13 Summer Programs for High School Students in West Virginia
Are you a high school student looking to transform your summer break into a meaningful and rewarding experience? Whether you want to enhance your college application, explore new interests, or immerse yourself in an academic subject, West Virginia offers a wide array of summer programs that cater to diverse passions and goals. From university-led camps to artistic, athletic, and scientific opportunities, these programs are designed to challenge, inspire, and engage you in new and exciting ways.
Attending a summer program in West Virginia not only gives you a head start on college-level academics but also allows you to experience the state’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty.
In this blog, we’ll explore 13 of the best summer program options for high school students in West Virginia. Whether you're interested in science, technology, sports, or the arts, you'll find an option that aligns with your passions and goals for a productive summer.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program, founded by Harvard and Oxford researchers, is a prestigious online research opportunity designed for high-achieving high school students interested in conducting original research. The program pairs students with a Ph.D. mentor who guides them through the process of exploring advanced topics in their chosen field. This experience culminates in the production of an independent research project, offering a rare opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge scholarship while still in high school.
You can work in subject areas like mathematics, biology, data science, economics, psychology, business, gender studies, linguistics, environmental studies, philosophy, astrophysics, engineering, and more. Participants gain valuable insights into advanced research methodologies, sharpen their critical thinking skills, and tackle complex issues under expert guidance. The program will end with a symposium and give students a potential chance at publication.
Location: Remote
Program Dates: June to August (summer). Fall, winter, and spring cohorts are also available.
Cost: $2,990 (12 weeks) | $5,900 (16-20 weeks). Financial aid is available.
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 out of 4 GPA
Application Deadline: Summer deadlines are usually in March, April, and May.
2. Veritas AI
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs tailored for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects.
Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. The fellowship encourages students to explore interdisciplinary approaches, enabling them to merge AI with various fields such as finance, medicine, sports, environmental science, and more! You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
Location: Virtual
Cost:
$2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program
$5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
$6,900for both
Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Winter cohort deadline - December 1, 2024
Program dates: Various according to the cohort
Program selectivity: Moderately selective
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Application Requirements: Online application form, answers to a few questions about the student's background & coding experience, math courses, and areas of interest.
Ladder Internships, founded by Harvard alumni, offers a unique opportunity for high schoolers to intern with startups and nonprofits across the world. Students can choose the field they wish to intern in, with companies in a wide range of industries, including computer science, technology, engineering, machine learning, AI, media, journalism, sustainability, healthcare, and more. As interns, students contribute to projects that support the organization's mission and present their work at the program's conclusion.
The program includes one-on-one mentoring in communication, time management, and other essential skills, as well as group training sessions with fellow interns. In addition to working closely with startup managers, interns receive guidance from a dedicated Ladder Coach. This dual mentorship ensures a comprehensive learning experience, providing support, insights, and an opportunity to showcase their work after the internship!
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: 8-week programs with multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Cost: Starting at $1990. Financial aid is available
Eligibility: Open to all high school students, who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. These internships are also open to undergraduates and gap-year students!
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year. Summer cohort: April 14, 2024 (Regular Admission 1) | May 12, 2024 (Regular Admission 2).
4. Horizon
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more. It is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research.
Once you select a particular subject track and type of research you’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar (from a top university) who will mentor you throughout your research journey. You’ll work to create a 20-page, university-level research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
This program is a solid opportunity for you to pursue a research program in highly specialized fields, under the guidance of a top scholar. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student, as well as detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects and on college applications. Apply here.
Location: Virtual
Program Dates:
Summer seminar: June 24, 2024 - September 2, 2024
Fall seminar: October 23, 2024 - February 19, 2025
Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Application Deadline: May 21, 2024, for the summer cohort, and September 25, 2024, for the fall cohort.
The Young Founders Lab is an intensive startup boot camp that empowers high school students to develop and launch their own revenue-generating startups. Founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs, this program guides participants through the entire process of building a business, from ideation to execution, with the support of experienced mentors from Google, Microsoft, and X.
Throughout the program, students participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals, workshops on skill-building, case studies, and panel discussions. They also engage in hands-on activities that teach critical business skills, such as market research, product development, and financial planning. The program concludes with a final pitch event, where students present their startups to a panel of industry professionals.
The program is an excellent opportunity to delve into the world of business in high school and have a space to explore multiple theoretical and practical frameworks that lead to a successful business. You can access the application link here.
Location: Virtual, with live, interactive workshops.
Program Dates: The 2024 edition of the program starts on June 5th and spans over 4 weeks.
Cost: $2,900 for the 4-week program (need-based financial aid available)
Eligibility: Open to all high school students.
Application Deadline: There are 3 application deadlines that you can choose between:
Early Decision Deadline: March 17, 2024
Regular Admission Deadline 1: April 14, 2024
Regular Admission Deadline 2: May 12, 2024
In this week-long summer camp at West Virginia University, you'll learn the fundamentals of forensic science while practicing skills at a mock crime scene. Topics covered include latent fingerprint analysis, death investigation, forensic biology, chemistry, and bloodstain pattern analysis. This hands-on experience is ideal for students fascinated by crime scene investigations and forensic sciences.
Location: West Virginia University
Program Dates: June 17 – 21, 2024; July 22 – 26, 2024
Cost: $969 for day camp and $1,369 for overnight camp.
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
Application Deadline: Closed for 2024; applications for 2025 will open soon
Do you have a passion for music and technology? The Ohio Valley Electronic Music Workshop offers a unique opportunity for students to explore the world of electronic music in a collaborative and creative environment. A joint effort between the Oglebay Institute and West Liberty University, this program is perfect for those who want to dive into the intricacies of electronic sound production and performance.
