16 Summer Programs Still Open for High School Students
If you’re a high school student looking to make the most of your summer, consider joining a summer program in a subject of your choice and gain hands-on experience. The summer programs below, which are still open for applications offer practical skills, valuable connections, and early exposure to college-level academics, all without being super expensive options. These programs can also strengthen your college applications by showcasing your interests and initiative, which make for great talking points in your college essays or SOPs.
Whether you’re seeking free options, subject-specific programs, or opportunities in research and STEM, there’s something for everyone. Many summer programs are still open for applications from high school students, and we’ve compiled a list of 16 to help you find the perfect fit.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring.
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, PA
Cost: None, stipend upon completion
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising 10th and 11th grade high school students in Philadelphia (minimum GPA 3.0)
The Provost Summer Mentorship Program at the University of Pennsylvania is designed to increase college access for first-generation and underrepresented students. Over four weeks, you will engage in practical learning through immersive experiences with the university’s five professional schools: Law, Dental, Engineering, Nursing, and Medicine. As one of the summer programs still open for high school students, the program provides hands-on exposure to professional fields through a concluding internship in one of these schools.
In addition to the mentorship, you will gain skills in digital and financial literacy, college test preparation, and application strategies. Participants receive a stipend, daily lunch, and a SEPTA TransPass for transportation, ensuring accessibility throughout the program.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,290 for the AI Scholars program; $5,400 for the AI Fellowship; $6,900 for both programs (financial aid is available).
Dates: Depends on the cohort
Application Deadline: Spring cohort is January 5
Eligibility: High school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship is open to those who have completed the AI Scholars program or have previous experience with Python.
Veritas AI introduces high school students to artificial intelligence through practical, real-world applications. Founded by researchers from Harvard University, the program features mentors who are alumni of Harvard, Stanford, and MIT. As one of the summer programs still open for high school students, Veritas AI offers a valuable opportunity to explore AI through hands-on projects and one-on-one mentorship with experts in the field.
The program emphasizes collaboration, mentorship, and project-based learning. Through the AI Fellowship, students pursue individual projects under one-on-one mentorship. Previous participants have explored AI applications in fields such as medicine, education, finance, and gaming. You can find their projects here. Apply for their program here.
Location: New York City
Cost: None, stipend provided
Dates: June 18 - August 28 (pre-employment workshops are usually in March/April)
Application Deadline: January 13
Eligibility: NYC public high school students, students must work five days a week for 35-40 hours.
The Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program is designed to help high school students prepare for a legal career while fostering diversity in the field. The program pairs you with employers such as law firms, non-profits, and government agencies, offering an internship that promotes professional growth and firsthand exposure to legal work.
Your responsibilities will vary by employer and may include assisting paralegals, administrative tasks, record-keeping, data entry, and organizing exhibits. To further support your career preparation, you will attend a mandatory series of workshops focused on equipping you with essential skills for employment and a future in law.
Location: Yale University
Cost: Non-refundable application fee and $6,500 (financial aid is available)
Dates: 3 residential sessions (June 22- July 4, July 6- July 18, July 20- August 1)
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: Be between the ages of 16-18 years by July 20.
The two-week residential Yale Young Global Scholars program offers high school students a glimpse into college life on Yale’s historic campus, alongside peers from around the globe. The program takes a multidisciplinary approach, with sessions covering topics such as politics, law, economics, global challenges, and innovations in science and technology.
You will participate in small seminars and large lectures led by faculty, while also learning through collaboration with your peers, fostering a global perspective. The program concludes with a mentored Capstone project and awards a certificate of completion, providing both an enriching academic experience and valuable skills for future endeavors. You can apply here.
Location: New York University campus, NY and virtual
Cost: Free, Stipend provided
Dates: June 2- August 8 (4-week remote workshops, 6 weeks in person)
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school students completing 10th or 11th grade in June from NYC, who are residents.
