11 Ivy League Engineering Programs for High School Students
If you’re a high school student considering an engineering degree, enrolling in a pre-college program at an Ivy League school could be a great way to get started. These programs offer a chance to explore complex topics, interact with experienced faculty, and experience college life firsthand.
Participating in these programs will expose you to specialized knowledge and practical experience early. You’ll gain an introduction to engineering principles and real-world applications while demonstrating your abilities. College admission committees and employers value candidates who show early commitment to their field and have advanced skills for their age, so these programs can be a strong addition to your profile.
Whether you’re interested in electrical, software, mechanical, civil, biomedical, chemical, aerospace, or environmental engineering, these programs introduce concepts beyond the high school curriculum and can help you prepare for your chosen field.
To help you find the right option, we’ve compiled a list of 11 Ivy League engineering programs for high school students!
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Tuition-free for all accepted participants
Application Deadline: February 5, 2025 (tentative, based on previous years)
Dates: July 8 – August 5, 2025 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12 from the Philadelphia area with a minimum GPA of 3.0; applications are encouraged from underrepresented groups
The Teen Research and Education in Environmental Science (TREES) Program at the University of Pennsylvania focuses on research and mentorship. It provides high school students with opportunities to explore environmental science and health through a guided research experience. You’ll work closely with mentors on projects you select and design. The program begins with two weeks of training in basic laboratory techniques, followed by independent research. You will participate in seminars, field trips, social activities, and career and college admissions workshops. You’ll also conduct library research, learn scientific methods, and engage in fieldwork.
Students interested in environmental engineering can explore topics like water quality management, such as evaluating the effectiveness of filtration methods for local water sources. You will submit a research report and present your projects at the program's conclusion. Year-round mentoring is available, and many students participate in science fairs.
Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, NJ (commuter program)
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free, and participants receive a stipend, though the exact amount is not specified
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the previous years)
Dates: The internship lasts 8 to 10 weeks during the summer, though the dates and duration vary depending on each student’s school schedule; some internship opportunities are also available during the school year
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and at least 16 years old
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, part of the U.S. Department of Energy, offers an internship opportunity for graduating high school students. This program allows you to work on a project with a member of the laboratory’s research or engineering team, providing hands-on experience for future careers in physics. The internship explores how plasma physics and fusion energy are used in designing aircraft and spacecraft, making it a good opportunity for those interested in aerospace engineering.
If accepted, you will work on an experimental or computational project in plasma physics, covering topics such as plasma physics, fusion energy, and related fields. You will work 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. To be eligible, you should have experience with computational or experimental projects in plasma physics, relevant coursework in physics, engineering, advanced mathematics, and chemistry, as well as some familiarity with computer-aided design (CAD), coding, and related software tools. To learn more about this program, check out our full guide here.
Location: John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Allston, MA
Cost: The program is free for all accepted participants, but Harvard University does not cover housing and transportation to and from the SEC
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in April; TBA for 2025
Dates: July 8 – 12, 2025 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school students in the Boston area who are at least 16 years old
Harvard University’s BioSTAR summer program provides high school students with hands-on learning in bioengineering. During the program, you will design and conduct research experiments in advanced laboratories and work with Harvard researchers to understand bioengineering's role in improving human health.
The program covers 3D culturing of mammalian cancer cells, drug delivery techniques, nanoparticle synthesis, fluorescence microscopy for cell visualization, cell viability assays, and data analysis. With guidance from SEAS graduate students and research fellows, you’ll also perform immunofluorescence imaging, fabricate microfluidic devices, conduct CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, and learn scanning electron microscopy techniques. Admission to the program is highly competitive; for the 2024 session, only 15 students were accepted. Early application is recommended.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (residential program)
Cost: Students enrolled in a public or charter high school within the School District of Philadelphia may be eligible to participate in the Penn Summer Academy at no cost through a Penn Summer Scholarship
Application Deadline: Applications for the summer 2025 program will open on December 1, 2024
Dates: July 5 – 26, 2025
Eligibility: Current 10th–11th grade students
The University of Pennsylvania’s Chemistry Research Academy offers high school students an introduction to advanced research with research professors and students. Topics covered in the program align with the department's research goals. The program includes hands-on laboratory experience, which makes up about 50% of class time. You will learn analytical methods like spectroscopy and gas chromatography, improve synthetic techniques through experiments, and work on open-ended lab challenges.
