15 Summer Programs for Freshmen High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 34 minutes ago
- 10 min read
If you are a freshman student, exploring a summer program can be a good way to explore your interests early on. These programs give you a chance to experience college-style learning, build new skills, and challenge yourself in subjects that go beyond what you learn in school. You’ll also get to meet new people, connect with mentors, and start building a network.
Why should you attend a summer program as a freshman?
Participating in a program early in high school helps you discover new fields, strengthen your academic foundation, and learn how to collaborate with peers and mentors who share your goals. You might take part in lab experiments, coding projects, writing workshops, or research experiences that show you what it’s like to study different subjects in depth. They also provide insights into college life, academically and socially, helping you make better future choices.
To help you get started, we have curated a list of 15 summer programs for freshmen high school students.
If you are looking for online research summer programs, check out our blog here.
15 Summer Programs for Freshmen High School Students
Location: Hybrid format, available virtually and in-person in the Greater Seattle area
Cost: Free
Dates: Approximately 6 – 8 weeks during the summer (typically June to August).
Application Deadline: April 22
Eligibility: Available to high school students in grades 9–12 (current school year). Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and must reside in the U.S.
In the SPARK Summer Mentorship Program, you will work closely with mentors from universities, research labs, and industry on real projects in computer science, engineering, biology, and data science. You will engage in activities such as designing and testing experiments, coding, building prototypes, analyzing data, and contributing to ongoing research. Along the way, you will learn how to write research papers, present your work, and sometimes even attend conferences. Beyond technical skills, the program emphasizes professional development, helping you practice teamwork, problem-solving, and communication while exploring potential career paths in STEM.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial aid is available
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate high academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: USC Annenberg, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free (Includes meals; transportation scholarships available)
Dates: June 16 – July 3
Application Deadline: April 14
Eligibility: High school students who live and attend school in Los Angeles County
The Annenberg Youth Academy (AYA) at USC is a fully funded three-week summer program that introduces high school students in Los Angeles County to media, journalism, and civic engagement. During the program, you will explore college-level ideas while strengthening skills in writing, critical thinking, public speaking, and multimedia production. You will learn from USC faculty and media professionals, receive guidance on college advising and essay preparation, and gain exposure to careers in communication. The program also provides opportunities to engage with current USC students and gain insight into the Annenberg undergraduate experience. With meals and transportation support included, AYA presents an accessible and valuable learning experience.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
Location: Primarily virtual, with optional in-person components at GMU’s Fairfax, Arlington, or Prince William campuses
Cost: Not specified; need-based scholarships are available
Dates: June 14 – August 30
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12); specific age requirements may vary by program
In this summer research program, you will work with real NASA data from missions like the James Webb Space Telescope and TESS. Over three months, you will learn to use tools such as Python, Jupyter Notebooks, and AstroImageJ to study stars and exoplanets, while practicing advanced skills in data analysis, statistics, and coding. You will be assigned your own unique research target, and with guidance from professors, you will collect and analyze data, sometimes using GMU’s 32-inch observatory telescope remotely during nighttime sessions. By the end of the program, you will write a full research paper, many of which are published in GMU’s Journal of Astro-Scholars Research.
Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Varies by course
Dates: Session dates vary; options include June – September
Application Deadline: Registration opens around February 18
Eligibility: Open to high school students, including rising freshmen and current 9th graders; no transcripts, SAT scores, or recommendations required
In UCLA Summer Sessions, you have the opportunity to take 1–2 college courses for transferable UCLA credit while living on campus. You will learn alongside current UCLA undergraduates and engage with faculty in subjects like biology, computer science, economics, and the humanities. Beyond academics, the program offers a residential experience with structured activities that help you gain independence and explore campus life. Courses include lectures, discussions, and lab work, giving you a taste of the rigor and pace of college-level study, all without needing standardized test scores or recommendation letters.
Location: Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA / Online
Cost: $3,200 (in-person) | $2,400 (online)
Dates: July 6 – 31
Application Deadline: Registration opens March 1
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents currently in grades 9–12; recommended to have As/Bs in science courses and at least one year of high school biology
This three-week program introduces you to the foundations of biomedical research through daily lectures taught by Stanford graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and faculty. Throughout the program, you will explore major fields including immunology, neuroscience, regenerative medicine and stem cell medicine, cancer biology, bioengineering, and bioinformatics. In-person participants also participate in guided site visits across campus, while online students engage through a structured, interactive webinar format. The curriculum focuses on helping you understand how current biomedical research is conducted and how scientific methods are applied in real investigations. You will also receive mentorship from current medical and graduate students, who provide insight into academic pathways and careers within the biomedical sciences.
Location: Penn Arts & Sciences, Market Street, PA
Cost: $10,050
Dates: June 11 – July 1
Application Deadline: Applications typically close by mid-April
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-11; More requirements here
The Biomedical Research Program at the University of Pennsylvania’s Summer Academies introduces you to the core principles of biomedical science while showing how cellular, molecular, and genetic processes relate to human disease. Through daily lectures, faculty-led research presentations, and guided lab sessions, you will explore advanced topics such as genome sequencing, CRISPR/Cas-9, vaccine development, antibiotic resistance, and bioethics. The program offers extensive hands-on laboratory work, where you will perform experiments such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, restriction digestion, bacterial transformation, and ELISA to understand real-world biomedical techniques better. You will also learn to use computational tools such as Bash and Python to analyze genomic sequences, run alignment tools, and interpret large biological datasets, providing both wet-lab and computational research experience that reflects modern biomedical science.
