Colleges expect high school students to do something noteworthy and worthwhile with their summers, to use the time away from school to explore their passions or pursue their interests. How they do so is up to them, but many colleges offer a wide array of summer programs for high school students to explore.
There is sometimes a belief that attending a summer program at a particular college will help you apply to that college later. This is generally not the case; indeed, some summer programs offered by top colleges are probably not worth the high prices they charge, whereas others are amazing experiences which will boost your college candidacy.
It can be difficult for students and parents to tell the difference between these, especially with how these programs are advertised. In this article, we’re going to go over summer programs offered by Top 20 colleges, to explore what they offer, what they cost, and whether we think they’re worth it. Let’s get started!
How We Evaluate Summer Programs
There are numerous factors to evaluate when deciding if a summer program is the right way to spend your time and money. Due to limitations on both, students can’t do every program which looks potentially interesting to them, so choices have to be made. We use the following criteria to examine whether a program is a good idea for a particular student:
- Is the program a good fit? That is, does it allow the student to explore something they are passionate about?
- How long is the program, and how in-depth and advanced is the material it covers?
- Who leads the program, and what credentials do they have?
- How selective is the program, and how difficult is it for students to gain a place in it?
- What are the logistical details of the program? (Cost, location, housing, transportation, supplies; all the little details).
When evaluating programs here, we will speak to their general utility, but understand that a program which works very well for one student may not suit another’s needs at all. If you want a more personalized evaluation of your summer program options, or help finding something else to help you pursue your interests over the summer, schedule a free consultation with us today to gain advice applicable to your unique situation.
We will now evaluate schools in alphabetical order.
Brown University High School Summer Programs
Brown Pre-College: This is an umbrella organization for summer programs offered by Brown, led by Brown faculty. These all share a single application, but have different eligibility requirements. These are mostly courses offered on Brown’s campus or online, which let you take college level coursework as a high school student. While this can give you a strong introduction to subjects you might not experience otherwise, it also isn’t a unique offering.
An exception is Brown’s Environmental Leadership Labs (BELL), which allows students to gain field or lab experience in the field of environmental science. These programs unfortunately are quite short, only two weeks, but serve as a very good introduction to field ecology and conservation studies for students interested in those fields.
Caltech High School Summer Programs
iDTech: This is a mix between summer courses and summer camp, offered for students aged 10-17. Courses are broken up by age and grade, and are meant to suit the skill level of those taking them. These are good introductory courses for students interested in coding and technology, but do not offer higher level research opportunities.
Summer Research Connection: This program is only for students who attend schools in the Pasadena Unified School District, but allows science teachers and their students to work with Caltech researchers conducting real research, and contributing to ongoing projects. If you live in Pasadena, this is something to discuss with your science teachers.
Columbia University High School Summer Programs
College Edge: Columbia allows advanced 11th and 12th grade students to take college courses on their campus for credit alongside undergraduates. This is a good chance to explore subjects you otherwise could not in high school, and to get some sense of the college experience.
Summer Journalism Workshop: Sponsored by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, this program is a series of week-long workshops, both virtual and in person, for highschool students and teachers interested in pursuing journalism. Each workshop has a different topic, and allows participants to learn from experts in the field. This is a great choice for students interested in journalism.
Cornell Summer Programs for High School Students
Pre-College Studies: These are courses you can enroll in as a high school student which mirror those offered to undergrads at Cornell, and which have the option of granting college credit. These cover a number of different subjects, but we recommend sticking to those you cannot access easily already. These are just courses however, and do not offer research opportunities.
Engineering High School Outreach Program: This is an umbrella, offering two distinct week-long programs, both meant to introduce students to engineering concepts and help them determine if they want to pursue the study of engineering. Open to rising juniors and seniors, these programs are a good choice if you have no prior exposure to engineering, and are uncertain if you want to pursue it. Students with more experience in the field will not benefit as strongly.
Dartmouth Summer Programs for High School Students
Summer Scholars: Designed for high school students, these courses mirror those offered to Dartmouth undergraduates, while also giving you a chance to experience what life is like on a college campus. Note that this program is administered by Summer Discovery, rather than being run by Dartmouth directly, and mostly uses Dartmouth as a host and to gain branding that is widely recognizable.
