17 Math Pre-College Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student looking to get a head start on college-level academics, pre-college programs can be a great next step! Pre-college programs let you explore various subjects in depth, gain practical skills, and learn from professors or industry professionals while experiencing life on a college campus. Beyond academics, you will have the opportunity to build connections with peers and mentors who can offer you valuable insights before you step onto campus full-time.
A pre-college math program offering can help you dive into advanced coursework and refine mathematical thinking and problem-solving skills. You may explore topics beyond the school curriculum, exploring concepts like calculus, number theory, or data science in absolute detail, and learn how math applies to fields like economics, computer science, and engineering. Many of these opportunities are hosted by top universities, allowing you to learn from expert faculty while earning credentials that can stand out on college applications.
To help you find the right fit, we have put together a list of 17 math pre-college programs for high school students.
If you are looking for online math programs, check out our blog here.
1. Carnegie Mellon’s Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 20 – August 1
Application deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Current high school juniors/rising seniors who will be at least 16 years old by June 20; applicants must be U.S. citizens/permanent residents
SAMS at Carnegie Mellon University is a fully funded, six-week residential program designed to offer students from underrepresented backgrounds opportunities to explore STEM fields. The program emphasizes collaboration, identity development, and readiness for top-tier STEM universities. You will start with a short virtual Jumpstart session to build foundational skills. Then, you will spend six weeks on campus taking courses in math, science, and computational reasoning while engaging in a faculty-guided research project. Alongside academics, you will participate in college prep workshops, a credit-bearing course called “From Student to Scholar,” and mentoring sessions led by CMU faculty, alumni, and industry professionals.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. MIT PRIMES (Program for Research in Mathematics, Engineering, and Science)
Location: Virtual + in-person engagement in Boston/Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; small cohort of advanced high school sophomores and juniors
Dates: January – December (year-long program)
Application deadline: December 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors residing in Greater Boston; home-schooled students can also apply.
MIT PRIMES is a selective year-long research program that allows you to work on original mathematics projects under the mentorship of MIT researchers. PRIMES offers guidance through all stages of authentic research, from literature review to publication. Over the course of the year, you will read advanced material, conduct research alongside a graduate or postdoctoral mentor, and present your findings at the PRIMES Fall Conference at MIT. The program is split into four phases: a reading period (January – March), an active research phase (March – June), an independent study phase (summer), and a final write-up and presentation period (fall). You will commit around 10 hours each week to meetings, research, and study, with flexible scheduling during the summer. You will produce a final research paper, which can be published or submitted to national competitions.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote , you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. Mathroots @ MIT
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 1 – 15
Application deadline: March 3
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or students attending high school in the U.S. (not in their final year), ages 14 – 18
Mathroots is a two-week residential summer program at MIT designed to help high schoolers explore creative and challenging mathematics. Through a mix of lectures, collaborative problem-solving, and guest talks, you will explore topics in math rarely covered in school. Classes are led by instructors experienced in both research and competition math, offering you a well-rounded view of what “doing math” can really mean. You will also learn about mathematical proof and its techniques. Beyond academics, you will join a close-knit community of peers who share your interests in problem-solving.
6. MITES Summer (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; ~70–80 students
Dates: Late June – early August (six weeks)
Application deadline: Early February (tentatively)
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The MITES Summer program is a fully funded, six-week residential experience designed to help you engage in advanced science, tech, engineering, and math coursework. You will take five college-level courses, one each in math, physics, life sciences, humanities, and an elective project-based course. The program combines lectures, labs, recitations, and homework–a structure designed to mirror MIT’s academic rigor. You will also take part in lab tours, workshops, and seminars led by MIT professors and STEM professionals, along with college preparation sessions and social activities. You will also attend MIT’s college fair and visit Boston companies/sites that employ MIT alumni.
7. University of Minnesota’s IMA–MathCEP Math Modeling Camp
Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 23 – 27
Application deadline: May 31
Eligibility: High school students who have completed a one-year course in single-variable calculus
The IMA–MathCEP Math Modeling Camp, a one-week program conducted at the University of Minnesota, is designed to help high schoolers explore how mathematics can be applied to real issues. You will work within a team led by instructors on using math models to address problems like environmental change, traffic flow, and disease transmission. The program offers opportunities for practicing collaboration, critical thinking, and mathematical creativity. In the past, students have worked on assessing real scenarios like the analysis of potential routes for a light rail system and evaluating the problem of food deserts using math.