This 10-week program immerses high school students in STEM fields, covering areas such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, chemical engineering, robotics, and computer science. The program is divided into two phases: a four-week virtual workshop series and a six-week hands-on research experience.
In the first phase, you will explore topics like scientific ethics, research methodology, data collection, and lab safety. The second phase provides experiential learning in a lab environment, guided by mentors and faculty. You will also develop public speaking skills and present your research findings at a colloquium attended by NYU faculty, graduate students, and other participants.
Location: UCLA, CA
Cost: $350 non-refundable registration fee, $1650 program fee, $385 per academic unit, most courses consist of 4-5 units each, A fee calculator has been provided to calculate individual costs (Financial aid is available)
Dates: June 24 – August 2
Application Deadline: Early Action deadline is February 14
Eligibility: Applicants must be in grade 10 or 11, a minimum 3.6 GPA (weighted).
The UCLA Summer College Immersion Program (SCIP) offers high school students the opportunity to experience university life and develop skills for academic success. Participants take college-level courses alongside UCLA undergraduates, earning college credits while gaining access to the university’s academic resources. This is one of the summer programs still open for high school students, providing a chance to immerse yourself in college academics and campus life.
The program also includes workshops, coursework, and seminars designed to enhance academic skills. They are complemented by co-curricular activities such as resilience training, stress management workshops, and community service.
8. LaunchX
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,995 for the Online Innovation program (3-weeks), $6,995 for the Online Entrepreneurship Summer program (5-weeks), additional application fee (Financial aid is available), additional international fee
Dates: Online innovation program: June 9 – 27; Online Entrepreneurship Summer program: June 30 - August 1
Application Deadline: Regular application deadline is March 1
Eligibility: High school students located anywhere in the world.
LaunchX offers students an opportunity to develop an entrepreneurial mindset with guidance from instructors affiliated with universities like Wharton. The program emphasizes skills such as collaboration, innovation, and problem-solving while providing access to industry leaders for key insights.
In the Online Innovation program, participants work in groups to present directly to companies on “Innovation Day.” Meanwhile, the Online Entrepreneurship program guides students in building a business from the ground up, covering areas like identifying opportunities, creating prototypes, and gaining market validation. This program concludes with a “Demo Day,” where participants showcase their ventures. You can apply here.
Location: Pomona College, CA
Cost: Free
Dates: June 22- July 18
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: Currently in 9th grade in LA county, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County or Ventura County. Must be a first-generation college bound student, currently taking Geometry or Math.
This residential program is designed for students from underrepresented and low-income families, enrolling only 30 participants each year for a three-year commitment. Over the course of the four-week program, students gain exposure to college-level education through small class sizes, workshops, practical learning, and hands-on projects.
The curriculum emphasizes math, problem-solving, and critical inquiry, including analysis and writing, providing a comprehensive liberal arts experience. Pomona College covers all program costs, including food, housing, and transportation for field trips, ensuring accessibility for all participants. Apply here.
Location: Hybrid: Virtual and at Princeton University
Cost: Free, the program will pay for meals, housing and costs for the in-person segment of the program
Dates: Online workshops in July and in person experience in early August
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: Students in Junior year at the time of application, must live in the United States and intend to study there. Unweighted GPA of 3.5. Students who are first generation college students are given priority consideration. Students must meet one of predefined socio-economic conditions which can be found here.
Designed for students interested in pursuing journalism, this hybrid summer program combines virtual and in-person components. During the virtual sessions, participants attend online lectures and workshops with established journalists while beginning to write their own articles. The on-campus portion provides an opportunity to experience dorm life and attend workshops led by renowned journalists and educators. As one of the summer programs still open for high school students, this program offers a blend of hands-on experience and expert guidance in the field of journalism.
Students also take part in experiential opportunities, such as touring news organizations like Huffington Post and Bloomberg. The program concludes with the publication of The Princeton Summer Journal, a collaborative effort by all participants. Additionally, a college counselor is available to provide guidance throughout the participants’ senior year.
