15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Michigan
If you are a high school student looking to apply to top colleges, consider participating in a high school summer program. They’re a productive way to spend the summer and offer opportunities to extend your learning beyond the classroom. Additionally, you will have the chance to gain experience in your chosen field while working alongside industry professionals. Participating in a summer program can enhance your college applications by demonstrating to admissions officers your dedication to your interests.
Why choose a summer program in Michigan?
Michigan provides a diverse selection of summer programs for high school students at local colleges and public universities, featuring mentorship from faculty, students, and alumni. These programs offer opportunities in STEM, science, the arts, engineering, or medical research. They also offer valuable insight into possible college majors and help you explore potential career paths. Below is a list of 15 summer programs for high school students in Michigan that cover a broad range of fields, including agriculture, entrepreneurship, science, mathematics, scientific research, coding, AI, and more!
15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Michigan
1. Michigan State University: Upward Bound Program
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: 125 approx.
Program Dates: Throughout the year, with a 6-week summer component
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Low-income high school students in the Lansing area; The summer academy is also open to high school students from Flint, Detroit, and Muskegon
Michigan State University's Upward Bound (UB) Program is a college-preparation program for first-generation and low-income students, combining school-year tutoring with an on-campus summer enrichment program to prepare for post-secondary education. As a participant, you will get tips on studying and preparing for college, attend counselling sessions on financial aid, and receive assistance to expedite college admission. You will also attend a summer academy, a six-week enrichment program with rigorous academic curricula in science, math, and other subjects. Aside from this, you will go on field trips, where you can apply classroom knowledge in real-life settings. You will continue to get support from the UB staff even after you enter college.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Full financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students
If you’re interested in gaining experience with a rapidly growing startup during your summer break, consider Ladder Internships, a selective internship program designed for ambitious high school students. Ladder’s partner companies are characterized by high growth, with many raising over a million dollars in funding. The participating startups span a variety of industries, including technology, deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Throughout the 8-week internship, you will work closely with startup managers on real-world projects and have the opportunity to present your work to the company.
3. Michigan State University: Multicultural Apprenticeship Program (MAP)
Location: MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, East Lansing, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free; Stipend offered
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Program Dates: July 5 – 31
Application Deadline: December 22 – March 13
Eligibility: High school students currently in grades 10-11 with a strong interest and aptitude in science, math, and other academic areas
Michigan State University's Multicultural Apprenticeship Program (MAP) provides you with lab and field research opportunities. During the program, you will be matched with a faculty member of MSU's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) to work on a research project. You will gain hands-on experience in an agricultural field, such as agricultural engineering, horticulture, forestry, food science, veterinary medicine, and more. You will also gain key skills in lab techniques, field methodologies, and technical expertise. Aside from this, you will attend leadership seminars, undertake field trips, and participate with peers in social and other activities. The program also offers the opportunity to build connections while interacting with faculty from MSU and other academic institutions, as well as professionals from the agricultural industry and government organizations.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Full financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program connects high school students with Ph.D. mentors for one-on-one engagement on an independent research project. During your summer break, you will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of subject areas through personalized research experiences in your field of interest. Upon completion of the 12-week program, you will have developed an independent research paper. You can select research topics from disciplines such as STEM, humanities, law, and others. More details about the application process can be found here.
5. Michigan State University KCP/MI GEAR UP Program
Location: School locations with an on-campus summer component at MSU
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: Over 1,000+ across MI schools
Program Dates: Academic year and summer components offered
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: Low-income, first-generation students enrolled in MI schools in which 50% or more of the students are eligible for free/reduced lunch (check criteria here)
MSU's Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate (GEAR UP) Program (formerly the M.S.U. King-Chavez-Parks) provides low-income, underrepresented students with an educational experience over the span of six years, from 7th grade through the college freshman year. As a participant, you will improve academic proficiency in math, science, reading, and technology, and prepare for college with academic advising and financial aid counselling. You will attend educational workshops on weekends, receive tutoring and test prep sessions, get guidance on developing study skills, and participate in mentoring and outreach programs. In the summer component, you will reside on campus with peers and undertake college tours, including to Ivy League universities.
