14 Best Humanities Summer Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student who loves the humanities, joining a summer program can help you gain practical experience, strengthen your college applications, and build valuable skills outside the classroom. Whether you’re passionate about literature, history, philosophy, or cultural studies, the best humanities summer programs for high school students offer the chance to explore these subjects in depth with guidance from experienced faculty and professionals.
These programs include hands-on projects, group discussions, research work, and opportunities to present your ideas - all of which can help you grow as a thinker and communicator. Many of the best humanities summer programs for high school students are hosted by top universities and organizations, giving you the chance to experience college-level coursework – sometimes at an affordable cost, or even for free. And if travel is not an option, there are virtual options to join from anywhere in the world.
To help you get started, we’ve put together this list of the best humanities summer programs for high school students. Take a look and see which one matches your interest and goals!
1. Telluride Association Summer Program (TASP)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective
Location: Cornell University and University of Maryland
Cost/Stipend: Free; no cost to participants
Program Dates: June 22 - July 26
Application Deadline: December 3
Eligibility: Open to all high school sophomores and juniors (ages 15-18)
The Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS) is a six-week program where you can study how power and privilege shape social structures through the lens of humanities and social sciences. In this program, ranked among the best humanities summer programs for high school students, you can choose between two tracks: Critical Black Studies (TASS-CBS), which explores the histories, cultures, and contributions of people of African descent, or Anti-Oppressive Studies (TASS-AOS), which focuses on systems such as white supremacy, patriarchy, and classism. In both tracks, you’ll attend daily college-level seminars that combine lectures, small-group work, discussions, and essay writing – all guided by experienced faculty. Outside the classroom, you’ll work with other students to make community decisions, plan service projects, and practice transformative justice. You’ll also participate in public speaking workshops and learn from guest speakers.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohorts with 1-on-1 mentorship
Location: Remote - you can participate from anywhere in the world
Cost/Stipend: Varies; financial aid available
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts: Spring (March–June), Summer (June–August), Fall (September–December), Winter (December–February)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort - Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: Open to high school students with strong academic records (recommended GPA 3.3+); no prior experience in your chosen field required
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a personalized research experience for high school students interested in building advanced skills in the humanities, social sciences, and other academic areas. Over 12 weeks to 1 year, depending on the track they choose, you’ll work 1-on-1 with Ph.D. mentors to design and complete an independent research project. You can explore many topics such as psychology, international relations, economics, and more, giving you the freedom to dive deep into your scientific interests. By the end of the program, you will produce an independent research paper – a huge plus for your college applications and academic profile. Lumiere also provides you opportunities to connect with other motivated students and gain early exposure to professional research methods, which will be very beneficial beyond school.
3. Stanford Humanities Institute (SHI)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; around 50–60 students per session
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, California
Cost/Stipend: $8,575; need-based financial aid available
Program Dates: Session One: June 22–July 11; Session Two: July 13–August 1
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors and seniors
The Stanford Summer Humanities Institute (SHI) is a three-week program, where you will be living and learning on the Stanford campus while exploring some of the biggest questions in the humanities. You’ll join a small group of passionate high school students and dive deep into topics such as literature, politics, philosophy, or cultural history through college-level seminars led by Stanford professors and graduate students. Each student is admitted to one course they ranked in their application, allowing for focused, in-depth study of that topic. Outside the classroom, you’ll take part in field trips and activities that add real-world context to what you learn in the classroom. The program is designed to help you grow as a scholar, writer, and critical thinker, all while living in a vibrant, collaborative campus community.
4. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohorts with individual mentorship
Location: Virtual - fully online
Program Dates: Spring and Fall cohorts run for 15 weeks; Summer cohort runs for 10 weeks (June–September)
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for Spring, Summer, and Fall
Eligibility: Open to high school students with strong academic standing (recommended GPA 3.67+); most students are in 10th or 11th grade
The Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) is a trimester-long research experience for high school students who want to dive into independent academic research. You can choose from subject tracks such as political theory, data science, machine learning, and more – and decide whether you’d prefer to focus on quantitative or qualitative research. Once you pick your track, you’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar who will mentor you throughout your research journey. During the program, you’ll produce a 20-page research paper that you can submit to undergraduate journals for possible publication. HARP also provides detailed feedback on your project and a recommendation letter you can use for future college applications.
5. Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small workshop groups
Location: Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio (residential) and online options available
Cost/Stipend: $2,575 for residential; $995 for online; no application fee; need-based financial aid available
Program Dates: Residential: Session One - June 22–July 5; Session Two - July 13–26; Online: June 15–20
Application Deadline: March 1 for residential; online deadline varies (early May)
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 16–18; most students are rising juniors and seniors
The Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop is among the best humanities summer programs for high school students, where you spend one or two weeks growing as a writer and thinker in a supportive, creative community. If you join the residential workshop, you’ll live on Kenyon College’s historic campus - home to the Kenyon Review - and take part in daily writing workshops, peer discussions, and faculty conferences. You’ll experiment with short stories, poems, and essays while exploring new ideas and stretching your creative voice. If you prefer something flexible, you can join the week-long workshop that includes live sessions, solo writing time, and readings with visiting writers. Both formats focus on helping you develop your craft, share your work, and build connections with peers who care about writing as much as you do.
