15 Top Summer Programs for High School Students
15 Top Summer Programs for High School Students
Written by
Written by
George Gatsios, Founder of Delta Institute
George Gatsios, Founder of Delta Institute
Published on
Published on
If you’re not sure what you want to pursue in college or you want to develop your skills in a specific area, summer programs can help you explore different fields while gaining hands-on experience. From fully funded STEM research opportunities to humanities seminars and virtual work experiences, there are plenty of programs spanning different subjects and formats to meet your interests.
Below is a list of the 15 top summer programs for high school students across the United States and online.
MITES Summer is a six-week, fully funded residential program at MIT for high school juniors interested in STEM. You’ll take one college-level course in math, life sciences, physics, humanities, and a project-based elective like architecture or machine learning.
In addition to daily classes, you’ll participate in lab tours, social events, recitations, and workshops. After completing the program, you’ll receive a written evaluation from your instructor, which you can submit with your college applications to help you stand out from other applicants.
Cost: Free
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Application Deadline: February (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: Late June through early August (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school juniors who are US citizens or permanent residents
You can check out other STEM summer programs here!
Delta Institute’s Delve Work-Experience Program is a fully remote, 4-week program designed to give high school students exposure to real-world industries and businesses. Through project-based learning, you’ll collaborate with a team to solve challenges for globally recognized organizations like Adobe, Stripe, Ferrari, and Financial Times. At the end of the program, you’ll pitch your project to company representatives and receive valuable feedback, a completion certificate, and a letter of recommendation.
Cost: $4,900
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: May 31 (summer III deadline)
Program Dates: Varies depending on the company (you can check all upcoming deadlines here)
Eligibility: Open to high school students globally
MIT offers another summer program called the Research Science Institute. It’s the first fully funded science and engineering program to combine on-campus coursework with off-campus research work, as you’ll spend one week taking intensive STEM classes with MIT professors, then the next five weeks completing an individual project and research internship.
By the end of the program, you’ll prepare a written and oral presentation that you’ll present to a panel of Boston-area corporate and academic scientists, who could choose your project for special commendation.
Cost: Free
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Application Deadline: December (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: June to August (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school juniors globally
The Deepen program by Delta Institute is an 8-week, fully personalized mentorship for high school students interested in gaining experience in a specific field of interest. You’ll work one-on-one with industry professionals or Ivy League alumni to complete a portfolio-ready project that solves real-world problems in your chosen industry. At the end of the program, you’ll present your project and receive an expert critique and a letter of recommendation you can include in your college application.
Cost: $6,500
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: May 31
Program Dates: Varies
Eligibility: High school students globally
Yale University’s Young Global Scholars is a two-week program with three tracks you can choose from: Innovations in Science & Technology, Politics of Law & Economics, and Solving Global Challenges. Each track includes lectures, seminars, breakout discussions, a symposium, and a capstone project, as well as the opportunity to interact with peers from around the world, Yale faculty, and guest speakers. The program doesn’t offer grades or course credits, but you’ll receive a certificate of completion so you can experience university life in a low-pressure environment.
Cost: $7,000
Location: New Haven, Connecticut
Application Deadline: January (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: Multiple sessions in June and July (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school students globally between the ages of 16 and 18 by the program start date
The Stanford University Mathematics Camp is perfect for rising high school juniors and seniors from around the world who are passionate about advanced mathematics. Choose from a residential or virtual session, where you’ll learn about math through lectures, guided research, group work, and a college-level workload to prepare you for the real thing. You’ll have to present a research project at the end of the program, whether you choose the virtual or residential option.
Cost: $3,750 (online) or $8,950 (residential)
Location: Redwood City, California or virtual
Application Deadline: February (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: Multiple sessions in June and July (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors globally
The Summer Academy for Math and Science by Carnegie Mellon University is a fully funded, six-week program that gives students the chance to learn about STEM through hands-on projects instead of conventional classroom-based learning. During the program, you’ll attend courses led by Carnegie Mellon professors, meetings, and virtual enrichment sessions on topics like college prep, financial aid, and budgeting. The program ends with a research symposium, where you can present your final project to your peers, mentors, and families.
Cost: Free
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Application Deadline: February (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: June to August (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: US citizens between grades 11 and 12
If you want a more hands-on summer experience, Boston University offers a practicum or internship through its Research in Science & Engineering program. The internship involves independent research in subjects like chemistry or computer science, while the practicum focuses on daily lectures and structured group research on computational neurobiology. Both tracks include a weekly skill-building workshop and conclude with a poster symposium, where you’ll present an abstract and poster to industry experts and the general public.
