Ivy League universities are known for offering an exceptional learning environment, but you don’t need to wait until college to experience this yourself. Consider attending a free Ivy League summer program for high school students. You will get the same quality education and work with exceptional resources as you take college-level classes. At the same time, you will experience life as an Ivy League student and explore campus life.

We’ve narrowed this list to the best free Ivy League summer programs for high school students. These were chosen based on key factors such as being fully funded and having a low acceptance rate, making them valuable for your college admissions profile. Each option is a prestigious program that would boost your academic profile.

Here are the top 10 free Ivy League summer programs for high school students!

1. Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program

Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program is a prestigious research internship where you will work in a Princeton laboratory to contribute to ongoing research. You will conduct research in natural sciences or engineering. The program ends with the submission of a 2-page report that summarises your study, from formulating the research question to the conclusion. You will be supervised by Princeton faculty throughout the program. Previous cohorts have worked on topics like machine learning of smart polymeric materials, using machine learning to navigate ocean currents, and machine learning for green power generation and propulsion. This very selective program receives about 1,500 applications and only accepts 20-40 of those students. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here. 

Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ

Acceptance rate: 2%

Program dates: 5-6 weeks during the summer (depending on the specific project) 

Application deadline: March 15

Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years of age and are US citizens, legal permanent residents, or international students currently in the United States

2. Columbia University’s Hk Maker Lab

Columbia University’s Hk Maker Lab is a summer program for high school students interested in engineering, healthcare, and technology. As a participant, you will first attend Columbia University’s Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE)—a 3-week project-based engineering program. This is followed by the second phase, a 2-week program where you work with other Hk Maker Lab students to develop a form of digital media that addresses a global health issue. Examples of previous projects include a device that checks if a needle has been inserted correctly in a vein and a water purifier that uses sunlight to kill bacteria. At the end of the program, you will have the opportunity to participate in a paid internship at a healthcare institution. This program accepts 24-28 students from about 500 applicants. 

Location: Columbia University, New York, NY

Acceptance rate: 5%

Program dates: July 7 – August 8

Application deadline: January 8

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who attend an NYC public or charter school and can demonstrate educational or economic disadvantage

Stipend: Travel and lunch stipends are provided after completion of the program  

3. Harvard’s Data Science in Action Program

Harvard University’s Data Science in Action program is a summer program for students interested in machine learning, AI, and programming. This a project-based program that focuses on building a self-driving toy car. You will work in teams and learn about machine learning, Python, statistics, image classification, and how to use a Raspberry Pi. As a final presentation, you will train your classification algorithm to recognize pictures of objects and then install the program in a toy car that will drive itself. The curriculum also includes guest lectures by experts in the field.

Location: Harvard University, Boston, MA

Acceptance rate: Not available. Previous cohorts have included 12-16 students

Program dates: June 22 – July 10

Application deadline: May 1 

Eligibility: All high school students who have a basic understanding of algebra. Students from low-income backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Stipend: Stipends are available for students from low-income backgrounds.

4. Princeton’s Summer Journalism Program

Princeton University’s Summer Journalism Program is a prestigious college preparatory and journalism program for high school students. While the sessions on college preparation take place during the academic year, the bulk of the program takes place in the summer through a combination of remote learning and a 10-day residential component. Through the program, you will learn from journalists, tour news organizations, write articles, produce digital media, and work on investigative reports. You will also develop and publish The Princeton Summer Journal with the other students. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here. 

Location: Princeton University

Acceptance rate: 11% (as of 2017)

Program dates: Year-long. The summer intensive will begin in early July, and the residential program will take place from late July to early August

Application deadline: February 24

Eligibility: Students must be in the 11th grade, have a minimum GPA of 3.5, and must meet one of these socioeconomic conditions. 

