12 Marketing Summer Programs for High School Students
Summer programs offer high school students a practical way to gain valuable skills, experience, and meaningful connections without the high costs often associated with other opportunities. These programs, offered by top colleges and respected organizations, provide a chance to explore fields like marketing through projects, expert guidance, and collaboration with peers. For students interested in marketing or related areas, building a strong foundation of knowledge and professional networks is a good idea.
Whether you’re curious about digital marketing, entrepreneurship, or business strategy, this list highlights programs that provide practical skills and insight to support your interests. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right fit. That’s why we’ve carefully selected 12 standout marketing summer programs for high school students, each offering unique learning experiences.
1. Warner Bros. Reach Honorship Program – Business Track
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Program dates: Option 1: June 2–August 15 | Option 2: June 9–August 22
Application deadline: January 27–February 28
Eligibility: Open to graduating high school seniors from Burbank or Los Angeles County with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
If you’re a graduating high school senior with a strong interest in marketing and the business side of media, the Warner Bros. Reach Honorship Program’s Business Track could be a meaningful next step. As a participant in this marketing summer program for high school students, you will have the opportunity to work within one of the company’s 60+ departments–many of which center on marketing, publicity, media research, or social media–allowing you to gain experience with projects tied to current film and television productions. Interns are placed on active teams where you might assist with audience analysis, campaign planning, promotional strategy, or content branding. Each summer also brings the chance to work under a new executive mentor, helping you build industry connections and explore different facets of media marketing.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June-August), Fall (September-December), Winter (December-February), and Spring (March-June).
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school. Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4). No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a selective academic research opportunity designed specifically for high school students. It offers students the chance to pursue a personalized research agenda through one-on-one mentorship with Ph.D. mentors from top-tier institutions. Over a span of 12 weeks, participants conduct in-depth research in a chosen discipline, with guidance at every stage–from topic selection to final paper development. The program is intended for students eager to immerse into academic fields beyond their school curriculum in a structured, research-intensive setting. Students can select from a wide array of research areas, including but not limited to psychology, economics, chemistry, international relations, engineering, data science, and physics. Each student produces a fully developed research paper by the end of the program, demonstrating both subject mastery and analytical skills. You can find more details about the application here.
3. Meta Summer Academy
Location: Menlo Park, CA
Stipend: Participants receive a competitive stipend
Program dates: June 16–July 25
Application deadline: February 14
Acceptance rate: Highly competitive
Eligibility: High school sophomores with a minimum of 2.0 cumulative GPA who are year-round residents of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, or Redwood City
At the Meta Summer Academy, interns spend part of their summer gaining exposure to the internal workings of one of the world’s most influential social media companies, with opportunities to explore how marketing functions within a large-scale tech environment. While the program includes technical learning such as introductory coding, it also emphasizes broader career development, particularly in branding, digital communication, and content strategy. Interns examine how different departments–from communications to product marketing–work together to support platform growth. You’ll also develop professional skills such as collaboration, presentation, and time management.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Application requirements: Online application form, answers to a few questions about the student's background & coding experience, math courses, and areas of interest.
Veritas AI, an initiative developed by Harvard graduate students, provides high school students with structured pathways into the world of artificial intelligence and machine learning. The AI Scholars program is a 10-session course designed to introduce students to key AI and data science concepts. Participants learn through practical, project-based and may explore how artificial intelligence intersects with fields like marketing through real-world data analysis and predictive modeling, in the marketing track. For students seeking deeper engagement, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase offers an intensive, mentorship-driven experience. Fellows collaborate one-on-one with researchers or graduate students from leading universities to conceptualize and execute original AI research projects. A unique aspect of the Fellowship is its editorial and publication support, guiding students toward publishing their work in high school-level academic journals. The program concludes with a showcase where participants can present their research publicly. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
5. KP Launch High School Internship Program – Sales & Marketing Track
Location: Multiple locations
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 16–August 1
Application deadline: November 18–January 6
Eligibility: High school students living in the Northern California area who will be ages 16–19 by June 1
For those who wish to explore how marketing functions within the healthcare industry, the KP LAUNCH High School Internship Program gives you a structured opportunity to do just that. As an intern in the Sales & Marketing Track, you’ll be placed within a Kaiser Permanente department where you can engage with marketing and sales initiatives focused on promoting health services and insurance products. The marketing summer program for high school students introduces you to concepts like health advocacy, brand positioning, and account management within a central integrated health system. Further, you will also gain workplace experience and build professional skills through mentorship and daily collaboration with experienced teams.
6. CU Boulder Business Leadership Program
Location: University of Colorado Boulder
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 22–28
Application deadline: March 30
Eligibility: Open to current high school juniors and incoming Leeds School of Business first-year students (starting the Fall semester)
The CU Boulder Business Leadership Program engages students with business challenges by allowing them to develop a marketing campaign in collaboration with a team of peers. Through a case study format, you’ll be introduced to the fundamentals of business strategy, branding, and customer engagement while working to address a specific problem posed by one of the program’s corporate partners. You will then present your campaign to a panel of faculty and industry professionals, gaining feedback and insight into the decision-making processes behind marketing efforts. Along the way, you’ll attend sessions with business leaders and faculty from the Leeds School of Business, allowing you to explore different career paths and business disciplines. A standout campaign may even earn you a Leeds School of Business scholarship!
