15 College Programs for High School Students in California
If you’re a high school student looking to explore subjects beyond your regular curriculum, college programs can be a practical way to do so in a structured academic setting. These programs allow you to experience college-level academics, work on projects, and interact with peers who share similar interests. Many are hosted by universities, giving you exposure to faculty, research environments, and professional tools used in fields like medicine, engineering, computer science, business, and mathematics. Depending on the program, you may engage in lab research, coding projects, data analysis, or team-based business projects, helping you build both academic and practical skills.
Why should you attend a program in California?
California colleges offer a wide range of pre-college programs that reflect the state’s strong presence in biomedical research, technology, and interdisciplinary studies. You can find opportunities that involve lab-based research, computational projects, engineering design challenges, entrepreneurship programs, or math-focused problem-solving sessions. These options are particularly relevant if you are a student based in California looking to access nearby university resources, but most of them are also open to out-of-state students who want to experience the academic environment at institutions like UCLA, UC Berkeley, USC, and Stanford.
To make your search easier, we’ve compiled a list of 15 college programs for high school students in California.
If you’re looking for online AI summer programs, check out our blog here.
1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost | Stipend: Free, except for an application fee of $50 | Generally unpaid, but a limited number of need-based stipends will be given out to qualifying students
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Around 50 students (actual number may vary depending on the funding and participating labs)
Program Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application Deadline: December 19 – February 21
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years old | Must live and attend high school in the U.S. | Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a green card
SIMR is designed to help you explore how biomedical research is conducted in a university lab setting. Over the course of eight weeks, you will work on a medically-oriented research project under the guidance of a dedicated mentor at an assigned research institute, such as immunology, cancer biology, or genetics. The program combines foundational exposure to scientific concepts with day-to-day lab work, allowing you to observe how research questions are developed and tested. You will gain practical experience with experimental techniques, data collection, and analysis while working closely with researchers and peers. The highlight of the program is the final poster session, where you’ll get to present your work to family, teachers, and Stanford community members.
2. Summer Program to Accelerate Regenerative Medicine Knowledge (SPARK) at UC San Diego
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost | Stipend: Free | Paid, but the exact amount is not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Program Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: April 17
Eligibility: High school students who reside in San Diego and attend Lincoln, Hoover, Crawford, or Morse High Schools
The SPARK program at the University of California, San Diego, is an eight-week research internship that introduces you to regenerative medicine through both lab and clinical experiences. You will work in active research labs while being mentored by medical and undergraduate students. In addition to lab work, you will shadow doctors in clinical settings, giving you an idea of how regenerative medicine is applied in patient care. The program also exposes you to a range of related disciplines, helping you understand the field's full scope. Students participating in the program will receive a stipend for their involvement.
3. Outreach Program To Inspire Minority and Underrepresented Students (OPTIMUS) at Moores Cancer Center, UC San Diego
Location: Moores Cancer Center at University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost | Stipend: Free | Stipend offered to participants, but the exact amount is not verified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: April 17
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 or 11 who live in San Diego and attend Lincoln, Hoover, Crawford, Morse, Madison, Garfield, Mark Twain, or Preuss High Schools
The OPTIMUS program at the Moores Cancer Center in UCSD gives you the opportunity to explore cancer research through an eight-week summer internship. You will work in active research labs on ongoing projects under the guidance of medical and graduate student mentors. In addition to lab work, you will spend time shadowing doctors in clinical settings, which will help you understand how research connects to patient care. This combination of lab-based research and clinical shadowing offers both experimental and observational exposure to the field.
4. USC’s Bridge Undergraduate Science Jr. Program (BUGS Jr.)
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost | Stipend: Free | $800
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 17 – August 2 (tentative; based on previous years)
Application Deadline: End of February – April 18 (tentative; based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or already in the U.S. on a valid immigration status
USC’s BUGS Jr. Program offers a summer research experience that places you in active scientific labs focused on human biology and health. You’ll be paired with faculty and research teams, contributing to ongoing projects while learning techniques such as experimental design, data collection, and scientific communication. The program combines lab work with structured activities like journal clubs, career panels, and community events that provide additional context and exposure to scientific careers. You will also collaborate with peers and engage with researchers, building familiarity with how research teams operate in a university lab. The experience culminates in a final symposium where you present your research through a poster session.