The program includes research lectures on nanoscale materials, chemical protein modification related to disease studies, the chemistry of rare earth metals, and the coordination of complex applications. The curriculum also covers principles of chemical bonding in organic and coordination chemistry, the functioning of analytical techniques, and the basics of materials science. You will tour facilities such as the Singh Center for Nanomaterials, the Science History Institute, and university research labs. In addition, you will develop independent research skills, learn how to work with research articles, and complete a capstone project.
Location: Brown University, Providence, RI
Cost: The cost ranges from $2,960 to $10,386, depending on the course format and duration, and some courses may include additional fees; scholarships are available
Application Deadline: May 9, 2025
Dates: Multiple on-campus courses ranging from 1 to 4 weeks are available between June 16 and July 25, 2025
Eligibility: Students finishing grades 9 through 12 and aged 14–18 by June 15, 2025; please refer to the specific course pages for details on any additional prerequisites
Brown University’s Pre-College Programs provide high school students with access to 230 non-credit courses in various engineering fields, such as biomedical engineering, nanotechnology, data visualization, engineering design, programming, electronics, alternative energy, materials engineering, renewable energy, MATLAB, CAD, and more. This program allows you to experience college-level academics without the pressure of grades or credit in classes taught by experienced instructors. Outside the classroom, you can participate in workshops, activities, and events scheduled throughout the day.
If you’re interested in engineering, you can opt for the “Materials Engineering—A Revolution in the Making” course, where you’ll explore materials science through hands-on activities, such as learning about metals and electrical conductivity by designing a light-up device with circuits in parallel or series. For the final project, you will reverse-engineer a product of your choice, incorporating metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites, creating a functional product if manufactured. This course provides insight into material properties, their applications, and how new materials are developed. Other engineering courses are available to explore here.
Location: Online through Canvas, Brown’s learning management system
Cost: The cost ranges from $3,218 to $6,238, depending on the duration of the course, and some courses may include additional fees; scholarships are available
Application Deadline: May 9, 2025
Dates: Multiple 2 to 6-week online courses are available between June 16 and July 25, 2025
Eligibility: Students finishing grades 9 through 12 and aged 14–18 by June 15, 2025; please refer to the specific course pages for details on any additional prerequisites
Summer@Brown Online allows high school students to explore over 50 courses in various engineering fields, such as biomedical engineering, data visualization, engineering design, materials engineering, AI, data science, machine learning, and more. You can choose from three online learning formats based on the course: asynchronous, mostly asynchronous, or blended. The program also includes workshops, activities, and events outside the classroom.
One course option is Biomedical Engineering: The Smart Design of Medical Implants and Devices, where you’ll study tissue replacement materials, cell interactions, and mechanical properties. The course also covers ethical considerations in biomedical design and includes a design challenge to create a new coronary artery bypass material. By the end of the course, you will understand the role of mechanical and material properties in tissue design, apply biology and math principles to analyze engineered materials, and collect and analyze experimental data. Additionally, you will design and prototype a biomedically-inspired tissue. Other engineering course options are also available for exploration here.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Students enrolled in a public or charter high school within the School District of Philadelphia may be eligible to participate in the Penn Summer Academy at no cost through a Penn Summer Scholarship
Application Deadline: Applications for the summer 2025 program will open on December 1, 2024
Dates: July 5 – 26, 2025
Eligibility: Students enrolled in grades 9–11
The University of Pennsylvania’s Summer Academies offers three-week programs focused on specific subjects. The Experimental Physics Research Academy explores astrophysics, mechanics, quantum dynamics, and electromagnetism. The curriculum includes lectures, projects, hands-on activities, and discussions. This residential program takes place on UPenn’s campus, where you will have access to its resources.
The program begins with an introduction to different areas of physics, including kinematics, electricity, nuclear physics, modern physics, and quantum mechanics. It also covers the philosophy of science, experimental design, ethics in science, and educational pathways. You will learn about current research at Penn through faculty presentations on their areas of expertise. Additionally, the program provides preparation for college-level physics. For more information on the curriculum and alumni experiences, you can see here.
