15 Summer Programs for Senior High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 4 days ago
- 11 min read
Summer programs for senior high school students can be a valuable way to gain academic experience, explore potential career paths, and prepare for college life as you prepare to transition from high school. Summer programs offer opportunities to study subjects not typically available in high school, work with university faculty or industry professionals, and even earn college credit. Many also include hands-on projects, research experience, or real-world applications!
For high school seniors, specifically, summer programs are a great way to squeeze in that last bit of advanced academic or professional experience before college starts!
We’ve selected 15 summer programs for senior high school students that are hosted by prestigious universities and organizations, stand out for their rigor and selectivity, and provide solid networking opportunities. If you're looking to make the most of your summer, these programs are definitely worth considering.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly Selective
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June).
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school, students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4); no previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
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.
2. Veritas AI
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly Selective
Location: Virtual
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: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. 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.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open registration
Location: U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, AL
Cost: Starts from $1,999
Dates: 6 days; varies by expedition
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students who are 15–18 years old and are U.S. citizens
The U.S. Advanced Cyber Academy is a specialized summer program for high school students interested in cybersecurity and digital defense. Held at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, the program offers hands-on training in areas like Python coding in Linux, building network systems, and digital forensics. You'll learn about cyber threats and how to defend against them, while also exploring the ethical responsibilities that come with working in cybersecurity.
Designed in partnership with the FBI, the academy provides both individual instruction and team-based problem solving, giving you practical experience with real-world cyber challenges. You’ll also meet professionals working in the field and learn about careers in cybersecurity. If the conditions are good, you may also get to tour a U.S. military base!
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: ~6%
Location: Virtual
Cost: None
Dates: July 7 – July 31
Application Deadline: May 2
Eligibility: Students aged 15 - 21 with an interest in clinical research or healthcare careers
The Exposures Program is a virtual summer program for senior high school students (as well as undergrads and professional students) that provides an introduction to clinical and translational research with a focus on health technology, patient engagement, data science, and healthcare disparities.
You’ll be matched with a mentor based on your interests and gain insight into careers in healthcare and research. You’ll attend lectures and participate in supplemental activities like the Clinical Research Brown Bag Roundtable Lunch with Faculty, Clinical Research Journal Club, and Clinical Research Meeting, while collaborating with your mentor on a final group or individual project.
The internship will culminate in a presentation of your final project to Yale faculty and community leaders. You will be selected based on your interest and motivation to learn about healthcare and clinical research.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; 12 students are accepted
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost: $25 application fee; upon completing a successful research project report, you will receive a $750 stipend
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: Rising or current high school seniors who are at least 17 years old by the start of the program. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Anson L. Clark Scholar Program is an annual summer research program for junior and senior high school students where twelve students are selected to participate, getting the opportunity to conduct intensive, hands-on research alongside distinguished faculty mentors. Accepted students are academically gifted, with the typical SAT score in the 99th percentile.
What sets the program apart is its wide range of academic opportunities—not only in the natural sciences, engineering, and computer science, but also in the humanities and fine arts. You’ll engage in full-time research in fields such as biology, cancer biology, physics, chemistry, engineering, computer science, and history, while also participating in seminars, discussions, and field trips.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: ~12.5%
Location: Several labs across the U.S.
Cost: No cost; stipends may be offered depending on your educational level and experience
Dates: 6 to 8 weeks starting on May 19, May 27, and June 2
Application Deadline: Rolling, starting November 18 (preference given to early applications), applications close February 19
Eligibility: Current high school seniors or graduated seniors attending an accredited college or university in the fall, college/university undergraduates, graduates, or professional students. Applicants must be at least 18 and should be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The NHLBI Summer Internship Program is a summer program for senior high school students and university students that offers the chance to gain hands-on research experience in cutting-edge biomedical science. You’ll work for 6–8 weeks in an NIH laboratory under the guidance of experienced NHLBI principal investigators. Projects will span both basic and clinical research, so you can explore diverse areas of the biomedical field.
In addition to lab work, you’ll benefit from a wide range of professional development opportunities, including seminars, career talks, and mentorship from NIH researchers. If you’re interested in applying, make sure to reach out directly to the NHLBI investigators you’d like to work with!
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: ~4–8%
Location: Various locations nationwide; the final summit takes place in Washington, D.C.
Cost: No cost; a stipend between $10 and $20/hour will be provided
Dates: Exact dates vary by market, but the program typically starts shortly after the end of your school year, with the leadership summit taking place on July 21 – 26
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors with good academic standing who live in one of the eligible locations and are legally authorized to work in the U.S.
If you’re interested in serving your community while participating in a prestigious paid internship opportunity, take a look at the Bank of America Student Leaders Program. This is a summer program for junior and senior high school students focused on community service and leadership development.
Over the course of eight weeks, you’ll work with a local nonprofit, gaining hands-on experience in service-oriented work while building critical workplace and leadership skills. In addition to the internship, you’ll attend the Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where you’ll learn how nonprofits, businesses, and government work together to address community challenges.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: ~5%
Location: The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME
Cost: No cost; $6,500 stipend, plus room, board, and travel
Dates: May 31 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 27
Eligibility: High school students who have completed grade 12, are at least 18 years old, and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Jackson Laboratory’s Summer Student Program is a genetics and genomics research summer program for high school seniors and undergraduate students interested in biomedical science. Each summer, approximately 40 students from across the U.S. are selected to conduct independent research under the guidance of a scientific mentor.
