15 Math Summer Internships for High School Students
Internships can help high school students strengthen their college applications and resumes by showing experience beyond the classroom. They give you exposure to a field of interest and a clearer sense of what academic or career paths you may want to pursue. For students interested in mathematics, an internship can highlight how quantitative thinking appears in research, technology, and public sector work.
Why should I participate in a math internship in high school?
Math internships often involve data analysis, modeling, or structured problem-solving that reflect workplace or research settings, preparing you for future careers in the field. You may gain experience working with mentors, completing defined projects, and communicating technical results. These programs signal a high level of intellectual maturity and self-discipline, strengthening your applications for universities and future recruiters. You also build a professional network, which can guide your future academic and career choices.
Below are 15 math summer internships for high school students. In addition to traditional internships, we’ve included math programs that build practical skills and offer valuable mentorship.
1. Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Estimated 7–10%
Dates: Virtual Jumpstart: June 15–16; Main program: June 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors from historically underrepresented communities
SAMS combines online and on-campus components to build your readiness for college-level STEM work. You start with a virtual “Jumpstart” focused on quantitative and computational foundations. Once on campus, you will take structured courses in mathematics, science, and research methods while participating in writing and college-readiness workshops. A credit-bearing course, “Student to Scholar,” introduces expectations for academic work at the university level. Throughout the program, you work with faculty, graduate students, and staff mentors in small groups and larger sessions. The experience emphasizes sustained practice in math, problem-solving, and communication.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–25%; 70–100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; January (Spring), May (Summer), September (Fall), and November (Winter)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap-year students who can commit 10 – 20 hours per week for 8 – 12 weeks
Ladder Internships connects driven high schoolers with fast-paced startups for an intensive eight-week virtual experience. You tackle significant projects alongside founders from elite backgrounds like Y Combinator, Google, and Microsoft. Whether your interests lie in AI, healthcare technology, or consulting, you’ll be embedded in a high-growth environment supported by both a professional manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach. This mentorship culminates in a final presentation to the company, showcasing your real-world contributions. It is a highly selective opportunity to gain a professional pedigree and industry insights before even entering college. You can submit your application here.
3. Mathroots
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective (4–5%); 20 students
Dates: July 1 – 15
Application Deadline: Typically, early March
Eligibility: U.S. high school students aged 14–18 who have not yet started their final year are eligible | Review all eligibility criteria before submitting your application
Mathroots is a two-week residential program focused on problem-solving and proof-based mathematics. You will attend lectures that introduce advanced topics beyond the standard high school curriculum, along with workshops that emphasize reasoning and clear explanations. Group problem-solving sessions give you repeated practice with challenging questions and different solution strategies. The program often draws on competition-style problems while also highlighting broader mathematical ideas. You interact with mentors and guest speakers who work in mathematics and related fields. Overall, Mathroots is centered on deepening your understanding of higher-level mathematical thinking.
4. MIT PRIMES
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 15 – 25 students
Dates: Year-long
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and sophomores living within driving distance of Boston
MIT PRIMES is a year-long math research program rather than a summer-only internship, but it offers a sustained research experience. You will begin with advanced readings in topics such as number theory, combinatorics, or related areas guided by a graduate student or postdoctoral mentor. Over the year, you transition from reading to working on original problems that can lead to a formal research paper. Some participants join reading groups where two students work through a graduate-level text with a mentor. The program has milestones such as interim reports, drafts, and a final presentation at a fall conference. It is structured to mirror aspects of professional mathematical research.
5. IMD Summer High School Research Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; approximately 15–20 students
Dates: Six weeks in summer, typically late June to early August
Application Deadline: March 6
Eligibility: Advanced high school students with strong mathematical backgrounds
The IMD Summer High School Research Program organizes online group projects that link mathematics with democracy and civic structures. You work with real datasets, such as election results or census information, and apply mathematical models to questions about representation or voting systems. Weekly meetings with instructors and peers guide you on methods while leaving space for you to propose and test your own ideas. Past projects have examined measures of gerrymandering, proportional representation systems, and concepts like the Median Voter Theorem. You spend time analyzing data, interpreting results, and preparing to explain your findings to others. The program’s focus is on applied mathematics in political science and civic contexts.
6. Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists (PROMYS)
Location: Boston University (BU), Boston, Massachusetts
Cost/Stipend: None for domestic students whose family income is less than $80,000; for other students: up to $7,000; more details here / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 80 students
Dates: June 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: Early March
Eligibility: High school students who are between the ages of 14 and 18 and have completed the 9th grade
The Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists (PROMYS) is centered on a rigorous number theory curriculum and explores advanced topics like algebraic geometry, combinatorics, and complex analysis through specialized seminars. You attend lectures, conduct numerical experiments, and work on challenging problem sets that emphasize discovery over rote learning. Beyond traditional coursework, you engage in collaborative exploration labs, attend guest lectures by world-class mathematicians, and complete original research projects under faculty mentorship. Through this immersion, you cultivate critical thinking, precision in proof-writing, and the creative persistence required to tackle unfamiliar intellectual frontiers.
7. The Ross Mathematics Program
Location: Otterbein University (Columbus, OH) | Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (Terre Haute, IN)
Cost/Stipend: $7,000; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; Roughly 60 first-year students
Dates: June 15 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students, typically ages 15–18
The Ross Mathematics Program is an intensive six-week residential summer session designed to introduce high school students to mathematical discovery. You focus on number theory, covering foundational topics like divisibility, modular arithmetic, quadratic residues, and Gaussian integers. You engage in rigorous activities, including attending daily morning lectures, collaborating on challenging problem sets, and participating in small-group seminars led by counselors. Its unique feature is the "Think deeply about simple things" philosophy, which prioritizes exploration and proof-writing over traditional contest preparation or broad surveys. Through this process, you master critical skills such as logical reasoning, abstract thinking, and the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly.
8. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Location: Virtual (online option available)
Cost/Stipend: $3,750; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: <10%; roughly 64 participants per session
Dates: Session 1: June 15 – July 3; Session 2: July 6 – 24
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–11 at the time of application | Must have experience writing and reading mathematical proofs, and be well versed with high school geometry and algebra
Stanford’s SUMaC is an intensive program designed for students, where you will dive into the world of higher-level mathematics. You move beyond standard high school curricula to investigate abstract realms like Galois theory and algebraic topology. Through a blend of live digital instruction and collaborative investigations, you’ll tackle complex proofs alongside a global community of like-minded peers. This rigorous experience mirrors undergraduate-level study, emphasizing the historical roots and modern tech applications of theoretical math. It is a unique opportunity to sharpen your analytical skills, engage in authentic mathematical research, and foster deep connections within the STEM community.
9. Mathworks Honors Summer Math Camp (HSMC) – Texas State University
Location: San Marcos, Texas
Cost: $6,600 (includes housing, meals, books, and field trips); need-based financial aid and external scholarships are available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 32–40 students across both years
Dates: June 15 – July 26
Application Deadline: Round 1: February 15; Round 2: March 15; Round 3 (Final): April 16
Eligibility: All high school students, including international ones
Texas State University’s HSMC offers a six-week residential experience where high school students transition from standard learners to active mathematical researchers. Through a curriculum centered on abstract algebra, combinatorics, and number theory, you will develop your proof-writing and analytical capabilities. The program emphasizes inquiry-based learning, pairing rigorous daily problem sets with collaborative mentorship to prepare students for both high-level competitions and future academic inquiry. Beyond the classroom, it fosters a community of thinkers, with significant financial aid ensuring that talent, rather than tuition, remains the primary barrier.
10. MathILy: Intensive Summer Mathematics Program – Bryn Mawr College
Location: Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Cost: $5,300; need-based financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely competitive; typically, 45 students
Dates: June 22 – July 26
Application Deadline: April 29
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors with a strong interest in mathematics
At Bryn Mawr College, MathILy offers a residential summer experience where gifted students engage in mathematical discovery and proof construction. This program prioritizes mathematical creativity and logical rigor, guiding you through the complexities of discrete mathematics and combinatorics. Under the mentorship of expert mathematicians, you navigate a unique "Week of Chaos" featuring diverse, rapid-fire topics before specializing in advanced "Branch" classes like voting theory or polytopes. By emphasizing collaborative inquiry and guided conjecture-making, the curriculum transforms how you approach abstract problems.
