14 College Summer Programs for High School Students in Massachusetts
If you are a high school student, summer college programs offer an opportunity to build advanced skills and experience campus life. These programs offer strong academic learning, industry exposure, and mentorship opportunities. They also focus on practical experiences, such as research and collaborative projects, that can help you develop skills that will be useful in the future.
Massachusetts is home to many universities that offer high school students summer programs, allowing you to learn from experts. The relationships you will build with faculty and professionals can help you decide what to study in college and eventually pursue as a career. To help you get started, we’ve put together 14 college summer programs for high school students in Massachusetts.
1. MITES Summer
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive with an acceptance rate of 1.5%
Dates: 6 weeks from late June through early August
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors
MITES Summer is a six-week residential program at MIT that brings together high school students from across the country. Participants take 5 rigorous courses in math, science, and the humanities, with electives offered in subjects such as Machine Learning, Architecture, and Genomics. The curriculum introduces students to advanced STEM material not typically covered in high school. Students also take part in lab tours, social events, and college admissions counseling. Each participant receives a written evaluation of academic strengths, growth areas, and classroom contributions. The program helps you explore STEM pathways while developing both academic and personal skills.
2. MIT Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive with an acceptance rate of 5%
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application Deadline: December 11
Eligibility: High school juniors
MIT’s Research Science Institute (RSI) is a 6-week intensive program focused on advanced STEM research. It begins with a week of lectures led by leading professors, followed by a 5-week research placement under the guidance of a laboratory mentor. During the program, you will review scientific literature, conduct original research, and prepare both written and oral reports in professional formats. Evening seminars with leading scientists offer insight into groundbreaking work and help you refine your presentation skills. Highly selective, RSI accepts only about 100 students from around the world.
3. RISE Internship / Practicum
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Tuition: $5,700; Service Fees: $485; Room & Board: $3,276 for 14 meals/week or $3,600 for 19 meals/week); Application Fee: $60 (nonrefundable); Limited need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive with acceptance rate of approximately 7%
Dates: June 29 - August 8
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Boston University’s RISE program is a 6-week research opportunity for high school students interested in science. Participants work under the mentorship of faculty or professional scientists on laboratory or computational projects. The Internship track involves full-time research across diverse scientific disciplines, while the Practicum track combines daily lectures and group projects in areas such as data science or computational neurobiology. Students also attend weekly academic workshops and network with professionals in the biotech field. The program concludes with a Poster Symposium where participants present their research findings.
4. MEDscienceLAB Forensics
Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: $2,800 (limited number of scholarships are available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple sessions from June - July
Application Deadline: January 1 - March 25
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12 at the time of application; At least 16 years old at the start of the program
MEDscienceLAB Forensics is a week-long, full-day program at Harvard Medical School designed for high school students. You will investigate a simulated crime scene by collecting evidence, analyzing samples, and collaborating in teams to solve the case. The program provides access to advanced laboratories and hands-on training in methods like PCR, ELISA, fingerprinting, and DNA analysis. Through MEDchats, you’ll interact with biomedical researchers and learn about career paths in the sciences. The program concludes with a presentation of your forensic findings, mirroring a professional investigative process.
5. Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP)
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: July 7 – 25
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10–12; students of all genders are eligible to apply, with a special emphasis on those from underrepresented backgrounds in physics.
SPINWIP is a 3-week remote summer program offered by Stanford University that introduces high school girls to physics. Through interactive lectures and collaborative projects, you will learn Python and apply it to topics such as astrophysics and quantum computing. The program includes mentorship from Stanford faculty and undergraduates, along with workshops on college readiness and STEM career exploration. Sessions are highly interactive and open to students with no prior experience in programming or physics. The program offers an engaging way to build knowledge in physics and computational skills.
6. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee (Can be waived)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Acceptance rate of 10%
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: 15 years or above by June 18
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University provides high school students with an opportunity to participate in research across multiple scientific disciplines. Working under the mentorship of faculty or industry experts, you will gain hands-on experience using advanced tools and methods. Areas of study include bioengineering, neuroscience, forensic science, and data science. In addition to building technical skills, the program focuses on scientific writing, communication, and career development through forums and mentorship. In some cases, your research work may contribute to scientific publications or be showcased at professional conferences.
7. Biomedical Engineering Innovation: Online
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: $4,170 with no stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Summer Session: June 23 – August 1 | Fall Sessions: August 25 – December 5
Application Deadline: May 28
Eligibility: Current high school student; talented 9th-graders (rising sophomores) may be considered. For academic prerequisites, see here.
Johns Hopkins University’s Biomedical Engineering Innovation: Online is a three-credit course designed for high school students interested in applying engineering concepts to biological systems. The program is delivered primarily in an asynchronous format with pre-recorded lectures and optional live sessions, offering flexibility in scheduling. Students work on projects such as designing a biosensor, modeling the human arm and circulatory system, and completing an independent project that involves a literature review, experimental design, or biomedical device prototype. The course concludes with an online poster presentation. With emphasis on interactive and hands-on learning, the program offers an engaging virtual experience. Past syllabi are available for students who wish to review the course content for additional details.
