10 University Programs for Middle School Students
If you’re a motivated middle school student curious about college life and what it offers, consider applying to an extracurricular academic program hosted by a university! Participating in such programs gives you a glimpse of campus life and an opportunity to have new life experiences.
University programs also enhance your CV by demonstrating a commitment to learning, which can significantly impact your college application or applications to rigorous high school research programs.
In this blog, we have covered 10 university programs specially tailored for middle school students:
The Ulysses G. Grant Foundation at Yale University is a six-week summer program for highly motivated middle schoolers looking to challenge themselves academically. The curriculum is curated and taught by undergraduate professors at Yale. You will study two academic disciplines in this program — Humanities and Investigations.
Within Humanities, you can opt for courses like Race and Identity through the Arts, the Philosophy of Living, and the Fundamentals of Music. Within Investigations, you can choose courses like Community Building through Sustainability, Government Spending and Ethical Consumption, and Architectural Explorations.
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Dates: June 24, 2024, to August 2, 2024 (similar dates for 2025)
Cost: $75 (scholarships available)
Eligibility: Rising grade 6-9 students currently studying in New Haven
Deadline: February 23, 2024
Penn GEMS at the University of Pennsylvania is a week-long summer program for middle school students curious about pursuing careers in STEM, especially engineering. The program focuses on bioengineering, nanotechnology, materials science, graphics, and computing. You will receive mentorship from field experts during the program, and solve problems that simulate real-world challenges.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Dates: June 24 to 28, 2024 (similar dates for 2025)
Cost: $650
Eligibility: Philadelphia-area middle school students in grades 6,7, and 8
Deadline: March 4, 2024
The State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP) at Columbia University is a preparatory program specifically designed for students interested in medicine and related STEM fields. Supported by the New York State Education Department, the program aims to increase the number of historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students in STEM fields and professions. S-PREP is competitive and offers courses in subjects like Calculus, Statistics, Biochemistry, and Brain & Cognitive Science. You can also avail of PSAT and SAT courses to prepare yourself for competitive exams. S-PREP offers two sessions, one in the summer and another after school during the academic year
As a bonus, students participating in S-PREP become eligible for future opportunities like the Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC) program and the HICCC Cure Program.
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Dates: July 8, 2024, to August 2, 2024 (similar dates for 2025)
Cost: None
Eligibility: Students must be:
Enrolled in grades 7 to 12
A New York State resident or a U.S. permanent resident residing in the state
From economically disadvantaged backgrounds or belonging to communities historically underrepresented in STEM
Deadline: May 15, 2024
4. dynaMIT
dynaMIT is a summer program at MIT that encourages students to pursue careers in STEM through educational activities, challenges, and projects. In this program, you will learn critical thinking skills, science and engineering concepts, and design skills. You will be mentored by MIT undergraduate and graduate students who guide you through the curriculum and help foster your interest in design and innovation.
The program is entirely student-run, with MIT undergraduates responsible for developing the curriculum and organizing logistics. This lets you interact with college students and allows MIT students to gain valuable leadership and teaching skills.
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Dates: August 14 – August 18, 2024 (rising grades 6-7) | August 21 – August 25, 2024 (rising grades 8-9)
Cost: None
Eligibility: Rising grade 6,7,8, and 9 students
Deadline: March 10, 2024
The Stanford Middle School Scholars Program is a three-week virtual program with after-school sessions during the fall. Here, you can study curated courses on democracy, U.S. social movements, and the applications of mathematics. SMSSP is free and aimed at middle school students from low-income backgrounds. The courses are taught by Stanford Online High School instructors, who are distinguished professors holding advanced degrees in their chosen disciplines.
Location: Virtual
Dates: July 8 – 26, 2024 (similar dates for 2025)
Cost: None
Eligibility: Low-income students in grades 6 or 7
Deadline: March 29, 2024
Physics Inside is a two-week program that lets students explore fundamental principles of physics, astrophysics, and astronomy. Here, you can interact with faculty and research staff to learn about contemporary topics and real-world applications of physics. A typical day includes lectures, lab activities, and discussions, alongside offering a glimpse into college life.