Location: NSU Davie/Fort Lauderdale Campus and NSU Tampa Bay Regional Campus, Clearwater, FL
Cost: $1,800 + $50 fee
Dates: NSU Davie/Fort Lauderdale Campus: July 6 – 10 (Session 1); July 12 – 17 (Session 2) | NSU Tampa Bay Regional Campus: June 22 – 26
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school rising freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors; Minimum GPA of 3.2
Achieve in Medicine (AIM) High is a five-day medical day camp at Nova Southeastern University for high school students interested in healthcare careers. In this program, you will participate in hands-on medical training sessions that strengthen your scientific understanding and practical skills. You will learn suturing, dissection, pharmacy basics, sports medicine techniques, cancer detection methods, and emergency skills, including Stop the Bleed. The program also introduces you to how technology can support community health. Beyond labs and workshops, you will engage with NSU medical students during social activities, giving you an authentic look into the life of a future healthcare professional.
Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Based on per-unit tuition, depending on course load and residency status
Dates: Multiple sessions from June 22 – August 21
Application Deadline: Registration opens February 18; varies by session
Eligibility: Open to high school students, including rising freshmen and current 9th graders; no transcript, SAT, or recommendations required
UCLA Summer Intensives compress an entire 10-week quarter or even a full three-course sequence into a three-week format, giving you a fast and immersive academic experience. You can choose courses in Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Chinese, film and television production, entertainment economics, or research methods. The accelerated structure reflects the intensity of a regular university term and helps you develop strong time-management and focus skills. Through daily lectures, labs, and workshops, you earn UCLA credit while studying alongside UCLA undergraduates.
Location: Virtual (live online classes)
Cost: Free; laptops and hotspots available for qualifying students
Dates: Session 1: July 7 – 18 | Session 2: July 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: Early decision: February 28 | Regular application: April 16
Eligibility: Current 9th–11th grade girls and non-binary students (includes rising and current freshmen)
This two-week live virtual program introduces you to core programming concepts and web development with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, along with modules in game design and user experience. You work in collaborative teams, join sessions led by industry partners, and receive mentorship from tech professionals as you build real-world coding projects. The experience is structured like an accelerated computer science bootcamp, focusing on problem-solving, iterative design, and exposure to emerging careers in technology. No prior coding background is required, so you can join at any level and still engage in a challenging, meaningful curriculum.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,400 + $45 application fee
Dates: Session A: June 15 – 26 | Session B: July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12 who are over 14 years old
In this two-week online program, you will explore how artificial intelligence can be applied to medicine and healthcare. Each day, you will attend technical lectures, work in small research teams on hands-on projects, and receive mentorship from Stanford student leads and researchers. You’ll also participate in “Lunch and Learn” sessions with experts from academia, industry, non-profits, and government to learn how AI is shaping healthcare today. Alongside your research, you can participate in online social activities, and students who remain fully engaged will receive a Certificate of Completion at the end.
13. Stanford AI4ALL
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,120
Dates: June 15 – July 26
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: 9th graders or rising 10th graders who are over the age of 14 by the start of the program
In this two-week online program, you will explore the world of artificial intelligence and its real-world applications. You’ll learn about machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, and medical AI, all while focusing on using technology for social good. Working in small research groups, you will apply what you learn to projects, guided by Stanford researchers and industry professionals, helping you build both practical skills and theoretical knowledge in AI.
14. Brown University
Location: Online / Residential or Commuter at Brown University, Providence, RI
Cost: $3,096 – $10,585 (Depending on course length and format)
Dates: June 15 – July 25
Application Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9-12; ages 14 to 18 by June 15
Summer@Brown is a program that allows you to experience life at Brown University while taking high school courses. You will select from over 230 non-credit courses across a wide range of subjects and can participate online, as a residential student, or as a commuter, with flexible course lengths to fit your schedule and goals. You will have the freedom to choose courses based on your interests, creating a personalized learning experience. Beyond academics, you will participate in college preparation workshops, connect with peer mentors, and join student-led events, all designed to help you develop skills, build confidence, and gain a firsthand experience of the college environment.
Location: Online
Cost: $3,200 (plus up to $100 in course-specific material costs)
Dates: Session I: June 15 – June 26 | Session II: July 6 – July 17
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 8-11
If you are interested in an intensive academic experience, you can benefit from the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes, an online program that allows you to focus deeply on a single subject area. You will participate in live, interactive classes led by expert instructors and engage in discussions and collaborative projects that go beyond the typical high school curriculum. You can choose from over 70 courses across fields such as bioscience, engineering, philosophy, product and game design, legal studies, and creative writing. This program allows you to explore your interests at an advanced level, enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and engage with a worldwide community of motivated students, all from the comfort of your home.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. 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 - UCLA logo