14 Summer Programs for Gifted High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 4 hours ago
- 10 min read
If you are a high school student who enjoys being challenged in the classroom, a summer program can be a great way to push your academic interests even further. These programs give you the chance to dive into advanced topics, work on projects, and experience what learning on a college campus feels like. Many also offer exposure to research, industry mentors, and practical skills that go beyond anything taught in a regular high school setting. As an academically advanced student, choosing the correct rigorous program can help you keep growing and allow you to explore subjects you might want to pursue in college.
With so many options out there, we have put together a list of 14 summer programs for gifted high school students to help you get started.
If you are looking for free online summer programs, check out our blog here.
14 Summer Programs for Gifted High School Students
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~2.5%; ~100 students/year
Cost: Free
Dates: Late June – early August (six weeks)
Application deadline: Early–mid December
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with exceptional academic achievement in math and science, strong performance in advanced STEM coursework, and a demonstrated passion for research; applicants must submit standardized test scores, with recommended scores being PSAT Math 740+, SAT Math 750+, and ACT Math 33+.
Each summer, RSI brings together 100 academically gifted high school students for a fully funded six-week experience at MIT. The program begins with a week of STEM classes taught by faculty, introducing you to topics and current research in fields such as biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, and physics. Following this, you will spend five weeks completing an individual research project under the mentorship of scientists and researchers at MIT and partner institutions. You will read current scientific literature, develop research plans, conduct experiments or computational work, and ultimately produce conference-style written and oral presentations that summarize your findings. Beyond research, RSI offers evening lectures with leaders in science and technology, field trips to cultural and STEM-focused sites, and access to MIT’s advanced computing resources.
Location: The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, ME
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 32 students selected out of 500 applicants
Stipend: $7,000
Dates: May 30 – August 7
Application deadline: January 26
Eligibility: High school seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents; acceptance based on academic performance and overall interest in research/science
The Jackson Laboratory SSP is a genetics-focused research program designed for high school seniors and undergraduates. The program is designed for those who are interested in working on genetics, genomics, and hands-on research in a professional lab setting. Over 10 weeks, you will join an active JAX research group and work on a mentored project that contributes to real scientific discoveries. The program concludes with a formal research presentation to JAX scientists, peers, and families. In addition to lab work, you will participate in training workshops covering data visualization, genetic testing, research communication, and peer review. Weekly journal clubs and conversations with JAX staff, including scientists, veterinarians, grant specialists, and more, can help you explore many possible science-related career paths.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Cost: Varies; financial assistance offered
Dates: Multiple sessions, including summer, spring, fall, and winter cohorts, are scheduled each year
Application deadline: May deadlines for summer cohorts
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic records; accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher out of 4.0
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.
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 12 students/year
Cost: Free apart from a $25 application fee; a $750 stipend is offered upon program completion.
Dates: June 21 – August 6
Application deadline: February 16; applications will open on January 2
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 when the program begins and are U.S. citizens/permanent residents; selected applicants typically have an average SAT score in the 99th percentile.
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a seven-week residential research experience designed for a small group of academically exceptional high school juniors and seniors. As a participant, you will work directly with Texas Tech faculty on research projects within academic disciplines like chemistry, biology, engineering, computer science, or social sciences, gaining hands-on exposure to research methods, critical thinking, and independent inquiry. The program blends rigorous academic engagement with weekly seminars, discussions, and field trips, giving you a sense of life as a researcher and encouraging you to explore future career pathways. This is also an opportunity to explore life on a college campus and real research environments.
Location: Online
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies by program
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts scheduled throughout the year, including summer sessions
Application deadline: May/June deadlines for summer cohorts.
Eligibility: High school students; to participate in the AI Fellowship program, you need to have been an AI Scholars participant or have some experience working with 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: Stanford University, Stanford, California
Cohort size: ~50 students/year
Cost: Free for accepted students apart from a $40 application fee; stipends of at least $500 available
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old by the program start, and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Stanford’s SIMR program is designed for high school students interested in exploring biomedical research. Over eight weeks, you will join a Stanford research lab and work closely with faculty, postdocs, and graduate students on real, medically oriented projects. You can choose from areas of research like immunology, neuroscience, cancer biology, and bioinformatics. From learning how scientific questions are formed to running experiments at the bench, you will gain firsthand exposure to what research actually looks like in an academic setting. The program blends hands-on lab work with mentorship.
Location: The Lawrenceville School, Lawrenceville, NJ
Cohort size: 39 students/year
Cost: Free
Dates: June 29 – August 1
Application deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who live in New Jersey and attend a New Jersey high school; each school can nominate up to two students who demonstrate exceptional academic potential, strong writing abilities, and intellectual curiosity.
The New Jersey Scholars Program is an academically challenging summer opportunity designed for rising seniors with strong academic potential. As a participant, you will engage in a five-week residential experience built around interdisciplinary learning, deep inquiry, and advanced research. You will attend daily lectures and small seminars, tackling a broad, theme-based topic within disciplines such as history, literature, art, science, and philosophy. Throughout the summer, you will complete extensive readings, explore libraries and museums, and work closely with faculty to produce a 10–15 page interdisciplinary research paper. You will also take part in an Arts Festival, where you showcase creative work connected to the program’s theme through music, drama, writing, or visual arts.
