University of Miami Summer Scholars Program 2027: Cost, Courses and How to Apply

Updated: 6th November, 2026

TL;DR

The University of Miami Summer Scholars Program is a three-week, in-person summer program where you pick one specialty, take two courses, and earn six college credits. It's for current sophomores and juniors with a 3.0 GPA or higher. The 2027 price isn't posted yet, but 2026 cost $8,561.50 for commuters and $10,225.20 for residents. If you'd rather build your own research project, start with the Lumiere Research Scholar Program. It pairs you 1-on-1 with a PhD mentor for an independent research paper.

What is the University of Miami Summer Scholars Program?

It's a three-week summer program where you take college courses and join campus activities. You can read the details on the official Summer Scholars page. Here are the quick facts.

Application deadline: April 1, 2027 for regular decisions. Early Action closes December 31, 2026, and scholarship and international applicants have until March 1, 2027.

Duration: Three weeks, from move-in on June 26 to move-out on July 16, 2027. Classes run June 28 to July 15.

Location: The University of Miami campus in Florida. You can live on campus or commute.

Eligibility: Students completing grade 10 or 11 with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Cost: 2027 prices aren't posted yet. In 2026, the total was $10,225.20 for residential students and $8,561.50 for commuters.

Selectivity: Miami doesn't publish an acceptance rate. Every application gets a holistic review.

What tracks or courses can you take?

You choose one academic specialty, and each specialty has two three-credit courses. Miami lists 23 specialties for 2027 across these areas.

Area	Specialties
Engineering, computing, and architecture	Applications of Mechanical, Aerospace, Civil and Architectural Engineering; AI, Cybersecurity and Computing; Explorations in Architecture, Urbanism and AI
Business and economics	Business, Ethics and Leadership; Business Strategy, Communication, and Leadership; Economics and Financial Modeling; Global Business and International Relations; Money and Marketing; Business of Real Estate
Law	Business, Law, and Society; Law: Litigation and the Legal Profession
Health and life sciences	Cancer Biology; Food M3: Molecules, Meaning and Memory; Neuroscience and Public Health; Microbiology, Immunology, and Public Health; Sports Medicine
Media and communication	Digital Media, Podcast Production, and Technology for the Future; Digital Filmmaking: Production and Animation; Strategic Communication: Public Relations and Graphic Design
Marine science (residential only)	Marine Animal Biology and Conservation; Oceanography and Marine Environments; Tropical Marine Biology
Music	The Business of Music

Classes meet Monday through Friday, from 8:10 to 11:40 am and from 1:10 to 4:40 pm. Courses mix lectures, guest speakers, discussions, lab work, and field trips. You can rank up to two specialties on your application, but you're placed in only one, and you can't swap later. Miami can also change listings or cancel a course.

Do you earn college credit?

Yes. You earn six University of Miami credit hours. You take two three-credit courses in your specialty.

You get letter grades on a 4.0 scale and an official Miami academic record. Attendance is mandatory.

Credit transfer is up to the college you attend later. You can petition to send your credits to another school, but that school decides whether to accept them. Keep your syllabi and graded work in case your college asks for them. The program FAQ explains the process.

How much does it cost, and is there financial aid?

The 2027 tuition isn't posted yet, so use the 2026 prices as a rough guide. In 2026, tuition was $7,493.90 for everyone. Program fees brought the residential total to $10,225.20 and the commuter total to $8,561.50.

• Residential: Includes double-occupancy housing, three meals a day on campus, textbooks, lab materials, and activities.

• Commuter: Includes lunch on campus, textbooks, lab materials, and activities.

• Extra fees in 2026: a $75 application fee, a $500 enrollment deposit (credited to your bill), a $50 student clinic fee, and $450 for Cancer Biology or the residential marine specialties.

• Not included: travel to campus, meals off campus, and spending money.

Miami doesn't offer financial aid or payment plans. Domestic students with financial need can apply for the Vista Scholarship by March 1, 2027, and funding is limited. International students aren't eligible for scholarships. Children of Miami alumni get $500 off tuition.

How selective is Summer Scholars?