Cost: $5,930 tuition, $75 application fee
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Application Deadline: February (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: Two sessions in May and June
Eligibility: High school juniors
The University of Chicago Summer Online program offers high school students the opportunity to take college-level courses in a structured virtual format. Current 9th, 10th, and 11th graders can take pre-college courses, while 11th and 12th graders can take regular UChicago courses alongside current undergraduates. There are plenty of courses to choose from, including internet censorship, biological psychology, religious studies, and nutritional science.
Cost: $4,980
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Application Deadline: March (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: Various dates in June, July, and August
Eligibility: High school students globally
If you’re interested in engineering but not sure what specialty you want to pursue in college, you can spend your summer finding out with the Explore Engineering Innovation program at John Hopkins University. You’ll design and test solutions in areas such as civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering while developing skills in coding, data analysis, and technical communication. The program can be taken in-person, hybrid, or online and is designed to simulate a first-year university engineering program to prepare you for your future.
Cost: Varies by format, but ranges from $4,095 to $8,060
Location: Virtual or in-person in Baltimore, Maryland
Application Deadline: Varies by format
Program Dates: June 15 to July 31
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors
Here are other engineering opportunities for high school students to explore!
Spend three weeks exploring your interest in philosophy, literature, politics, or other humanities disciplines with the Stanford Summer Humanities Institute. This residential program features seminars led by Stanford professors and graduate students, in-depth discussions with peers from around the world, and field trips around the San Francisco Bay area. You can only choose one course from subjects like Books to Bollywood, The Greeks and Beyond, and Revolutions, but you can submit your top three choices when you apply.
Cost: $8,850
Location: Stanford, California
Application Deadline: February (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: 2 sessions in June and July
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science’s COSMOS program is a four-week residential STEM program for high school students held across several University of California campuses, including University of California, Irvine and University of California, Davis. You’ll engage in university-level coursework and hands-on projects in mathematics, science, technology, and engineering, taught by UC faculty and researchers. There are plenty of courses available across the 6 campuses, including quantum mechanics, astrophysics, machine learning, and molecular biology.
Cost: $5,518, $46 application fee
Location: 6 university campuses in California
Application Deadline: February (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: Various dates in July and August
Eligibility: Students completing grades 8 to 12
Summer@Brown is a flexible summer program at Brown University that allows high school students to choose from over 230 non-credit, college-level courses across a wide range of subjects, including Engineering and Technology, Biological and Natural Sciences, and Psychology and Social Sciences. Offered in 1- to 3-week on-campus sessions or a hybrid format, the program emphasizes academic exploration without the pressure of grades or credits. Beyond the classroom, you’ll participate in workshops, activities, and social events to help you develop social skills and friendships with peers from around the world.
Cost: $3,096 to $6,520
Location: Virtual or on campus in Providence, Rhode Island
Application Deadline: May 8
Program Dates: June 15 to July 24
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9 through 12
The Babson Summer Study is a three-week program at Babson College designed for high school students interested in entrepreneurship and innovation. Offered online or in person, the program focuses on real-world problem solving using an entrepreneurial approach, covering topics like leadership, marketing, and venture creation. The program includes daily lectures and mentorship sessions, giving students 4 credits from Babson College upon completion.
Cost: $6,295 (virtual), $9,295 (day student), $12,995 (residential student)
Location: Virtual or in-person at the New England Innovation Academy in Wellesley, Massachusetts
Application Deadline: March (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: July 8 to 18
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are 15 or older by the program start date
Harvard University’s Pre-College Summer School Program is a two-week, on-campus experience that allows high school students to explore college-level academics in a low-pressure environment as there are no grades or credits. Choose from over 30 courses, such as creative writing, anthropology, government, philosophy, and astronomy, and learn in small, discussion-based classes while experiencing daily life on campus. Outside the classroom, the program includes social and extracurricular activities designed to build independence and long-lasting friendships.
Cost: $6,100, $75 application fee
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Application Deadline: February (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: 3 sessions in June and July
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
If you’re not sure what you want to pursue in college or you want to develop your skills in a specific area, summer programs can help you explore different fields while gaining hands-on experience. From fully funded STEM research opportunities to humanities seminars and virtual work experiences, there are plenty of programs spanning different subjects and formats to meet your interests.