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Cost: $1,140 commuter fee | $2,490 residential fee + $95 application fee; discounts available on early registration (before March 1)
Dates: Pre-Law: June 15 – 19 | Pre-Med Ed: July 6-10
Application deadline: May 8
Eligibility: Students in grades 7 – 11 who meet the minimum ACT, SAT, CogAT, or IQ score requirements
IS4GT runs one-week intensive summer programs that allow you to focus on a single subject area. You can choose from two tracks, Pre-Law or Pre-Med ED. The Pre-Law program offers an introduction to the courtroom and foundations of the legal system. Here, you will take on various roles, including those of an attorney, witness, judge, and juror, explore the structure of criminal and civil trials through mock trials, come up with case theories, and practice key trial skills, including delivering opening statements and closing arguments, and conducting direct and cross-examination of witnesses. Pre-Med ED offers exposure to the academic content of medical courses through demonstrations and activities, as well as insights into undergraduate and professional majors and medical specialties. Here, you will work with emergency medical technicians and engage in activities within pharmacology, physiology, and other specialties.
Location: University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Cohort size: 150 students/year
Cost: $150 + non-redundable application fee of $75
Dates: July 18 – 29
Application deadline: January 21
Eligibility: High school juniors with demonstrated leadership abilities who are at least 16 years old; admitted students are typically in the top 10% of their class and have taken the most rigorous courses available at their school. Strong standardized test scores (SAT 1300–1500+ or ACT 31+) are recommended.
Notre Dame’s Leadership Seminars is a fully funded, 10-day academic experience designed for students who demonstrate a clear history of leadership in their schools or communities. You will join a small cohort of peers and engage in college-level discussions, readings, and hands-on activities that challenge you to think deeply about global issues, ethics, policy, and problem-solving. Alongside academic sessions, you will connect with Notre Dame faculty and undergraduate mentors who guide you through thoughtful conversations about leadership and personal development. Throughout the program, you will refine your communication skills, learn how to collaborate in diverse settings, and explore how your strengths can translate into real-world impact. Those who complete the seminar may also earn one transferable college credit.
Location: Stony Brook University, New York, NY
Cohort size: Not specified
Cost: $4,000
Dates: June 24 – August 7
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old with a minimum unweighted GPA of 95/100 (3.8/4.0) and have completed at least three out of the following core subjects: English, Chemistry, Mathematics or Calculus, Physics, or Biology; applicants’ standardized test scores (PSAT, SAT, ACT, or Regents) must be at or above the 60th percentile.
The Garcia Summer Research Program is a seven-week research experience designed for gifted high school students interested in pursuing original scientific work. The program combines structured instruction with guided independent research, allowing you to design and conduct your own projects under the mentorship of faculty, graduate students, and research staff at Stony Brook University’s Garcia Center. You will gain hands-on exposure to laboratory methods and work within active research groups throughout the program. You may also get to continue working on your research during the academic year through the Garcia Mentor Program, which supports long-term projects and ongoing collaboration with faculty mentors.
Location: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), CA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Cost: $1,675 program fee + other administrative costs
Dates: June 22 – July 31; exact course dates depend on selected UCLA classes
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 and 11 who hold a minimum unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.8 at the time of application
The UCLA Summer College Immersion Program is designed for high-achieving high school students who want to experience university life early on. Designed to reflect the academic pace and expectations of UCLA undergraduates, SCIP combines lectures, seminars, workshops, and full UCLA courses to help you build confidence and prepare for the transition to college. You will gain exposure to UCLA’s academic resources while learning how to balance coursework, campus involvement, and personal well-being. You will also earn college credits, which will be recorded on an official UCLA transcript. Additionally, you will complete a curated set of co-curricular activities designed to develop academic skills and readiness for university life.
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Cost: Commuter: $5,675 | Residential: $13,274; need-based scholarships available
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application deadline: March 9
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 or 11 with a minimum weighted academic GPA of 3.80
RMP is a summer experience designed for academically advanced students interested in deep, university-level research. You will be paired with mentors who can be graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, or faculty, and select a research topic from a wide range of academic disciplines. Throughout the seven-week program, you will learn research techniques, build analytical skills, and explore professional pathways connected to academic research. You will also attend GRIT talks, a lecture series featuring pioneering researchers at UC Santa Barbara who share insights on their work and emerging technologies. Beyond the academic component, you also experience life on a college campus and connect with peers from diverse backgrounds
Location: Online or at various university campuses in the U.S.
Cohort size: Not specified
Cost: Tuition varies by course; financial aid available
Dates: Vary by session, with options available around the year
Application deadline: Varies by course
Eligibility: Students in grades 2 – 12 who have scored in the 98th percentile (based on grade) or more, or two grade levels or more above the current grade levels on select domains of state and national norm tests; applicants seeking financial aid should be U.S. citizens/permanent residents.
Johns Hopkins CTY offers gifted school students the opportunity to enroll in rigorous courses across disciplines, including STEM, medicine, and writing. You will engage in interactive lessons, complete assignments, and receive detailed feedback from expert instructors while collaborating with a diverse community of peers. The courses are designed to challenge you academically and help you develop your critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. This program is designed to help you add to your classroom learning and prepare for future academics.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Cost: $835 (one credit) | $1,425 (two credits); need-based financial aid available
Dates: Vary by session; summer courses available
Application deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12 who have a score of 95th percentile or higher on a national grade-level test in a relevant subject area (science, verbal, or math or who have participated in above-grade-level testing within the last two years
CTD’s Online Honors program is designed for high-achieving students interested in engaging in rigorous coursework beyond the standard high school curriculum. You can choose from courses in math, biology, chemistry, or other STEM and social science subjects. Your coursework will be credit-bearing yet flexibly paced. You will have access to individualized instructor feedback throughout the program. You will typically spend several hours each week on assignments relevant to your coursework.
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.
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