10 Data Science Summer Programs for High School Students
If you have a passion for data science, you should consider joining one of the following summer programs. These programs, often hosted by prestigious institutions or universities, tend to immerse students in an intensive curriculum covering fundamental data science concepts such as statistical analysis, machine learning, and data visualization.
Through hands-on projects and interactive coursework, you will gain practical skills in coding, data manipulation, and analysis using industry-standard tools. The programs are structured to simulate real-world scenarios, allowing you to apply data science principles to solve complex problems and draw meaningful insights from diverse datasets. Participating in data science programs can also significantly boost your college applications by showcasing your dedication to honing your analytical abilities and gaining hands-on experience in the field.
It can be tough to know where to start and how to find the right fit for you. To make things easier, we have compiled a list of the 9 great data science summer programs for high school students!
1. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost:
$2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program
$5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
$6,900 for 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.
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.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Main summer deadlines are March 15, April 15, and May 15
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility:
You must be currently enrolled in high school
Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement. (Note. students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
Program Dates: The summer cohort runs from June to August, the Fall cohort from September to December, the Winter cohort from December to February, Spring from March to June
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 data science, AI, physics, economics, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: Virtual
Application Date: May 21, 2024 for the summer cohort, and September 25, 2024 for the fall cohort
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.
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!
4. MITES Summer
Location: MIT
Cost: Free
Program dates: 6 weeks - Late June to Early August
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors; underrepresented, underserved, and first-generation students are especially encouraged to apply.
The MITES (Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science) Summer Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a great opportunity for you if you’re interested in data science. Tailored for underrepresented minorities in STEM fields, MITES not only provides a diverse and inclusive learning environment but also offers a rigorous curriculum that includes a specialized focus on data science.
Through hands-on projects and interactive coursework, you will gain a deep understanding of statistical analysis, machine learning, and data visualization. The program's curriculum is designed to equip students with the technical skills necessary for data-driven decision-making, a critical component of modern industries ranging from technology to healthcare. You will also engage in projects that tackle pressing issues, giving you the chance to apply your newfound data science skills to analyze and derive insights from complex datasets.
Beyond the curriculum, MITES also places a strong emphasis on mentorship and community building so you will have the opportunity to interact with experienced faculty and industry professionals. Participating in the MITES Summer Program will significantly boost your profile for college applications because it will show that you are making an effort to explore your data science interests outside of the classroom and that you can handle the rigor of college-level courses.
We have covered this opportunity in detail here!
Location: Harvard University
Cost: $5500
Program dates: 2 weeks in June and July
Application Deadline: January
Eligibility: High school students
The Harvard Precollege Introduction to Data Science with a Focus on Visualization offers a deep dive into data science concepts with a particular emphasis on data visualization techniques, making it ideal for those looking to master this critical aspect of the field. You get a chance to learn essential data science fundamentals, such as data collection, analysis, and interpretation, alongside in-depth training in data visualization tools and methodologies.
In the first week, students learn to use Python to compile clean and convenient-to-use data sets from the web and explore this data through visualizations using the Python library Matplotlib. In the second week, students take an in-depth look at visualizations and their communicative potential. The final output typically involves a data-driven project where you will have the opportunity to create compelling visualizations to effectively convey insights from complex data sets.
If you are passionate about data science and want to learn how to present data in a meaningful and visually engaging way, consider applying to this program!
Plus, we’ve covered all there is to know about Harvard’s summer school here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3050
Program dates: 11 days in June or July
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: High School Students
The Stanford Pre-College Introduction to Data Science provides a comprehensive and hands-on introduction to the field, making it an excellent choice for those looking to delve into the world of data analysis and interpretation.
Through the program, you will learn fundamental data science principles, including data collection, data cleaning, statistical analysis, and the use of programming languages like Python to analyze and visualize data. The final output of the program often involves a data project where you apply your learnings and skills to tackle a real-world problem by working with complex data sets to derive meaningful insights. This program is a particularly good option for beginners looking to learn the fundamentals of data science and programming!
