15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Michigan
If you are a high school student in Michigan looking for a meaningful way to spend the summer, consider a summer program! Summer programs offer opportunities to develop practical skills, learn from professors, professionals, and experts, gain industry insights, and explore career paths in various disciplines. These programs also boost your college admissions profile, highlighting your willingness to learn something new and gain practical skills early on.
Whether you are interested in medicine, business, STEM, or musical theater, universities and organizations in Michigan offer opportunities to explore your interests beyond the school curriculum. Since these are local programs, you can often avoid the cost of long-distance travel. Many of these opportunities are low-cost or fully funded, making them accessible. Some even come with stipends!
To help you get started, here are 15 summer programs for high school students in Michigan.
1. University of Michigan College of Engineering’s Harper Academy 4 Future Nuclear Engineers
Location: University of Michigan College of Engineering, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 16 students selected in the past
Dates: July 6 – August 1
Application deadline: January 31 (priority deadline)
Eligibility: High school juniors who are Michigan residents and U.S. citizens/permanent residents
During the Harper Academy 4 Future Nuclear Engineers, you will spend four weeks learning about nuclear engineering careers and how to enroll in a nuclear engineering program. In the mornings, you will engage in classes covering topics like radiation interactions, fission and fusion, nuclear medicine, reactor physics, and technical communications. In the afternoons, you participate in workshops and visits to labs or other technical centers. Additionally, you will work on a project, creating a community-engaged energy facility design project, exploring the social aspects of energy tech in the process. You will present your work at the end-of-the-program final exhibition.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program format; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort; multiple cohorts in a year, including in the summer
Application deadline: May/June deadlines for summer cohorts
Eligibility: High school students; specific requirements can vary slightly for each program
Founded by Harvard graduates, Veritas AI offers various programs to high school students with an interest in AI and data science. If you are a beginner, you can participate in the AI Scholars program, which offers 10 sessions covering the fundamentals of AI. Here, you will also get to work on real-world projects. Another option is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase program, which is open to those with prior experience in AI or Python or those who have completed the AI Scholars program. During this program, you will work 1:1 with a mentor on an independent research project. You will also get access to the in-house publication team, who will help you publish your paper in high school research journals.
3. University of Michigan’s Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship Program
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend available, but the amount is not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 5–10 interns/year
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application deadline: February 16; applications open in late Fall
Eligibility: High school students in Michigan
The Aspirnaut Summer Research Program is a paid, on-campus, six-week life sciences research experience for high school students. During the program, you will work with faculty and research mentors, explore STEM careers, and attend workshops covering college prep. You will also have access to one-on-one meetings with mentors, networking opportunities with scientists, standardized test prep, college advice, and cultural and social activities on campus. At the end of the experience, you will present your research to peers and mentors.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort; several cohorts each year, including in the summer
Application deadline: Varies by cohort; May/June deadlines for summer cohorts
Eligibility: High school students with a strong academic background
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a selective program open to high school students interested in developing research skills. As a participant, you can choose a research area from a wide variety of options, including engineering, social sciences, physics, psychology, data science, and international relations. According to your chosen discipline, you will work 1:1 with a Ph.D. scholar, who will act as a mentor, on an independent research project. At the end of the program, you will have a completed research paper, which you will present at Lumiere’s closing symposium. You can learn about the available program formats, research areas, and application here.
5. Eastern Michigan University High School Summer Science Program
Location: Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: June 23 – July 14
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students
During EMU’s High School Summer Science Program, you will be paired with another student and work with a faculty mentor as well as an undergraduate research student on a research project in biology, chemistry, or physics. As a participant, you will have the opportunity to learn about the scientific research process and use experimental techniques. Additionally, you will learn how to collect and document data, analyze your findings, and communicate your results. Throughout the experience, you will become familiar with laboratory safety protocols. At the end of the program, you will deliver a presentation to share your experience.
6. NSLC High School Summer Programs
Location: University of Michigan
Cost: Varies by program; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: Multiple sessions from June to August
Application deadline: Not specified; open till full
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14–18, who have a strong academic background
NSLC offers pre-college programs in a variety of fields for high school students looking to gain practical exposure and experience in an area of their choice over the summer. You can choose from options like the Business & Entrepreneurship, Engineering, Medicine & Health Care, and Law & Advocacy programs, among other options. NSLC’s programs are immersive, residential opportunities that allow you to experience life on a college campus. You will also get to participate in university classrooms, workshops, and lab sessions, and learn from professors and other industry professionals.
7. Summer Entrepreneurship Institute @ University of Michigan-Flint
Location: University of Michigan, Flint campus, Flint, MI
Cost: $50; need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: June 16 – 18
Application deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The Summer Entrepreneurship Institute is a three-day program for high school students in Michigan interested in exploring business and entrepreneurship before college. The program is designed to help you develop entrepreneurial thinking and gain insights into the process of launching and expanding new ventures. As a participant, you will attend interactive lectures led by the School of Management Faculty and guest speakers and participate in team projects, presentations, and field trips to entrepreneurial businesses. The program also covers the skills and fundamentals for succeeding as an entrepreneur and how to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and assess the viability of potential business opportunities.
