15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Austin, Texas
Summer programs are a great way for high schoolers to gain practical experience, build skills, and explore career interests. From data science and medicine to engineering and psychology, these programs are offered in a range of subjects and hosted by top universities, research labs, and mission-driven organizations.
If you're a high school student in Austin interested in science, tech, or related fields, there are some great local opportunities. We’ve curated the top 15 summer programs for high school students in Austin that offer meaningful experiences to help you grow academically and professionally. Whether you’re looking to publish a research project or simply get experience, this list is a great place to start!
15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Austin, Texas
1. McCombs Summer High School Programs
Location: UT Austin’s McCombs School of Business, Austin, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Typically less than 5%
Dates: Future Executive Academy (MFEA): June 1 – June 6 | Subiendo (Rising Leaders): June 8 – June 12 | DYNAMC (Accounting Careers): June 22 – June 27
Application Deadline: Subiendo: January 31 | MFEA & DYNAMC: March 1
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors
McCombs offers a variety of summer programs—including Discover Yourself in Accounting Majors and Careers (DYNAMC) and the Future Executive Academy (MFEA)—that introduce students to core business concepts, leadership skills, and interactive learning. You’ll explore areas like finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship while building connections with UT Austin students and industry professionals. Through case studies, team projects, and presentations, you get a taste of real-world business scenarios. The programs also feature mentorship from accomplished UT alumni, offering valuable guidance on potential career paths. Beyond academics, you’ll benefit from a supportive, like-minded community of peers.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type; Need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis; Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students anywhere in the world
Veritas AI, led by Harvard graduate students, offers specialized programs for high schoolers eager to explore artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars program is ideal for beginners and covers the fundamentals of AI, machine learning, and data science over a 10-session boot camp, with opportunities to apply concepts to real-world projects. For students with prior experience, the AI Fellowship provides a more advanced track, where you work one-on-one with mentors from top-tier universities to develop an independent research project. A standout feature of the fellowship is support from Veritas AI’s in-house publication team, helping you publish your work in high school research journals.
3. Summer High School Research Academy (HSRA)
Location: UT Austin, Texas
Cost: $3,500; Scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; Roughly 60-120 students selected
Dates: June 9 – July 16
Application Deadline: March 26
Eligibility: Texas high school students (rising sophomores to seniors); 15+ by June 1
HSRA gives you a glimpse of scientific research by placing you in active labs across biology, chemistry, neuroscience, data analytics, environmental science, and more. You'll work 15-25 hours a week alongside UT undergraduates and faculty, gaining hands-on training in advanced lab techniques and research methods. Weekly seminars and guest talks complement your lab work. The program finishes with a formal poster presentation at the HSRA Symposium, where you’ll showcase project outcomes.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students with an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4 (at least)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a highly selective research opportunity designed specifically for high school students. It connects you with Ph.D. mentors for a 1-on-1 experience, allowing you to dive deep into a subject of your choice and produce an original research paper over 12 weeks. The program spans a wide range of disciplines—including psychology, economics, physics, engineering, computer science, data science, chemistry, and international relations—giving you the flexibility to explore topics you’re passionate about.
5. Academy for Machine Learning
Location: UT Austin Campus, Texas
Cost: $2,100; Scholarship available
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Session 1: June 1 – June 6; Session 2: July 20 – July 25
Application Deadline: Enrollment opens in spring: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10-12
This one-week, residential summer academy immerses you in the fundamentals of machine learning through coding in Python, interactive workshops, and discussions about AI’s societal impact. You’ll write code to train your own models, work closely with UT faculty and mentors, and connect with peers in a computer science-focused collegiate environment. Outside the lab, you’ll attend tech talks, tour the Gates-Dell Complex, and form professional connections, with optional travel scholarships available for those in need. The program’s low student-to-mentor ratio ensures tailored learning and meaningful support while helping you explore future study and internship paths in AI and related fields.
6. My Introduction to Engineering (MITE) Summer Camp
Location: UT Austin, Texas
Cost: $100
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Two sessions of ~50 students each (about 100 total); From ~500 applicants (~20% acceptance)
Dates: Session 1: June 22 – June 26; Session 2: July 6 – July 10
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors (current 11th graders)
Over five immersive days, MITE lets you explore engineering through team-based projects, hands-on labs, and interaction with UT faculty, staff, students, and alumni. You’ll work with peers on real engineering challenges, attend lectures, campus tours, and sessions on college readiness and financial aid. Guided by Cockrell’s outreach team, you’ll develop problem-solving, teamwork, and technical communication skills in a real-world environment. Dorm residence adds a true college preview. With its low cost, selective cohort, and focus on diversity, MITE offers a rare chance for motivated juniors to experience engineering at a top-tier university.
7. UT Computer Science Academy for Women
Location: UT Austin, Texas
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: June 8 – June 14
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: U.S. students entering grades 11-12 in the fall
Over a week, the Academy for Women offers an introduction to computer science, designed to foster both technical learning and confidence. You’ll learn to code with Arduino and C++, tackling real-world projects like building LED light displays with your peers. The program also includes guest panels from professors and industry experts, campus tours, and social activities that mirror a college experience. With a low student-to-mentor ratio (about 10:1), you’ll receive personalized guidance across your sessions. A travel scholarship ensures the program remains accessible, reinforcing the Academy's focus on diversity and inclusion in STEM.
