12 Physics Pre-College Programs for High School Students
As a high school student, pre-college programs offer you early exposure to college-level learning and the opportunity to explore potential career paths. These programs allow you to contribute to labs, simulations, and research projects and develop skills in problem-solving, data analysis, coding, and scientific communication. You can explore topics like mechanics, electromagnetism, astrophysics, and quantum concepts guided by experienced professors and faculty. These programs also allow you to connect with mentors and peers, helping you build your network and develop your profile.
To make the search easier, we’ve narrowed down 15 physics pre-college programs for high school students.
If you are looking for online internships, check out our blog here.
1. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free (includes tuition, housing, and meals); $75 application fee is applied
Dates: Summer (6 weeks)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (current juniors) who must be 16+ by July 1
Deadline: December 10
Each summer, the Research Science Institute (RSI) brings together 100 of the world’s top high school students for an intensive science and engineering experience at MIT. RSI combines rigorous coursework in STEM subjects with research work, allowing students to carry out the full research cycle, from reading current scientific literature to executing a detailed research plan, and finally presenting their findings in both written and oral formats. You begin with a week of intensive classes led by accomplished professors, followed by a five-week research internship guided by experienced mentors. By the end of the program, you will produce a research paper and present your work at the RSI Symposium, gaining unmatched exposure to advanced scientific research and professional development.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program - Physics track
Location: Online
Cost: Check the website for more details
Dates: Various cohorts available year-round
Eligibility: Current high school students demonstrating strong academic achievement
Deadline: Varies by cohort
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers high school students an in-depth research experience across a variety of STEM fields, and its Physics track is tailored for students passionate about exploring the fundamental laws of the universe. Over the course of 12 weeks, students work one-on-one with Ph.D.-level mentors on independent research projects, gaining practical skills in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific problem-solving. Students in the Physics track can explore areas such as classical mechanics, quantum physics, astrophysics, and computational modeling, culminating in the creation of a fully developed research paper. Beyond research, the program emphasizes science communication, mentorship, and professional development, helping students gain confidence and clarity in pursuing STEM careers. Lumiere’s flexible and online format allows students to join from anywhere while engaging deeply with their mentors and a supportive community of peers. Additionally, students can also receive a post-baccalaureate credit from UCSD Extended Studies.
3. ASPIRE: John Hopkins University
Location: Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD
Cost: Unpaid learning experience
Dates: Academic-year session: September 15 – May (with capstone showcase in May)
Eligibility: Rising or current juniors and seniors, at least 15 years old by June 1, U.S. citizens only, minimum GPA 2.8, reliable transportation to APL for in-person participants
Deadline: Check the website for application dates
The ASPIRE program offers high school juniors and seniors an immersive STEM exploration experience at the Applied Physics Laboratory. Interns are paired with APL staff mentors to complete projects, solve problems, and develop both technical and interpersonal skills in a professional environment. ASPIRE emphasizes learning and growth rather than competition; students work independently, communicate effectively with mentors, and tackle challenges creatively. The program is designed to be accessible and supportive, welcoming students of all backgrounds, and does not prioritize GPA or prior STEM experience in its selection process.
4. Immerse Education’s Academic Insights Pathway
Location: Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, and Boston
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions.
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Students aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school
The Academic Insights Program provides school students with an opportunity to take undergraduate-level classes at universities around the world. Participants work with academics from universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard in classes of 4-10 students. They attend university-style lectures and 1:1 weekly sessions with their tutor. The program includes practical experiences such as dissections in medicine, robotic arm building in engineering, or moot courts for law. Students can choose from over 20 subjects, including architecture, artificial intelligence, business management, computer science, economics, medicine, philosophy, and more. By the end of the program, they complete a personal project and receive written feedback and a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.
5. Biophysics Research for Baltimore Teens (BRBT)
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Cost: Paid internship ($15/hour)
Dates: Summer (five days per week, mid-July to mid-August)
Eligibility: Baltimore City high school students (junior-senior years or post-senior year), who have completed Chemistry by summer; Biology and Physics recommended; limited spots for students from surrounding counties
Deadline: TBA
The Biophysics Research for Baltimore Teens program offers Baltimore City high school students an immersive, paid research experience in the life sciences. As an intern, you explore the intersection of biology, chemistry, physics, and computer science, gaining hands-on experience with advanced instruments such as X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. Over the course of the program, students work in the Johns Hopkins University labs, engaging in real biomedical research alongside graduate students, postdocs, and faculty. BRBT interns not only develop laboratory skills but also receive mentorship and guidance to help them envision a future in biomedical research.