5. UPenn’s Teen Research and Education in Environmental Science (TREES) Program

The University of Pennsylvania’s TREES program is a research program for high school students focusing on environmental science. This highly selective program accepts about 7-8 students per cohort. During the first two weeks, you will learn basic lab skills and conduct library research. In the program's second half, you will work on an independent research project while receiving 1-on-1 guidance from a mentor. At the end of the program, you will submit a research report and publicly present your findings. 

Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Acceptance rate: Not available. Previous cohorts have accepted 7-8 students

Program dates: July 8 – August 5 

Application deadline: February 28

Eligibility: Applicants must live in or around Philadelphia, have completed grades 9, 10, or 11 by the summer, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Students from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

6. Yale University’s Citizens Thinkers Writers

Yale University’s Citizens Thinkers Writers is a two-week residential summer program for high school students interested in political theory, philosophy, ethics, and critical writing. Through discussion seminars, the syllabus explores fundamental moral and political questions on topics like breaking the law, administering justice, freedom, human nature, and the challenges of city life. You will engage with classic texts, learn how to close read, and write critical analyses. As a CTW Fellow, you will continue to meet with Yale faculty throughout the academic year and receive support for the college application process.

Location: Yale University

Acceptance rate: Not available. The program generally accepts 30 students per cohort  

Program dates: July 13 – 25

Application deadline: March 3

Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors from New Haven public schools. First-generation students will be given preference.

7. Dartmouth Bound Summer Program

Dartmouth Bound is a residential summer program for high school students focusing on college preparation. As a participant, you will experience life at university while learning what makes for the best college applications. You will participate in a mock admissions committee exercise to understand what makes a successful application. You will also learn more about college curriculums, networking opportunities, and the financial aid process by speaking with professors, admissions officers, and current students.  

Location: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH

Acceptance rate: The program generally accepts 140 students per cohort

Program dates: TBA. The program generally takes place over 3-4 days in July

Application deadline: Applications open during the spring, but the deadline is not specified

Eligibility: All rising high school seniors living and attending school in the US

8. Yale University’s DTC High School Internship

Yale University’s Discovery to Cure High School Internship encourages high school students to pursue careers in science and medicine. The internship offers 25 students the opportunity to spend six weeks conducting research in one of Yale’s biomedical laboratories. You will work under the supervision of a Principal Investigator and contribute to their research project, ending with a final presentation. Previous students have explored topics like pregnancy complications, genetic abnormalities, and bone formation. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here. 

Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT

Acceptance rate: Less than 12%

Program dates: TBA. The program generally takes place between June and August  

Application deadline: February 14

Eligibility: High school seniors who are at least 16 years old  

9. PennRSSA Summer Academy

University of Pennsylvania’s RSSA Summer Academy is a six-week summer program that combines academic enrichment, college preparation, and career exploration. During the program, you will be assigned to a peer cohort and attend online and in-person classes. You will attend courses on economics and storytelling, explore career pathways, attend alumni panels, go on campus tours, and receive tips on the college application process. The curriculum also includes a capstone project—the 2024 cohort’s projects had to address one of the UN’s sustainability goals.  

Location: A combination of virtual learning and in-person learning at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Acceptance rate: Not available  

Program dates: TBA. The program generally takes place between June and July

Application deadline: TBA. The deadline is generally towards the end of May  

Eligibility: Rising high school seniors in Philadelphia

10. Columbia University’s State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP)

Also known as Columbia STEP, Columbia University’s S-PREP is an academic enrichment and college preparatory program for high school students interested in pursuing careers in STEM or medicine. The program allows you to choose between a summer program or an academic year program, which takes place on Saturdays. You will take various math and science courses like biochemistry, organic chemistry, cognitive science, physics, calculus, and anatomy. Alongside these courses, you can attend career development workshops, academic counseling sessions, field trips, and campus tours.

Location: Columbia University, New York, NY

Acceptance rate: Not available

Program dates: July 8 – August 2

Application deadline: April 15

Eligibility: Students in grades 7-12 with an 80% grade average, particularly in math and science

One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.

Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!

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.