15 Summer Programs for High School Students
For high school students looking to strengthen their college applications and explore their interests, a well-chosen summer program can be a good starting point. These programs offer you the chance to work on projects, guidance from experts, and an introduction to college life. They also serve as networking events where you can meet peers who share similar interests to you. Many of these programs are run by reputed universities and organizations. Here, we have compiled 15 summer programs for high school students. These programs range from selective to more accessible and cover subjects ranging from STEM to the arts.
1. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 100 students
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: January
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors with strong academic records in STEM subjects
RSI is a highly competitive summer STEM program where high school students do research with expert scientists at MIT. You’ll begin with an intensive week of advanced classes in areas like physics, biology, or computer science, which prepares you to do research for five weeks, where you’ll collect and analyze data. You share your findings in both written reports and oral presentations, which will help you build strong communication skills.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Depends on specific programs, financial aid is available!
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.
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. 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.
3. Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)
Location: Cornell University and the University of Maryland
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: June 22 – July 26
Application Deadline: December
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors (ages 15–18)
TASS is a selective program where you’ll dive into subjects like critical Black studies and anti-oppressive education. You stay on campus, doing readings and having discussions on history, politics, literature, and art from people of African descent. The program includes discussions on power systems, white supremacy, patriarchy, and classism, encouraging you to explore how these structures can be challenged. Working closely with peers, you will develop your voice and collaborative skills.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Online
Cost: Depends on specific programs, financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: May
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic records (GPA 3.3 or above)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 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.
5. Stanford Summer Session for High School Students
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Tuition starts at $8,091 (commuters); $18,443 (residential)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open to eligible students
Dates: June 21 – August 17
Application Deadline: Not Available
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors (ages 16–19)
Stanford Summer Session allows you to take undergraduate courses for college credit while living and learning alongside current Stanford students. You can choose from a wide range of subjects and get access to resources like Stanford’s libraries, research labs, and experienced faculty, which can deepen your academic interests and expand your skills. You will join Stanford’s academic and social community by engaging in clubs, events, and connecting with peers from around the world. By the end of the session, you’ll receive an official Stanford transcript.
6. Quantum Computing Summer Camp
Cost: $495 (tentative). Financial aid is available.
Deadline: Not specified
Program Dates: July 29 – August 2 (tentative)
Eligibility: Incoming 9th – 12th grade students
The Quantum Computing Summer Camp is a solid opportunity to learn about a field that is changing data science. In this program, you’ll use Qiskit, a programming tool developed by IBM, to run code on a real quantum computer. You’ll explore concepts like qubits, superposition, and entanglement, which are key to understanding quantum computing. The program also teaches you how to build quantum circuits using Python and analyze the results. You’ll get hands-on experience coding and running experiments that show how quantum computers handle complex problems differently from traditional computers.
7. Stanford AI4ALL
Cost: $4,000. Financial aid is available.
Deadline: January 24
Program Dates: June 18 – July 2
Eligibility: Open to 9th or rising 10th graders (14+).
Stanford’s AI4ALL program offers a hands-on introduction to artificial intelligence for high school students. Over three weeks, you’ll explore key areas of AI, including robotics, computer vision, medical AI, and natural language processing. Through lectures and projects, you’ll work with cutting-edge AI tools to solve real-world problems. You will also have the chance to work on a research project with the Stanford AI Lab, gaining practical experience in the field. In addition to the technical skills, you’ll attend career development workshops and be mentored by AI professionals.
8. Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: Round 1: July 7 – July 18 (U.S. Students only) | Round 2: July 28 – August 8 (U.S. and International Students)
Application Deadline: Self-Paced
Eligibility: High school girls (grades 9–12)
The Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program is a selective two-week experience where you can learn coding languages like Python, work on projects, and receive mentorship from women in tech. The program also builds leadership skills and confidence, connects you with a lasting community, and is offered both online and in person to ensure accessibility.
9. Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program
Location: Bar Harbor, Maine & Farmington, Connecticut.
Cost/Stripend: $6,500 stipend provided, plus room, board, and travel
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: May 31 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 27
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program is a paid, ten-week research experience where you work alongside scientists on genetics and genomics projects. You will learn advanced lab techniques, design and conduct experiments, and attend seminars, gaining skills and insight into careers in science and medicine.
10. Carnegie Mellon Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: June 21 – August 2
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors of age 16+, from underrepresented backgrounds
The SAMS program at Carnegie Mellon is a six-week experience where you take advanced math and science courses, conduct research, and participate in college prep workshops. With support from faculty and graduate mentors, especially for underrepresented students, the program fosters both academic growth and a supportive community.
11. Duke TIP Summer Studies On Campus Two-Week Program
Location: Duke Academic Buildings
Cost: Commuter: $1,830 | Residential: $2,580.00
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open to qualified students
Dates: June 22-July 4 | July 6-July 18
Application Deadline: Not available
Eligibility: High school students
Duke TIP Summer Studies is a two-week program for middle and early high school students that offers college-level courses in advanced science and humanities. You will live on campus, experience college life, and learn alongside peers, with instruction from faculty experienced in teaching advanced curricula.
12. Brown Pre-College Programs (On Campus Summer Brown 2-Weeks)
Location: Brown University, Providence, RI
Cost: Residential: $5,534 | Commuter: $4,286
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open to eligible students
Dates: June 22 – July 3 | June 29 – July 11 | July 13 – July 25
Application Deadline: Spring
Eligibility: High school students
Brown’s two-week Summer@Brown On-Campus Pre-College Program lets high school students explore subjects they’re interested in while experiencing college life. You will take engaging courses, live in dorms, and connect with peers from around the world through classes, workshops, and events that encourage independence and deeper learning.
13. Yale Young Global Scholars
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $6,500
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: Session 1: June 22 – July 4 | Session 2: July 6 – July 18 | Session 3: July 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: Not Available
Eligibility: High school students (16-18 years old)
Yale Young Global Scholars is a two-week academic program where students from around the world explore global issues through interdisciplinary lectures and seminars. With discussions spanning politics, economics, and science, the program challenges you to think critically, engage across perspectives, and build a global peer network in a campus setting.
14. Harvard Summer School Pre-College Program
Location: Harvard University
Cost: $5,800 + $75 application fee, Financial Aid Available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open to eligible students
Dates: Session 1: June 22 – July 3 | Session 2: July 6 – July 18 | Session 3: July 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 9
Eligibility: High school students
Harvard’s two-week Pre-College Program offers high school students the chance to study subjects like business strategy, neurobiology, or creative writing in small, college-style classes. Alongside daily discussions, case studies, and writing, you will also attend workshops on academic and college skills while living on campus and experiencing the pace and independence of college life.
15. National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC)
Location: Various college campuses
Cost: Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open to eligible students
Dates: Across the summer
Application Deadline: Spring
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12)
The National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) offers career exploration in fields like medicine, engineering, business, and psychology through simulations, projects, and practical experiences. Alongside interactive learning, you will connect with peers, build leadership skills, and gain clarity on your interests in a campus environment.
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