8. Radio-Television-Film Media Camps
Location: UT Austin, Texas + Virtual options
Cost: Varies by program
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Varies by program
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: Students in grades 10-12
The UT Austin Film and Media Camps offers workshops for high school students interested in film and media production. These are taught by UT faculty, graduate students, and media professionals. You’ll collaborate in small teams to write and produce short films, learn camera work, sound recording, lighting techniques, scripting, and editing. Sessions like Advanced Filmmaking and Post-Production build on foundational camps, diving deeper into storyboarding, color correction, audio mix, and cinematic effects. A virtual filmmaking option is available, teaching skills like editing and direction via Zoom. Camps are project-based, perfect for building portfolio pieces, gaining real-world media skills, and connecting with peers and mentors in the industry.
9. Summer Theatre Workshop
Location: UT Austin, Texas
Cost: $550
Acceptance Rate: Low selectivity
Dates: Varies by program
Application Deadline: Varies by program; Rolling
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9-12 (ages 14-18)
The University of Texas at Austin’s Department of Theatre and Dance hosts engaging summer camps tailored for students passionate about theatre and performance. The Summer Theatre Workshop specifically welcomes high schoolers to build their stage presence and behind-the-scenes expertise through interactive workshops, masterclasses, and seminars. You explore areas such as voice work, physical acting, audition techniques, lighting, sound design, and stage management. The program concludes with fully produced performances, allowing you to apply what you’ve learned in a collaborative and professional setting.
10. Health Sciences Summer Camps
Location: UT Austin, Texas
Cost: $500
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: June Camp: June 16 – June 20; Residential GEAR‑UP Camp: July 7 – July 11
Application Deadline: Generally, April end
Eligibility: Rising 9th-11th grade students; Most camps require district nomination
Designed for students drawn to health sciences, these week‑long camps let you develop real clinical and research skills in Dell Med’s simulation labs. You’ll practice vital techniques such as IV insertion, intubation, blood draws, and vital‑sign measurement. Additional activities include science experiments, technology demonstrations, and CPR/AED certification. You’ll learn from medical professionals, explore health‑science career paths, and enjoy fun campus experiences at UT’s Texas Union and Gregory Gym.
11. University of Texas at Austin Summer Discovery
Location: UT Austin, Texas
Cost: $3,599 – $7,999; Limited scholarships available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Session 1: June 15 – June 27; Session 2: June 29 – July 18
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; Early application strongly recommended
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12 in the fall
Summer Discovery provides an immersive pre-college experience on UT Austin’s campus, offering 2- and 3-week residential and commuter options. You’ll take non-credit courses taught by UT faculty, graduate students, and industry experts across fields like neuroscience, medicine, engineering, psychology, digital media, and entrepreneurship. Classes blend classroom instruction with field trips, guest lectures, and hands-on labs. By the end, you’ll receive a certificate of completion and a campus transcript.
12. Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) Code@TACC Cybersecurity
Location: UT Austin, Texas
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; Less than 60 students
Dates: July 14 – July 20
Application Deadline: May 24 (priority)
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th graders; Students from underrepresented backgrounds preferred
Code@TACC Cybersecurity is a week-long, immersive camp where you’ll dive into the foundations of online safety and cyber defense. With a focus on hands-on learning, you’ll explore topics like cryptography, network security, cloud computing, cybercrime, and ethical hacking. Under the mentorship of TACC researchers and college counselors, you’ll engage in team-based problem-solving, coding challenges, and lessons on digital ethics. This is a powerful, no-cost way to build cyber awareness, technical skills, and peer connections.
13. University of Texas Camp Shakespeare
Location: Farmstead B & B, Round Top, Texas
Cost: $1,900; Limited scholarships available
Cohort Size: Small cohorts
Dates: Session I: June 8 – June 22; Session II: June 29 – July 1
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Students ages 11-16 by January 1
Rather than traditional rehearsals, Camp Shakespeare offers a full-time, performance-based exploration of Shakespeare over two weeks. You’ll rise early to work on lines, characterization, and physical/vocal exercises, then spend your day collaborating in workshops and journal writing before crafting scenes, masks, and more. Evening sessions include improvisational play and watching of Shakespeare films, all in a 24/7 creative environment. Under the guidance of UT faculty and staff, you’ll perform a fully staged production (Comedy of Errors or Much Ado About Nothing) in three public showcases. With its small group size and emphasis on creative risk‑taking, the camp fosters confidence, interpretive expression, and deep appreciation for Shakespeare’s language.
14. Summer Design Camps for Teens
Location: UT Austin, Texas
Cost: $700 – $800
Cohort Size: Limited to small groups
Dates: Varies by program
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: Students entering grades 8-12 in the fall, particularly those aged 14-18
There are multiple week-long camps taught by UT faculty that focus on real-world, creative-technology skills, ranging from game design and animation to immersive experiences and product design. You’ll learn industry-standard software and techniques used in fields like 2D/3D art, character design, CAD modeling, and interactive storytelling. Through workshops, you’ll create portfolio-ready work like playable game concepts, animated scenes, or screen-printed posters inspired by Austin’s music culture.
15. Academy for Robotics
Location: UT Austin, Texas
Cost: $2,100; Limited scholarships
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; Limited to fewer than 60 students per session
Dates: Session 1: June 15 – June 20; Session 2: June 22 – June 27
Application Deadline: Enrollment opens in spring
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10-12
This six-day residential academy guides you through assembling and programming robotics kits in UT’s state-of-the-art labs. Under direct mentorship from UT faculty and industry experts, you'll dive into Linux and C++ basics and work with Arduino components, sensor integration, and PID control. You’ll also get to prepare for a final robot race challenge. With a 10:1 student‑to‑mentor ratio, you’ll receive personalized guidance while collaborating with peers on hands-on STEM problem-solving.
Image source - University of Texas