Below is a list of the 15 top summer programs for high school students across the United States and online.
MITES Summer is a six-week, fully funded residential program at MIT for high school juniors interested in STEM. You’ll take one college-level course in math, life sciences, physics, humanities, and a project-based elective like architecture or machine learning.
In addition to daily classes, you’ll participate in lab tours, social events, recitations, and workshops. After completing the program, you’ll receive a written evaluation from your instructor, which you can submit with your college applications to help you stand out from other applicants.
Cost: Free
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Application Deadline: February (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: Late June through early August (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school juniors who are US citizens or permanent residents
You can check out other STEM summer programs here!
Delta Institute’s Delve Work-Experience Program is a fully remote, 4-week program designed to give high school students exposure to real-world industries and businesses. Through project-based learning, you’ll collaborate with a team to solve challenges for globally recognized organizations like Adobe, Stripe, Ferrari, and Financial Times. At the end of the program, you’ll pitch your project to company representatives and receive valuable feedback, a completion certificate, and a letter of recommendation.
Cost: $4,900
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: May 31 (summer III deadline)
Program Dates: Varies depending on the company (you can check all upcoming deadlines here)
Eligibility: Open to high school students globally
MIT offers another summer program called the Research Science Institute. It’s the first fully funded science and engineering program to combine on-campus coursework with off-campus research work, as you’ll spend one week taking intensive STEM classes with MIT professors, then the next five weeks completing an individual project and research internship.
By the end of the program, you’ll prepare a written and oral presentation that you’ll present to a panel of Boston-area corporate and academic scientists, who could choose your project for special commendation.
Cost: Free
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Application Deadline: December (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: June to August (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school juniors globally
The Deepen program by Delta Institute is an 8-week, fully personalized mentorship for high school students interested in gaining experience in a specific field of interest. You’ll work one-on-one with industry professionals or Ivy League alumni to complete a portfolio-ready project that solves real-world problems in your chosen industry. At the end of the program, you’ll present your project and receive an expert critique and a letter of recommendation you can include in your college application.
Cost: $6,500
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: May 31
Program Dates: Varies
Eligibility: High school students globally
Yale University’s Young Global Scholars is a two-week program with three tracks you can choose from: Innovations in Science & Technology, Politics of Law & Economics, and Solving Global Challenges. Each track includes lectures, seminars, breakout discussions, a symposium, and a capstone project, as well as the opportunity to interact with peers from around the world, Yale faculty, and guest speakers. The program doesn’t offer grades or course credits, but you’ll receive a certificate of completion so you can experience university life in a low-pressure environment.
Cost: $7,000
Location: New Haven, Connecticut
Application Deadline: January (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: Multiple sessions in June and July (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school students globally between the ages of 16 and 18 by the program start date
The Stanford University Mathematics Camp is perfect for rising high school juniors and seniors from around the world who are passionate about advanced mathematics. Choose from a residential or virtual session, where you’ll learn about math through lectures, guided research, group work, and a college-level workload to prepare you for the real thing. You’ll have to present a research project at the end of the program, whether you choose the virtual or residential option.
Cost: $3,750 (online) or $8,950 (residential)
Location: Redwood City, California or virtual
Application Deadline: February (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: Multiple sessions in June and July (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors globally
The Summer Academy for Math and Science by Carnegie Mellon University is a fully funded, six-week program that gives students the chance to learn about STEM through hands-on projects instead of conventional classroom-based learning. During the program, you’ll attend courses led by Carnegie Mellon professors, meetings, and virtual enrichment sessions on topics like college prep, financial aid, and budgeting. The program ends with a research symposium, where you can present your final project to your peers, mentors, and families.
Cost: Free
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Application Deadline: February (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: June to August (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: US citizens between grades 11 and 12
If you want a more hands-on summer experience, Boston University offers a practicum or internship through its Research in Science & Engineering program. The internship involves independent research in subjects like chemistry or computer science, while the practicum focuses on daily lectures and structured group research on computational neurobiology. Both tracks include a weekly skill-building workshop and conclude with a poster symposium, where you’ll present an abstract and poster to industry experts and the general public.
Cost: $5,930 tuition, $75 application fee
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Application Deadline: February (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: Two sessions in May and June
Eligibility: High school juniors
The University of Chicago Summer Online program offers high school students the opportunity to take college-level courses in a structured virtual format. Current 9th, 10th, and 11th graders can take pre-college courses, while 11th and 12th graders can take regular UChicago courses alongside current undergraduates. There are plenty of courses to choose from, including internet censorship, biological psychology, religious studies, and nutritional science.
