15 Pre-College Engineering Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 15 minutes ago
- 13 min read
While you are in high school, exploring your interests outside of school can be a great way to get a head start on college preparation. This is where structured programs run by universities come in. College-led programs offer technical training, faculty mentorship, and project experience that go well beyond what a high school classroom can offer.
If your interests lie in engineering, it is important to gain experience in high school, given how competitive it can be to pursue it at a top university. Pre-college engineering programs let you dive into advanced topics, learn from experienced faculty, and work with real tools and methods, alongside peers who are just as serious about the field. Beyond the technical exposure, these programs help you confirm which branch of engineering actually excites you, whether that is mechanical, electrical, computer, biomedical, or something in between.
Why should I participate in an engineering pre-college program in high school?
Participating in an engineering pre-college program in high school gives you direct, concrete benefits and not just a boost to your résumé. These programs let you develop real technical skills: how to write code, how to work through an engineering design cycle, how to analyze data, or how to build and test a prototype. Many of these pre-college programs are hosted by university faculty and place you alongside undergraduate students, giving you the kind of mentorship and environment you won’t get in a standard classroom.
For college admissions, selective pre-college programs signal to admissions officers that you have already pursued rigorous work beyond your high school curriculum. Programs that produce a tangible output, like a research paper, a working prototype, or college credit on a transcript, give you something concrete to discuss in application essays and interviews. Finally, the connections you make during a pre-college engineering program, with peers, instructors, and mentors, often extend well beyond the program itself.
To help you with your search, we have compiled this list of 15 pre-college engineering programs for high school students.
If you’re looking for online summer research programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These 15 programs span mechanical, electrical, computer, biomedical, civil, environmental, and aerospace engineering, as well as AI and robotics, so students can explore a wide range of engineering disciplines before committing to a specialization in college.
Several programs are free or fully funded, including MIT Beaver Works (free for families earning under $200,000), NYU ARISE (fully funded with a $2,000 stipend), Santa Clara University SES (free with housing and meals), Georgia Tech SEI (free), and Northeastern YSP (free), while others offer need-based financial aid.
Programs vary significantly in length and format, from one-week residential introductions, such as Georgia Tech SEI, Purdue STEP, and Manhattan University Engineering Program, to 10 to 15-week research placements, such as NYU ARISE and Northeastern YSP, so students can choose based on their schedule and depth of interest.
Several programs produce tangible academic outputs, including the Lumiere Research Scholar Program (an independent research paper), NYU ARISE (a research colloquium presentation), Cornell Precollege Studies (transferable college credit on an official transcript), and Veritas AI (a published AI research project), which can directly strengthen college applications.
Application deadlines for the most selective programs fall early, including NYU ARISE (February 27), Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes (March 13), Santa Clara SES (March 31), and MIT Beaver Works (March 30), so students should begin preparing materials in the fall or winter.
Location: Remote! You can participate in the program from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, spring, and winter. Available options range from 12 weeks to one year.
Application deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: Students enrolled in high school who demonstrate strong academic performance
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous program tailored for high school students. It offers extensive one-on-one research opportunities across a broad range of subjects that you can explore as a high school student. The program will pair you with Ph.D. mentors to work one-on-one on a research project. At the end, you will have developed an independent research paper! You can choose from areas such as physics, math, computer science, data science, engineering, chemistry, psychology, international relations, economics, and more. You can learn more about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: Online or Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free for families with household income under $200,000; $2,400 for families with income of $200,000 or above
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; prerequisite online course completion required before application
Dates: July 6 – August 2
Application deadline: March 30
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 11 residing and attending high school in the U.S.
MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute is a four-week, project-based program at MIT where you work in teams to design, build, and test real engineering systems. Course options include autonomous vehicles, UAV racing, cognitive assistants, quantum computing, satellite systems, and more, all of which require hands-on project work focused on programming, hardware integration, and systems-level thinking. You will spend most of your time learning core engineering principles, applying them to projects, and testing your work through challenges or presentations. You will work under the guidance of MIT researchers and engineers from MIT Lincoln Laboratory, getting direct exposure to the kind of applied engineering work conducted at one of the world's top technical institutions.
3. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type; financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12 – 15-week cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment; deadlines vary by cohort: Fall (September), Spring (January), Summer (May), and Winter (November). You can find more details and apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship with Publication and Showcase accepts previous AI Scholars participants or those with some experience working with AI or Python.
Veritas AI, started and run by Harvard graduate students, offers various online programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. If you are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science, you can choose the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, you will learn about the fundamentals of AI and data science and work on real-world projects. Another track for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. During this program, you will get a chance to work 1-on-1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A key feature of this program is that it offers you the support of an in-house publication team to help you secure publications in high school journals. You can check out examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded; $2,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 1 – June 25 (remote workshops); July 6 – August 14 (in-person research)
Application deadline: February 27
Eligibility: New York City high school students in 10th or 11th grade
ARISE gives high school students the opportunity to conduct authentic scientific research in NYU laboratories under the mentorship of faculty members and graduate researchers. Over the course of the 10-week program, you will contribute to ongoing projects in fields such as biomedical engineering, computer science, environmental engineering, materials science, and data science while developing technical laboratory and research skills. The program combines remote preparatory workshops with in-person lab research, allowing you to gradually build scientific understanding and confidence in professional research environments. You will also receive training in communication and public speaking, with the experience culminating in a final research colloquium where you will present your work to faculty, peers, and guests.
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend availability varies by year
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 22 – July 30
Application deadline: Typically, spring; exact dates TBA
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are permanent Massachusetts residents living within commuting distance of Northeastern University and are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
Northeastern University’s YSP allows high school students to work directly in university research laboratories alongside faculty, graduate students, and researchers in engineering, science, and health sciences. You will spend the summer conducting hands-on research in areas ranging from robotics and AI to energy systems, biotechnology, and cancer therapeutics, while also attending seminars that introduce different engineering fields and STEM careers. Beyond laboratory work, you will participate in college and career counseling, field trips to industry and government research sites, and activities designed to familiarize you with university life and collaborative research culture. The program’s structure emphasizes both technical growth and professional exposure, helping you better understand how scientific research connects to real-world innovation and industry applications.
Location: Cornell University, NY (in-person and online options)
Cost: $1,940/credit + $75 application fee; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer and winter courses available; multiple sessions
Application deadline: Varies by year and session
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least their sophomore year; age requirements vary by format.
Cornell's Precollege Studies program lets you take undergraduate courses taught by Cornell faculty for real college credit. Engineering-relevant courses focus on the intersection of the field with computer science, mathematics, physics, and applied sciences, all drawn from the same course catalog as Cornell's degree programs. You will join classes attended by pre-college peers as well as Cornell undergraduates, gaining exposure to college-level engineering academics and expectations. The credits you earn during the program will be transferable to other universities and appear on an official Cornell transcript. Residential courses offer a full on-campus experience, including access to various Cornell facilities and social activities.
Location: Remote
Cost: $3,200; financial aid available based on demonstrated need)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session 1: June 15 – June 26 | Session 2: July 6 – July 17
Application deadline: March 13; financial aid deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 8 – 11 from around the world; course-specific prerequisites may apply
Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes offer two-week, intensive online courses across engineering, mathematics, science, and technology, taught by Stanford-affiliated instructors. Engineering tracks let you explore different fields like chemical, civil, mechanical, environmental, and even neuroengineering. Each course runs daily, with a schedule that includes live instruction, office hours, independent assignments, and small class sizes, letting you connect with peers and engage with the course material on your time. Courses often involve projects, presentations, or problem-solving exercises to help you practice what you learn.