Location: MIT, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: 6-week
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Students in Junior year at the time of application, must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Students from underserved socio-economic backgrounds should apply. More details here.
The MITES Summer Program offers an immersive experience for students interested in STEM careers while equipping them with tools for academic success. Over six weeks, participants take five courses across Math, Science, and Humanities. The program includes visits to MIT labs, local companies where MITES alumni work, and seminars with STEM professionals, providing insight into career opportunities within these fields.
In addition to core coursework, students explore real-world applications of STEM through electives covering topics like machine learning and genomics, fostering a deeper understanding of these disciplines. Apply here.
Location: Stanford University, CA
Cost: Free, $500 stipend at a minimum, $40 application fee
Dates: June 9- July 31
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school junior or seniors’ year at the time of application, must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, must be currently living in and attending high school in the U.S. Must be 16 years or older (priority is given to Bay area students).
This eight-week program introduces students to biological sciences and medicine while teaching the fundamentals of scientific research. Participants choose from eight research areas, such as stem cell biology, immunology, bioengineering, and bioinformatics. Working alongside Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and researchers, students engage in hands-on projects with a focus on medicine.
The program includes lectures and mentorship, with each participant guided through their research by an assigned mentor. It concludes with a poster session, where students present their research findings to peers and faculty. Apply here.
Location: in-person. The program involves in-person internships at local nonprofit organizations and includes an in-person summit in Washington, D.C
Cost: Free, stipend will vary
Dates: Typically starts at the end of the school year
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school student who is currently a junior or senior and is legally authorized to work in the USA. Open to those in specific regions- you can find the list here.
The Bank of America Student Leaders program admits over 300 high school students annually, focusing on leadership development and community engagement. You will work with nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity, gaining insight into their operations while building leadership and interpersonal skills.
A key feature is an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for the National Student Leaders Summit, where you’ll learn how nonprofits collaborate with governments and businesses to drive change. This program offers hands-on experience, mentorship, and valuable insights for students passionate about community impact. You can apply here.
Location: Due to the vast network of mentors, students are placed within 45 minutes commute from the intern’s home
Cost: $3,000 stipend
Dates: Usually 8-weeks, and 32 hours per week. Start and end dates are determined by the student and mentor
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16; must be residents of the US, Canada, Mexico or Puerto Rico.
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program, sponsored by the American Fisheries Society (AFS), focuses on mentorship and promoting interest in aquatic sciences among underrepresented groups. Participants receive a stipend and an all-expenses-paid trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit.
Interns may work in a lab, on a boat, in the field, or in an office. Tasks vary based on the project but can include electrofishing, water quality testing, fish population surveys, and more. Apply here.
Location: Dallas, TX
Cost: Free
Dates: Session 1 (June 9 – July 4), Session 2 (July 7 – August 1), Full session (June 9- August 1)
Application Deadline: Application opens February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors in ISD in Dallas.
The Summer Law Intern program is a joint initiative between the Dallas Bar Association (DBA) and the Dallas Independent School District. It provides students with access to various aspects of law by assigning them to law firms or corporate legal departments in the Dallas area.
During the internship, you will follow a work schedule provided by your employer. The program concludes with an end-of-program reception, and you are expected to attend all related events, orientations, and programs offered by the Dallas Bar Association.
Location: Texas Tech University, TX
Cost: $25 application fee, Stipend of $750
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Applicants must be 17 years old by the start of the program and should be graduating in the current or next year. Applicants will need to furnish three recommendations and submit standardized test scores.
This seven-week research program mimics the college application process and allows a cohort of 12 students to engage in hands-on research alongside university faculty. Research areas for this year span disciplines such as biology, cellular and microbiology, cancer biology, physics, history, and computer science, with a focus on STEM subjects.
Participants also attend weekly seminars, field trips, and discussions that foster critical thinking and expand academic exploration. The program includes on-campus meals, housing, and activities for all students. You can apply here.
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.