Cost: $4,980
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Application Deadline: March (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: Various dates in June, July, and August
Eligibility: High school students globally
If you’re interested in engineering but not sure what specialty you want to pursue in college, you can spend your summer finding out with the Explore Engineering Innovation program at John Hopkins University. You’ll design and test solutions in areas such as civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering while developing skills in coding, data analysis, and technical communication. The program can be taken in-person, hybrid, or online and is designed to simulate a first-year university engineering program to prepare you for your future.
Cost: Varies by format, but ranges from $4,095 to $8,060
Location: Virtual or in-person in Baltimore, Maryland
Application Deadline: Varies by format
Program Dates: June 15 to July 31
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors
Here are other engineering opportunities for high school students to explore!
Spend three weeks exploring your interest in philosophy, literature, politics, or other humanities disciplines with the Stanford Summer Humanities Institute. This residential program features seminars led by Stanford professors and graduate students, in-depth discussions with peers from around the world, and field trips around the San Francisco Bay area. You can only choose one course from subjects like Books to Bollywood, The Greeks and Beyond, and Revolutions, but you can submit your top three choices when you apply.
Cost: $8,850
Location: Stanford, California
Application Deadline: February (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: 2 sessions in June and July
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science’s COSMOS program is a four-week residential STEM program for high school students held across several University of California campuses, including University of California, Irvine and University of California, Davis. You’ll engage in university-level coursework and hands-on projects in mathematics, science, technology, and engineering, taught by UC faculty and researchers. There are plenty of courses available across the 6 campuses, including quantum mechanics, astrophysics, machine learning, and molecular biology.
Cost: $5,518, $46 application fee
Location: 6 university campuses in California
Application Deadline: February (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: Various dates in July and August
Eligibility: Students completing grades 8 to 12
Summer@Brown is a flexible summer program at Brown University that allows high school students to choose from over 230 non-credit, college-level courses across a wide range of subjects, including Engineering and Technology, Biological and Natural Sciences, and Psychology and Social Sciences. Offered in 1- to 3-week on-campus sessions or a hybrid format, the program emphasizes academic exploration without the pressure of grades or credits. Beyond the classroom, you’ll participate in workshops, activities, and social events to help you develop social skills and friendships with peers from around the world.
Cost: $3,096 to $6,520
Location: Virtual or on campus in Providence, Rhode Island
Application Deadline: May 8
Program Dates: June 15 to July 24
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9 through 12
The Babson Summer Study is a three-week program at Babson College designed for high school students interested in entrepreneurship and innovation. Offered online or in person, the program focuses on real-world problem solving using an entrepreneurial approach, covering topics like leadership, marketing, and venture creation. The program includes daily lectures and mentorship sessions, giving students 4 credits from Babson College upon completion.
Cost: $6,295 (virtual), $9,295 (day student), $12,995 (residential student)
Location: Virtual or in-person at the New England Innovation Academy in Wellesley, Massachusetts
Application Deadline: March (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: July 8 to 18
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are 15 or older by the program start date
Harvard University’s Pre-College Summer School Program is a two-week, on-campus experience that allows high school students to explore college-level academics in a low-pressure environment as there are no grades or credits. Choose from over 30 courses, such as creative writing, anthropology, government, philosophy, and astronomy, and learn in small, discussion-based classes while experiencing daily life on campus. Outside the classroom, the program includes social and extracurricular activities designed to build independence and long-lasting friendships.
Cost: $6,100, $75 application fee
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Application Deadline: February (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: 3 sessions in June and July
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
About the Author
George Gatsios holds a BA and MA in Economics from the University of Cambridge and is the founder of Delta Institute. He leads the organisation’s global strategy, overseeing programme design, partnerships, operations, and product innovation across education, career development, and technology. His work centers on building scalable, hands-on learning experiences that connect students with real-world industry exposure and future-ready skills. Alongside his leadership at Delta Institute, George serves as a Research Assistant in Economics at the University of Cambridge and London Business School, contributing to research at the intersection of economic theory, empirical analysis, and policy. He is an active member of the International Baccalaureate Educator Network (IBEN) and a strong advocate for lifelong learning and internationally minded education.
May 13, 2026
May 13, 2026
May 13, 2026
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