Location: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Limited spots
Dates: June 7 – 15
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising 11th- and 12th-grade students who are Georgia residents
Georgia Tech's Summer Engineering Institute is a one-week residential program where you will explore engineering disciplines through hands-on experiments, workshops, and campus immersion. You will live on and tour the Georgia Tech campus, work in labs, attend sessions led by engineering faculty and graduate students, and get a realistic preview of what studying engineering at a research university looks like. The experience can offer you exposure to college-level academic expectations, post-secondary learning environments, and the application process. You will also find opportunities to engage in discussions with Georgia Tech professors, students, and staff.
Location: Online or campuses across the U.S. (varies by course and session)
Cost: $3,149 – $7,801, depending on format, course, and session length; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; requires qualifying test scores for admission
Dates: Summer A sessions begin mid-June; other school-year sessions available
Application deadline: May 11 (tentative) for summer sessions beginning in June
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 12 with qualifying academic test scores; CTY-level or Advanced CTY-level course eligibility is required (check details here)
Johns Hopkins CTY offers a range of year-round online and in-person courses to school students from elementary to high school level. Its Science and Engineering track offers high school students access to intensive, three-week college-level courses in subjects not typically covered in standard high school curricula. You will study topics such as robotics, electrical engineering principles, engineering design, and applied physics in a structured academic environment alongside students from around the world. Courses combine independent work, instructor-led sessions, and group work. All courses are led by instructors and teaching assistants trained to teach advanced content to pre-college students. You can choose residential formats to experience on-campus and social life at a university.
Location: Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA
Cost: $4,495/session; tuition assistance available for families with income under $120,000
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Frontiers I: July 5 – 17 | Frontiers II: July 19 – 31Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders
WPI’s Frontiers program is a two-week residential STEM experience at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, a school known for its project-based approach to engineering education. You will select an engineering or science course to explore alongside a humanities or business minor, taking part in hands-on projects, labs, workshops, and mentorship sessions run by WPI faculty. Depending on the course you choose, you will explore principles of mechanical, electrical, computer, robotics, biomedical, chemical, aerospace, or architectural engineering and apply what you learn to hands-on projects. You may also attend lab sessions and guest speaker sessions during the program. The residential format will let you experience the life of a college student.
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost: $7,095; need-based financial assistance available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: July 12 – 24 | July 26 – August 7
Application deadline: Priority deadline: January 15; regular deadline: February 27; late deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students who are rising juniors and seniors
Northeastern’s Engineering Innovation & Design is a two-week, residential pre-college program that lets you explore the field of engineering while working on hands-on projects focused on real-world sustainability challenges, such as clean water and solar energy. You will work with tools like Arduino hardware, 3D printers, laser cutters, and CNC milling machines in the university’s Makerspace to design and build functioning prototypes and gain insights into coding, robotics, tech, and design. You will also learn the basics of C++ programming to develop simple autonomous devices. Beyond the academic work, the residential program includes off-campus activities and social events, giving you the chance to connect with students from around the world.
Location: Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA
Cost: Free + housing and meals included
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Session 1: July 12 – 16 | Session 2: July 19 – 23 | Advanced Session: July 26 – 30
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors interested in exploring engineering; the advanced session is reserved for returning SES participants.
Santa Clara University’s SES is a fully funded residential engineering program designed to introduce students to multiple engineering disciplines through workshops, collaborative projects, and campus life experiences. The program places particular emphasis on expanding access to engineering education for students who may have had limited exposure to STEM opportunities. You will attend introductory sessions in areas such as bioengineering, civil engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering while working directly with faculty and undergraduate mentors in hands-on learning environments. You will complete engineering projects that give you a chance to apply what you have learned in workshops and instructional sessions. Alongside academic exploration, you will experience life on campus by living in university residence halls and participating in recreational and community-building activities.
