14 Math Summer Pre-College Programs for High School Students
Participating in a math pre-college program this summer is a good way to explore your interests and take your learning beyond the classroom. Many programs offer the opportunity to study advanced areas such as number theory, mathematical modeling, calculus, statistics, proof-writing, linear algebra, and computational math in a more challenging setting. They’re often hosted by universities and well-known academic organizations, meaning you’ll get to learn from and work closely with faculty, researchers, graduate students, and instructors. For students considering STEM majors, math pre-college programs will help you build stronger problem-solving skills, learn how college-level math is taught, and connect with peers who share similar academic interests.
What are the benefits of attending a math pre-college program?
A math pre-college program can help you understand how mathematicians, researchers, and STEM professionals use mathematical thinking in the real world. Depending on the program, you’ll write proofs, work on a research project, build models for disease spread or climate impact, analyze data with programming tools, or explore abstract algebra or topology. Some math summer pre-college programs for high school students also include lab tours, guest lectures, mentorship, college-readiness workshops, and field trips. They also help you figure out whether you enjoy theoretical math, applied math, research, or math-heavy fields like computer science and engineering.
In this blog, we’ve selected 14 math summer pre-college programs for high school students.
If you’re looking for online summer programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These 14 programs span proof-based mathematics, number theory, mathematical modeling, abstract algebra, computational math, AI, and college-level coursework, so students with a wide range of mathematical interests can find a relevant option in person or online.
Several programs are free, including RSI, Mathroots at MIT, MITES Summer, CMU SAMS, and IMA-MathCEP Math Modeling Camp, while programs such as Stanford SUMaC, Ross Mathematics Program, and Harvard Secondary School Program offer need-based financial aid to reduce costs.
Programs vary significantly in depth and format, from one-week modeling camps, such as IMA-MathCEP, to six-week intensive residential programs, such as RSI, MITES Summer, and Ross Mathematics Program, so students can choose based on their experience level and availability.
Several programs, such as Harvard Secondary School Program and COSMOS, offer official college credit or transferable academic records, making them strong options for students who want a documented pre-college academic experience alongside the learning itself.
Application deadlines for the most selective programs fall early, including RSI (December 11), MITES Summer (February 1), Stanford SUMaC (February 3), and CMU SAMS (February 1), so students should begin preparing materials in the fall.
1. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Non-refundable application fee: $75 (waivable); Unpaid
Acceptance rate: Under 2%
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application Deadline: December 11
Eligibility: High school juniors with strong grades and test scores: at least 740 in PSAT math and 700 in reading, or 33 in ACT math and 34 in verbal; More info here
The Research Science Institute places you in a highly rigorous STEM environment where advanced coursework and independent research are closely connected. The program begins with intensive seminars across fields, such as mathematics, biology, chemistry, engineering, physics, and humanities. After the initial coursework, you’ll move into a research internship where you’ll work with a mentor on an individual project. This process involves reading current literature, developing a research plan, conducting analysis or experimentation, and preparing formal results. You’ll receive training in scientific writing, modeling, and conference-style communication, attend evening lectures, and gain access to MIT’s academic resources. The program concludes with written and oral presentations.
2. Carnegie Mellon’s Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate: Highly competitive
Dates: June 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (16+) from underrepresented communities
SAMS is designed for students who want a rigorous introduction to STEM learning before college. The program begins with virtual preparation, followed by an in-person academic experience that combines math, science, research, and college-readiness training. You’ll build quantitative and computational skills through seminars while also working on a faculty- or graduate-student-advised STEM research project. Writing workshops, academic coaching, and small-group mentoring add support as you strengthen both your technical and communication skills. The “Student to Scholar” course helps you reflect on your academic goals and prepare for the transition from high school to college. Alongside the coursework, you’ll attend sessions on STEM careers, admissions, financial aid, and future academic pathways. The program concludes with a research symposium.
3. √Mathroots @ MIT
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 1 – 15
Application Deadline: January – March 3
Eligibility: U.S. current high school students between the ages of 14-18
The √Mathroots program engages participants in creative mathematical thinking beyond the usual school curriculum. Through lectures, workshops, group activities, and invited talks, you’ll explore proof-based reasoning, problem-solving strategies, and accessible advanced topics in mathematics. You’ll work with instructors and peers in a collaborative setting, which helps make abstract ideas more approachable and discussion-driven. Guest lectures add perspective on how mathematicians think about research, patterns, and problem design. Instead of focusing only on speed or competition-style performance, the program emphasizes flexibility, curiosity, and mathematical communication.
4. Mathematical Modeling at Mercy University (M3U)
Location: Mercy University – Westchester, Dobbs Ferry, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; $700
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: July 6 – August 1
Application Deadline: June 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-11 with a B average or higher; Women and minority students
The Mathematical Modeling program at Mercy University introduces you to the way mathematics can be used to understand practical problems in science and the environment. The program combines classroom instruction with computer-based work and laboratory activities, helping you apply mathematical tools to real-world scenarios. You’ll use software packages to analyze data, develop models, and interpret results in a formal research setting. Field trips to research centers or museums add context by showing you how scientists work in professional environments. Guest speakers discuss career pathways, ethical issues in science, and college preparation, giving the experience a broader academic focus. Throughout the program, you’ll work toward a project report that reflects your modeling process and conclusions. The final presentation gives you practice explaining mathematical ideas clearly to peers and family members.
