15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Massachusetts
Summer programs can be your chance to step beyond the classroom, develop practical skills, and gain early industry exposure in a field you like. As a participant, you will engage in projects of interest, collaborate with professionals or university mentors, and form connections that can support your future academic and career plans. Such programs can also strengthen your college application by highlighting your initiative, leadership, and willingness to dive into advanced coursework and learning experiences.
Massachusetts stands out as a hub for high-achieving summer learning opportunities, thanks to its dense concentration of world-class universities, research institutes, and startups. Whether you are a local student or visiting the state this summer, Massachusetts offers programs across STEM, humanities, arts, and beyond with strong faculty involvement and access to cutting-edge facilities.
Below, we have come up with a list of 15 summer programs for high school students in Massachusetts.
1. Research Science Institute (RSI) @ Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; Around 80 students admitted
Dates: June 28 – August 8
Application deadline: December 10
Eligibility: High school juniors with exceptional achievement in STEM
Every summer, RSI brings together about 100 high school students at MIT for an intensive STEM experience. You will begin with a week of advanced lectures and seminars in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and engineering, taught by leading faculty and researchers. The core of the program is a five-week research internship, during which you will conduct independent projects under the guidance of experienced mentors. You will engage in the full research cycle—reviewing scientific literature, designing experiments, carrying out investigations, and presenting findings in both written and oral formats. Evening lectures by Nobel laureates and scientists, along with cultural excursions around Boston, complement the research experience.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type; financial assistance is available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, small cohorts
Dates: Vary by cohort; summer cohorts run between June and August.
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines throughout the year. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship applicants should have completed AI Scholars or have prior experience with Python or AI concepts
Veritas AI, founded by Harvard graduate students, offers hands-on learning experiences to high school students interested in artificial intelligence. In the AI Scholars program, you will join a 10-session boot camp to learn the fundamentals of AI, machine learning, and data science, applying them to real-world examples and projects. For students ready for more advanced work, the AI Fellowship provides one-on-one mentorship with experts from top universities to design and carry out an independent project. As a fellow, you will receive guidance from an in-house publication team to publish your work in high school research journals. Both programs emphasize project-based learning and personalized mentorship, helping you develop technical and research skills.
3. Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) @ Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center
Location: Various sites in Boston, MA (Longwood Medical Area)
Stipend: Paid weekly
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; small research cohort
Dates: 7–11 weeks during the summer (typically June – August)
Application deadline: TBA; applications open in the fall
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are 16 or older and Massachusetts residents/students attending school in the state; undergraduates can also apply.
The CURE program provides Massachusetts students with a paid, full-time summer internship focused on cancer research and biomedical science. CURE’s goal is to prepare underrepresented and motivated students for careers in biomedical and cancer research by fostering both technical and professional growth. As a participant, you will spend 7–11 weeks working in a Boston-based research lab under the mentorship of scientists from Harvard-affiliated hospitals and institutions. The program combines hands-on research experience with professional development workshops, career exploration sessions, and scientific seminars. You will participate in journal clubs, present research abstracts, and may attend or present at scientific conferences. This can be an opportunity to gain lab experience, mentorship, and exposure to real-world medical research in a leading academic environment.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial assistance offered on a need-based system
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohorts
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including in the summer
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic records; GPA of 3.3+ recommended
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program connects high school students with Ph.D. mentors from leading universities to work on original, independent research projects. You will connect one-on-one with your mentor and explore an academic topic, choosing the focus from various disciplines like economics, engineering, computer science, psychology, healthcare, and international relations. Over the course of the program, you will formulate a research question, choose a methodology, and write a research paper as a final product. The fully virtual format allows you to participate from anywhere while gaining access to graduate-level mentorship and feedback. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. MITES Summer @ MIT
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free of charge
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; national cohort of ~60–80 students
Dates: Late June – early August (six weeks)
Application deadline: Early February; applications open in the fall
Eligibility: Students in their junior year of high school who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
MITES Summer is a free program that allows rising seniors to live and learn for six weeks at MIT. You will take five rigorous math, science, and humanities courses designed to challenge you intellectually and strengthen your foundation for college-level STEM study. Outside the classroom, you will participate in lab tours, seminars, and workshops that connect theory to real-world applications in fields such as machine learning, genomics, and architecture. The program also offers comprehensive college admissions guidance, networking opportunities, and evening or weekend excursions throughout the Greater Boston area.