11. Canada/USA Mathcamp
Location: Champlain College, Burlington, VT
Cost/Stipend: $7,500; No cost for families earning under $100,000; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Selective; ~120 students
Dates: June 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: Typically, late February
Eligibility: Students aged 13–18 with strong mathematical ability and interest
Designed for students aged 13 to 18, Canada/USA Mathcamp is a five-week summer intensive that explores advanced mathematics. The program encourages self-directed discovery across diverse fields like topology, abstract algebra, and theoretical computer science. Entry is determined by a unique Qualifying Quiz that prioritizes creative reasoning over rote memorization. Once admitted, you’ll join a collaborative community of peers and mentors, engaging in high-level seminars and independent research projects. It is a space built for those who want to master new ways of thinking while immersed in a passionate mathematical culture.
12. Hampshire College Summer Studies in Mathematics (HCSSiM)
Location: Hampshire College, Amherst, Massachusetts
Cost/Stipend: $6,511; No cost for students with families earning less than $85,000 / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive (5–7%); approximately 40–50 students
Dates: June 29 – August 9
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: All high school students
The Hampshire College Summer Studies in Mathematics (HCSSiM) is a six-week residential program where high school students transition from rote learning to active mathematical discovery. You will explore diverse college-level math topics, including number theory, graph theory, combinatorics, topology, and complex analysis. Beyond traditional lectures, you will engage in workshops, evening problem-solving sessions, and "Prime Time" guest presentations. The program features a quirky, non-competitive culture, centered around the number 17 and the "Yellow Pig" mascot. This immersive environment helps you build critical skills in proof-writing, logical reasoning, and collaborative research.
13. Rutgers Young Scholars Program in Discrete Mathematics
Location: Rutgers University, Busch Campus (Piscataway, NJ)
Cost/Stipend: $4,800 (expected); need-based partial scholarships are available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 30 students per year
Dates: July 6 – 31
Application Deadline: Rolling/first-come, first-served
Eligibility: Mathematically talented high school students
The Rutgers Young Scholars Program in Discrete Mathematics is a four-week residential experience at Rutgers University designed for mathematically gifted high school students. You will explore advanced topics beyond the standard curriculum, including combinatorics, graph theory, game theory, and cryptography. Throughout the month, you engage in collaborative problem-solving workshops, attend lectures from distinguished professors, participate in "Tour D’Euler" team competitions, and go on field trips to see mathematics in industry. By tackling complex, real-world applications, you develop critical thinking, rigorous proof-writing skills, and a deeper understanding of mathematical careers.
14. Michigan Math and Science Scholars (MMSS)
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: $2,600; Limited and need-based financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; ~15 students
Dates: Session 1: June 21 – July 3; Session 2: July 5 – 17; Session 3: July 19 – 31
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The Michigan Math and Science Scholars (MMSS) program is a summer enrichment initiative at the University of Michigan designed for high school students. It covers diverse STEM topics ranging from Cryptography and Organic Chemistry to Forensic Physics and Surface Chemistry. You will conduct laboratory experiments, perform field research, and solve complex problem sets alongside faculty. You receive direct mentorship from university professors rather than teaching assistants, and develop critical skills in data analysis, collaborative research, and advanced scientific reasoning.
15. University of Chicago Summer Young Scholars Program
Location: Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Varies as per household income; >$150,000: $1,000 | $75,000 – $150,000: $600 | Below $75,000: $250; scholarships are available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 100 students
Dates: June 30 – July 25
Application Deadline: April 11
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–12 from Chicago and surrounding suburbs
In the Young Scholars Program, you study advanced mathematics through daily lectures and problem sessions. Faculty lead classes on topics such as number theory or geometry, depending on the year’s theme. You will work through challenging problems, write clear solutions, and discuss different approaches with peers and teaching assistants. Computer lab sessions introduce computational or exploratory elements connected to the course material. The program adapts content and difficulty based on grade level, so older students work at a more advanced pace. Its primary focus is on building depth in mathematical reasoning and proof.
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