Strengthening Education Access with Dartmouth (SEAD): is a program which enrolls underserved students from rural areas of Vermont and New Hampshire, with the goal of preparing them for college. This program is open to first generation and low income students. It begins in the summer after your freshman year of high school, and continues until your sophomore year of college. If you meet the eligibility requirements for this program, we strongly recommend it, as it will give you many tools to help prepare you for college.
Duke Summer Programs for High School Students
Summer Sessions: Duke offers for-credit coursework on its campus during the summer; while these are primarily aimed at current students, high school students may apply to enroll in these courses as well. You must be currently in 10th or 11th grade to apply. Note that this is a nonresidential program; you may either commute to campus as a local student, or may participate virtually. There is no option in this program to stay on campus. We recommend taking courses you could not otherwise find in high school if you complete this program.
Summer Residential Program: This offers students in middle and high school a chance to live on Duke’s campus and take advanced coursework. These programs only last two weeks, do not offer college credit, and are distinct from the four-week summer session courses. These programs are more intended to give you a taste of college life, and possibly explore a potential major.
Duke University Marine Lab: This is a one week program, with options for both middle and high school students. This is a residential program, where students complete course and field work related to marine biology. This is not the most in-depth introduction to the field, but if you are curious as to pursuing marine biology as a field of study, it could be worth your time.
Coding Camp: This is a three week virtual camp which seeks to introduce students in grades 9-11 to various coding languages and skills. The course offers around three hours of work per day, in the form of both recorded lectures and live sessions. There is no residential option for this program. This is an option for students interested in learning coding, though it is introductory.
Summer Training in Academic Research: This program is run by Duke’s Clinical Research Institute, and is an opportunity for advanced high school students and undergraduates to participate in a group research project under the direction of a faculty mentor. During the eight week residential program, students take a research project from hypothesis through testing and a write up of the conclusions they can draw from it. This is a very competitive program, and is the best summer program offered by Duke for high school students.
Harvard Summer Programs for High School Students
Pre-College Program: This is a two week program which lets students get a taste of life at Harvard and take some advanced classes. These classes are not offered for credit, but explore a range of subjects which may be of interest. You must be at least 16 and a rising junior or senior to participate. This program is not as rigorous as their other option to take summer courses at Harvard.
Secondary School Program: This program offers four-week and seven-week courses on Harvard’s campus, where high school students take courses alongside undergrads. The four week person is solely residential, while the seven-week has residential, commuter and virtual options. These courses do grant college credit. These can be a useful option to explore high level coursework in subjects that you would otherwise not encounter in high school.
Harvard Ventures-Tech: This program is run by the Technology and Entrepreneurship Center at Harvard, and by the student group Harvard College Ventures. This program places high school students with virtual internships with start-ups, and provides mentorship from Harvard affiliates. Note that despite its name and affiliation, the program is not directly administered by Harvard. It is still a good opportunity for students interested in entrepreneurship.
StatStart: This is a free four week program which seeks to introduce underrepresented students to data science and biostatistics. Students take courses in these subjects, and receive mentoring from Harvard faculty. If you are eligible for this program, it is a great choice to participate in.
Johns Hopkins Summer Programs for High School Students
Center for Talented Youth: Offers both in person summer options and academic year virtual ones for talented students in middle and high school. This program does require a fairly rigorous application process, but grants access to a significant level of advanced programming. This is a good option for younger students who want to explore many options in depth, and aren’t sure yet where precisely they want to specialize.
Engineering Innovation: These are in person or virtual classes which allow high school students to explore various engineering topics. These courses offer college credit. In person classes may be residential or commuter. Applications are done online; there is a single application for the entire suite of program options, though the deadline changes depending on whether or not you need a visa. This is a good option for students with an interest in engineering.
MIT Summer Programs for High School Students
MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science (MITES): The point of this program is to introduce underrepresented students to various STEM fields, and to encourage them to explore them at a high level. This program is free to participants, and lasts six weeks on MIT’s campus. This program is only open to rising seniors. We strongly recommend students who are eligible for this program and interested in STEM apply.
Research Science Institute (RSI): This is one of the best and most competitive summer programs in the country. This allows students to explore original research under the guidance of mentors, and deliver reports on their findings to their peers. Participants in the program are significantly more likely than average to be admitted to MIT. The program is free to participants. If you are interested in science or research, we recommend applying to this program. It does have a very low acceptance rate, because it is a very popular program.