5. IMA-MathCEP Math Modeling Camp at The University of Minnesota
Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (limited remote slots available)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: High school students who have completed a year-long course in single variable calculus; High school seniors who will have graduated by July are also eligible
The IMA-MathCEP Math Modeling Camp focuses on how mathematics can be used to analyze complex issues in the real world. Working in small teams, you may study problems related to disease spread, traffic patterns, infrastructure planning, or environmental change. Faculty mentors guide you through the process of building models, testing assumptions, interpreting results, and refining your approach. The program also emphasizes collaboration, since mathematical modeling often depends on discussion, shared reasoning, and comparing different methods. You’ll learn how to translate an open-ended problem into a structure that can be studied quantitatively. Past projects have shown how modeling can connect to public planning and scientific decision-making. The experience concludes with team presentations, where you’ll explain your findings to instructors and peers.
6. MITES Summer
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; National cohort of ~60-80 students
Dates: Late June – early August (six weeks)
Application Deadline: November – February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
MITES Summer offers an intensive, residential introduction to STEM academics in a college environment. You’ll take a demanding mix of math, science, humanities, and project-based elective courses, with placement designed to match your preparation level. The math component strengthens quantitative reasoning, while the broader curriculum helps you connect technical work with communication, writing, and social impact. Lab tours, seminars, and professional sessions expose you to research environments and STEM career pathways. College admissions counseling and academic guidance are also built into the experience. At the end, you’ll receive written evaluations that reflect your academic strengths, growth areas, and contributions in class.
7. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA + Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Online: $3,580, Residential: $8,575 (need-based financial aid available0; Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 40 students (residential), 64 students (online)
Dates: Session One (Online): June 16 – July 4; Session One (Residential): June 22 – July 18; Session Two (Online): July 7 – 25
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
SUMaC is built for students who want to study advanced mathematics in a focused, proof-based environment. The program moves beyond standard academic content into topics like abstract algebra, number theory, and algebraic topology. You’ll engage with lectures, guided problem-solving sessions, assignments, and collaborative exploration, all centered on rigorous mathematical reasoning. You’ll also see how advanced mathematical ideas connect to historical developments and applications in other fields. A final project or research-style presentation allows you to demonstrate your understanding and communicate complex ideas clearly.
8. California State Summer School for Mathematics & Science (COSMOS)
Location: Various university campuses across California
Cost/Stipend: $5,256 + $44 nonrefundable application fee; Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 160-200 students per campus
Dates: July 6 – August 2
Application Deadline: January 7 – February 6
Eligibility: California students entering grades 9-12 with a GPA of 3.5+
COSMOS is a math summer pre-college program for high school students that gives you a chance to study advanced STEM topics through a residential experience at a University of California campus. You’ll apply to a specific academic cluster, which may focus on areas such as mathematics, engineering, computer science, environmental science, or related fields. The curriculum combines lectures, lab-intensive work, and hands-on projects, allowing you to explore material that usually goes beyond standard high school courses. You’ll work with faculty, researchers, and graduate students while learning how STEM concepts are applied in academic and professional settings. Depending on your cluster, you may engage in data analysis, experimentation, design work, or research-style investigation.
9. Harvard Pre-College Summer School Program
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: $6,100 + $75 application fee (limited scholarships available); Unpaid
Cohort size: About 15 students per class
Dates: Session I: June 21 – July 2; Session II: July 5 – 17; Session III: July 19 – 31
Application Deadline: Early & Priority: January 7; Regular: February 11; Late: April 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (ages 16-19)
Harvard’s Pre-College Summer School Program gives you a short, focused introduction to college-level learning through one intensive non-credit course. If you’re interested in mathematics, course options may explore subjects like mathematical modeling, artificial intelligence, social justice applications, or the history of mathematical reasoning. Classes are discussion-based and assignment-driven, helping you practice analytical thinking in a setting closer to an undergraduate seminar. Depending on the course, you may work with mathematical models, programming tools, data, or historical problem-solving methods. Co-curricular events and campus programming add a broader sense of university life.
10. Harvard Secondary School Program
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA + Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $4,180 – $15,735 + $75 application fee (financial aid available); Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 12 – August 8 (residential); June 20 – August 8 (residential/online/commuter)
Application Deadline: January 7 (early); February 11 (regular); April 1 (late)
Eligibility: High school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors (ages 16-18)
Harvard’s Secondary School Program is a credit-bearing option for high school students who want to take real college courses in mathematics or related fields. You can choose from subjects such as calculus, linear algebra, mathematical modeling, discrete mathematics, differential equations, or proof-based structures, depending on your preparation and goals. The program mirrors undergraduate expectations, requiring independent study habits, consistent problem-solving, and active engagement with instructors and classmates. College-readiness programming and campus resources help you better understand the transition into university-level academics. Completing the program can result in official college credit and a Harvard transcript.