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; online courses are also available
Cost:
Tuition is $1,840 per credit
Some online courses may have nonrefundable fees for required items like reading materials or course supplies
Limited financial aid is available for the summer session
Cornell tuition does not cover the cost of textbooks for the class
Application Deadline:
Summer session: There are multiple deadlines in May and June, depending on the selected session
Fall session: August 26, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Winter session: December 2, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Spring session: January 21, 2025
Dates:
Summer session: Several 3-, 6-, or 8-week sessions are available between May 27 and August 15, 2025
Fall session: August 26 – December 21, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Winter session: January 2 – 18, 2025 (3-week online sessions)
Spring session: January 21 – May 17, 2025
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; students must be at least 15 years old for online summer courses and at least 16 years old for on-campus summer commuter courses
Cornell University’s School of Continuing Education (SCE) offers pre-college commuter and online courses designed to help high school students prepare for college. You can earn 3 to 8 college credits, which may be transferable to Cornell or other universities, and you will receive a Cornell transcript upon completion. For the summer session, 3-, 6-, and 8-week commuter and online course options are available. For the winter session, only 3-week online courses are offered.
You can choose from over 100 regular undergraduate courses at Cornell in various fields, including architecture, arts, engineering, business, hospitality, international relations, health, science, technology, veterinary medicine, and more. Online courses are taught through Cornell’s web-based learning system, Canvas, and include interaction with instructors and fellow students through email, discussion boards, chat rooms, video conferences, and/or phone. If you are interested in engineering, you may select courses such as Engineering Communications, Engineering Applications of Operations Research, or Basic Engineering Probability and Statistics. To learn more about this program, check out our guide here.
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: The tuition for a two-week session is $6,500, with a non-refundable application fee of $75–$90; need-based financial aid is available
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis:
Early action deadline: October 20, 2024
Regular decision deadline: January 10, 2025
Dates: Residential sessions will be offered in June, July, and August of 2025:
Session I: June 22 – July 4, 2025
Session II: July 6 – 18, 2025
Session III: July 20 – August 1, 2025
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors aged 16–18 by July 20, 2025, and graduating in May or June of 2026 or 2027; applicants must be first-time participants in YYGS
Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) is an academic program for motivated high school students to experience college life. The program offers tracks in STEM, social sciences, humanities, and cross-disciplinary studies. You will work with diverse groups of peers in various learning settings. If you are interested in engineering, the Innovations in Science & Technology track explores STEM topics and applies scientific principles to real-world challenges. The track covers various scientific fields, including physics, molecular biology, chemistry, biochemistry, astronomy, engineering, neuroscience, immunology, psychology, and earth science.
The program provides a college-like environment with academic courses and social activities. You will also work on a group project guided by YYGS staff. Participation in YYGS is competitive, with an 18-20% acceptance rate, and is considered a valuable addition to your student profile. YYGS also offers webinars covering topics like college admissions, tuition, and academics, which you can attend live or access as recordings. For more details, see here.
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY (commuter program)
Cost: $5,500, which includes tuition, lab fee, materials fee, and activity fee; need-based scholarships are available
Application Deadline: March 26, 2025 (tentative, based on previous years); the applications for Summer 2025 will open on November 18, 2024
Dates:
Session 1: July 7 – 25, 2025
Session 2: July 28 – August 15, 2025
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and high school graduates
Columbia Engineering's Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE) is a pre-college program for students interested in STEM. Each session offers college-level, project-based engineering courses taught by Columbia University faculty. During the program, you will select a subject to focus on for the entire session. The program also includes electives, college preparation activities, workshops, and support from Columbia students.
For those interested in biomedical engineering, the course Biomedical Engineering: Where Biology, Medicine & Design Meet features hands-on lab exercises in biomechanics, bioinstrumentation, and medical imaging. You will observe the engineering design process and learn rapid prototyping techniques like laser engraving and 3D printing while building a biomedical device. Other course options include Sustainable Engineering: Designing a Better Planet, Electrical Engineering: Harnessing the Energy of the Sun, Chemical Engineering: Material and Energy Balance, and more.
Location: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
Cost: The tuition ranges from $4,799 to $9,299 and covers housing, meals, extracurricular activities, and excursions
Application Deadline: Applications are open for the 2025 summer program
Dates: Several two-week sessions are offered between June and August, depending on the chosen course
Eligibility: Students, both domestic and international, entering grades 10, 11, or 12 in Fall 2025; a GPA of 3.5 or higher in the relevant field of study (or a related field) is recommended
The Dartmouth Summer Scholars program, in partnership with Summer Discovery, offers pre-college programs for high school students. As a participant, you will take a selection of cross-disciplinary, noncredit courses taught by Dartmouth instructors. These courses allow you to delve into your academic interests, explore new subjects, and strengthen skills such as time management, critical thinking, and communication.