6. Youth Neurology Education and Research Program @ Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)
Location: Boston, MA (various MGH and Harvard-affiliated sites)
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small annual cohort
Dates: High School Internships: June 30 – August 8 (six weeks); Undergraduate Internships: June 16 – August 8 (eight weeks)
Application deadline: January 31; applications open on November 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors, recent graduates, and undergraduates living or studying in Massachusetts; applicants must be 16+, legally authorized to work in the U.S., and fully vaccinated per Mass General Brigham policy.
The Youth Neurology Education and Research Program is a paid full-time summer research experience in neurology and neuroscience. The program begins with a professional “bootcamp,” which prepares you for lab work and research communication. Following the training, you will work in a Harvard-affiliated lab under the mentorship of MGH Neurology faculty, contributing to active research projects in neuroscience, neuroimaging, or clinical neurology. Throughout the internship, you will attend weekly lectures led by leading neurologists and neuroscientists, participate in networking events, and engage in discussions on topics such as neurodegenerative diseases and brain imaging. You will also develop a final presentation, sharing your research findings with peers, mentors, and MGH staff. Following the program, you will continue to receive support through career advising, networking opportunities, and professional development resources.
7. Tufts University Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars (TUBERS)
Location: Tufts University, Medford, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 1 – August 15 (6 weeks)
Application deadline: TBA; opens in February
Eligibility: High school students who are 16+ by July 1 and residents of Medford, Somerville, Arlington, Cambridge, Malden, Everett, Melrose, Revere, Chelsea, Winchester, Boston, or Quincy
TUBERS offers high school students the opportunity to engage in real biomedical research at Tufts University. You will work in a biomedical engineering lab for approximately six weeks, investigating topics related to cells, tissues, or organs while learning experimental protocols, data analysis, and hypothesis testing. You will collaborate closely with a research mentor, typically a graduate student or faculty member, to explore a specific project in depth. In the process, you will gain experience in experimental design, critical thinking, and scientific communication. The experience culminates in a presentation of your findings to peers and faculty. You can also submit your projects to regional and national science competitions, such as the Massachusetts State Science and Engineering Fair.
8. Young Scholars Program (YSP) @ Northeastern University
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort of Massachusetts students
Dates: June 22 – July 30
Application deadline: March 2; applications open on December 15
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are Massachusetts residents living within commuting distance of Northeastern University and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
YSP offers rising seniors a six-week, hands-on research experience in science, engineering, and health sciences. You will work full-time in university labs alongside Northeastern faculty and graduate students, conducting experiments and building technical skills relevant to your assigned field. Past projects have covered topics such as cancer therapy development, battery optimization, environmental engineering, and artificial intelligence. The program also includes seminars on various branches of engineering, college and career counseling, and field trips to local companies such as Biogen and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. As a YSP participant, you will gain firsthand exposure to university-level research while developing skills in teamwork, communication, and data analysis.
9. Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard’s Broad Summer Scholars Program (BSSP)
Location: Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend; $3,600 stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort of Massachusetts high school students
Dates: June 29 – August 7 (six weeks)
Application deadline: Late January; applications open in mid-November.
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors attending a Massachusetts high school within commuting distance to the Broad Institute; applicants must have a grade of B or better in science and math classes and be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or individuals with work authorization.
BSSP offers high school students the opportunity to conduct original, cutting-edge research alongside scientists at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. You will be matched with a Broad research group and work on an independent project in fields such as cancer biology, chemical biology, infectious disease, or computational genomics. In addition to daily lab work, you will attend career panels, scientific lectures, and workshops on data analysis and presentation design. The program concludes with a poster session, where you present your findings to the Broad research community. You will also receive a $3,600 stipend, transportation reimbursement, and tutoring support.
10. Museum of Science, Boston’s Summer Youth Internship Program
Location: Museum of Science, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited placements per session
Dates: June – August
Application deadline: February – March (varies by posting)
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14 – 19
The Summer Youth Internship Program at the Museum of Science offers high school students the opportunity to gain hands-on professional experience while contributing to one of Boston’s most iconic educational institutions. As an intern, you will assist with museum programs, engage with visitors, and support exhibits or educational initiatives that promote public understanding of science. The experience emphasizes teamwork, time management, communication, and professionalism, preparing you for future academic and workplace environments. You will also receive ongoing mentorship and evaluation to help develop transferable skills and explore career interests in education, museum studies, or STEM fields.