Location: Carnegie Mellon University
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 22 - July 20
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising High School Seniors
The Carnegie Mellon University Pre College CS Scholars Program primarily focuses on computer science and provides a strong foundation in the computational and analytical skills that are crucial for success in data science.
You will learn core computer science concepts, programming languages like Python, and gain experience in data structures and algorithms, which are essential for data analysis. The final output often involves a project where you can apply your programming and data manipulation skills to address real-world problems, thus providing a practical application of data science principles. This program is a good fit for high school students who have a passion for technology and data-driven decision-making. It offers a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment for those seeking to develop strong computational and analytical skills, which are valuable for aspiring data scientists.
Here’s a review of the program!
Location: University of Pennsylvania
Cost: $9,099
Program dates: Mid July - early August
Application Deadline: January (Priority) and April (Regular)
Eligibility: High School students
The Data Science Academy at Wharton provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of data science. Through the program, you will learn fundamental data science concepts, including data analysis, statistical modeling, machine learning, and data visualization. You will gain practical experience through hands-on projects, data analysis exercises, and exposure to industry-standard tools and techniques.
The final output typically involves a data-driven project, where you apply your newly acquired skills to analyze and derive insights from real-world data sets. The program is a good fit for you if you are looking to build a strong foundation in data science while exploring its various applications.
Location: University of Chicago
Cost: $8350
Program dates: July 5 - July 21
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students
The UChicago Summer Session Pathways in Data Science focuses on the applications of data science. Through the program, you can expect to build a strong foundation in data science, including data analysis, statistical modeling, machine learning, and data visualization. You will also have the opportunity to work with real-world data sets and engage in hands-on projects to tackle data-driven problems. The final output often involves a substantial data project, where students apply their knowledge and skills to solve practical issues and present their findings.
This program is a good fit for you if you are looking to expand your data science expertise, enhance your analytical and programming skills, and understand how data-driven insights can influence various academic and professional domains.
Location: In-Person at MIT and Virtual
Cost: Free
Program dates: July - August
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Rising High school seniors who attends school in the US
The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) is a great opportunity for you if you have an interest in data science. One of the key strengths of BWSI is how the program immerses you in real-world projects that span the breadth of data science applications, from machine learning and artificial intelligence to data visualization.
BWSI also gives you access to MIT’s cutting-edge technologies and methodologies. You will have the opportunity to work with state-of-the-art tools and platforms, gaining practical insights into the tools that power contemporary data science. This exposure ensures that you not only understand theoretical concepts but also develop the technical proficiency necessary to succeed in the future.
Through BWSI, you will collaborate with peers from diverse backgrounds, engaging in interdisciplinary projects that highlight the intersection of data science with other fields such as engineering and computer science. Participating in BWSI significantly enhances a student's college application. Admissions officers value programs like BWSI that provide a unique blend of academic rigor, hands-on experience, and exposure to cutting-edge technologies.
We’ve covered 8 compelling reasons behind why you should apply here!
Location: New York University
Cost: $3500
Program dates: July 5 - August 4
Application Deadline: March 24
Eligibility: 7-12 grade New York residents who are underrepresented or underserved in STEM
The NYU Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) is a fantastic opportunity for high school students interested in data science, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. This program provides a supportive and inclusive learning environment for students to explore STEM fields, including data science.
You will learn fundamental data science concepts such as data analysis, statistical techniques, and data visualization. The program's curriculum also emphasizes the use of technology and languages like Python for data manipulation and analysis. The final output often includes a data analysis project or research presentation, where you can apply your knowledge to a specific data-related challenge.
NYU STEP is an excellent fit for high school students who are motivated to pursue STEM fields and are eager to explore data science. It is particularly beneficial for students from underrepresented groups in STEM, as it offers the support and resources to excel in data science and prepare for future academic and professional opportunities.
Jessica attends Harvard University where she studies Neuroscience and Computer Science as a Coca-Cola, Elks, and Albert Shankar Scholar. She is passionate about educational equity and hopes to one day combine this with her academic interests via social entrepreneurship. Outside of academics, she enjoys taking walks, listening to music, and running her jewelry business!
Image Source: MIT MITES logo