6. Anson L. Clark Scholar Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost: No participation fee; program covers on-campus meals, room, and board. Students are responsible for travel, personal, and medical expenses. $25 application fee
Dates: June 21 – August 6
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors, at least 17 years old by program start, U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Deadline: February 16, Application details
The Anson L. Clark Scholar Program at Texas Tech University is a seven-week summer research experience designed for twelve highly qualified high school juniors and seniors. Scholars gain exceptional research experience under the guidance of experienced faculty, working on projects across a range of scientific disciplines. The program includes weekly seminars, social activities, and weekend programming, offering a balanced mix of academic enrichment and community building. Upon completion of a successful research project, participants receive a $750 stipend.
7. Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Location: NIST Gaithersburg, MD, or NIST Boulder, CO
Cost: Unpaid; students are responsible for housing and transportation
Dates: Mid-June to mid-August (exact dates vary by campus)
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors; U.S. citizens; minimum 3.0 GPA; must commit to the full eight-week program
Deadline: Applications open Dec 5; check the website for campus-specific deadlines
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) offers the Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP), an eight-week research internship for high school juniors and seniors. You work alongside NIST scientists and engineers on cutting-edge projects in physics, chemistry, computing, and engineering. As an intern, you gain valuable lab experience, develop technical skills, and explore applications of science in a professional research environment. SHIP is ideal for students interested in physics, computer science, engineering, and experimental research. Helpful skills include Python, electronics, physics, chemistry, lab instrumentation, and coding, though none are required.
8. Stanford SPINWIP
Location: Online (hosted by Stanford University, Stanford, CA)
Cost: Free
Dates: July 7 – July 25
Eligibility: High school students, grades 9-11 (US and international students welcome)
Deadline: TBA
The Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP) is a free, virtual three-week summer program designed to engage high school students in physics, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. In this program, you get to explore topics such as quantum physics, quantum computing, astrophysics, and cosmology, gain Python coding experience through physics-based projects, attend lectures from Stanford professors, and collaborate in small groups led by Stanford undergraduates. The program also includes mentorship opportunities, college planning guidance, and career development workshops.
9. UC Davis COSMOS Pre-College Program
Location: UC Davis, Davis, CA
Cost: $5,518 (includes housing, meals, orientation, field trips, activities, and on-site support)
Dates: July 5 – August 1
Eligibility: California students, rising 9th-12th graders
Deadline: Online application opens January 7; closes February 6
The UC Davis COSMOS (California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science) Pre-College Program offers California high school students an intensive residential experience in STEM. Rising 9th-12th graders with an interest in physics and other sciences can explore advanced topics beyond typical high school curricula while learning from UC Davis faculty, researchers, and scientists. Students engage in lab work, collaborative projects, and immersive classes designed to challenge and inspire the next generation of STEM leaders.
10. Northeastern University: Exploring Modern Physics
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost: $7,095 (includes tuition, housing, meals, course materials, and social activities; need-based financial aid available)
Dates: July 26 – August 7
Eligibility: High school students with basic physics knowledge (linear momentum, energy conservation) and basic trigonometry; calculus not required
Deadline: February 27, Applications open early December
Exploring Modern Physics at the Boston Campus is a summer program designed for high school students eager to dive into advanced physics topics rarely covered in standard curricula. Using cosmic rays as an entry point, students explore special relativity, quantum mechanics, particle physics, cosmology, and applications to nuclear energy and climate modeling. The program combines lectures, guest speakers, and experiments - including using a cloud chamber and an electronic muon counter - to help students develop a practical understanding of modern physics. By the end, you would gain the skills to articulate complex scientific concepts.
11. Yale Summer Program in Astrophysics (YSPA)
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $8,000
Dates: Two weeks online + four weeks in-person (2026 dates TBA)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (current 11th graders)
Deadline: Applications open in December; deadline TBA
The Yale Summer Program in Astrophysics is a 6-week hybrid research experience for rising seniors seeking a serious and immersive introduction to astrophysics. Students spend two weeks learning foundational material online before arriving at Yale for a 4-week residential program that blends advanced coursework, observational astronomy, coding, and independent research. Working in small teams, you’ll collect real telescope data, analyze it in the LFOP computer lab, and ultimately write a scientific paper you’ll present at a mini-conference. It’s rigorous and fast-paced, but also deeply collaborative - ideal for students who love physics, enjoy pushing their limits, and want to know what real research feels like.
12. UPenn’s Experimental Physics Research Academy
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $10,050 (covers program and residential fees)
Dates: July 11 – August 1 (3 weeks)
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9-11
Deadline: See program website for application details
The Experimental Physics Research Academy is a residential program at the University of Pennsylvania for high school students in grades 9-11 who want to explore physics beyond the classroom. The program emphasizes practical learning in mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum dynamics, and astrophysics, combining lectures, experiments, projects, and discussions with Penn faculty. Students gain a deeper understanding of cause and effect in physics, engage in experimental design, and explore the philosophy and ethics of science. Weekly research talks from Penn professors expose students to active investigations across the physics spectrum. International students are welcome, and select Philadelphia students may qualify for financial aid.
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Image source - Johns Hopkins Logo