Top 20 Summer Programs for High School Students
Participating in summer programs and internships offers motivated high schoolers experiences that extend beyond traditional classroom learning, and there’s no shortage of highly impactful, transformational summer programs to be found. These opportunities are offered by some of the best institutions in the country, like MIT, Harvard, NASA, and more, and they provide practical skills, industry exposure, and the chance to build meaningful connections. Many of these programs are fully funded or offer scholarships, allowing you to benefit from the learning and exposure offered without necessitating significant financial investment.
Whether you’re aiming to explore potential career paths or deepen your knowledge in a subject you’re passionate about, we've curated a list of the top 20 summer programs for high school students. These include both in-person and virtual options, and many of them are offered by highly prestigious institutions.
1. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), RSI is a six-week program that combines on-campus coursework with off-campus STEM research opportunities. You will experience the research cycle from end to end, reading scientific literature, executing a research plan with your mentor, and even presenting your research via written and oral presentations. It’s a rare opportunity to be mentored by MIT scientists and researchers in an intense and hands-on environment.
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 100 students selected annually
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application Deadline: December 11
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors. Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international students. High standardized test scores are recommended, including a PSAT math score of 740+ or ACT math score of 33+.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend provided
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program that offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas. The program pairs you 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.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
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: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4 is recommended). No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
Cost/Stipend: $2,990 (Financial aid available)
3. MITES (MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science)
MITES is a six-week program at MIT that offers intensive coursework in math, science, and humanities to rising high school seniors. You will be attending five rigorous courses, participating in lab tours and social events, and even benefit from college admissions counseling. It’s a residential college experience, helping you understand what a college-level education in STEM entails and how to make the most of it.
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 70-80 students
Dates: Late June to early August
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors, particularly from underrepresented or underserved backgrounds
Cost/Stipend: None; program is free of charge
Ladder Internships is a highly selective 8-week-long start-up internship program for ambitious high school students. In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form.
Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort sizes vary
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Cost/Stipend: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available).
5. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)
SMYSP is a five-week residential program at Stanford University exclusively for low-income and underrepresented high school juniors in medical science and health careers. It’s a rare and exclusive opportunity to engage in lectures, workshops, and hands-on learning activities while being mentored by medical professionals, faculty, and college graduates. The program also allows you to become part of a rich network of peers and alumni.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Only 24 students selected annually
Dates: June 23 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: High school juniors from low-income or underrepresented backgrounds in Northern and Central California
Cost/Stipend: None; program is free of charge
6. Carnegie Mellon Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
SAMS is a fully-funded six-week program at Carnegie Mellon University offering rigorous coursework in math and science. It is split into two parts, with a two-day virtual preparatory component, followed by the core six-week in-person experience. The curriculum involves classroom instruction, weekly writing workshops, small mentoring groups, STEM research and career exploration workshops, preparing you for a STEM career, and fostering a strong sense of community.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 100 students selected annually
Dates:
Virtual Jumpstart: June 16 – 17
On-Campus Program: June 21 – August 2
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds, aged at least 16 years
Cost/Stipend: None; program is fully funded and merit-based
7. Harvard Pre-College Program
Harvard's Pre-College Program offers high school students a two-week residential experience, allowing them to explore college-level courses across various subjects. As a participant, you’ll go through rigorous academics, interactive workshops, and the thrill of campus life, fostering both intellectual and personal growth. The program is offered in three sessions and welcomes international students as well.
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective admission process, with each batch numbering no more than 15 students.
Dates:
Session I: June 22 – July 3
Session II: July 6 – 18
Session III: July 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 12
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors aged at least 16 years from across the globe.
Cost/Stipend: $5,800 + $75 application fee
8. Boston University High School Honors Program
This six-week program allows high school students to enroll in undergraduate courses alongside BU students, earning college credit. You can choose from a wide array of subjects, gaining exposure to college academics and campus life. It’s an intensive program where you will learn alongside Boston University undergraduates, fully experiencing what college classes are like, and being rewarded for your efforts with 8 college credits that you can apply to your future studies.
