Summer is finally here (well, almost)! It's a great time to soak in some sunshine and de-stress. But, it is also a great opportunity to broaden your horizons, explore new passions, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

If you're a student in Michigan, you're in for a treat! The Great Lakes State has an incredible range of summer programs across various subjects. Whether you're a tech whiz, an art aficionado, or an aspiring doctor/scientist, Michigan has a summer program for you.

In this blog, we're going to dive deep into the best summer programs in Michigan for high school students. We'll explore everything from hands-on STEM workshops and research mentorship programs to immersive art experiences. You’ll find options that are free (or even pay you a stipend) and paid.

Note: Please keep in mind the following information is for 2023 and dates for the following year will be on similar lines.

Free Summer Programs for High School Students in Michigan

1. Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN) by JINA-CEE

Application deadline: March 27, 2023

Eligibility: All high school students who are US residents

Program dates: July 23, 2023 – July 28, 2023

Location: Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, Michigan State University

Fee: Free

Organized by the Joint Institute for Nuclear Astrophysics - Center for the Evolution of the Elements (a network of 24 institutes), PAN is a week-long program. Through the combination of lectures and hands-on work, you will study the atomic nuclei as well as their connection with the fields of astrophysics and cosmology. And the highlight — you will be conducting nuclear physics experiments in a renowned rare-isotope lab!

2. Telluride Association Summer Seminar

Application deadline: January 4, 2023

Eligibility: 10th and 11th graders

Program dates: June 25, 2023 – August 5, 2023

Location: Cornell University, University of Maryland, and University of Michigan

Fee: Free

Having a 3-5% acceptance rate, TASS is one of the most sought-after high school programs in the country. It’s ideal for those looking to pursue humanities degrees as the curriculum covers social studies and encourages critical thinking. You will attend seminars, engage in debates, write essays, and participate in a public speaking program. This is a fully funded program and a highly prestigious option for students aiming for the Ivy League.

Note: This program highly encourages applications from students who belong to underrepresented communities.

3. Wayne State University’s Discovery to Cure High School Internship Program

Application deadline: April 3, 2023

Eligibility: Rising seniors who are at least 16 years of age

Program dates: June 23, 2023 – August 18, 2023

Location: C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development

Fee: Free

A relatively recent initiation of the same Discovery to Cure program at Yale University, the DTC is a prestigious opportunity for students to engage in biomedical research. You will be paired with a mentor and work on an individual project, covering the entire research process from hypothesis to a 10-minute presentation of the findings. This program is a great way for you to get hands-on work in a professional lab but do keep in mind that the application process requires the involvement of a school representative.

Another amazing opportunity in the field of medicine is WSU’s Biomedical Career Advancement Pipeline Program, where you will participate in advanced experiments and get certified lab training!

4. University of Michigan’s Summer High School Apprentice Researchers Program (SHARP)

Application deadline: TBA

Eligibility: Students who are Michigan residents and currently in the 11th grade

Program dates: TBA

Location: University of Michigan

Stipend: $2,800

As a participant in this engineering program, you will receive a lab placement and conduct research under the guidance of the university’s faculty. The 2022 program included research topics like ‘Autonomous Drone as an Educational Tool’ and ‘Optical Components and Materials’. During the six weeks of this program, you will split your time between lab work and experiencing college life. At the time of writing, the program has not been offered in 2023 but the organizers are working to make sure the 2024 installment takes place.

5. Michigan State University’s ANR Institute for Multicultural Students (AIMS)

Application deadline: April 7, 2023

Eligibility: Students from the 9th to 11th grades

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

Location: Michigan State University

Fee: Free

A slightly offbeat option, this program lets students explore the wide array of careers in the fields of agriculture sciences and natural resources — environmental science, agribusiness, agriculture engineering, agriculture education, and more. The program offers practical experience in the field through demonstrations, tours, and hands-on activities. MSU also has a similar four-week research mentorship program known as the Multicultural Apprenticeship Program.

6. University of Michigan’s Aspirnaut Program

Application deadline: March 31, 2023

Eligibility: Rising seniors who are at least 16 years of age, with preference given to students from socioeconomically disadvantaged communities

Program dates: June 12, 2023 – July 21, 2023

Location: University of Michigan

Stipend: An unspecified stipend is offered which will be paid in three installments

This research internship program is an opportunity for students to work alongside a team from the life sciences department and engage in hands-on research. For the course of six weeks, you will be completely immersed in research work using the university’s sophisticated labs and equipment. Since the program usually works with cohorts of six students, consider that it can be quite competitive to get into.

