12 Summer Programs for Incoming High School Freshmen
- Stephen Turban
- 23 minutes ago
- 10 min read
Starting high school is an exciting milestone, and the summer before freshman year is one of the best times to prepare. You get a chance to explore new interests, develop practical skills, and experience subjects that may not be covered in your middle school curriculum. A well-chosen summer program can help you make that transition with greater confidence while giving you a clearer sense of the opportunities high school has to offer.
Summer programs come in many forms. You might spend a few weeks learning to code, conducting research, exploring engineering or medicine, developing leadership skills, writing creatively, or studying business and entrepreneurship. Beyond learning new material, these programs introduce students to peers with similar interests, experienced mentors, and academic environments that encourage curiosity and independent thinking.
Why should incoming high school freshmen attend a summer program?
The transition into high school is often the ideal time to begin exploring interests outside the classroom. Summer programs allow students to discover new subjects before coursework becomes more demanding and extracurricular commitments begin to fill their schedules. Participating in a summer program early in high school can also strengthen future applications to selective programs, internships, research opportunities, and, eventually, college!
To help you get started, we've compiled a list of 12 summer programs for incoming high school freshmen.
If you’re looking for online summer research programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These 12 programs span STEM research, AI and machine learning, coding, engineering, mathematics, computer science, and leadership, so incoming high school freshmen with a range of interests can find a meaningful summer experience before classes begin.
Several programs are free or low-cost, including MIT DynaMIT (free), Girls Who Code Pathways (free), Lumiere Research Scholar Program (full financial aid available), and Veritas AI (full financial aid available), making early high school exploration accessible without significant financial commitment.
Programs vary in format from short one-week introductions, such as NC State Engineering Camp, US Naval Academy STEM, and Cal Poly EPIC, to multi-week deep dives, such as COSMOS (four weeks), Northwestern CTD (three weeks), and Brown STEM 9/10 (12 days), so students can choose based on schedule and depth of interest.
Several programs are specifically open to rising 9th graders, including MIT DynaMIT, NJIT FEMME8, US Naval Academy STEM, and Cal Poly EPIC, making them particularly well-suited to students entering high school in the fall.
Most programs use rolling admissions or have deadlines between January and April, so students and families should begin researching options in the fall of 8th grade to avoid missing early application windows.
Location: Remote , you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of 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. 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: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Varies each year
Application Deadline: Varies each year
Eligibility: Rising 6th to 9th grade students
The MIT dynaMIT is a free, week-long STEM program where you'll spend each day exploring a different subject, including engineering, biology, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, and astronomy. You'll learn through experiments, design challenges, games, and group activities led by MIT undergraduate students. You'll work in a small mentor group throughout the week, so there's plenty of time to ask questions and get to know your mentors. Some years also include career panels featuring MIT researchers and scientists who discuss their work and how they got there. Every day ends with hands-on activities that encourage you to apply what you've learned rather than simply memorize concepts.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Application deadline: Rolling. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
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: Online
Cost: Free; $300 need-based grants available for U.S. students in SIP
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Summer Immersion Program: July 7 – 18 (for U.S. students); July 28 – August 8 | Pathways: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: April 11
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 – 12 (only 9th – 11th graders accepted for Summer Immersion) who are between the ages of 14 and 18 and identify as girls or non-binary individuals
The Girls Who Code Pathways program is a virtual computer science program where you complete self-paced coursework across different technology tracks. You can choose from areas such as data science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, web development, and game design, and work through guided modules within a defined program period. The coursework is designed to be completed independently, with flexibility to move through content at your own pace over several weeks. Alongside the coursework, you can attend optional live sessions such as advisor-led workshops, partner events, and community discussions.
Location: NC State University campus, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $550 for a week of camp; limited financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 22 to 26
Application Deadline: January 12 to February 27; full payment due on April 8
Eligibility: Students entering 9th through 10th in Fall
The NC State Imagine Engineering Camp is a week-long day camp hosted by the College of Engineering at NC State University, designed to introduce rising 9th and 10th-graders to multiple engineering disciplines. You will begin with introductory activities spanning a range of engineering fields, then transition into a week-long collaborative group challenge project that runs across all five days. Alongside the engineering track, you will also get to explore how computer scientists approach problem-solving and how entrepreneurs develop solutions to real-world issues. The camp presents a new challenge theme each year, so the specific projects and investigations vary by session.
Location: UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Los Angeles, UC Merced, UC San Diego, and UC Santa Cruz
Cost: $5,518, $46 application fee; limited financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: July 5 to August 1
Application Deadline: January 7 to February 6
Eligibility: California students completing grades 8-12; GPA of 3.5 or above preferred
COSMOS lets you spend four weeks studying one STEM subject in depth at a University of California campus. You'll choose a research-focused "cluster" based on topics that interest you, such as biology, engineering, computer science, mathematics, or environmental science. Your days include lectures, lab work, experiments, coding, and data analysis, depending on the cluster you select. Faculty members, researchers, and graduate students lead the sessions, giving you a chance to learn from people actively working in the field. Since you'll stay with the same cluster throughout the program, you'll have enough time to explore challenging ideas and work on projects that go well beyond a typical high school science class.
Location: NJIT campus, Newark, NJ
Cost: Nonrefundable application fee $70, tuition: $1,525; unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: July 6 to August 6
Application Deadline: Varies each year
Eligibility: Open to rising 9th graders
NJIT's Early College Preparatory Program introduces you to STEM through specialized tracks such as Biomedical Engineering and Robotics. You'll spend each day working on technical challenges, hands-on projects, and problem-solving activities connected to your chosen field. Alongside your main track, you'll also take classes in mathematics, computer science, and language arts that support the work you're doing. The schedule includes field trips and enrichment activities, giving you a chance to see how STEM concepts are applied beyond the classroom. Since the program runs for several weeks, you'll have enough time to build skills, complete projects, and become comfortable with college-style learning before starting high school.