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 200 students accepted each year
Dates: June 29 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 23 (March 14 for international students)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Cost/Stipend: $6,520 for tuition + $60 application fee. Room & board cost extra. Limited financial aid is available.
9. Johns Hopkins University Summer Pre-College Programs
Johns Hopkins offers a variety of two-week pre-college programs focusing on medicine, neuroscience, and psychology. There are three sessions available, both online and offline, and many subjects are available both online and on campus, allowing you flexibility in which subject to choose and how to attend. Regardless of the medium, you will engage in intensive coursework, plenty of practical learning sessions, and non-academic activities to help you better understand future opportunities in your chosen subject.
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by program
Dates: Multiple sessions between late June and early August
Application Deadline: Mid-April
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-17
Cost/Stipend: $6,140 for on-campus | $1,950 for online
10. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
SUMaC is a three-week program for students passionate about mathematics. Through advanced lectures, group problem-solving sessions, and guided mentoring, the program fosters a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. You will learn the history of mathematics as well as the most current mathematical research and its practical applications.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 40 students
Dates:
Online Session One: June 16 – July 4
Online Session Two: July 7 – 25
Residential Session: June 22 – July 18
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors
Cost/Stipend: $3,580 for online and $8,575 for residential
11. Georgetown University Summer High School Sessions
Georgetown University’s Hoya Summer High School Sessions give high school students a chance to explore academic interests, earn college credit, and connect with peers from around the world. The program offers courses across multiple disciplines, providing experience with college-level coursework. Students can choose from online options, making the program accessible from any location. Additionally, extracurricular activities and college preparation workshops enhance the overall experience.
Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective admission process requiring a GPA of at least 3.0 or above
Dates: Multiple sessions between June and August
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 and above
Cost/Stipend: Varying program fees depending on whether you attend 1-week, 2-week, or 3-week academies.
12. New Jersey Scholars Program (NJSP)
NJSP is a fully funded five-week residential program for academically talented high school juniors residing in New Jersey. The program offers interdisciplinary seminars on a topic that changes biannually, fostering critical thinking and intellectual growth. Unlike other programs on this list, one does not apply to NJSP online – each school in New Jersey nominates two students to participate in this program. As an NJSP Scholar, you will participate in lectures and small-group seminars, pursue research, write essays, and work closely with faculty from universities like Harvard, MIT, Johns Hopkins, and more to produce an interdisciplinary research paper.
Location: The Lawrenceville School, Lawrenceville, NJ
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 39 students selected annually via nominations from New Jersey schools
Dates: June 29 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 17
Eligibility: High school juniors from New Jersey
Cost/Stipend: None; program is free of charge
13. University of Southern California (USC) Online Pre-College Programs
The University of Southern California offers online pre-college courses for high school students to explore different academic fields. Subjects include business, screenwriting, and media, giving students exposure to college-level coursework. Participants engage in interactive learning, build practical skills, and explore potential career paths. The program’s flexible format allows students to balance their studies with other summer activities.
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective admission process across all courses.
Dates: June 15 – July 12
Application Deadline: May 2
Eligibility: Both international and domestic high school students aged 16 and above
Cost/Stipend: $11,347 for residential | $7,812 for commuter
14. SMASH Academy at Stanford University
SMASH Academy is a state-of-the-art computer science summer enrichment program aimed at empowering high school students from underrepresented backgrounds with a rich education in coding. It offers year-long support after a free summer of residential programming, engaging you in rigorous courses in Computer Science (CS), College Success, CS Pathways, and various electives. It helps foster a strong foundation in coding, and the learning and alumni community prepare you for college and future careers.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective application process
Dates: Year-long support with classes in the summer
Application Deadline: Mid-February
Eligibility: 10th or 11th graders attending a public high school or a private school via scholarship (preferably near SMASH locations like the Bay Area). Applicants must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, demonstrate strong math skills for their grade level, and show a strong interest in pursuing a degree or career in computer science.