Paid Summer Programs for High School Students in Michigan

7. University of Michigan’s ArcStart

Application deadline: Applications for 2023 are closed

Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors

Program dates: July 10, 2023 – July 28, 2023

Location: University of Michigan

Fee: $3,600

Financial assistance: Students can apply to the Watson A. Young Scholarship for financial aid

ArcStart is a residential pre-college program that serves as an introduction to architecture, with a focus on design. You will work in a college studio, take part in skill workshops, use specialized drawing and design tools, and visit architectural firms. The design creations you work on will help you build your personal portfolio, which is beneficial for college applications.

8. Michigan State University’s High School Honors Science, Math, and Engineering Program (HSHSP)

Application deadline: March 1, 2023

Eligibility: Current high school juniors

Program dates: June 25, 2023 – August 12, 2023

Location: Michigan State University

Fee: $4,000

Financial assistance: Need-based scholarships are available

The HSHSP is a research-intensive program meant for students who are looking for practical research experience under expert mentorship. You will work on an individual project as part of a mentor’s larger project and culminate the program with a presentation on your research. The focus of this program is on the process of inquiry and increasing the student’s knowledge of research with resources they otherwise wouldn’t have access to.

If you are particularly interested in the field of chemistry, then you can consider Project Seed, organized by the non-profit American Chemical Society at Michigan State University. In this research-led program, you will spend 8-10 weeks working on a research project with a graduate student, under the guidance of a professor. You will also receive a stipend!

9. Interlochen Summer Arts Camp

Application deadline: There is a priority deadline in January after which students are accepted until the cohort is full

Eligibility: Any high school student

Program dates: You can choose from one-week, three-week, and six-week sessions

Location: Interlochen Center for the Arts

Fee: $1,750 for a one-week session, $6,550 for a three-week session, $9,980 for a six-week session

Financial assistance: Need-based financial aid and merit-based scholarships are available

Organized by the Interlochen Center for the Arts, a non-profit corporation, this camp is known for its high-quality arts education. You can choose from a number of fields, including creative writing, film and new media, dance, visual arts, music, and theatre. Do keep in mind you’ll be required to send an audition/portfolio of work during the application. During the program, you will develop your art skills and explore the art form while getting all the perks of a summer camp — outdoor activities, wonderful friends, and more.

10. The Foundation for Teaching Economics’ Economics for Leaders (EFL)

Application deadline: April 12, 2023, however, applications are accepted on a rolling basis

Eligibility: Current sophomores and juniors, with 25-40 students accepted at each site

Program dates: July 31, 2023 – August 6, 2023

Location: University of Michigan

Fee: $2,100

Financial assistance: Partial scholarships are available

EFL brings economics and leadership development together, honing students in the skill of decision-making. As a participant, you will learn how to use economic concepts and analysis to make public policy choices. The residential program is hosted by the Foundation for Teaching Economics, which operates a subsidiary of The Fund for American Studies (a non-profit organization). Only one student per high school is admitted in the program so we recommend applying as soon as possible to increase chances of acceptance.

11. Michigan Tech University’s Women in Engineering Pathway Program

Application deadline: May 1, 2023

Eligibility: Students from grades 9 – 11

Program dates: July 30, 2023 – August 4, 2023

Location: Michigan Technological University

Fee: $325

Financial assistance: Several need-based scholarships are available

Women in Engineering, just one of the many options available in MTU’s Pathway Programs, will give you an overview of the career options in the field of engineering and science. Areas of engineering include mechanical, computer, environmental, electrical, chemical, biological, and more. Apart from seminars, you will also work on research projects, meet people from the industry, and engage in team competitions.

And because you went through all ten options, here’s a bonus eleventh program:

The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy

Application deadline: January 23, 2023

Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who have a minimum GPA of 3.0, African-American, Latine, and Native American students are encouraged to apply

Program dates: June 18, 2023 – June 30, 2023

Location: University of Michigan

Fee: $3,250

Financial assistance: Full and partial need-based scholarships are available

If you’re aiming for a business career, this pre-college program is ideal to learn the fundamentals of the field while also exploring career paths. As part of the 60-student cohort, you will attend college-level classes, network with industry leaders, and explore how companies are run through action-based learning. During the 2022 program, students developed and presented solutions to real-world corporate challenges!

If you’re looking for a more affordable program in the field of business, consider the MREACH program. It’s free and takes place from August to April, on Saturdays.

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 Ph.D. 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: Telluride Association logo