5. USC’s Young Researchers Program
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 15 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 1 – April 5
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM (low income), or from an underresourced area that lacks access to research opportunities or STEM materials
USC’s Young Researchers Program is a six-week summer program that allows you to conduct scientific research in a university setting. You will be paired with a graduate student mentor and work on a research project in their area of expertise, gaining experience with experimental methods, data analysis, and scientific communication. The program also includes weekly seminars covering topics such as college applications, scholarships, and pathways into STEM careers, providing practical guidance alongside research. You may participate in field trips that have previously included visits to Catalina Island and the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, providing additional exposure to scientific environments. The program concludes with a poster symposium where you present your research findings to faculty, mentors, and family members.
6. Turner-UCLA Allied Health Internship
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the summer
Application Deadline: April 10
Eligibility: High school students and recent graduates
The Turner-UCLA Allied Health Internship is a one-week summer program that introduces you to entry-level careers in allied health fields. You will explore a range of roles through shadowing opportunities in clinical, administrative, and other frontline healthcare settings, gaining a clearer understanding of the day-to-day responsibilities of healthcare professionals. The program also examines broader topics such as health disparities, helping you see how these roles fit into the larger healthcare system. A key focus is on career pathways that do not require a traditional four-year degree or medical school, highlighting alternative training options. You will also learn about short-term allied health programs and related scholarship opportunities that support entry into the field.
7. Stanford Science, Humanities, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (SHTEM) Summer Internship
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free, except for an application fee of $95 (need-based financial aid might be available to students)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Program Dates: June 22 – August 14 (tentative; subject to change)
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who are at least 14 years old | Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The SHTEM Summer Internship at Stanford University introduces you to interdisciplinary research through an eight-week, project-based experience. You will work in small groups on research projects that combine fields such as engineering, computer science, biology, and the humanities, allowing you to explore how different disciplines intersect in academic research. The program emphasizes collaborative work, with mentorship provided by faculty, staff, and affiliated researchers who’ll guide your group’s progress. You will spend approximately 20–30 hours per week conducting research, developing skills in problem-solving, analysis, and scientific communication. By the end of the program, you will have contributed to a group research project shaped by both technical and human-centered perspectives.
8. UCLA Olga Radko Endowed Math Circle (ORMC)
Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited number of spots
Program Dates: Sessions are available throughout the year, including fall, spring, winter, and summer
Application Deadline: Varies by session; registration for the Spring session closes on March 25
Eligibility: K-12 students from the greater Los Angeles area
UCLA’s ORMC is a math enrichment program that introduces you to advanced topics through problem-solving sessions and interactive discussions. You will explore areas such as number theory, combinatorics, geometry, and logic, often going beyond the standard school curriculum. The program features regular meetings that include collaborative problem-solving, presentations on pure and applied mathematics, and preparation for competitions such as the American Mathematical Competitions and Math Kangaroo. Available during the academic year and summer, the summer session is a standalone entry point. Joining ORMC helps you build problem-solving skills and explore diverse mathematical concepts and applications.
9. Cal State LA’s LAunchPad Summer Program
Location: Cal State LA, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 15 – 19 (Session 1 for 9th and 10th grade students) | July 22 – 26 (Session 2 for 11th and 12th grade students)
Application Deadline: April 10 (early admission deadline is February 13)
Eligibility: All high school students
Cal State LA’s LAunchPad Summer Program provides you with an overview of engineering, computer science, and technology through structured, project-based learning. You will work in small teams to explore fields such as civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering, as well as computing and materials science, gaining insight into how these disciplines address technical and societal challenges. The program emphasizes collaboration, with facilitators guiding your group through problem-solving and project development activities. Guest speakers from academia and industry will offer further insight into real-world applications and career pathways in engineering and technology. By the end of the program, you will complete a team-based project that demonstrates your ability to develop, plan, and present a technical idea.
10. UCSD Research Experience for High School Students (REHS)
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: $2,000 (full and partial scholarships available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; no. of students required varies by project—check here
Program Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 15 – March 15
Eligibility: College-bound high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors residing in Southern California | 16 years or older | One year each of high school level chemistry or biology is recommended but not required | Required minimum cumulative GPA is 3.0 (non-weighted) | Check here for individual project prerequisites before applying
The REHS program at the San Diego Supercomputer Center in UCSD introduces you to computational science through an eight-week, research-based internship. You will work on a research project in areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, or computational biology, learning how to design experiments, analyze data, and draw conclusions from computational work. The program emphasizes collaboration, with students working in pairs or small groups, receiving mentorship from research scientists, and participating in lab meetings and discussions. You will typically commit 10–20 hours per week, allowing you to balance your research work with other summer activities.