Cost/Stipend: None; program is free of charge
15. University of Illinois Springfield Academic Summer Camps
The University of Illinois Springfield offers a variety of academic summer camps for high school students, focusing on topics such as public policy, environmental science, reading strategies, and artificial intelligence. These short but intense camps provide hands-on learning experiences, allowing you to explore your interests in a quick, interactive, and highly guided environment.
Location: University of Illinois Springfield, Springfield, IL
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by camp
Dates: Various sessions between June and July
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-18
Cost/Stipend: Nominal fees of $99 to $249, depending on program
16. Aspirnaut™ Summer Research Internship Program
The Aspirnaut™ Summer Research Internship Program is a six-week residential program at Vanderbilt University, offering high school students the opportunity to conduct biomedical research. You will be an intern embedded at a biomedical research lab alongside a team of fellow researchers working on topics like diabetes, cancer, and regenerative biology projects. You will be conducting your own research, contributing to your team’s goals, attending seminars, and receiving mentorship from faculty. It’s a great opportunity to enhance your understanding of scientific research and potential career paths.
Location: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 10 students per cohort
Dates: June 1 – July 12
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school students aged 15 or older
Cost/Stipend: None; participants receive a stipend
17. SSP (Summer Science Program)
The Summer Science Program (SSP) is a prestigious research-based summer program that offers an AI-focused track in collaboration with top universities. Here you will apply AI techniques to analyze astronomical data, using machine learning to identify celestial objects or model space phenomena. The program features intensive coursework, hands-on coding exercises, and collaborative research projects. You also get to work with professional astronomers and AI scientists to develop innovative solutions to astronomical challenges.
Location: Multiple campuses, including New Mexico State University, University of Colorado Boulder, Georgia College & State University
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 500-600 total participants every year
Dates: June to August (individual dates depend upon the area chosen). More details here
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who have completed the relevant coursework
Cost/Stipend: Free for participants with a family income of $75,000 or less.
18. University of Chicago's Pathways in Molecular Engineering
This program introduces high schoolers to the field of molecular engineering through a three-week-long program involving hands-on experiments, lectures, and projects. You’ll get to explore topics such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, and materials science, gaining insight into cutting-edge research and potential career paths in engineering.
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 30 students per session
Dates: July 7 – July 26
Application Deadline: Early April 1
Eligibility: High school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors
Cost/Stipend: $8,900
19. Columbia University's Summer Immersion Program
Columbia offers a three-week program where you can immerse yourself in college-level courses ranging from creative writing to neuroscience. Each day includes at least four hours of intensive instruction led by Columbia faculty and scholars, followed by hands-on project work and engaging co-curricular activities that bring classroom learning to life. Outside of academics, students participate in college prep seminars, community-building events, and explore NYC through guided outings.
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by course
Dates:
Session A: June 30 – July 18
Session B: July 22 – August 8
Session C (1-Week Commuter and Online): August 11 – August 15
Session AB (6-week option): June 30 - August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9-12 who are at least 16 years old
Cost/Stipend:
Residential: $12,750
Commuter: $6,300
20. Michigan Math and Science Scholars (MMSS) at the University of Michigan
The Michigan Math and Science Scholars (MMSS) program is a summer enrichment initiative designed to introduce high school students to contemporary developments and research in various scientific fields. You’ll be able to select from a diverse array of courses, including anthropology, astronomy, chemistry, ecology, mathematics, and physics, each led by University of Michigan faculty. The program emphasizes hands-on learning through research projects, laboratory work, and field studies, allowing you to explore potential STEM career paths. Both residential and commuter options are available, with residential students experiencing campus life and participating in evening and weekend activities.
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 15 students per class
Dates: Three sessions available:
Session 1: June 22 – July 4
Session 2: July 6 – July 18
Session 3: July 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; early application is encouraged
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Cost/Stipend: The tuition is $1,300, with an additional $1,100 required for residential students