Miami doesn't publish a Summer Scholars acceptance rate. There isn't enough public data for a reliable estimate, so treat any percentage you see online with caution.

Miami says every application gets a holistic review. The program is meant for high-achieving students. You need a 3.0 GPA or higher, but a strong application can show more than grades.

You'll submit these materials:

• Recommendations: one from a teacher and one from your school counselor.

• Transcript and report card: your official high school transcript and a recent report card.

• Essays: two personal essays, 300 to 600 words each.

• Forms and fees: a parent permission form and the $75 application fee.

How do you apply, and when are the deadlines?

You apply through the University of Miami Pre-College application. You can apply on the official application page.

Round	Opens	Deadline
Early Action	November 1, 2026	December 31, 2026
Scholarship applicants	November 1, 2026	March 1, 2027
International applicants	November 1, 2026	March 1, 2027
Regular decisions	January 1, 2027	April 1, 2027

Miami reviews late applications on a rolling basis if a specialty still has space. Early Action is smart for popular specialties. Start your essays and ask for recommendations early. International applicants also need a passport and proof of funds, plus an English test score if English isn't their first language.

Is Summer Scholars worth it?

It's worth it if you want college credit and a focused look at one subject. It's a bigger stretch if you need a low-cost summer, since the 2026 price topped $8,500 even for commuters.

Pros -

• You earn six University of Miami credits in three weeks, with letter grades on an official record.

• You choose from 23 specialties, from engineering to law to marine science.

• The $500 deposit is credited toward your bill, and alumni children get $500 off tuition.

• Residential students get housing and three meals a day in the price.

Cons -

• The 2026 cost was $8,561.50 for commuters and $10,225.20 for residents, and the program offers no payment plans.

• Only the Vista Scholarship offers help, it's limited, and international students can't get it.

• Miami doesn't publish an acceptance rate, so you can't judge your odds.

• Your credits may not count at your future college, because that school makes the call.

Think about your specialty, whether you want to live on campus, and your budget. For other options, read these guides on the best pre-college programs for high school students, pre-college summer programs, and pre-college enrichment programs.

Frequently asked questions: University of Miami Summer Scholars

Who can apply to Miami Summer Scholars?

You can apply if you're completing grade 10 or 11 and have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. You'll also need two recommendations, your transcript, and two personal essays. International students can apply too. If English isn't your first language, you'll need a TOEFL or IELTS score. You must send a new application every year, even if you attended before.

Is housing included?

Yes, if you pick the residential option. In 2026, the residential fee included double-occupancy housing and three meals a day while on campus. Miami hasn't posted 2027 prices yet, so check the tuition page before you enroll. Commuters don't get housing but do get lunch on campus.

How many credits do you earn?

You earn six University of Miami credit hours. You take two three-credit courses in one specialty. You get letter grades and an official Miami record. Your future college decides whether the credits count toward a degree.

When is the application deadline?

The regular deadline for 2027 is April 1, 2027. Early Action applications are due December 31, 2026. Scholarship and international applicants must apply by March 1, 2027. Miami reviews later applications on a rolling basis if space is left.

Does attending help you get into the University of Miami?

No, it doesn't guarantee admission. Miami says attending Summer Scholars gives no special boost for undergraduate admission, and alumni get no special consideration either. It can still show colleges you handled college coursework. Admissions officers will see your grades and the course on your record.

Worried that a three-week, in-person program with an $8,500-plus price tag won't fit your summer or budget? Look at the Lumiere Research Scholar Program. It pairs you with a PhD mentor for a 1-on-1 research project, done entirely online, with no travel or housing needed. Apply here. If cost is the main barrier, also look at the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students.

Stephen Turban is the co-founder of Lumiere Education and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics before beginning a PhD at Harvard Business School. A former McKinsey & Company consultant and former researcher, his research has been covered by the Harvard Business Review, The Economist, BBC News, Freakonomics Radio, and the Washington Post. In his articles for Forbes, he writes on what students and professionals can learn from high school research, high school passion projects, critical thinking, and mentorship. At Lumiere, he leads a selective research program where students work one-on-one with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper. Connect with him on LinkedIn.