6. Yale Young Global Scholars - Politics, Law & Economics (PLE)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; cohort sizes around 2,000 total students across tracks; individual PLE cohorts are small and competitive
Location: Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut (residential only)
Cost/Stipend: $6,500 tuition (commuter option reduces tuition by ~$1,000); need‑based financial aid covers up to 100% of tuition
Program Dates: Session I (June 22–July 4), Session II (July 6–18), or Session III (July 20–August 1)
Application Deadline: Early Action: October 20 / Regular Decision: January 10
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores and juniors aged 16–18 by July 20; must be first‑time participants in YYGS
In the Politics, Law & Economics (PLE) track at Yale Young Global Scholars, you’ll spend two weeks tackling big interdisciplinary issues at the crossroads of governance, legal frameworks, and economic systems. You’ll attend lectures by Yale faculty, participate in small seminars and breakout discussions, and work on a capstone project that challenges you to think critically. Through readings, debates, and collaborative exercises, you’ll examine topics ranging from public policy and international law to market regulation and protest movements. Beyond the classroom, you’ll experience Yale campus life – living in dorms, dining together, and building a network of friends from around the world.
7. Columbia University NYC Residential Summer - Humanities & Social Sciences
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small class sizes for seminar-style study
Location: Columbia University, Morningside Campus, New York City, NY (residential)
Cost/Stipend: About $12,764 per 3-week session (includes housing, dining, health service, tech fees); limited financial aid available; $80 application fee
Program Dates: Session A - June 30–July 18; Session B - July 22–August 8; or both for a full six weeks (June 30–August 8)
Application Deadline: Rolling; early application strongly recommended
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 15+ (must turn 16 by December 31 of the year they attend)
Columbia’s NYC Residential Summer is a three-week pre-college program where you dive deep into humanities and social science courses while living on one of the most beautiful urban campuses in the world. With over 70 seminar-style courses to choose from, you will spend about four hours a day in class each day with expert instructors, leaving enough time to explore campus resources and New York City. Outside of class, you’ll join co-curricular activities such as faculty lectures, college prep workshops, and social events – perfect for making new friends and preparing for college life. Living on Columbia’s Morningside Campus means you’re always steps away from libraries, dining halls, and all that NYC has to offer.
8. Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; about 40 students each year
Location: Hybrid - online workshops + in-person at Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Completely free for all accepted students; travel, housing, meals, and program costs are fully covered
Program Dates: Online workshops start the week of July 1; 10-day on-campus intensive: July 24–August 3
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school juniors from low-income backgrounds; strong academic record required
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) is a year-long college prep program that kicks off with a unique hybrid summer experience for high school juniors interested in journalism. You’ll start the summer online with workshops and lectures led by top journalists, complete readings and writing assignments, and even get started on your college applications with help from an assigned counselor. Then in late July, you’ll head to Princeton’s campus for a 10-day residential intensive where you’ll stay in dorms, work closely with renowned journalists and professors, and practice real-world reporting. You’ll tour major newsrooms including The New York Times and Bloomberg, cover live events, produce digital stories, and publish your own group newspaper, The Princeton Summer Journal.
9. Notre Dame Leadership Seminars - Humanities & Global Issues Track
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective, approx 150 students
Location: University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana (in-person)
Cost/Stipend: Free tuition, housing, and meals for admitted students. You’re responsible for a non-refundable $60 application fee, a $150 enrollment fee (due by April 4), and your own travel expenses. Financial aid for fees and travel is extremely limited and only granted in rare cases
Program Dates: July 19 – 30 (10-day residential session)
Application Deadline: January
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors entering senior year in the fall; students must be at least 16 years old by August 1, have a strong academic record (typically top 10% of their class), and show leadership in their school or community.
The Notre Dame Leadership Seminars is 10-day program where high school students live on the campus exploring themes such as global justice, governance, social change, or environmental ethics. You’ll take part in small, seminar-style classes taught by Notre Dame faculty, participate in community service projects, and debate real-world issues in leadership‑focused tracks. Outside of the classroom, you’ll live in campus dorms, join fun evening activities, and build lasting friendships through community building events. The experience also includes one transferable college credit.
