14 Political Science Summer Programs for High School Students
Political science summer programs can be a strong option if you’re a high school student interested in exploring fields like public policy, law, or international relations. They allow you to build skills in research, writing, and communication while helping you understand how political systems and institutions operate. You may also connect with mentors, professionals, and peers to clarify your interests and strengthen your academic goals.
What are the benefits of a political science program?
A political science program allows you to explore topics like government, policy, and global affairs through structured activities and coursework. Depending on the program, you might analyze legislation, conduct research, or take part in simulations that reflect political processes while developing analytical and communication skills. These experiences can help you better understand the field as you prepare for further study.
To help you get started on your political journey, we have put together 14 political science summer programs for high school students.
If you’re looking for free online programs, check out our blog here.
1. U.S. Senate Page Program
Location: Capitol and Senate office buildings, Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Monthly stipend based on a $35,360 annual salary
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 30 positions available
Dates: Summer Session I: June 7 – 26 | Summer Session II: July 12 – August 7; fall and spring sessions also
Application deadline: Varies by session and office
Eligibility: Students who are rising high school juniors/seniors, U.S. citizens/permanent residents (with SSN), and are 16 or 17 years old by appointment date, with a minimum 3.0 GPA
The U.S. Senate Page Program places a small group of high school students directly inside the daily operations of the United States Senate. As a page, you will support legislative work by delivering bills and documents across Capitol Hill, assisting senators and staff during debates, and helping prepare the chamber for official sessions. Alongside these responsibilities, you will attend early-morning classes at the Senate Page School to continue your academic studies while living in Washington, D.C. This program exposes you to real legislative discussions and gives you a close look at how federal policy is debated and passed. You will also participate in organized cultural and historical excursions around the capital.
2. Veritas AI Fellowship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12 – 15-week cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment; deadlines vary by cohort: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can check details and apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students who are previous AI Scholar participants or have some experience working with AI or Python
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students passionate about AI with a supportive environment to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI Scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. The AI Fellowship program will allow students to pursue independent AI research projects. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest. You can find examples of previous projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Mikva Summer Fellows Program
Location: Various offices across Chicago, IL
Stipend: $17/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~50 students/year
Dates: Six weeks between June and August
Application deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Chicago students, ages 16 – 22
This political science summer program for high school students places fellows in government offices, where they gain firsthand exposure to public service. You will get to assist elected officials and their teams with responsibilities such as policy research, constituent outreach, and communications projects. The internship combines practical office experience with educational workshops focused on civic leadership and professional development. You will also collaborate with peers across different government placements, building a broader understanding of civic engagement. Through the program’s partnership with the Chicago Board of Elections, you may also receive training to serve as election judges.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: Political Science Track
Location: Remote! You can participate from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Dates: Varies by cohort; sessions run in the summer, fall, winter, or spring, with options ranging from 12 weeks to a year.
Eligibility: Students in high school who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research opportunity tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive mentored research opportunities across a broad range of subject areas for high schoolers to explore. The program pairs you with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on a research project. At the end of the program, you will have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from a range of subjects, including political science, healthcare, psychology, physics, economics, computer science, engineering, chemistry, and international relations. You can find more details about the program application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. Internships at the Foreign Policy Research Institute
Location: Remote or Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI), Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: Paid and unpaid opportunities available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June – August; spring and fall opportunities also available
Application deadline: March 6 for summer internships
Eligibility: Students, high school through graduate level, who are authorized to work in the U.S.
Internships with the Foreign Policy Research Institute introduce high school students to the work of a professional policy think tank. You will collaborate with scholars specializing in global security, regional politics, or international diplomacy, assisting with tasks such as research, writing, and event coordination. Through these responsibilities, you will gain insight into how policy analysis and public scholarship contribute to discussions on global affairs. The program also includes seminars featuring guest speakers who discuss career paths in international relations and public policy. You may also attend the institute’s public events and lectures, and contribute short articles or research pieces to the institute’s intern publication platform.
6. Washington State House of Representatives Page Program
Location: Capitol building, Olympia, WA
Stipend: $65/day
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not specified
Dates: January – March/April (one week or 40 hours of work in total); exact dates vary
Application deadline: Applications accepted up to one month before the paging week
Eligibility: High school students in Washington State who are 14 – 16 years old
The Washington State House of Representatives Page Program allows students to observe state government in action while supporting legislative activities inside the Capitol building. As a page, you will assist lawmakers and staff with tasks such as delivering documents, helping manage materials in the chamber, and supporting daily legislative operations. Alongside hands-on work, you will attend daily sessions of Page School, where you will learn about the structure of state government and the legislative process. Interactive lessons and guest speakers help connect your responsibilities to broader civic concepts. One of the program’s highlights is a mock committee hearing where you and other pages will get to simulate a real legislative debate in official meeting rooms.
7. Democracy Maine Youth Council Internship
Location: Remote and in-person at League of Women Voters of Maine, Portland, ME
Stipend: $15/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 3 – 4 high school interns/semester
Dates: May – August
Application deadline: May 15
Eligibility: High school students across Maine who are 15 or older; applicants under 16 need to have a work permit.
The Democracy Maine Youth Council Internship is designed to encourage youth participation in civic and political work through advocacy and community outreach. You will work on initiatives that encourage voter education and public engagement, often creating digital content, organizing events, or developing communication campaigns. The program allows you to explore different aspects of civic work, including organizing, facilitation, and public communication. Through these projects, you will gain a better understanding of how state policies affect local communities. You will also learn how advocacy groups collaborate with policymakers to address social issues in this political science summer program for high school students.