Women’s Technology Program (WTP): This is a four week summer program meant to introduce students to the field with limited prior experience in engineering and technology. The program is meant for women specifically, as the name suggests, and admits students in the summer after their junior year. This is a residential program. We recommend women who are considering majoring in engineering and have not had a chance to explore it previously apply to this program.
Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI): This program allows high school students to take classes at MIT during the summer, either virtually or in person. There is no residential component to this program; students taking classes in person must commute or are otherwise responsible for their own housing. These classes are hands-on and project based, where students complete a specific program over the course of four weeks. This is a good option for students with an interest in engineering.
Notre Dame Summer Programs for High School Students
Summer Scholars Program: These are two-week courses taught on Notre Dame’s campus by their faculty in a variety of subject areas. These are taught at a high level, but do not offer college credit. These are a good way to sample college life, especially the one provided by Notre Dame.
Leadership Seminars: This is a ten day program hosted on Notre Dame’s campus where 150 students attend lectures and seminars, earning a point of college credit upon completion. This program is fully funded by the university, and students do not need to pay to participate. This is a very competitive program, with a low acceptance rate. This is a good option for many students, especially those who aren’t yet certain what they want to major in, but want a taste of the college experience.
Study Abroad: These are two week programs meant to recreate the college study abroad experience, letting high school students take coursework and explore a variety of foreign countries. These programs last two weeks, and are hosted at Notre Dame’s global partner school, in Italy, Ireland, South Africa, and England. This is an option if you want to gain some international experience.
Northwestern Summer Programs for High School Students
National High School Institute (NHSI): This is a very old summer program, founded in 1931, and is meant for talented high school students interested in the following fields: Theatre Arts, Film & Video, Debate, and Playwriting. Note that each of these divisions has its own admissions requirements; while they are all under a single umbrella they operate entirely separately. If you have an interest and experience in one of these fields, this program is a great way to explore it further.
Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute: This is a five week journalism summer program hosted on Northwestern’s campus, where students study various aspects of the craft, and learn from Northwestern faculty and professionals in the field. Up to 84 students are admitted each year from around the world. This is a good choice of program if you are interested in journalism as a field of study.
College Prep Program: These are a variety of course options available to high school students at Northwestern. There are two week, four week, and full for-credit courses available, depending on your level of interest. Courses are available both in person and online. These are open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors. These are a good option to explore fields you may be interested in that you cannot access in high school.
Princeton Summer Programs for High School Students
Laboratory Learning Program: This is a research internship where students join an existing research team on campus, supervised by Princeton faculty and staff, and contribute to their ongoing projects. This program is open to students who are 16 or older, and who are New Jersey residents. It is free of charge to participate. This is not a camp; there is no housing or transportation provided, and there is no social component, the point is for students to learn the work of research over five or six weeks. This is a great program if you meet the eligibility requirements.
Princeton Summer Journalism Program: This program admits up to forty rising seniors from around the country for a summer journalism program, then offers them college advising throughout their senior year. This program is aimed at students from limited income backgrounds, and is free of charge. Students who qualify and who are interested in journalism should consider applying.
Rice University Summer Programs for High School Students
Visiting Owls: This program allows high school students or visiting undergraduates to take courses for credit at Rice. These courses are available in person or online. There is no housing offered for high school students, so only a small number of in person classes may be taken by students who are local to Houston. This is a way you can explore topics otherwise unavailable to you in high school.
Aerospace Academy: This is a twelve day program for high school students to gain an introduction to aerospace. Note that while it is hosted on Rice’s campus, the program is not run directly by Rice, but by a third party organization. This is an introductory program, and not the best choice for students wanting an in depth exploration of the field.
Creative Writing Camp: This camp is open to students in grades K-12, with different options for different grade levels. It serves to help them enhance their skill with creative writing specifically. There are both in person and virtual options for these camps. These are not the most advanced writing option available, but are great for younger students.
Tapia Stem Camps: These are week-long in-person camps held on Rice’s campus, which put students through a rigorous if short term STEM course. They are open to rising 8-12th graders. These are a good option for younger students, but older ones may not benefit as much.