6. MSU Broad College of Business: Entrepreneur Leadership High School Camp
Location: Eli Broad College of Business, Michigan State University, MI
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 23 – 26
Application Deadline: April 11
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The Entrepreneur Leadership High School Camp at MSU's Eli Broad College of Business is a residential summer program that offers the opportunity to explore venture creation, develop business acumen, and build connections with business leaders. As a participant, you will share ideas and create business plans with peers under mentorship from faculty, industry professionals, and local entrepreneurs. You will also attend workshops and seminars by corporate professionals and MSU faculty, covering various aspects of entrepreneurship, such as marketing strategies, financial planning, and participate in team-building activities, and more. The program allows you to develop core business skills in the development of a business model, e-commerce, and the like. It will wrap up with presentations and keynote speeches by faculty and entrepreneurs.
7. Wayne State University Semiconductor Stars Program
Location: Wayne State University, James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering, Detroit, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free; $200 stipend/week
Cohort Size: 10
Program Dates: July 28 – August 22
Application Deadline: June 15
Eligibility: Rising 9th-12th graders
The Semiconductor Stars Program at Wayne State University's James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering provides opportunities for you to explore engineering research careers with two tracks: Semiconductor Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing. During the program, you will work on projects under the mentorship of faculty, graduate, and undergraduate students, learn to meet scientific challenges, and develop lab skills in sophisticated electrical and mechanical engineering labs. In the semiconductor engineering track, the focus is on designing, building prototypes, and testing computer chips. Whereas, in the advanced manufacturing track, you will learn the principles of mechanical design and materials selection with hands-on experience using advanced fabrication tools.
8. Wayne State University Ocean Odyssey Program
Location: Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Program Dates: July 14 – August 7
Application Deadline: Rolling until spots fill
Eligibility: High school students
If you’re keen to explore careers in ocean science, consider the Ocean Odyssey: Exploring Ocean Technology through the Engineering program. It is a four-week summer academy program during which you will gain foundational knowledge of currents, waves, and tides. You will also learn about renewable energy harvesting, how oceans are impacted by climate change, and more. Aside from this, the program allows you to use sophisticated software and 3D printers to design and build prototypes, such as wave energy harvesters, and test them in a simulated aquatic environment. You will receive a certificate of completion at the conclusion of the program.
9. Eastern Michigan University High School Summer Science Program
Location: Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: 8-12 students
Program Dates: June 22 – July 13
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Local high school students who have completed at least one science class
Eastern Michigan University (EMU)'s College of Education High School Summer Science Research Program provides underrepresented, low-income, and first-generation high school students opportunities to have immersive learning experiences while working on scientific research projects. During the program, you will be matched with a faculty member and a student mentor to work on an original scientific research project in biology, chemistry, or physics. Earlier cohorts have worked on projects related to cancer, how soil bacteria can potentially produce antibiotics, ecological processes, and the like. You will also participate in safety training sessions, attend workshops on ethics in science, and on career development to learn about potential science majors. Additionally, you will learn new scientific terminology and build professional skills such as the use of lab safety tools, how to record detailed data, scientific protocols in research, and more. You will be expected to prepare and make a scientific poster presentation by the end of the program.
10. Wayne State University's Discovery to Cure Program
Location: Wayne State University, C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Detroit, MI
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: Typically 25-30
Program Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (16+)
If you’re interested in participating in hands-on medical research, consider the Discovery to Cure Program. During this eight-week program, you will work in a faculty member's research lab. You will receive relevant training and work under the mentorship of the primary researcher and postdoctoral students/research assistants. The C.S. Mott Center's wide spectrum of biological, cellular, and molecular research work includes fields of cancer, infertility, genomics, and more. In addition to 40 hours/week of lab work, you will attend research seminars with a research presentation day on the last day of the program.