You’ll design and execute your own research projects, analyze data, and present your findings to peers and scientists at the program’s conclusion. Research areas include bioinformatics, cancer, developmental biology, aging, genomics, immunology, metabolic diseases, and neurobiology.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Exact numbers not available
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Cost: $75 application fee, $1,840 per credit; additional costs vary by program
Dates: Several 3-week sessions across June 2 – August 1; the 6-week session takes place from June 23 – August 1
Application Deadline: June 16 for the last three-week session. Other course format deadlines can be found here
Eligibility: High school students who have completed their sophomore year and are 15–18 years old
Cornell University’s Precollege Programs give you the chance to experience college-level academics at an Ivy League institution while still in high school. Whether you choose to study on campus, commute, or take part in Cornell’s online courses, you’ll be immersed in challenging, credit-bearing classes taught by Cornell faculty.
With over 40 courses available, you can explore subjects ranging from engineering, psychology, and medicine to fashion, international relations, and entrepreneurship. You’ll also have access to academic support, writing and math workshops, and personalized guidance to help prepare you for college admissions and success in higher education.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies from year to year but is typically highly selective (~10%)
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost: Free for families making under $80,000/year; up to $7,000 otherwise (financial aid available)
Dates: June 29 – August 9
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: High school students who are 14–18 years old, have completed the 9th grade, and have not enrolled in a university/college yet
PROMYS is an intensive six-week summer program at Boston University for high school students with a strong interest and aptitude in mathematics. Each year, around 60 first-year students are selected from across the U.S. and internationally to engage in rigorous problem-solving rooted in number theory.
You’ll attend daily lectures, work through challenging problem sets, and explore advanced topics through seminars, mini-courses, and informal discussions with peers, counselors, and faculty.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Exact numbers not available
Location: Virtual or Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $4,050–$14,950 + $75 application fee
Dates: 4-Week: July 13 – August 9 | 7-Week: June 21 – August 9
Application Deadline: 4-week program: February 12 | 7-week program: April 9
Eligibility: Academically motivated high school students who are 16–18 years old
Harvard’s Secondary School Program (SSP) offers high school students a chance to experience real college life through rigorous, credit-bearing courses taught by Harvard and visiting faculty. Whether you choose the 4-week residential program or the more flexible 7-week option, which can be residential, online, or commuter, you’ll be immersed in challenging academics while getting a feel for college-level expectations and routines.
With over 200 courses across more than 50 subject areas, SSP gives you the opportunity to explore new interests, deepen existing passions, or try out potential college majors. Courses range from STEM and the humanities to social sciences and creative arts.
Make sure to go through the list of courses before choosing your program!
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Moderately selective
Location: School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL; virtual
Cost: $1,848 (one college credit), $3,696 (two college credits), $7,392 (four college credits) + housing and other costs
Dates: One, two, and four-week sessions are available from June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18 who have completed their sophomore year
SAIC offers several summer programs for senior high school students looking to explore or deepen their artistic practice, build a strong portfolio for college applications, and earn college credit. You can choose from intensive 1-, 2-, or 4-week courses in areas like drawing, video, fashion construction, and animation, guided by SAIC’s world-renowned faculty.
You can attend in person, with residential and commuter options in downtown Chicago, or take courses online from anywhere in the world. In-person participants also benefit from evening programming, skill-building workshops, and access to SAIC’s extensive studio facilities.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Exact numbers not available
Location: Tufts University, Medford, MA
Cost: Starts at $4,225 (limited financial aid available)
Dates: Varies by program
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students in grades 10–12. Applicants interested in the residential programs need to be 15–18 years old
Tufts University offers a wide range of summer programs for senior high school students designed to help you explore college-level academics, build new skills, and deepen your understanding of potential career paths. These 1- to 3-week intensives cover diverse disciplines, from the arts to medicine, and are taught by Tufts faculty.
You can choose from focused tracks such as Art & Social Impact, Business, Engineering & Computer Science, and Health & Medicine. There are also for-credit open enrollment courses if you're looking to earn college credit, as well as the Tufts College Experience and Tufts College Accelerator programs.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Moderately selective
Location: Various university campuses across the U.S.
Cost: Starts at $4,295
Dates: Varies by program
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students who are 14–18 years old and have completed at least one year of high school
The National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) is a summer program that offers high school students the opportunity to explore career pathways while developing leadership skills. NSLC provides hands-on training in areas such as Art and Design, Business, Computer Science, Government and Law, Leadership and Community, and STEM.
Each program includes interactive simulations, lectures, guest speakers, leadership workshops, and field trips related to your area of interest. You’ll live on campus and gain early exposure to college-level expectations while networking with peers from across the country and around the world.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Location: Virtual; several locations including Gann Academy/Bentley University, Waltham, MA | Olin College, Greater Wellesley, MA | The Newman School, Boston, MA
Cost: $2500 + $500 deposit and additional costs (residential and remote costs)
Dates: Varies by program
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Students entering 8th grade through entering college, although the typical student is a rising or current junior or senior
The Boston Leadership Institute (BLI) offers competitive three-week summer programs for high-achieving students interested in science, engineering, medicine, and business. These programs are designed to give you a deep dive into specialized topics such as biological research, emergency medicine, forensic science, astrophysics, and more.
You’ll be taught by experienced professionals with advanced degrees (PhDs, MDs, MBAs), emphasizing both academic enrichment and practical skill-building. Through hands-on projects, lab sessions and guided instruction, you’ll develop valuable research skills that can strengthen future applications to colleges, internships, and lab positions.
BLI also offers one-week programs focused on STEM, Medicine, and Business, as well as remote programs. Make sure to check out all their offerings on the website to find the right program for you!
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.
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