11. UC Santa Barbara’s Research Mentorship Program
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: $5,675 + $75 application fee (Commuter) | $13,274 + $75 application fee (Residential) | Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: December 15 – March 9
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors (outstanding freshmen may be accepted on a case-by-case basis) | Required minimum GPA is 3.8 (weighted)
The Research Mentorship Program at UC Santa Barbara introduces you to interdisciplinary, university-level research through a six-week intensive summer experience. You will select a research project from a wide range of academic fields, such as anthropology, ecology, history, psychology, mathematics, or chemistry. You will work closely with a mentor to conduct hands-on research, using methods such as data collection, fieldwork, or laboratory analysis. The program includes structured coursework focused on research writing and presentation techniques, helping you learn how to organize and communicate your findings in a formal academic format. You will also attend lecture sessions featuring researchers who’ll discuss their current work and developments in their fields.
12. USC Viterbi’s CS@SC Coding Camps
Location: Virtual or in-person at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $200 for Virtual classes and $600 for In-Person classes (scholarships available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 5–8 students in the virtual sessions and 6–8 students in the in-person sessions
Program Dates: July 6 – 10 | July 13 – 17 | July 20 – 24
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to high school students; check individual camp pages here for course-specific prerequisites
USC Viterbi’s CS@SC Coding Camps introduce you to a range of computer science topics through short, project-based summer courses. You can choose from subject areas such as cybersecurity, game design, Python, Java, web development, and robotics, depending on your interests and experience level. The curriculum focuses on practical learning through projects such as building mobile apps, designing games in Unity, programming drones or robots, and creating websites with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Most courses do not require prior experience, making the camp accessible to students with varying levels of technical background.
13. UC Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY)’s Summer Entrepreneurship Residency
Location: University of California, Berkeley, CA
Cost: $7,450 for California students and $7,950 for out-of-state students + $100 application fee (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 50 students
Program Dates: July 5 – 18 | July 19 – August 1
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors
B-BAY’s Summer Entrepreneurship Residency is a two-week residential program that introduces you to the fundamentals of building a business. You will attend sessions led by faculty and guest speakers on topics such as marketing, finance, accounting, entrepreneurship, and organizational management, while applying these concepts through team-based work. Throughout the program, you will collaborate in small groups to develop a startup idea, conduct market research, and construct a comprehensive business plan. A key component is the final presentation, where your team will pitch your business plan after refining it through workshops and feedback. You will also participate in activities that provide insight into college life, including interactions with undergraduate students and admissions-focused sessions.
14. USC Summer Pre-College Programs
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $8,130 (Commuter) | $11,570 (Residential) | $85 application fee
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 22 – July 17
Application Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: High school students who have at least completed their freshman year
The USC Summer Pre-College Programs are four-week courses that introduce you to college-level academics across a range of subject areas. You can choose from more than 20 courses across fields such as engineering, business, global studies, pre-health, and performing arts and music, allowing you to explore or build on your academic interests. Instruction is led by USC faculty and combines lectures with interactive elements, including workshops, labs, group projects, and guest speakers. Depending on your course, you might complete a final project, join field trips, or work with peers on practical tasks. You can participate as a residential or commuter student, enjoying college academics and campus life while earning credits.
15. UCLA Summer Pre-College Focus Series
Location: UCLA Campus, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Varies by course; check here to calculate the exact amount (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Multiple sessions throughout the summer; exact dates vary by course
Application Deadline: June 12, or until the programs fill up
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 years old
The UCLA Summer Pre-College Focus Series is a three-week program where you take a college-level course in a focused area of study while earning college credit. You can choose from subjects such as economics, engineering, political science, mathematics, architecture, or finance, depending on your academic interests. Classes are supplemented by co-curricular components such as hands-on projects, field visits, and guest lectures, allowing you to engage with the subject beyond standard lectures. You may work on practical tasks such as design projects, data analysis, or problem-solving exercises, depending on your selected course. The program is offered in a commuter format with no housing provided, and follows a structured academic schedule over three weeks.
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