8. Wayne State University’s Summer High School Research Program
Location: James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering at Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: July 7 – July 31
Application deadline: June 20
Eligibility: High school students
At the Summer High School Research Program, you will explore STEM concepts and work on projects focusing on emerging energy technology, CAD/3D modeling, or fuel cells, based on the track you choose. You will work in laboratories and learn from current research and industry professionals. In the Emerging Energy Technology track, you will learn about battery science and related technologies to prepare for careers in the automotive battery and energy sectors. In the CAD/3D Modeling track, you will learn about prototyping and product development and how to use industry-standard CAD software. In the Fuel Cell track, you will focus on clean energy technologies and learn about real-world energy challenges and how you can tackle them. Additionally, you will participate in field trips to explore laboratories and present your progress/experiences to your mentors and other faculty.
9. Girls in Music & Technology @ University of Michigan
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $750 tuition + $75 non-refundable application fee; merit- and need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: August 4 – 15
Application deadline: Rolling admissions; priority deadline is February 1
Eligibility: High school students
The Girls in Music & Technology program focuses on the intersection of music and technology, offering you the chance to explore creative technologies in a hands-on setting. As a participant, you will gain insights into electronic music composition, including its historical background and the contributions of pioneering women in electronic music. You will learn from the faculty of the U-M School of Music and the Theatre & Dance Department of Performing Arts Technology and connect with guest artists and researchers in the field. You will also become familiar with musical programming basics and learn how to utilize Max/MSP and Sound Synthesis. Each week, you will attend a showcase where your work as well as other participants’ work will be highlighted.
10. Michigan Tech Engineering Scholars Program (ESP)
Location: Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI
Cost: $425; scholarships available
Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – 27
Application deadline: February 17 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school freshmen to juniors
Michigan Tech’s Engineering Scholars Program (ESP) provides high school students interested in engineering with the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of what a career in engineering and the sciences entails. For a week, you will attend presentations and engineering sessions and participate in hands-on, project-based learning. You will gain insight into careers in mechanical, environmental, civil, aerospace, and robotics engineering. You will learn from industry experts and develop connections with peers while working on group projects.
11. Michigan State University’s High School Engineering Institute (HSEI)
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Cost: $1,099
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – 26 (session 1) | July 6 – 10 (session 2) | July 13 – 17 (session 3)
Application deadline: June 9 (session 1) | June 23 (session 2) | June 30 (session 3)
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors in the U.S. and abroad with a GPA of at least 3.0 in math, sciences, and technology subjects
MSU’s HSEI is a program designed for high school students interested in exploring the field of engineering. Throughout the program, you will learn from industry professionals, faculty members, and engineering students. The program offers lectures and demonstrations, hands-on activities, and informative field trips. As a participant, you will also develop teamwork and problem-solving skills while working on collaborative projects.
12. University of Michigan’s ArcStart
Location: University of Michigan’s Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $4,950; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 14 – August 1
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors + rising college freshmen; international students also eligible
ArcStart is a pre-college program for high school students interested in learning about architecture. During the program, you will explore architectural design principles, participate in hands-on workshops, and develop analytical problem-solving skills. For around 19 days, you will explore different aspects of architecture. You will study architectural history and learn how to work with specialized drawing, drafting, and modeling tools. You will also get to go on a field trip to an architecture firm, where you will gain insights into creating design proposals and curating your work into a digital portfolio.
13. Ross Summer Business Academy @ University of Michigan
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $5,500 + $75 application fee; Full and partial need-based scholarships available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 13 – 27
Application deadline: January 21
Eligibility: Rising seniors with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0; U.S. citizens or permanent residents preferred
During the Ross Summer Business Academy, you will spend a week exploring the world of business. You will gain insight into how companies operate and understand how leaders address challenges. You will connect with and learn from Ross faculty, company partners, and industry field experts. Additionally, you will attend workshops and seminars led by experts that discuss the key factors behind the success of high-performing companies. The program also offers an opportunity to engage in comprehensive, college-level academic coursework.
14. Musical Theatre Workshop @ University of Michigan
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $5,990 tuition + $75 non-refundable application fee; need-based financial aid available
Cohort size: ~40 students
Dates: July 6 – 26
Application deadline: January 17 (priority)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors; rising juniors with exceptional ability are considered.
The Musical Theatre Workshop is designed for high school seniors looking to pursue BFA degree programs in college. You will attend daily classes that cover various Broadway dance styles, the vocabulary of musical theater, and contemporary trends in the field. You will learn how to analyze song lyrics and explore the influence of music in the interpretation of the lyrics. You will also learn contemporary and traditional acting techniques for performing songs. During the program, you will work on the skills needed for performing monologues and various scenes, learn about musical theatre history, and gain insights for tackling auditions.
15. University of Michigan’s Joy of Coding
Location: Virtual
Cost: $149 + tax; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: June 18 – July 30
Application deadline: Rolling; opens mid-January
Eligibility: Students older than 13 who have taken Algebra and understand basic functions
The Joy of Coding is a virtual pre-college course designed for high school students interested in learning programming. With no prior coding experience required, the program offers a self-paced, online opportunity to explore coding basics like loops, functions, and flows. During the program, you will develop a deeper understanding of how Python is used to code Instagram, Snapchat, and more. You will also get to code your own AI face filter lenses. At the end of the program, you will receive a certificate of accomplishment.