Location: In-person in Berkeley, CA, and online
Cost: Varies based on course (ranges from $790 to $1,320)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 22 to July 31
Application Deadline: Early deadline: February 25, standard deadline: March 23, extended deadline: May 29
Eligibility: Students currently in Grades 7 through 11; exact requirements may vary based on specific course
UC Berkeley's Academic Talent Development Program lets you dive deeply into one subject instead of taking several classes at once. You can choose from courses in mathematics, computer science, writing, natural sciences, or the social sciences, then spend six weeks exploring that subject in detail. Many courses cover the equivalent of a semester, or even a full year, of high school material in an accelerated format. Outside class, you'll work through readings, problem sets, writing assignments, or projects that build on what you learned during the day. The pace is challenging, but it gives you enough time to think carefully about the subject instead of rushing through it.
Location: Annapolis, MD
Cost: $450; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 1 to 6
Application Deadline: January 6 to March 31
Eligibility: Open to rising 9th graders
The U.S. Naval Academy Summer STEM Program gives you a chance to explore engineering, robotics, cybersecurity, and naval science through hands-on activities across the academy's labs and classrooms. You might take apart and rebuild a small engine, test structures in a wind tunnel, examine materials in an engineering lab, or tackle coding challenges. Throughout the week, you'll work with the same Strike Group, so most projects and competitions happen in teams. The schedule also includes intramural activities that keep the program active beyond the classroom. You'll finish the week at the Technology and Majors Expo, where faculty introduce different STEM fields and explain what students study at the Naval Academy.
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
Cost: $2,100; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Various sessions across July
Application Deadline: January 5 to March 31
Eligibility: Open to rising 9th graders
The EPIC (Engineering Possibilities in College) is a one-week engineering program that introduces students to a range of fields, including aerospace, biomedical, civil, and computer engineering, through lab-based sessions and design activities. As a participant, you will be placed on a track consisting of multiple engineering labs, each focusing on a specific topic. You will attend daily sessions that include instructional classes, lab work, and engineering design projects. Activities may involve building prototypes, testing materials, or working with systems such as robotics or mechanical components, depending on the selected labs. You can also participate in presentations, speaker sessions, and discussions that introduce different engineering disciplines and applications.
Location: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Cost: Varies by session and course type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 28 to August 7
Application Deadline: Varies each year
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 through 12
Northwestern's CTD Summer Camps let you spend three weeks diving into one subject instead of switching between several classes. You can choose from courses in mathematics, computer science, engineering, writing, leadership, the natural sciences, and many other fields. Depending on the course, you'll complete honors, AP, or even college-level work while discussing ideas with students who enjoy the same subjects. Class sizes are kept small, so there's plenty of room for discussion and asking questions. Outside class, residential students take part in evening activities and campus events, making the experience feel much closer to university life than a typical summer camp.
Location: Brown University campus, Providence, RI
Cost: $6,052; select scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly listed
Dates: July 12 to July 24
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions starting January 19
Eligibility: Rising 9th and 10th Graders
Brown University's STEM for Rising 9th and 10th Graders (STEM 9/10) is a 12-day residential program in which students complete a course in one area of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. You can select a course from a range of STEM disciplines, and your work centers on a research project or design challenge that runs throughout the program. Morning sessions are dedicated to academic coursework, while twice-weekly afternoon blocks are used to continue and develop your research project or design challenge. You may also interact with Brown graduate students and learn about their ongoing research. The program concludes in a final presentation in which you present your project to peers and instructors.
Frequently asked questions
What summer programs are available for incoming high school freshmen?
Options include research and mentorship programs, such as Lumiere and Veritas AI, STEM exploration programs, such as MIT DynaMIT, COSMOS, and US Naval Academy STEM, coding and AI programs, such as Girls Who Code and Veritas AI, engineering camps, such as NC State Engineering Camp, Cal Poly EPIC, and NJIT FEMME8, and university academic programs, such as UC Berkeley ATDP, Northwestern CTD, and Brown STEM 9/10.
Are there free summer programs for incoming high school freshmen?
Yes, MIT DynaMIT and Girls Who Code Pathways are both free, and Lumiere Research Scholar Program and Veritas AI offer full financial aid for eligible students, while other programs, such as UC Berkeley ATDP and Brown STEM 9/10, offer partial scholarships.
Which programs are specifically designed for students entering 9th grade?
MIT DynaMIT, NJIT FEMME8, US Naval Academy STEM, and Cal Poly EPIC all explicitly welcome rising 9th graders, and Brown STEM 9/10 is designed specifically for rising 9th and 10th graders.
Which summer programs are open to incoming freshmen regardless of location?
Lumiere Research Scholar Program and Veritas AI are fully virtual and open to students anywhere in the world, and Girls Who Code Pathways is an online program accessible to students across the United States.
Which programs are best for students interested in coding and AI?
Veritas AI, Girls Who Code Pathways, and UC Berkeley ATDP's computer science track are all strong options for students who want to explore programming and artificial intelligence, while MIT DynaMIT also includes computing sessions alongside its broader STEM curriculum.
When should I apply to summer programs for incoming high school freshmen?
Several programs have early deadlines, including COSMOS (January 7 to February 6), Brown STEM 9/10 (rolling from January 19), NC State Engineering Camp (January 12 to February 27), and Cal Poly EPIC (January 5 to March 31), so students should begin researching and preparing applications in the fall of 8th grade.
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.