11. Ross Mathematics Program
Location: Otterbein University, Columbus, OH & Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, IN
Cost/Stipend: $7,500 (financial assistance available); Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~15%; 60 first-year participants/site
Dates: June 14 – July 24
Application Deadline: March 8
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students
The Ross Mathematics Program is a deeply focused summer experience for students who want to explore number theory in a serious and sustained way. The program centers on the properties of integers and uses them to develop rigorous mathematical thinking. Daily lectures and small-group discussions introduce new ideas, but much of the learning happens as you work through challenging problem sets independently and with peers. You’ll practice identifying patterns, forming conjectures, testing examples, writing proofs, and refining your arguments. The program values collaboration over competition, creating an environment where you are encouraged to discuss ideas and learn from your peers.
12. NYU’s CMT Summer Math Program for Young Scholars
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: $2,500 (limited financial aid available); Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: August 10 – 28
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Current students in grades 9-11 with at least a B- in Algebra I
NYU’s Summer Math Program for Young Scholars introduces you to undergraduate-level math topics in a collaborative academic setting. Led by faculty from NYU’s Courant Institute, the program may cover areas such as number theory, group theory, graph theory, knots, surfaces, and computer science. Each lecture is followed by a problem session where you’ll work in small groups with support from teaching assistants. Afternoons may include math puzzles, games, or talks that show how mathematical ideas appear in science and everyday life. The program is designed to build mathematical sophistication while keeping exploration hands-on and engaging.
13. Western Kentucky University: VAMPY (Summer Program for Verbally and Mathematically Precocious Youth)
Location: Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY
Cost/Stipend: $4,200 (need-based financial assistance is available); Unpaid
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: June 21 – July 11
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students who have completed grades 7-10 and earn qualifying SAT/ACT scores
Western Kentucky University’s VAMPY program is built for academically advanced students who want to spend several weeks studying one subject in depth. If you choose a mathematics-based course, you’ll work through challenging material in a focused classroom setting with lectures, projects, and guided study time. The structure is more intensive than a typical summer class, and each weekday includes several hours of instruction followed by an evening study hall. Small class sizes allow for more discussion, feedback, and interaction with instructors who are used to teaching motivated students. Beyond academics, the residential format gives you a chance to experience campus life while joining organized evening and weekend activities.
14. Tufts College Experience
Location: Tufts University – Medford or Somerville Campus, Medford, MA
Cost/Stipend: Residential: $11,790; Commuter: $9,196 (limited need-based scholarships available); Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Residential: July 5 – August 14; Commuter: July 6 – August 14
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10-12 or recent high school graduates (15+)
Tufts College Experience offers a broader pre-college experience built around undergraduate-level coursework and campus life. The program allows you to choose courses aligned with your quantitative interests while experiencing the pace of a real college schedule. You’ll balance classwork, independent study, campus activities, and the added responsibility that comes with managing your own academic routine. Most courses are taught by Tufts faculty, giving you exposure to university-style instruction and expectations. The program also includes a College Prep 101 component, where you can learn about admissions, campus resources, college readiness, and the transition from high school to university life.
Frequently asked questions
1. What math summer pre-college programs are available for high school students?
Options include research-oriented programs, such as RSI and MITES Summer, proof-based math programs, such as Ross Mathematics Program, Mathroots at MIT, and Stanford SUMaC, mathematical modeling programs, such as IMA-MathCEP and M3U at Mercy University, university-based enrichment programs, such as Harvard Pre-College, Harvard Secondary School Program, COSMOS, and Tufts College Experience, and number theory and abstract math programs, such as NYU CMT and WKU VAMPY.
2. Are there free math summer pre-college programs for high school students?
Yes, RSI, Mathroots at MIT, MITES Summer, CMU SAMS, and IMA-MathCEP Math Modeling Camp are all free. M3U at Mercy University is also free and provides a $700 stipend. Programs, such as Stanford SUMaC, Ross Mathematics Program, and Harvard Secondary School Program, offer need-based financial aid for eligible students.
3. Which math programs are best for students interested in proof-based or theoretical mathematics?
Ross Mathematics Program is one of the deepest proof-based options, focusing intensively on number theory over six weeks. Stanford SUMaC covers abstract algebra, number theory, and algebraic topology, and Mathroots at MIT emphasizes proof-based reasoning and mathematical communication for students from underrepresented backgrounds.
4. Do any math pre-college programs offer college credit?
Yes, Harvard Secondary School Program awards official college credit and a Harvard transcript, and COSMOS at University of California campuses can provide academic documentation of university-level study. Tufts College Experience is also taught by Tufts faculty at a college level, and Harvard Pre-College provides a written instructor evaluation.
5. When should I apply to math summer pre-college programs?
The earliest deadlines include RSI (December 11), MITES Summer (February 1), CMU SAMS (February 1), and Stanford SUMaC (February 3). Programs, such as Ross Mathematics Program (March 8), NYU CMT (May 1), and IMA-MathCEP (May 31), fall later in the spring. Students should begin researching options in the fall to stay ahead of the most selective deadlines.
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