Choosing a summer program for high schoolers at a university like Mississippi State offers you a chance to explore your academic interests while gaining hands-on experience. These programs enhance critical thinking and teamwork skills, preparing you for future challenges. Additionally, participating in a summer program can strengthen your college applications, showcasing your commitment to learning and personal growth.

Here are 8 summer programs at Mississippi State University in 2024-2025 tailored for high school students. 

1. Mississippi State University’s Veterinary Camp

Location: Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS

Cost: 

• One-day camp: $125

• Three-day camp: $400

• Overnight camp: $750

Eligibility: Students aged 10-17

Application Deadline: March 1, 2025 (based on the 2024 program)

Program Dates: Multiple sessions in May and June; check dates here 

This program gives future veterinarians an in-depth introduction to veterinary medicine. You will engage in clinical simulations, laboratory experiments, and fieldwork while collaborating with Mississippi State University faculty. You'll also gain insight into animal anatomy, microbiology, and radiology and discover various career paths within the veterinary field, including public health, research, pathology, and rehabilitation. You will have the chance to interact with current MSU veterinary students and learn about their academic paths. The camp offers both day and overnight sessions.

2.  Mississippi Business Schools’s ASAP (Accelerating Students into the Accounting Profession) Camp

Location: Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS

Cost: $150

Eligibility: Rising high school seniors

Application Deadline: Usually the third week of May

Program Dates: July 14 – 17, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)

ASAP is a three-day camp aimed at rising high school seniors that focuses on cultivating their interest in accounting and introducing them to various career paths within the field. You will engage in instructional seminars and team-building activities and gain fresh insights into the world of accounting. You will also have the chance to hear from industry professionals and tour a local firm, learning about audit, tax, corporate accounting, and advisory services. The program also lets you experience campus life at Mississippi State University, giving you a preview of the college experience. 

3. Mississippi State University Humanities Camp

Location: Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS

Cost: $250

Eligibility: Juniors or seniors in high school 

Application Deadline: December 6, 2024

Program Dates: July 8 – 13, 2025

This camp offers rising juniors and seniors opportunities to delve into different humanities disciplines and explore their relevance to contemporary issues and future possibilities. Under the mentorship of professionals in the field, you will learn about various career paths within the humanities. You will attend lectures by scholars in subjects like African American Studies, Literature, Philosophy, History, and more. The program concludes with a presentation of your work to family and staff in front of a judges' panel. To apply, you must be nominated by your school, and only 15 scholars will be selected for participation.

4. Mississippi State University’s Architecture Summer Camp

Location: Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS

Cost: $700

Eligibility: Students aged 16 and above

Application Deadline: May 15, 2025

Program Dates: June 1 – 7, 2025

This camp, known as Design Discovery, is a week-long program available to high school students aged 16 and older as well as incoming college freshmen. It aims to prepare students for a future in architecture. You will get to engage with faculty and students from the Mississippi State School of Architecture and gain insights from their experience in the field. You will attend lectures and workshops, and field trips will allow you to observe model works of architecture. There are two scholarships available for this program, the details of which can be accessed here.  

5. Mississippi State University’s Rural Medical & Science Scholars 

Location: Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS

Cost: $2,600

Eligibility: Students aged 16 and above

Application Deadline: Application opens in December 2024

Program Dates: June 8 – 20, 2025

This program caters to current high school juniors aspiring to enter health-related fields. Over two weeks, you will complete a health science course that features a mix of workshops and lectures, earning three college credits. You will attend lectures on veterinary medicine, biochemistry, nutrition, food science, and more. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to shadow medical professionals, gaining valuable insight into their career paths.

6. High School Online at MSU

Location: Online

Cost: $175 –  $325

Eligibility: High school students

Application Deadline: No deadline; self-paced

Program Dates: N/A; self-paced. However, courses required for graduation in the current school year must be completed by April 1

Through its numerous online courses, Mississippi State University offers high school students the opportunity to earn the credits they need to meet graduation requirements at their local schools. You can do this through their self-paced online courses. Courses offered include Contemporary Health, English, U.S. Government, Economics, Mississippi Studies, and more. These courses allow you to earn between 0.5 and 1 credit.

7. Mississippi State University - AP STEM

Location: Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS

Cost: No cost

Eligibility: High school students

Application Deadline: N/A

Program Dates: Typically June – July

The Advanced STEM Summer Preparatory Program aims to offer rural high school students in Mississippi access to educational opportunities they might not otherwise have. Through this program, you will get the chance to work alongside experienced STEM tutors and educators from leading national universities, studying concepts from AP Biology, AP Computer Science, AP Physics, and AP Statistics curricula.

8. Mississippi State University’s Senior Engineers Camp

Location: Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS

Cost: $50

Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12

Application Deadline: April 14, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)

Program Dates: June 17 – 19, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)

In this 3-day high school camp, you will design and build projects using the engineering design process. Activities include creating with 3D pens, learning programming skills, and exploring different engineering pathways offered by the Bagley College of Engineering. Throughout the camp, you’ll receive guidance from professional engineers. You'll also take home a book and materials to continue your learning experience.

One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.

Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!

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.