11. MSU St. Andrews Summer Research Program
Location: MSU St. Andrews, Midland, MI
Cost/Stipend: Not mentioned
Cohort Size: Earlier cohorts had 13-24 students
Program Dates: 7-8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Opens in March
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors able to commit to the entire duration of the program
The MSU St. Andrews Summer Research Program, a collaborative venture with the American Chemical Society, provides you with educational experiences in a broad spectrum of fields, including applied chemistry, organic chemistry, environmental science, and materials science. As a participant, you will work on real-world projects under the mentorship of professional researchers. Earlier cohorts have worked on research projects on renewable plastic reagents, drug therapies, RFID scanning of pharmaceuticals, and the like. You will also learn research methodologies and lab techniques, working on sophisticated equipment. By the end of the program, you will be expected to present posters of your work so far.
12. University of Michigan: Math and Science Scholars Summer Program (MMSS)
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: $100 application fee + $1,400 tuition + $1,100 for residential option; Need-based financial aid is available
Cohort Size: Up to 15 per class
Program Dates: June 21 – July 3 (Session I); July 5 – July 17 (Session II); July 19 – July 31 (Session III)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis till spots fill (applications typically open in mid-January)
Eligibility: High school rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors; Prerequisite knowledge may be required for some courses
The University of Michigan's Michigan Math and Science Scholars (MMSS) program provides opportunities for you to explore research in math and science fields with commuter and residential options. As a participant, you may select one course per session aligned with your interests, such as art and music, environmental issues, computer science, mathematics, psychology, biology, and other fields. You will also get to explore mathematics in works of Art, investigate environmental issues through fieldwork and lab experiments, dive into AI and data science, learn about neuroimaging technology, and more. Aside from this, you will attend lectures led by Ph.D. faculty and gain insight into hands-on applications of the discipline in real-life scenarios. Many of the courses incorporate discussions, field trips, and demonstrations.
13. Oakland University's Explorations in Health Careers Summer Camp
Location: Oakland University, School of Health Sciences, Rochester, MI
Cost: Varies
Cohort Size: Earlier cohorts had 40-60 students
Program Dates: June 15 – 19 (Section 1) and June 22 – 26 (Section 2)
Application Deadline: Opens on February 1
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10-12
Oakland University's School of Health Sciences (SHS) provides opportunities for you to explore an array of health careers such as clinical and diagnostic sciences, interdisciplinary health sciences, public health and environmental wellness, and associated fields. You will participate in hands-on activities to find solutions to real-world health challenges and gain exposure to the university experience in general. You will also learn the roles and responsibilities of health professionals such as physicians, nutritionists, health imaging specialists, physical therapists, and more. The program also allows you to go on tours of the campus, visiting high-tech clinical, simulation, computer, and media labs. It also gives you the chance to interact with faculty and healthcare professionals to learn about higher education and future career opportunities.
14. Wayne State University's Summer Aviation Career Education (ACE) Academy
Location: Wayne University, Detroit, MI
Cost: Not mentioned
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 10 – 14
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: High school students
Wayne State University's Summer Aviation Career Education (ACE) Academy is a five-day summer camp that allows you to explore careers in aviation. You will learn theoretical aspects such as the fundamentals of aerodynamics, the history of flight, and the like, as well as gain practical experience through flight simulators. You will also attend demonstrations on rockets and drones and get a model kit. Aside from this, the program allows you to go on field trips to educational institutions, airports, and other aviation facilities. You will also have the chance to gain networking opportunities while interacting with aviation professionals.
15. University of Michigan Joy of Coding
Location: Virtual
Cost: $149 + tax; Need-based financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not mentioned
Program Dates: June 17 – July 31
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students (13+) who have completed high school algebra and have knowledge of function notation (check basic requirements here)
The University of Michigan's Electrical Engineering faculty's Joy of Coding is a fully virtual, self-paced introductory coding program for pre-college high school students. As a participant, you will complete an integrated lecture led by a university faculty as well as a reading and coding module each week, with 1-on-1 support from a team of engineering students. The course gives insight into the application of math concepts, with the course modules incorporating descriptions, short videos, and challenges. The syllabus covers functions, flows, and loops, and you will get to build your own AI Chatbot. On completing the program, you will receive a certificate of accomplishment.
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