8. The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) - Summer Research Internship
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: $850 + $40 application fee (full financial aid available for both application and program fees)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Students entering 9-12 grade in the fall, above the age of 14 years by the start of the program
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a 2-week online program designed to introduce high school students to the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Participants attend sessions on AI fundamentals and their medical applications while taking part in daily mentorship and collaborative research projects. Guest speakers from government, academia, and industry share insights on emerging medical technologies. Career-focused “Lunch and Learn” sessions highlight opportunities at the intersection of healthcare and technology. After the core program, students may continue with further research, and all participants receive a Certificate of Completion recognizing their achievements.
9. Stanford’s Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X)
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: $1,595; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 16 – June 27
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-18 years
Stanford’s Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) is a 2-week intensive program focused on neuroscience, psychology, and psychiatry. Guided by Stanford faculty and researchers, interactive seminars cover topics such as brain imaging, behavioral neuroscience, mindfulness, genetics in mental health, and sports psychiatry. The program also includes discussions on career opportunities in medicine and science, as well as self-care strategies for young adults. Working in small teams, participants complete a capstone project that develops creative solutions to real-world mental health issues. CNI-X combines lectures, collaboration, and innovation to provide a comprehensive learning experience.
10. Harvard’s Pre-College Summer School
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: $5,800 + $75 application fee
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Application Deadline: February 11 (Regular application)
Dates: Session 1: June 21–July 2 | Session 2: July 5–July 17 | Session 3: July 19–July 31
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who will graduate from high school and enter college in the upcoming years; at least 16 years old by June 2, and will not turn 19 years old before July 31
Harvard’s Pre-College Program is a 2-week summer residential experience where high school students are part of an intensive, college-level course. With average class sizes of about 15, the program fosters close interaction with both faculty and classmates. Each session offers nearly 30 courses across disciplines such as biology, computer science, astronomy, engineering, and social science. Although the courses are rigorous, they are non-credit, allowing students to focus on learning without the pressure of grades. At the end of the program, participants receive a detailed written evaluation and an official Harvard transcript. The program provides a structured introduction to both academic and residential life at Harvard.
11. Summer@Brown Online
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: $3,218 - $6,238, depending on the duration of the program.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: January 15 - May 9
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9 to 12, aged 14 to 18 years by June 15
Brown University’s Summer@Brown online program offers more than 50 courses across 10 subject tracks. Students can choose from flexible learning formats—fully asynchronous, mostly asynchronous, or blended—and earn a Digital Certificate of Completion. Those who opt for a course lasting 3 weeks or longer also receive a Course Performance Report. In the Engineering and Technology track, the AI, Data Science, and Machine Learning course provides a project-based introduction to analytics and programming. Additional technology-focused options include Statistical Programming in R and Computational Mathematics with Big Data Visualization.
12. Tufts University Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars (TUBERS)
Location: Tufts University, Medford, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: July 1 - August 15
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years of age by the start of the program are eligible to apply; applicants must be residing in one of the following cities or towns in MA: Medford, Somerville, Arlington, Cambridge, Malden, Everett, Melrose, Revere, Chelsea, Winchester, Boston, and Quincy
TUBERS is a 6-week research program that allows high school students to conduct original projects in Tufts’ biomedical engineering labs. Under the guidance of faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates, you will design experiments, test hypotheses, and apply advanced techniques to solve real-world problems. The program provides a rigorous introduction to university-level scientific research and concludes with a formal presentation of your findings to peers, parents, and educators. Participants are also encouraged to submit their work to science fairs and competitions for further recognition.
13. Tufts University - Coding Academy
Location: Tufts University, Medford / Somerville, MA
Cost/Stipend: Commuter: $4,225 | Residential: $5,750; limited need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 20 - August 1
Application Deadline: December 2 – May 1
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10-12 are eligible to apply
The Tufts Coding Academy is a 2-week program where you will learn Python through lectures, coding labs, and team-based projects. Focusing on practical problem-solving, collaboration, and portfolio building, the program helps you build coding skills in a real-world environment. You’ll attend guest lectures on topics such as AI, robotics, and cybersecurity, while also being part of “Tech Treks” to companies like Google and HubSpot. The experience concludes with a final project presentation, giving you exposure to both academic and industry applications of coding.
14. Tufts University - Engineering with Artificial Intelligence
Location: Tufts University, Medford / Somerville, MA
Cost/Stipend: Commuter: $4,225 | Residential: $5,750. Materials fee: $200; limited need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session 1: July 6 - July 18 | Session 2: July 20 - August 1
Application Deadline: December 2 – May 1
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10-12 are eligible to apply; applicants must have experience in programming
This summer program at Tufts University introduces high school students to both the theory and practical applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Using a combination of lectures, labs, and project-based learning, you will explore core concepts while gaining hands-on experience. You will design and develop functional AI solutions that reflect real-world applications using industry-standard tools. The program also focuses on ethical considerations and the societal impact of emerging technologies. The goal is to build both technical proficiency and critical thinking skills, preparing you to engage with one of the most transformative fields.
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