11 Summer Programs for High School Students in Pennsylvania
If you are a high school student in Pennsylvania and want to make the most of your summer, joining a summer program can be a great way to explore your favorite subject. These programs are designed to accommodate your school year and provide a practical learning experience. Whether you're interested in science, technology, engineering, business, or other subjects, these programs can enhance your understanding of the basics, clarify complex concepts, and even offer an introduction to college life.
To help you get started, we have gathered a list of 11 summer programs for high school students in Pennsylvania.
1. Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College CS Scholars
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Dates: June 21 – July 19
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 years or older. CS Scholars and AI Scholars are specifically open to rising juniors, while SAMS is for rising seniors.
Cost: Free of charge (includes tuition, housing, and meals)
Carnegie Mellon University offers a CS Scholars program that enables high school students to delve into computer science in depth while living on campus. You will explore fundamental programming concepts, including the use of variables, functions, if-statements, loops, and data structures such as lists and dictionaries. The program features a group project, opportunities to present ideas, and chances to network with professionals from the tech industry. The university also offers two additional free summer programs: AI Scholars, which introduces students to artificial intelligence, and SAMS (Summer Academy for Math and Science), recognized as one of the leading STEM programs nationwide.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
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.
Cost: Varies depending on program type; Financial aid available
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. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. 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. Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising 10th and 11th-grade students in Philadelphia; minimum GPA 3.0
Cost: Free
The Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program (SMP) is a four-week on-campus initiative at the University of Pennsylvania, designed for high school students in Philadelphia interested in exploring college options and future careers. Participants are matched with graduate schools at Penn to engage in practical, hands-on activities in fields such as STEM and law, gaining firsthand experience of these career paths. You will also participate in workshops that develop essential college-readiness skills, including time management, study strategies, financial literacy, SAT preparation, and personal statement writing. The program concludes with a college fair on campus, providing an opportunity for you to connect with university representatives and explore future career prospects.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Online
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June).
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Current high school students with a minimum GPA of 3.3; No previous research experience is required
Cost: Varies depending on program type; Need-based financial aid is available
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous 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. Penn’s Summer Academies: Biomedical Research Academy
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Dates: July 5 – July 26
Application Deadline: Applications typically close by mid-April
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-11; More requirements here
Cost: $9,949; School District of Philadelphia public or charter high school students may be eligible for a scholarship
The University of Pennsylvania's Biomedical Research Program is a summer academy for high school students eager to learn about biology and medicine. Participants will learn how cells and genes operate and connect to human diseases through daily lessons, researcher talks, and practical lab activities. Students will study topics such as DNA, vaccines, CRISPR, and bacterial antibiotic resistance. They will also practice laboratory techniques like PCR, gel electrophoresis, and genetically modifying bacteria to understand gene functions. Additionally, students will gain basic coding skills in Bash and Python to analyze biological data.
6. Wharton Global Youth Program
Location: The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Dates: Sessions typically span 2–3 weeks and take place between June and August
Application Deadline: April 5
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 9–11 with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3.
Cost: $7,299 – $9,099; full and partial need-based scholarships are offered.
The Wharton Global Youth Program (WGYP) is a summer program for high school students to explore business, leadership, and college preparation through a variety of summer experiences. The program offers seven on-campus options, covering topics such as product design, entrepreneurship, data science, and more. Two of the most well-known programs are Leadership in the Business World, which is highly selective, and the Management & Technology Summer Institute, which offers college credit. During these programs, you will learn from Wharton faculty and take part in interactive, hands-on activities designed to build your skills in business and leadership. In addition to the on-campus programs, WGYP also offers online courses you can take from anywhere, and a free Investment Competition.
7. MWRI High School Summer Internship
Location: MWRI or Magee-Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA
Dates: 6-week summer internship beginning in June
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who are at least 16 years old and have a permanent/primary residence in the local southwest Pennsylvania region
Cost: No cost. Students will be eligible for a $1,800 stipend if their household qualifies for the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program for Pennsylvania.
This program offers 240 hours of biomedical research in reproductive biology, maternal care, and infant health — core areas of MWRI’s mission. Throughout the program, you will develop and execute your own research project with close guidance from an investigator at MWRI or Magee-Womens Hospital. Topics may include gene expression, fertility preservation, or health disparities in maternal outcomes, providing experience in both basic and clinical research settings. Weekly Lunch & Learn sessions offer opportunities to hear from scientists about their journeys into biomedical science, giving valuable insights for your education and career.
8. Penn State University Park’s Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS)
Location: Penn State University, University Park, PA
Dates: June 14 – June 26
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: high school juniors from the U.S. and Puerto Rico who are interested in pursuing a business education in college
Cost: $250
The BOSS (Business Opportunities Summer Session) program is a two-week on-campus experience at Penn State’s Smeal College of Business designed for high school students to explore business careers and education. During the program, students build a strong foundation in essential business topics like accounting, business writing, professional etiquette, and leadership skills. They also experience college life firsthand by staying on campus. A key feature of BOSS is the chance for students to develop and showcase a business idea, giving them a practical and creative opportunity to apply their knowledge.
9. Camp Business
Location: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Dates: Residential Blue Session: July 13 – July 18 | Commuter Session: July 20 – July 25 | Residential Gold Session: July 27 – August 1
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Cost: Residential Blue: $2,000 | Commuter: $950 | Residential Gold: $2,000
The Camp Business program at Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business in Philadelphia is a summer initiative designed for high school students. It offers a wide-ranging introduction to core business areas such as accounting, marketing, finance, and management, while also highlighting leadership, professional etiquette, teamwork, and strategic thinking. Throughout the week, students engage in practical, hands-on activities to develop real-world skills, culminating in a certificate of completion. Participants can opt for residential sessions, which involve staying on campus and fully immersing in college life, or for commuter sessions that allow attendance during the day.
10. Fallingwater Institute’s High School Residencies
Location: Fallingwater Institute, Mill Run, PA
Dates: June 23 – June 27 (Drawing + Model Making) | July 7 – July 11 (Interior Design) | July 14 – July 18 (Portfolio Prep) | August 4 - August 8 (Biophilic Design Studio) | July 28 – August 1 (Design + Build)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: Rising high school students (grades 9–12)
Cost: Not specified
The summer program for high school students passionate about art and architecture includes the Fallingwater Institute’s High School Residencies. Participants live and study at Frank Lloyd Wright’s renowned Fallingwater house. This practical experience features studio sessions focused on drawing and design, understanding Wright’s concepts, and exploring how architecture interacts with nature. You will also participate in sessions focused on preparing your portfolio and learning about biophilic design — the practice of incorporating nature into architecture.
11. The Engineering Summer Academy at Penn (ESAP) - University of Pennsylvania
Location: University of Pennsylvania campus, Philadelphia, PA
Dates: July 6 – July 26
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Students in 9th-11th grade with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and strong performance in math and science subjects
Cost: $9,000 + $85 non-refundable application fee
The Engineering Summer Academy at the University of Pennsylvania (ESAP) is a three-week summer program designed for high school students interested in technology and innovation. Participants can select from six engaging courses: Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Computer Graphics, Computer Science, Nanotechnology, or Robotics. Each course has a designated plan, and you'll earn college credit upon completion. Outside of class, you’ll engage in evening discussions, workshops, and weekend activities as part of the residential program.
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