Location: Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Cost: $2,500; need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session 1: July 5 – 11 | Session 2: July 12 – 18 | Session 3: July 19 – 25 | Session 4: July 26 – August 1
Application deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors; recommended completion of three years of high school math and at least one year of chemistry or physics by summer
If you want to explore engineering in a collaborative college environment, Purdue’s STEP program offers a weeklong residential introduction to engineering design, teamwork, and problem-solving. You will work in small groups on hands-on engineering challenges involving areas such as robotics, programming, physics, analytical modeling, and 3D design while also touring Purdue engineering facilities and learning about different engineering majors. The curriculum emphasizes practical application and communication skills, encouraging you to approach engineering as both a technical and creative discipline. Outside the classroom, you will experience campus life through residence hall living, social events, scavenger hunts, and other Purdue traditions that help build community among participants from across the country.
Location: Manhattan University, Riverdale/New York, NY
Cost: $2,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: August 2 – 8
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Students in 10th or 11th grade, ages 16 and up
This one-week program lets you experience life on the Manhattan University campus while exploring six engineering disciplines: environmental, chemical, electrical, civil, computer, and mechanical. Each weekday, you will attend two engineering sessions in the morning and afternoon, as well as workshops or presentations and evening explorations of New York City. You will engage in hands-on work within engineering labs and meet industry professionals who can offer insights into career paths in the field. The program can help you get a taste of university academics and residential life and offer the opportunity to explore which engineering discipline interests you the most before you apply to college.
Location: UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Cost: $8,500; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Online sessions: June 13, 20, and 27; Residential session: July 6 – 24
Application deadline: TBA; applications open in January
Eligibility: Domestic and international students, ages 15 – 17, by the start of the program
BEYA is an intensive hybrid engineering program that combines online instruction with three weeks of residential, project-based learning at UC Berkeley. You will explore topics such as robotics, CAD design, Fusion 360, additive manufacturing, coding, and 3D printing while developing prototypes and engineering projects that you will present at the end of the program. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on design thinking and practical problem-solving, giving you direct exposure to the engineering development process from concept to prototype. Outside the classroom, you can experience campus life by living in residence halls, interacting with Berkeley undergraduate and graduate students, and visiting research labs and Silicon Valley companies.
Frequently asked questions
What pre-college engineering programs are available for high school students?
Options include research-based programs, such as Lumiere, NYU ARISE, and Northeastern YSP, intensive residential engineering programs, such as MIT Beaver Works, BEYA, WPI Frontiers, and Purdue STEP, AI and software engineering programs, such as Veritas AI, university course programs with college credit, such as Cornell Precollege and Stanford Summer Institutes, and multi-discipline exploration programs, such as Georgia Tech SEI, Santa Clara SES, and Manhattan University Engineering Program.
Are there free pre-college engineering programs for high school students?
Yes, MIT Beaver Works is free for families earning under $200,000, NYU ARISE is fully funded with a $2,000 stipend, Santa Clara University SES covers housing and meals at no cost, Georgia Tech SEI is free for Georgia residents, and Northeastern YSP is free for eligible Massachusetts students.
Which pre-college engineering programs offer college credit?
Cornell Pre-College Studies awards transferable Cornell University credits that appear on an official transcript, and Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes offer structured coursework taught by Stanford-affiliated instructors, though credit policies vary by course and institution.
Which programs are best for students interested in AI and computer engineering?
MIT Beaver Works, Veritas AI, NYU ARISE, Northeastern Engineering Innovation and Design, and BEYA all include significant AI, robotics, or computer engineering components, making them strong options for students interested in the intersection of software and hardware engineering.
Which pre-college engineering programs are open to international students?
Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes and BEYA both explicitly welcome international applicants, and the Lumiere Research Scholar Program and Veritas AI are fully virtual and open to students anywhere in the world.
When should I apply to pre-college engineering programs for high school students?
The earliest deadlines include NYU ARISE (February 27), Manhattan University Engineering Program (February 28), Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes (March 13), Santa Clara SES (March 31), and MIT Beaver Works (March 30), so students should begin researching options in the fall and preparing applications over winter break.
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 in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.