7. UC Berkeley Business Academy for Youth
Location: University of California, Berkeley, CA
Cost: California Resident $6,292 | Out of State Resident $7,332
Program dates: Session I: July 5–19 | Session II: July 19–August 2,
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
At the UC Berkeley B-BAY, you will spend two weeks on campus developing a business idea alongside students from around the world. Guided by Berkeley Haas faculty, guest speakers, and mentors, you’ll explore core business topics such as marketing strategy, competitive analysis, business planning, and financial modeling. Your team will be responsible for creating a complete business plan and presenting it at the end of the session, allowing you to apply what you've learned. The curriculum blends classroom instruction with research projects, computer lab work, and team collaboration, offering you practical insight into how businesses grow from ideas to market-ready ventures. You will also get advice on writing college essays and learn from admissions advisors, helping you prepare for college applications.
8. Georgetown Entrepreneurship Academy
Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Cost: Residential: $5,950 | Commuter: $4,145
Program dates: June 15–27
Application deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Open to high school students with a minimum GPA of 2.0.
As a motivated high school student interested in marketing and entrepreneurship, the Georgetown Entrepreneurship Academy allows you to explore how ideas are turned into marketable ventures. Over two weeks, you will learn about essential topics such as design thinking, market research, branding, and global business strategieswhile developing a startup idea with a team. You will learn how to shape a concept into a practical business plan through prototype testing and refining your business model. The program emphasizes marketing as a core skill, guiding you through identifying target audiences, crafting messaging, and planning effective campaigns. You’ll hear from entrepreneurs across industries who share their experiences and offer guidance on navigating the startup world. The marketing summer program for high school students culminates in a team pitch presentation, where your communication, strategy, and creative thinking are tested.
9. USC Exploring Entrepreneurship Program
Location: Online or University of Southern California, CA
Cost: Commuter (Domestic): $7,812 | Residential (Domestic): $11,347
Program dates: June 15–July 12
Application deadline: Domestic students: May 2 | International students: March 14
Eligibility: Applicants who have completed at least the 9th grade by June 15 and are pursuing a rigorous high school curriculum can apply.
The USC Exploring Entrepreneurship Program provides a focused introduction to strategy and execution for those interested in how businesses take shape and how marketing plays a role in their growth. Through a mix of classroom instruction and practical experiences, you’ll study areas like accounting, marketing, personal branding, and business ethics while developing your startup concept. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, where you collaborate in teams to craft business plans and pitch ideas, integrating core marketing principles such as identifying target audiences and building brand identity. Field trips to startups and entrepreneurial spaces in Los Angeles, including Silicon Beach and Downtown LA, offer a look at how local companies operate and innovate. Guest entrepreneurs provide insights into launching and managing ventures, giving context to your coursework.
10. Snider Enterprise and Leadership Fellows (SELF) Experience
Location: Online or University of Maryland, MD
Cost: Online: $1,365 | Commuter: $1,730
Program dates: July 14–August 1
Application deadline: June 1
Eligibility: Open to rising students in grade 10 to graduating grade 12
The Snider Enterprise and Leadership Fellows Experience lets participants take on the role of CEO as they explore how entrepreneurial thinking applies not just to launching businesses, but to shaping their personal and professional goals. You will work in teams for three weeks to identify problems and craft market-driven solutions, developing a venture pitch grounded in strategy, marketing, and economic principles. The program combines practical learning with instruction from the University of Maryland faculty and business professionals. You’ll practice refining creative ideas, receive feedback from industry experts, and learn how to turn those ideas into viable plans. The marketing summer program for high school students earns you three university credits and introduces you to the expectations of college-level coursework.
11. Babson Summer Study
Location: Online
Cost: $6,295 + $95 application fee (scholarships available)
Program dates: July 7–28
Application deadline: Early Bird: February 14 | Standard: March 14
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors and seniors
The Babson Summer Study program may align with your interests if you're curious about marketing, entrepreneurship, and how businesses tackle global challenges. Over three weeks, you'll participate in EPS 1110: Introduction to the Entrepreneurial Experience, a college-level course exploring entrepreneurship through the lens of the United Nations Global Goals. Expect to analyze social, economic, and environmental problems while learning about core business areas such as marketing, finance, leadership, and business communication. Daily live classes are paired with independent coursework, and you'll collaborate with peers to design a project that applies your new knowledge to a meaningful issue. At the end of the program, you'll earn four college credits from Babson College.
12. Rice University Pre-College Programs
Location: Online
Cost:$1495
Program dates: 1, 2 and 4-week sessions available throughout the year
Application deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Open to high school students interested in business and entrepreneurship
Rice University’s Pre-College Programs provide high school students with an in-depth introduction to entrepreneurship, marketing, and financial technology through flexible, online learning. The curriculum delves into essential business principles, startup strategy, and the evolving landscape of digital finance, including topics such as blockchain, cryptocurrency, and online payment systems. Through relevant case studies and contemporary examples, students gain insight into how modern businesses disrupt markets and capture value using innovative financial tools. The program emphasizes active learning through project-based assignments, interactive modules, and a final capstone project that ties together key business and Fintech concepts. Participants who complete the course earn a Certificate of Completion from Rice University, a valuable credential for future college applications.
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