Elite Tech Camps: These are a series of camps offered by Rice’s engineering department, in coordination with the Rice Center for Engineering Leadership. There are both in person and virtual options, with the opportunity for students to explore various aspects of engineering and technology. These camps are a good option for students with an interest in these fields.
Stanford Summer Programs for High School Students
Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills Summer Internship: This is a two week internship for students interested in medicine, which provides knowledge on both introductory and advanced surgery techniques, along with hands-on practice on models and simulations. Students must be at least 16 to apply for this program. This is a good option for students with an interest in medicine.
Genomics Research Internship Program: This is an eight week long research internship offered to high school students who live in the Bay area. Students are placed with a mentor, and conduct lab research under their guidance, along with attending other program activities. This program takes place in person, and no housing is provided. It is only open to students local to the school, who are at least 16. This is a very good option for eligible students.
Pediatrics Internship Program: This is a six week long internship open to students from across Northern California, but specifically targeted at those from underrepresented demographics, with the goal of increasing their interest and participation in medicine. There is no cost to participate in this program. Housing is not provided, students are required to stay with family and commute in for the duration of the program. This is a great option for eligible students.
Science Technology and Reconstructive Surgery Internship: This is a seven week internship for students of all backgrounds, though those from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Students learn lab techniques and participate in research with lab mentors. You must be at least 16 to apply; there is no cost to participate in this program, but housing is not provided. This is a great option for students interested in medicine.
Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR): This is an eight week program where students complete research under the guidance of Stanford mentors, with the goal of increasing their interest in medical research. Students must be 16 or older, attend high school in the US, and be US citizens or permanent residents to participate. There is no cost to participate in the program, and participants are awarded a stipend. Housing is not provided by the program. This is one of the top summer programs for students interested in medicine.
Stanford AI for All: This is a three week virtual program for high school students which covers AI topics in great depth through lectures and coursework. Participants also complete small group research projects to gain a hands-on understanding of AI. This program is open to current 9th grade students, and is a great opportunity for students interested in computer science who are eligible.
Stanford Summer College: High school students are able to take eight-week courses at Stanford during the summer. These are in person; you can either stay on campus or attend as a commuter. You must be at least 16 and a current sophomore, junior, or senior at the time of your application. This is a good option to explore coursework you cannot find in your high school.
Stanford Summer Humanities Institute: This is a three week program for students interested in the humanities, designed to imitate the college experience. Students live on campus, take courses, and complete a small research project. These courses are not for credit. Students must be at least 16 to participate. This is a reasonable option for students with an interest in the humanities.
Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC): This is a program designed to introduce high school students to higher order mathematical concepts and thinking. There are both virtual sessions (3 weeks) and residential sessions (4 weeks) offered. Students must currently be in 10th or 11th grade to apply. This is a great option for students with a strong interest in math.
Stanford Anesthesia Summer Institute: This two week program introduces high school students to medical concepts, and gives them hands-on access and training to the discipline of anesthesiology. The program is competitive for admissions, and you must be at least 16 to apply. This is a good option for students with an interest in medicine.
UChicago Summer programs for High School Students
Summer Sessions: High school students are invited to take courses at UChicago for credit during their summer quarter. Each course is three weeks long, and takes place on campus. There is an alternate online program for students who want to take classes virtually. These courses are in a variety of subjects, and are equivalent to undergraduate coursework. You must be at least 14 and in high school to apply. These are a good option to explore coursework in a field you do not have access to otherwise.
Research In the Biological Sciences (RIBS): This four week course seeks to teach student lab and experimental techniques in a working laboratory, under the guidance of faculty. After two weeks of training, they embark on an independent project for the second two weeks. Students must currently be in 10th or 11th grade and have completed a year of high school biology to apply. This is a good option for students with an interest in biology.
Summer Language Institute: This eight week program is designed to reproduce a full year’s worth of language study. This course is taught entirely online, with no in person option. You must be a high school junior or older to sign up. This is a good option for students interested in pursuing a new language.
Stones and Bones: This is a four week paleontology summer course, including a field component where students excavate dinosaur bones in Wyoming. You must be at least 14 and in 10th or 11th grade to apply. This program is in person, in both Chicago and Wyoming. This program is notably expensive, even by the standards of these programs. This is a great program for students interested in paleontology, due to the field work component.