11. UMass Turing Summer Program
Location: University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA
Cost: Free (no housing or transportation provided)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort of Western Massachusetts high school students
Dates: July 7 – 25 (3 weeks)
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising 10th and 11th-grade students in Western Massachusetts with a background in math; programming experience is preferred but not mandatory.
The UMass Turing Summer Program introduces high school students to the real-world applications of computer science, data analysis, and machine learning for societal good. Over three weeks, you will explore how computing technologies contribute to fields such as healthcare, energy, sustainability, and cybersecurity. The program features two daily lectures and a hands-on lab session where you will work on sensing and data visualization projects using Python and Android apps. You will learn from UMass faculty and teaching assistants, gaining insight into topics like signal processing, health sensing, and applied computing. The program is conducted fully in-person and designed for local students who can commute daily to the UMass campus.
12. Boston Society for Architecture & Boston Private Industry Council's Arch/Design High School Internships
Location: Architecture firms in Boston, MA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – August 12
Application deadline: Not specified; internship applications open on February 20
Eligibility: Boston public school students in grades 9–12
Architecture/Design High School Internships are paid opportunities for high schoolers to work at local Boston architecture firms. During the six-week internship, you will explore the field of architecture through site tours and practical projects. Additionally, you will learn about architectural design and urban planning through tours conducted on “Summer Fridays” each week. Throughout the internship, you will work on refining your design and 3D modeling skills. The program offers opportunities to network with architects, engineers, designers, and contractors. At the end of your program, you will deliver a presentation to share your experience and highlights with peers.
13. Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Women’s Technology Program (WTP): Mechanical Engineering
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free for students with a family income of less than $120,000; tiered pricing starts at $2,000 for others. You can check the details here.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 20 students/year
Dates: June 27 – July 25
Application deadline: December 15
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with strong math/science ability and little to no prior engineering experience; women and students from backgrounds underrepresented in STEM are encouraged to apply.
The MIT WTP: Mechanical Engineering track is a month-long summer program designed for students who have had limited exposure to engineering. As a WTP participant, you will spend four weeks exploring mechanical engineering through labs, lectures, and group projects while living on the MIT campus. You will learn about concepts like energy and momentum, static torque, motors, kinematics, materials and structures, and rotational motion. Program activities include working with CAD tools, building a crane, practicing computer programming, and building a simple circuit. You will also engage in workshops on building a foam cutter, wire bending, woodworking, and building a portfolio.
14. Boston College Experience (BCE)
Location: Virtual or in person at Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA
Cost: Starts at $1,800; tuition varies by program type. Check details here.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified ;
Dates: Session 1: June 30 – July 11; Session 2: July 14 – July 25; Session 3: July 28 – August 8
Application deadline: TBA in December
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors, ages 15 – 18 by program start
The Boston College Experience (BCE) offers motivated high school students a chance to immerse themselves in college life through academic study, mentorship, and cultural exploration. You will take non-credit courses taught by Boston College faculty in subjects like business, economics, leadership, philosophy, and creative writing. In addition to advanced coursework, BCE offers workshops on college admissions, resume writing, and networking, preparing you for the transition to higher education. The residential format will allow you to enjoy full campus access and structured weekend excursions throughout Boston, while commuter and online options offer flexible participation.
15. Harvard University Pre-College Summer School Program
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $6,100 tuition and $75 application fee; need-based financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: June 21 – July 2 | July 5 – 17 | July 19 – 31
Application deadline: Early: January 7 | Regular: February 11 | Late: April 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old by June 20
Harvard’s Pre-College Program is a two-week residential summer experience that allows high school students to explore college-level academics and campus life. You will enroll in one rigorous, non-credit course and receive a written evaluation and an official Harvard transcript upon completion. You can choose from around 30 courses, spanning STEM, politics, literature, law, business, and other fields. You will attend lectures, engage in social activities, explore Harvard University campus and other Cambridge and Boston sites, and connect with peers from around the world during the program.
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