and classroom instruction. The program is divided into two parts. The first part is a virtual jumpstart that develops the skills necessary for the in-person program. The second part of the program includes STEM-related courses. You will also attend workshops on career preparation, research, and more led by alumni, students, university leaders, and local industry leaders. The program concludes with the SAMS Symposium, where you will present your STEM projects.
10. Hk Maker Lab
Location: Columbia University
Acceptance Rate Selective
Dates: July 7 – August 8
Application Deadline: Priority Deadline: December 18 | Regular Deadline: January 8
Eligibility: Current 10th to 11th graders in NYC; Applicants should be able to demonstrate educational or economic disadvantage
Cost: Free
Hk Maker Lab is an engineering design summer program that includes the first 3-week session of Columbia's Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE) and a 2-week digital media experience. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to enroll in the NY Bioforce program when it is offered next year. The Hk Maker Lab program itself will introduce you to the fundamentals of engineering and give you experience in design techniques. You’ll participate in courses like Biomedical Engineering or Innovation and Design and work on a mentored project.
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