UC Berkeley Summer Programs for High School Students
Summer Sessions: High school students can take courses for credit alongside undergraduates at Berkeley during the summer. There are residential, commuter, and virtual options for courses, though not every course supports every format. These do grant college credit, but you can take courses not for credit as well. This is a good option to experience what college life is like, and to explore subjects which are unavailable in high school.
Pre-Collegiate Program: This is akin to summer courses, but is more formalized. 250 students live in Berkeley housing, take courses on campus, and learn what life at college is like. This program is a good option if you want to experience college while still in high school, and get a sense of what it entails.
Summer Computer Science Academy: These are two week intensive courses for students with a strong interest in computer science. You must be 16 or 17 to participate. This is in person, and participants stay in the dorms on Berkeley’s campus. There are daily courses and lots of hands-on programming experience. This is a good option for students with an interest in computer science.
UCLA Summer Programs for High School Students
Summer Courses: These are offered in person, and let you take college coursework alongside undergraduates, earning credit along the way. Note that housing is not included in this program; you are left to find that on your own. High school students may only tak approved courses; not all courses offered will be available to you, though there is still a broad selection. This is an option to explore subjects you otherwise could not in high school.
Summer College Immersion Program: This is meant to simulate the college experience for high school students, so you can get a sense of what lies ahead. You live on UCLA’s campus, take courses for credit, and attend other events organized by the program. This is an option if you want to sample college life in depth.
Pre-College Summer Institutes: UCLA offers a number of institutes covering different topics, each of which combines coursework with other instruction to give you a full sense of a field. These are in person, and some mandate staying on UCLA’s campus, while others have a commuter option. Each of these explores a different area, and lasts for one to three weeks. This is a good option to explore a subject in depth if you are otherwise unable to in high school.
University of Pennsylvania Summer Programs for High School Students
Penn Summer Academies: These are three week programs which combine social theory with practice, often with a lab component. These are led by UPenn faculty, with help from undergrad assistants, and cover a wide array of fields. There are both in person and virtual options. This is a reasonable option for students interested in exploring a particular field.
Pre College Program: High school students are able to enroll in Penn courses for credit in a wide array of disciplines. There are both in-person and virtual course options, though not all courses are offered in both mediums (courses with lab requirements usually require being in person). This is a good option for students with an interest in experiencing campus life.
Wharton Global Youth Initiative: This is a collection of programs offered by Penn’s Wharton School, which seek to introduce high school students to different aspects of business. These range from two to three weeks in length, and enroll students in various stages of high school. These are great options for students with an interest in business, entrepreneurship, or any of the specific fields explored by these topics.
Vanderbilt Summer Programs for High School Students
Research Experience for High School Students: This is a six week scientific internship where students construct and complete a research project under the guidance of a Vanderbilt faculty member. This program is only open to students who are local to the area, and enrolled in a public high school which has partnered with Vanderbilt. If you live in the area, you should discuss this program with someone at your school, as it is an excellent opportunity for students interested in scientific research.
Vanderbilt Summer Academy (VSA): Open to students in grades 7-12, students take courses from Vanderbilt faculty and others on a range of subjects. This is a residential program. The youngest students have their own program, which is shorter in length. Courses offered are advanced, but are not always equivalent to college course work. This can be a good way to begin learning about areas of interest beyond high school.
Yale Summer Programs for High School Students
Yale Young Global Scholars: This is a two week program for students from around the globe, where they complete interdisciplinary coursework and examine major problems at Yale’s campus. You must be between 16-18 at the start of the program, fluent in English, and be a current sophomore or junior. The program is hosted at Yale’s campus, participants are required to arrange transport to campus on their own. This is a highly regarded program for many students, and is quite competitive for admissions.
Summer Session: High school students can enroll in Yale courses for credit during the summer. These students share classrooms with college students, do the same work, and are held to the same standards. You must be 16 and a rising senior to apply. There are both in-person or online classes; in person classes generally require living on campus, unless the student has family in New Haven. These classes are a reasonable option for exploring topics you otherwise could not in high school.
International Summer School at Yale: Note that this program is not run by Yale, but by a third party company, and is merely hosted on Yale’s campus. While students take courses and experience activities, it is not run by Yale faculty. This program is specifically meant for international students interested in experiencing college life in the US. It is open to students aged 13-18. It is not the best option available for most students.