8. Brown University’s Pre-College Program: Math for the People: How Theory Can Help Lead Us Towards Social Justice
Location: Brown University, Providence, RI
Cost: Residential: $8,372 | Commuter: $6,416
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 23 – July 11
Application deadline: May 8
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9–12 who will be 14–18 years old by June 15
Math for the People is a three-week on-campus course, part of Brown’s pre-college Summer@Brown program. The course is designed to help you explore how mathematical reasoning can be applied to real-world social justice issues. You will learn how to think like an applied mathematician, tackling open-ended problems such as gerrymandering, greenhouse gas emissions, and inequality through modeling and quantitative analysis. Working both independently and collaboratively, you will develop and apply mathematical tools to propose solutions while learning how to assess assumptions and interpret data. The course emphasizes critical thinking, problem modeling, and computational reasoning, also offering opportunities to use programming skills.
9. California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science
Location: Multiple University of California campuses: UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Los Angeles, UC Merced, UC San Diego, and UC Santa Cruz
Cost: $5,518 program fee + $46 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 160 – 200 students/campus
Dates: July 5 – August 1
Application deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 8–12 who are California residents
COSMOS is a four-week, multi-campus residential pre-college program that immerses high school students in advanced study across STEM subjects. Each campus offers specialized clusters based on its own research strengths. You will live and learn on a UC campus, attend lectures and lab sessions, and connect with peers who share your interest in STEM innovation. You will take part in hands-on, lab-based learning guided by UC faculty and researchers, exploring topics in STEM typically not covered in the high school curriculum. You will also take on a research project and participate in discussions.
10. Harvard Pre-College Summer School Program: Discovering Mathematics Course
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $6,100 + $75 application fee; financial assistance available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 – 18
Application deadline: Early deadline: January 7 | Regular deadline: February 11 | Late application deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 and will not turn 19 during the program
Harvard’s Pre-College Summer School Program is a two-week on-campus opportunity to enroll in college-level courses in a field of your choice. It offers various courses in math, including Discovering Mathematics, which introduces you to mathematical thinking through inquiry and exploration rather than memorization. During the course, you will explore key mathematical ideas by solving interconnected problems in topics like discrete geometry, game theory, combinatorics, and information theory. You will work collaboratively with peers in small groups, discuss your findings, and reflect on concepts through short writing assignments. The program emphasizes creativity, logic, and problem-solving, offering you opportunities to build skills essential for success in college-level math and beyond.
11. NYU Summer Math Program for Young Scholars
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: $2,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: August 10 – 28
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 11 who have completed Algebra 1 with a B- or higher
The Summer Math Program for Young Scholars at New York University’s Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences is a three-week program designed for students eager to explore advanced areas of mathematics in a collaborative, college-level environment. You will study topics such as number theory, graph theory, topology, combinatorics, and computer science under the guidance of NYU faculty and graduate students. Classes combine lectures, group problem-solving, and hands-on sessions that help you connect abstract theory to real-world applications. You will also participate in math games, puzzles, and guest talks on how mathematics shapes diverse scientific and professional fields. Beyond the classroom, you will visit the National Museum of Mathematics and gain insights into the college admissions process.
12. UCLA Summer Sessions Mathematics Courses for High School Students
Location: Online or in person at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $385/unit + registration and other fees ~$450; calculate total fees here.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Sessions begin June 23 or August 4; all courses run between June and September, and most options last six weeks
Application deadline: Registration opens February 15
Eligibility: High school students who are 15 or older
UCLA Summer Sessions offers high school students opportunities to take regular UCLA undergraduate mathematics courses alongside college students and earn university credit. You may enroll in one or two courses (up to 10 units) from the pre-approved high school course list, which includes a wide range of math courses led by the UCLA Department of Mathematics. For instance, UCLA typically offers courses covering differential and integral calculus, integration, discrete structures, and algebra. Whichever course you choose, you will study the same rigorous material as UCLA undergraduates and earn official UCLA credits.