Over the course of the program’s two weeks, you’ll work with experienced instructors to learn how to create, manipulate, and perform music using various electronic instruments. The program emphasizes both individual creativity and group collaboration, providing you with the chance to compose original pieces and perform them in a final concert.
In addition to the hands-on experience, you’ll also get a taste of college life by spending time at both the Oglebay Institute and West Liberty University campuses. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet other young musicians, build connections, and push the boundaries of what you can do with music.
Location: Oglebay Institute and West Liberty University
Program Dates: Various programs between June 3 – August 2
Cost: $160 – $190
Eligibility: Open to high school students
Application Deadline: Applications open in February
The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) is renowned for its rigorous and immersive academic programs, and its summer offerings are designed for high-achieving students interested in diving deep into subjects like medicine and medical research. This online pre-college program offers a flexible schedule with 1-week intensives, 2-week, and 4-week courses, allowing you to choose a pace that suits your summer availability.
In this pre-college program, you’ll explore clinical research, ethics in medicine, and cutting-edge topics like cancer research. You’ll have the chance to work on guided research projects, all while receiving mentorship from top researchers in the field. By the end of the program, you’ll have written a scientific article based on your research—a fantastic addition to your college application.
Note: The course also lets you work on a capstone research project of your choice, an excellent way to demonstrate your motivation, dedication, and relevant skills in your college application.
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: Apply at your convenience and you can get started in 2 weeks
Cost: Individually-paced courses range from $955 - $1,555 | Session-based courses range from $695 - $2,130
Eligibility: Open to all high-school students
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
The WVU High School ACCESS Early College Program allows eligible high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors to earn college credits while still in high school. This program offers a wide range of courses. Whether you're aiming to get ahead in core subjects or explore new academic interests, this program provides a valuable glimpse into university life.
With an extensive range of courses to choose from, including subjects in the sciences, humanities, and social sciences, the program helps you develop critical skills that will ease the transition to college. By completing college-level coursework, you'll build confidence, strengthen your academic record, and potentially reduce the time and cost of your future degree.
The application process includes completing an online application, submitting an Enrollment Authorization Form, and paying tuition if admitted and registered for courses. Once admitted, you remain active for the following semester by submitting an updated Enrollment Authorization Form.
Location: West Virginia University
Program Dates: Varies
Cost: $25 per credit for WV residents and $75 for non-resident students
Eligibility: High School Student.
Application Deadline: August 16, 2024 for fall.
10. WVU's Brain Camp
For those fascinated by neuroscience and eager to understand how the brain works, WVU’s Brain Camp offers a week of hands-on learning and scientific discovery. This immersive science-based camp, hosted by the Department of Neuroscience at West Virginia University, is great for high school students interested in exploring brain science through lab work, experiments, and lectures.
Limited to just 30 students, Brain Camp gives you the opportunity to stay on WVU’s campus, attend presentations by faculty and graduate students, and participate in real neuroscience research. You’ll dive into topics like human neuro-psych testing, brain anatomy, and basic lab safety, gaining practical skills while working alongside professionals in state-of-the-art laboratories. From dissecting brains to learning how neuroimaging works, this camp provides a deep and engaging look at the inner workings of the human brain.
Location: West Virginia University
Program Dates: July 14 – 20, 2024
Cost: $750
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
Application Deadline: TBA
These four-day, non-residential workshops are designed to give high school students a hands-on introduction to the principles of engineering and innovation. Limited to 30 participants per session, these camps provide a focused and interactive environment where students can develop their problem-solving skills.
Each session features a unique theme. One session might focus on engineering and innovation, while another explores the intersection of engineering and environmental issues. Throughout the camp, you’ll work on team-based projects, participate in interactive workshops, and collaborate with WVU faculty and fellow students on exciting design challenges. By the end of the program, participants present their projects or share their experiences, showcasing the skills they’ve acquired.
Location: West Virginia University
Program Dates:
June 24 – 28,2024
July 15 – 19, 2024
July 29 – August 2, 2024
Cost: $425
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
Application Deadline: TBA
12. CAMP STEM
Camp STEM is a week-long program aimed at students with an interest in science, technology, engineering, and math. This week-long program invites high school students to dive into subjects like electronics, robotics, automobiles, and forensic investigation. Held on WVU’s Beckley campus, CAMP STEM combines academic learning with fun, interactive projects that give you a glimpse of college life while expanding your knowledge in various STEM disciplines.
Throughout the camp, you’ll engage in hands-on activities and team-based challenges, working alongside professors and peers to solve real-world problems. The program provides access to state-of-the-art labs and equipment, allowing you to experience STEM in a highly practical and engaging way.
Location: West Virginia University
Program Dates: June 9 – 14, 2024
Cost: $600
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
Application Deadline: Applications open in March.
This pre-college program is for students interested in exploring the world of clinical science. This program, which is held online, allows you to delve into medical research topics such as clinical research methodologies, cancer studies, and research ethics. Whether you're aiming for a career in medicine, biology, or public health, this course provides a solid foundation in medical science.
The program offers 1-week intensives, 2-week, and 4-week sessions to accommodate different learning paces. You’ll work on projects under the guidance of top researchers, participate in lectures and discussions, and even write a scientific article based on your research. With mentorship, career guidance, and a focus on real-world medical problems, this course offers a deep dive into the field, providing both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Location: Online
Program Dates: Multiple session options are available.
Cost: $1,795. scholarships available
Eligibility: Open to all high-school students.
Application Deadline: TBA
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.
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