You can work on exciting projects like synthesizing nanoscale materials like ferrofluids and analyzing laser light to determine its wavelength. The program includes guided tours of research facilities like the Birck Nanotechnology Center and Purdue's particle accelerator. The program is free of charge, with all materials provided. Faculty members share personal stories about their journeys in science and innovation to encourage you to pursue careers in this field!
Location: Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Dates: June 25 – June 28, 2024 (similar dates for 2025)
Cost: None
Eligibility: Current grade 7-8 students
Deadline: May 1, 2024
NYU Sounds of New York City (SONYC) is a program for middle schoolers to learn about the urban soundscape of New York City through science and technology. You will explore how sound impacts urban environments and learn to use cutting-edge technology to collect and analyze audio data.
SONYC curriculum includes field trips around New York City, providing real-world contexts for the concepts learned in the classroom. In this program, you will undertake hands-on activities that explore sound waves and their effects on public health, particularly within the context of New York City. This approach allows you to gain various technical skills, including understanding microcontrollers and sensors, circuitry and electronics, and coding skills. These experiences are designed to provide you with practical knowledge and a deeper understanding of how technology can be applied to real-world health issues.
Location: NYU, New York, NY
Dates: July 8 – August 4, 2024 (similar dates for 2025)
Cost: None
Eligibility: NYC residents aged 12-14 by the program’s start date
Deadline: April 14, 2024
The International Summer School at Yale University is a three-week residential program designed specifically for international students to experience academic life at an Ivy League institution. During the program, students choose one Academic and one Elective option. The Academic offerings include Business & Entrepreneurship, Creative Writing, Debate, English Language, and Study Skills. The Elective offerings include Film, Outdoor Leadership, Photography, Tennis, and Theatre.
To accommodate students from as many backgrounds as possible, places in the program are limited to only 10% of any one nationality. This program provides a unique opportunity for students to study in a culturally diverse setting.
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Dates: July 14, 2024, to August 4, 2024 (Similar dates for 2025)
Cost: $8,900
Eligibility: Current 13 to 18 year olds
Deadline: May 1, 2024
9. National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) Middle School Medicine and Healthcare Summer Program
The NSLC HealthCare Summer Program provides middle school students with a practical introduction to medicine. This six-day camp includes various activities and workshops, including suturing, dissections, checking for vital signs, and bedside manners and etiquette. The program includes off-site visits to hospitals and other healthcare institutions.
This summer camp will help you connect with like-minded peers while introducing you to the daily lives of medical practitioners. This experience can help you decide if you’d like to pursue a career in healthcare.
Location: American University campus (Washington, DC) and UC Berkeley (Berkeley, CA)
Dates: Usually happens over a week in the summer, typically in June or July. There are two sessions in the summer.
Cost: $2,795 for residential students and $2,395 for commuters. Financial aid is available
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
Deadline: Unspecified. Applications are accepted until seats are full
Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences hosts the New York State (NYS) 4-H Animal Science Programs, which connect young learners to hands-on learning opportunities within biology and veterinary studies. The program curriculum prioritizes collaboration, self-confidence, and leadership skills while teaching you to care for animals. The programs include participation in county and state-level shows, learning opportunities, and competitions for livestock species like beef, goat, and horse, as well as companion animals such as dogs. By participating in this program, you will gain experience working with animals and connect with peers from rural, suburban, and urban backgrounds with similar interests.
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Dates: June 2024 onwards. Multiple programs are available, ranging from a few weeks to the entire academic year
Cost: None
Eligibility: Current middle school students
Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
One more option - The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a program for middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests and build a project they are passionate about. Our mentors are scholars from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke and LSE.
The program was founded by a Harvard & Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. The program is rigorous and fully virtual. We offer need based financial aid for students who qualify. You can find the application in the brochure!
To learn more, you can reach out to our Head of Partnerships, Maya, at maya.novak-herzog@lumiere.education or go to our website.
Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year, you can apply using this application link! If you'd like to take a look at the cohorts + deadlines for 2024, you can refer to this page!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. 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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