10. Harvard Pre-College Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; small seminars of 15 students per class
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (in-person, residential)
Cost/Stipend: $5,800 for a 2-week session (covers tuition, housing, meals, activities); limited need-based aid available
Program Dates: Session I: June 22–July 3; Session II: July 6–18; Session III: July 20–August 1
Application Deadline: Early: January 8; Regular: February 12; Late: April 9
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (must be 16 by June 21, and not older than 18 by program end)
The Harvard Pre-College Program lets you experience Ivy League academics upfront by spending two weeks living on the campus. You’ll choose one college-level seminar in areas such as literature, philosophy, history, politics, or the arts. Since the courses are non-credit, you can fully engage with topics and debates without the pressure of grades. Outside class, you’ll take part in co-curricular activities, social events, and college prep workshops, while connecting with new friends from around the world. At the end of the program, you’ll receive a written faculty evaluation and a Harvard transcript confirming that you completed the program – a strong boost to your college application.
11. Iowa Young Writers Studio
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small workshops led by Iowa Writers’ Workshop graduates
Location: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA (on-campus) or fully online
Program Cost/Stipend: $2,500 for residential session (includes housing & meals); $575 for 6-week online session; need-based financial aid available
Program Dates:
Residential Session 1: June 15–28
Residential Session 2: July 13–26
Online Courses: June 15–July 27 (6 weeks)
Application Deadline:
Residential: Usually early February
Online: March 1 – April 18
Eligibility: High school students currently in 9th–12th grade; residential typically favors rising juniors and seniors; online open to all grades
If you’re serious about creative writing, the Iowa Young Writers Studio is one of the most renowned programs in the country. For two weeks on campus, you’ll focus on a single core class – fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, TV writing, or playwriting – all taught by graduates of the famous Iowa Writers’ Workshop. You’ll write daily, share your work, receive constructive feedback, and join a community of young writers as passionate as you are. Evenings bring author readings, open mics, talent shows, and time to bond with your new friends. If you prefer something more flexible, the 6-week online Studio lets you explore themed classes including poetry, nonfiction, speculative fiction, or multi-genre. You’ll dive deep into your craft with weekly writing assignments, readings, and discussion boards – all at your own pace while still connecting with fellow writers.
12. Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement (AYA)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 26 students
Location: University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free; includes daily breakfast and lunch; transportation scholarship available by request
Program Dates: June 16 – July 3
Application Deadline: March 3 – April 14
Eligibility: High school students who live and attend school in Los Angeles County
The Annenberg Youth Academy (AYA) is a three-week summer intensive that feels like a first-year college course packed into one program. You will develop skills in writing, critical thinking, public speaking, debate, multimedia production, interviewing, and ethnography. You’ll learn directly from USC Annenberg’s faculty and guest speakers, meet like-minded peers, and explore possible careers in journalism and communication. On top of that, AYA supports you with college advising and essay prep, helping you build a strong foundation for your future.
13. Economics for Leaders (EFL)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective - about two applicants for each spot; ~25–40 students per site
Location: Various universities across the U.S. (multiple sites and dates)
Cost/Stipend: Varies by site; scholarships are available
Program Dates: Multiple sessions, Summer
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions - early application encouraged
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors
If you want to learn how economics is connected with real-world decision-making while also strengthening your leadership skills, Economics for Leaders (EFL) is a great choice. This competitive week-long summer program is designed to help you understand key economic concepts, apply economic reasoning to public policy questions, and build practical leadership abilities - skills that will benefit you in college and beyond. During EFL, you’ll study with top economics instructors, tackle interactive case studies, and participate in leadership exercises with equally motivated students from around the country. If you’ve already taken an AP or high school economics class, you might qualify for Advanced Economics for Leaders, which dives into college-level intermediate micro-and macroeconomics.
14. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective - only 12 students nationwide
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
Cost/Stipend: Free (housing, meals, and more included)
Program Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: You must be at least 17 by the start date and graduating this or next year; international students are welcome to apply
If you’re looking for a deep dive into advanced research before college, the Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is one of the most prestigious summer opportunities out there. This seven-week residential research program accepts only twelve outstanding students from across the U.S. and abroad each year. As a Clark scholar, you will be paired with a faculty mentor at Texas Tech and conduct original research in fields like history, and more. You’ll spend your summer on campus, collaborating with professors and researchers, exploring complex topics, learning research methods, and contributing your own ideas.
Bonus - Ladder Internship Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohorts
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Program Dates: Multiple sessions - Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter (8–12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary - Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: Open to high school students, college students, and gap year students who can commit 10–20 hours per week
With Ladder Internships, you’ll get an opportunity to work on real projects for innovative start-ups - all from home. Over 8–12 weeks, you’ll be matched with a start-up in fields including tech, AI, deep tech, healthcare, or consulting, and join a small cohort of other motivated students. You’ll tackle real business challenges while learning directly from a company mentor and receiving guidance from a dedicated Ladder Coach. At the end of the program, you’ll present your work to the company - and walk away with practical experience, new skills, and a boost to your college applications or resume.
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