8. NYU Democracy Scholars
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 26
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors in NYC
This political science summer program for high school students invites rising seniors in New York City to explore political philosophy and social justice through intensive seminar discussions. During the program, you will study influential texts that have shaped democratic thought while practicing college-level reading, writing, and debate. Classes are led by NYU faculty and emphasize discussion-based learning. You will also receive mentorship related to the college application process from professors and program advisors. The program extends beyond the summer through a civic engagement project that continues throughout senior year. Through these activities, you will gain experience both as a scholar of political thought and as an emerging civic leader.
9. USC Center for the Political Future High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – August 1 (tentative)
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students (excluding graduating seniors) with a 3.5 GPA or higher
The USC Center for the Political Future internship invites high school students to explore environmental policy through legislative analysis. You will select a sustainability-related bill at the local, state, or federal level and examine how the policy developed through the legislative process. Over the course of the internship, you will produce two major assignments: a legislative policy memo and a detailed process analysis explaining how the bill moved through government institutions. Several required check-ins during the program will provide opportunities to give and receive feedback and guidance to help you refine your work. Successful projects may even be featured through the center’s academic initiatives.
10. Tufts Pre-College International Relations Program
Location: Tufts University, Medford/Somerville, MA
Cost: $4,225 (commuter) | $5,750 (residential); need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 19 – 31
Application deadline: May 1 (rolling admissions); multiple priority deadlines for different application materials (check details here)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
This program introduces high schoolers to political science, anthropology, history, and economics with a focus on international studies. Tufts faculty will lead the sessions, covering international issues, diplomatic strategy, and global problem-solving. As a participant, you will spend two weeks learning about the multidisciplinary nature of international relations and how different disciplines contribute to the understanding of global affairs. You will participate in discussions of current global challenges, developing perspectives on how nations interact and address international problems. You will also work with university library staff and TAs to complete a research project on a political topic of your choice and present your work at the end of two weeks. The curriculum is designed to offer exposure to the academic rigor you can expect in a college-level political science program.
11. George Town University’s Hoya Summer High School Sessions: American Politics Academy
Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Cost: Residential: $3,725 | Commuter Tuition: $3,095
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 7 – 13
Application deadline: Early bird: January 31 | Final deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Current 8th – 12th graders, ages 15 and up, with a minimum 2.0 GPA
Georgetown University’s American Politics Academy offers high schoolers the opportunity to examine the structure and dynamics of the U.S. political system through lectures, discussions, and simulations. Over the course of a week, you will explore topics such as the roles of Congress, the presidency, and the judiciary, as well as the influence of political parties and interest groups. Classroom discussions will be complemented by activities that simulate legislative decision-making, allowing you to test your understanding of policymaking. Guest speakers, including policymakers, lobbyists, and congressional staff, will offer insights into how national issues are debated in practice. The curriculum also covers topics such as public opinion, foreign policy, and fiscal policy to provide a broader view of governance.
12. Political Science Summer Institute @ UCLA
Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $2,660 (estimated fee); scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – July 10
Application deadline: June 12
Eligibility: California high school students in grades 9 – 12 in the spring who are at least 15 years old with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher
The Political Science Summer Institute at UCLA introduces high school students to the foundations of American political systems through a college-level course. Over three weeks, you will examine how institutions, collective action, and policy decisions shape governance in the United States. Lectures and discussions will encourage you to analyze political developments using frameworks commonly used by political scientists. Examples from both historical and contemporary politics will help illustrate how institutions evolve. Additionally, you will attend career panels led by guest speakers to explore opportunities in fields such as law, government service, and political research. By the end of the institute, you will earn college credit.
13. USC International Relations Summer Program
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $8,130 (domestic students) | $11,570 (international students)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – July 17
Application deadline: May 8 (domestic students) | March 13 (international students)
Eligibility: High school students who have completed 9th grade before the start of the program
USC’s pre-college International Relations program allows high schoolers to critically analyze international events through the lens of international relations and political science theory. You will examine topics such as religion in politics, the causes of war, conflict-resolution strategies, pop culture and politics, and global issues over four weeks. You will engage with theoretical frameworks and explore case studies focused on current headlines and historical conflicts. The program combines classroom instruction with application through simulations, role-playing, and negotiation activities that reflect real diplomatic scenarios. You will also conduct research and develop an individual case study on conflict-resolution mechanisms, learning to examine, analyze, and recommend steps to address international disputes. Field trips to cultural institutions and museums will help you explore how popular culture intersects with political conflict and peace-building.
14. Yale Young Global Scholars: Politics, Law, & Economics
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $7,000 + $80 (or $95 for regular deadline) application fee; need-based aid available covering up to 100% of tuition
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 21 – July 3 | July 5 – 17 | July 19 – 31
Application deadline: October 15 (early) | January 7 (regular)
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors, ages 16 to 18
The Politics, Law, and Economics track at Yale Young Global Scholars allows you to explore how governments, legal systems, and economic policies interact to shape societies. Through lectures, seminars, and collaborative discussions, you will examine topics such as constitutional interpretation, human rights, and global economic regulation. Instead of traditional grades, the program emphasizes intellectual exploration and debate among a diverse international cohort. Small breakout sessions will help you analyze complex policy questions and share perspectives with students from around the world. Additionally, collaborative projects and symposium-style discussions will help you apply theory to contemporary political challenges.
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