13. Hampshire College Summer Studies in Mathematics
Location: Hampshire College, Amherst, MA
Cost: $6,511; need-based financial assistance available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~50 students
Dates: June 29 – August 9
Application deadline: April 25
Eligibility: High school students; participants are typically students who have completed their sophomore or junior year of high school
HCSSiM is a six-week residential program for high school students interested in exploring challenging mathematical ideas. You will spend each day immersed in math, attending morning lectures, tackling evening problem sessions, and engaging in the “Prime Time Theorem” events led by faculty and guest mathematicians. You will also engage in workshops led by math majors/graduate students. You will explore topics in areas like complex numbers, combinatorics, number theory, probability, four-dimensional geometry, and topology. Afternoons offer time for recreation, collaboration, and informal study on Hampshire’s scenic campus. You will live and learn alongside about 50 peers from across the U.S. and abroad and engage in social activities and games.
14. UMass Amherst Pre-College: Big Picture of Mathematics
Location: University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA
Cost: $3,907 (residential) | $2,262 (commuter); scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: Not specified
Dates: June 29 – July 12
Eligibility: High school students, from rising sophomores to seniors
UMass Amherst’s Big Picture of Mathematics offers high school students an on-campus opportunity to learn about the role of mathematics in addressing real problems. Over the course of two weeks, you will work on developing mathematical thinking through lectures, games, projects, and discussions. The program covers basics and advanced concepts, like group theory, probability, infinity, set theory, topology, graph theory, and logic puzzles, while allowing you to apply math data to real situations. As a participant, you will also work within a group on a small project, exploring a topic or question in math and presenting your ideas at the end of the session.
15. Michigan Math and Science Scholars (MMSS)
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $2,400/two-week session + $100 application fee (non-refundable); financial assistance available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: Session 1: June 21 – July 3 | Session 2: July 5 – 17 | Session 3: July 19 – 31
Application deadline: Mid-January (applications reviewed on a rolling basis)
Eligibility: Current high school students
MMSS is a two-week academic enrichment program that introduces high school students to cutting-edge topics and research in math and science. Here, you will join a class of about 15 students and enroll in one intensive, faculty-led course per session. You can choose math courses covering topics like graph theory, the intersection of arts and math, mathematics modelling, and more. The program combines hands-on experiments, lectures, and real-world applications to help you explore topics in mathematics at a deeper level than the standard high school curriculum allows. The program’s residential format allows you to stay in University of Michigan dorms and enjoy a full campus experience, including meals, recreation, and optional weekend trips.
16. University of Pennsylvania Pre-College Online Program: Ideas in Mathematics Course
Location: Online
Cost: $8,462 or $13,858, based on the number of course units; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 3 – August 8
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions beginning December 1; programs typically fill by March
Eligibility: Current 10th and 11th-grade students; international students can also apply.
Offered under the University of Pennsylvania’s Pre-College Online Program, Ideas in Mathematics is a college-level online course that explores the foundations and frontiers of mathematical thinking. You will study topics such as logic, sets, calculus, probability, geometry, game theory, and the philosophy of mathematics, connecting abstract concepts to real-world applications in science and society. Taught by Penn faculty, the course meets twice weekly in live online sessions. The course also awards one or two course units (each unit equivalent to four semester hours) of official Penn undergraduate credit.
17. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Location: Online or in person at Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Online: $3,580 | Residential: $8,575; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 40 students (residential) | 64 students (online)
Dates: Session 1 (Online): June 16 – July 4 | Session 1 (Residential): June 22 – July 18 | Session 2 (Online): July 7 – 25
Application deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (grades 10–11) from around the world
SUMaC is a virtual and residential program designed to offer high school students an in-depth exploration of advanced math topics that extend beyond the typical high school curriculum. Through lectures, guided research, and group problem-solving, you will learn about abstract mathematical concepts, proof-based reasoning, and the historical and modern developments of mathematical thought. You will spend the summer exploring topics like number theory or algebraic topology (depending on the track you choose), writing proofs, and communicating mathematical concepts. You will study alongside peers from diverse backgrounds in a rigorous collaborative environment led by Stanford faculty and graduate students.
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