If you have an interest in engineering, you can apply to the Engineering Academy, which focuses on material properties, structures, and manufacturing processes. This academy is designed to boost your creativity and build confidence in tackling complex assignments. Beyond academics, the program includes activities ranging from small group workshops and outdoor recreation to social events.
Bonus
12. Lumiere Research Scholar Program—Engineering Track
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort. The deadline for the upcoming winter cohort is December 29, 2024
Dates: The summer cohort runs from June–August, fall from September–December, winter from December–February, and spring from March–June
Eligibility: High school students with an unweighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program provides high school students with the opportunity to conduct independent research projects in a range of subjects. You will be paired with a PhD mentor who will offer one-on-one guidance throughout the program.
Over 12 weeks, you’ll work closely with your mentor and a writing coach to select and refine your research topic. The program also includes workshops on research methods and concludes with a final independent research paper. Available topics include economics, data science, psychology, physics, computer science, international relations, engineering, chemistry, and more. If you are interested in engineering, you can focus your research on civil and environmental engineering or chemical and biological engineering. For further application details, see here.
13. Veritas AI—Computer Science Engineering
Location: Virtual
Cost: AI Scholars: $2,290 | AI Fellowship: $5,400 | Combination (AI Scholars + AI Fellowship): $6,900. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here
Application Deadline: January 5, 2025, for the upcoming spring cohort. You can apply here!
Dates: Several cohorts run throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students. For the AI Fellowship program, students must have either a basic understanding of Python or have completed the AI Scholars program
Veritas AI, founded and managed by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students interested in artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars program is a great option for beginners, introducing the basics of AI, machine learning, and data science. This 10-session boot camp focuses on foundational concepts and includes opportunities to work on real-world projects.
For more advanced students, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase provides one-on-one mentorship with experts from top universities to develop a unique individual project. You will benefit from an in-house publication team that supports publishing research in high school journals. The fellowship encourages integrating AI with fields like finance, medicine, sports, and environmental science. Examples of past projects are available to explore here.
14. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)—Engineering Track
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: February 16, 2025, for the spring cohort; May 18, 2025, for the summer cohort
Dates:
Spring seminar: March 3, 2025 onwards
Summer seminar: June 16, 2025 onwards
Horizon Labs provides flexible start dates, with applications required at least 4 weeks in advance
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA greater than 3.67 on a 4.0 scale are eligible to apply. The majority of students accepted into the program are in 10th or 11th grade. Only a few tracks have specific prerequisites, which are outlined here
Horizon provides trimester-long research programs for high school students in diverse subjects such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biomedical engineering, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more. You can choose between quantitative and qualitative research. One course option for those interested in engineering is Environmental Health and Engineering, which explores sustainability challenges in agriculture, urbanization, infrastructure, resource use, and recent engineering innovations.
Once you choose a subject track and research type, you will be paired with a professor or PhD scholar from a renowned university who will mentor you throughout your research. You will work toward producing a 20-page, university-level research paper, which can be submitted to journals for publication. The program also offers need-based financial aid. This experience will allow you to conduct specialized research under expert mentorship. You’ll also receive a letter of recommendation and detailed project feedback, which can support future research endeavors and college applications. You can apply here!
Location: Virtual
Cost: Starts at $2,490; Financial aid is available
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. The upcoming deadline for the winter cohort is December 10, 2024
Dates: Programs run for 8–16 weeks with multiple cohorts offered throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter sessions
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can dedicate 5–15 hours per week for 8–16 weeks
Ladder Internships, founded by Harvard alumni, is a competitive program that connects high school students with virtual internships at startups and nonprofits worldwide. Interns can work in areas such as technology, machine learning, AI, computer science, software engineering, environmental science, sustainability, business, marketing, healthcare, medicine, media, and journalism. Each year, around 1,200 interns are selected from over 6,200 applicants.
As an intern, you will contribute to projects that support the objectives of your assigned startup or nonprofit, with the program culminating in a presentation of your work. The program also includes training in essential skills like communication and time management, group sessions with other interns, and mentorship from a site manager and a Ladder coach. To view available internships, you can complete the application form.
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.