Summer programs in high school are a great way to explore different subjects, fields, and activities. And if you’re looking for summer programs in Indiana, your search ends here!

Indiana is home to a lot of universities and offers an impressive list of enriching summer programs. From STEM adventures to humanities explorations and everything in between, Indiana has something for everyone!

We’ve curated some great summer programs for you in this blog, that offer a variety of activities across various subjects that you can apply to based on your interests.

Please keep in mind the following information is for 2023 and dates for the following years will be at a similar time period.

1. Indiana University’s MEET Kelley Program

Application deadline: Not specified

Eligibility: Students completing junior year with a minimum GPA 0f 3.0, who come from underrepresented groups

Program dates: June 18, 2023 – June 23, 2023 for Men’s Week, June 25, 2023 – June 30, 2023 for Women’s Week

Location: Indiana University Bloomington

Fee: Free

Financial assistance: Available to help cover travel costs

Standing for Meet, Educate, Experience, Transition, MEET Kelley is a residential program that will introduce you to the fundamentals of business. The curriculum includes workshops on entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, operations and decision technologies. Apart from attending classes and experiencing college life at the Kelley School of Business, you will also take part in a team competition where you must create and present a business plan.

2. Ross Mathematics Program

Application deadline: March 31, 2023

Eligibility: 15-18 year old students

Program dates: June 18, 2023 – July 28, 2023

Location: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Fee: $6,000

Financial assistance: Need-based financial aid is available

The Ross Mathematics Program is another highly prestigious summer program for those with a keen interest in mathematics. The curriculum does a deep dive into Number Theory, including sub-topics like polynomials, arithmetic functions, Gaussian integers and more. Rather than simply learning, you will be encouraged to investigate problems, observe patterns, formulate theorems and develop critical thinking while living on campus. In 2023, the acceptance rate of the program was 15%, making it fairly competitive.

We’ve covered this program in detail here.

3. Summer Science Program

Application deadline: March 3, 2023

Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and a few sophomores, who are at least 15 years old and have completed the required courses

Program dates: June 18, 2023 – July 26, 2023 at Purdue University and June 11, 2023 – July 19, 2023 at Indiana University

Location: Purdue University and Indiana University

Fee: $8,400

Financial assistance: Need-based financial aid is available, offering partially discounted fees as well as complete fee waivers

The Summer Science Program is one of the most prestigious research programs in the country, where the focus is on giving students practical experience. It’s a residential program where you will work on a specific project in teams of three. In Indiana, you can choose between the biochemistry and genomics tracks. The former looks at fungal inhibitor designs while the latter will revolve around antibiotic resistance and direct evolution. However, SSP is a competitive program known to have an acceptance rate of 10%, so it’s safer to have a backup plan in mind.

4. University of Notre Dame’s Leadership Seminars

Application deadline: January 23, 2023

Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are at least 16 years of age, with demonstrated academic talent and leadership qualities. Standardized test scores are preferred but not compulsory.

Program dates: July 22, 2023 – August 2, 2023

Location: University of Notre Dame

Fee: Apart from a small application fee and enrolment fee, the program is free for accepted students

Financial assistance: Fee waivers are available for the application and travel costs

Accepting a select 100 students per cohort, this is a prestigious program that could give your resume a good boost. During the 10-day program, you will study a wide range of global issues, the science and ethics involved in environmental studies, as well as financial literacy. You can also take part in community activities and work with a social service organization. The aim of this program is to improve critical thinking and research skills within the field of leadership. You will even earn one transferable college credit on completion!

5. Indiana University’s Jim Holland Summer Enrichment Program in Biology (SEP)

Application deadline: Unspecified, applications for 2024 will open in January

Eligibility: Rising freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who have a minimum GPA of 3.0

Program dates: July 16, 2023 – July 21, 2023

Location: Indiana University Bloomington

Fee: $75 registration fee, the rest of the program is free

The SEP offers students the opportunity to study the field of biology at a deeper level than high school curriculums. You will learn about genetics, evolution, environmental biology, molecular biology, and more. Lectures and group discussions will be supplemented by lab work and networking opportunities.

The main benefit of this program is that it belongs to the larger structure of the Jim Holland Summer Science Programs. The SEP is the first-year program from which top students qualify for the second-year program — the SSRP, where you will work on an individual research project in a lab. You can then qualify for the third program, RISE, where you will receive a stipend for your research work and also receive support for college planning. Aimed at students from underrepresented backgrounds, these Holland Summer Science Programs seek to increase diversity in STEM fields.

6. IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Summer Research Program (SRP)

Application deadline: February 15, 2023

Eligibility: High school students who have completed their junior year and have a minimum GPA of 3.0

Program dates: June 5, 2023 – July 28, 2023, with compulsory 40 hours of work per week

Location: IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)

Stipend: Amount not specified, but all participants will receive a stipend (previous students have received $2,400)

Ideal for students looking to get practical research experience in a biomedical field, the SRP is one of the more renowned programs in the country. You will be paired with a research mentor and assigned a project that could include lab, database or clinical research. Through the program, you will learn about basic clinical activities, network with professional researchers, use high-tech facilities and interact with one of the center’s research programs.

7. American Chemical Society’s Project SEED

Application deadline: March 1, 2023

Eligibility: Current sophomores, juniors, or seniors who come from families whose annual income is under 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Students must also have completed at least two semesters of chemistry

Program dates: 8-10 weeks from June to August, Monday to Friday, 8 hours a day

Location: Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)

Stipend: $3,200

The American Chemical Society is a non-profit science organization that hosts Project SEED (Summer Experiences for the Economically Disadvantaged) to offer students from low-income families a research opportunity in chemistry. During the program, you will work on an independent or group research project and get practical lab experience under the guidance of professional mentors. The program could also be accompanied by additional activities like field trips and poster competitions. If you decide to pursue a chemistry/STEM-related major after completing the project, you will be eligible to apply for the Project SEED Scholarships.

8. Purdue University’s Multiethnic Introduction to Engineering Program (MITES)

Application deadline: May 15, 2023

Eligibility: Rising seniors

Program dates: July 9, 2023 – August 4, 2023

Location: Purdue University

Fee: $2164.70 for Indiana residents, $3365.60 for non-Indiana residents

Financial assistance: Scholarships available on a need-basis

MITE is a four-week residential program aimed at students from underrepresented backgrounds, to increase diversity in the field of engineering. Through the course of the program, you will work on two engineering design projects and work on presentation skills. The rest of the curriculum includes studies in engineering, mathematics, and chemistry, as well as professional development workshops and SAT prep. You will leave this program with two transferable college credits!

9. Hanover College’s Summer Academy – Health Science Institute

Application deadline: May 1, 2023

Eligibility: All high school students

Program dates: June 4, 2023 – June 9, 2023

Location: Hanover College

Fee: $750

Financial assistance: Partial and full scholarships available for students in need

The Health Science Institute is one of Hanover College’s nine Summer Academies, which gives students a comprehensive introduction to a career in health. You will work with professors in labs and explore career paths like nursing and physical therapy. After working with a number of professionals, you will receive hands-on training in patient care. This program is a great way for students interested in health to narrow down their interest to a specific pathway in the field. The Summer Academy also includes programs in the fields of engineering, psychology, media, and environmental studies.

10. University of Notre Dame’s Summer Scholars Program

Application deadline: February 20, 2023

Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors of at least 16 years of age, who show academic talent and proof of extracurricular activities

Program dates: Session I from June 10, 2023 – June 24, 2023, Session II from July 1, 2023 – July 15, 2023

Location: University of Notre Dame

Fee: $4,475 (with additional lab fees depending on the specific course)

Financial assistance: Limited need-based scholarships and grants are available

As a summer scholar, you get to experience a college-level class compressed into a two-week intensive course. The curriculum can be rigorous but at the end of the program, you will receive a transferable college credit. Available course options range across academic tracks from humanities to business to STEM. Examples include accounting, astronomy, film studies, gender studies, neuroscience, journalism, photography, law, and world politics.

Here’s a bonus program that you could also consider -

11. Purdue University’s Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering Experience

Application deadline: Not specified, applications for 2024 will open in December 2023

Eligibility: All high school students

Program dates: July 9, 2023 – July 14, 2023

Location: Purdue University

Fee: $724.10 for Indiana residents, $1,324.55 for domestic non-residents, and $1,394.55 for international students.

Ideal for those who would prefer a shorter time commitment, Purdue University has Fun-Sized courses that offer credit. Since Purdue is known for its aviation and aeronautical engineering programs, you can consider the Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering Experience. As a participant, you will learn about aerodynamics, aerospace systems, space applications, propulsion, structures and materials. You will also examine the practical use of physics and mathematics principles in the technical areas of the field.

One other option – Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you are passionate about research and would like to do it from the comfort of your home, you could also consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, a selective online high school program for students I founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 2100 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

Image Source: Ross Mathematics Program logo