8 Summer Programs for High School Students in South Carolina
If you’re a high school student in South Carolina, participating in a summer program can give you the opportunity to advance academically and professionally. These programs cover a variety of fields, such as STEM, the arts, and leadership, giving you an enriching experience beyond the traditional school curriculum.
Participation in a summer program can strengthen your college applications. Colleges and universities value students who demonstrate intellectual curiosity and a willingness to engage in challenging experiences. Your summer program experience can provide unique content for your college essays and interviews. Not only will you stand out from the crowd, but you'll also gain valuable skills and insights that will support your future research or internship pursuits.
Here’s our list of 8 summer programs for high school students in South Carolina.
Location: University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Cost: $1,150 for Residential scholars; $750 for Commuter Plus scholars; $665 for Commuter scholars. There is a non-refundable $200 deposit for each course while applying
Application Deadline: Applications are taken on a rolling basis until courses are filled. Each course takes 20 students
Dates:
June 15 – 20, 2025
June 22 – 27, 2025
July 13 – 18, 2025
Eligibility: Students from grades 9-12
The Carolina Master Scholars Adventure Series is a summer camp hosted by the University of South Carolina for rising 6th through 12th graders. If you’re looking for an immersive academic experience while having fun and meeting new friends, this program might be a good option for you. With courses led by USC faculty and researchers, you'll explore a range of subjects, enhancing both your academic and personal growth.
Class sizes are small, with a maximum of 20 students, ensuring personalized attention. You’ll spend your mornings and afternoons engaging in hands-on learning while the evenings are reserved for activities like movie nights, bowling, and trivia games. The week concludes with a presentation where you can showcase what you've learned to your friends and family.
Location: South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities, Greenville, SC
Cost: $800 for one-week sessions; $1,400 for two-week sessions + a non-refundable deposit of $200. Financial assistance is available
Application Deadline: Applications for the Summer and Fall cohort of 2025 will open in October
Dates: TBA for 2025. Last year’s dates were:
June 15 – 27, 2024
July 6 – 11, 2024
Eligibility: Varies according to program, most are open to 9-11 graders
The South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities offers a range of summer programs for high school students. The options include creative writing, dance, drama, film, music, and visual arts. The Creative Writing Program for 9th Graders offers a focused, two-week experience where you’ll develop your poetry and fiction writing skills under the guidance of published authors. This program will help you improve your writing through daily workshops and supportive critique. You’ll also expand your knowledge of contemporary writers and receive personalized feedback to refine your work.
Each program has specific application requirements, such as writing samples and audition videos. For instance, to apply to the creative writing summer program, you’ll need to submit a portfolio with either five poems or a short story.
3. 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
Program dates: Varies according to the cohort
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.
Location: Furman University, Greenville, SC
Cost: $650 for resident campers; $525 for commuters; $35/hour for private lessons
Application Deadline: Registrations typically open in February
Dates: June 9 – 14, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Students aged 12-18. High school students must have a minimum of three years of ensemble experience on their concert band or orchestral string instrument.
The Fantastique! Furman’s Band & Orchestra Camp offers a week-long experience for talented musicians aged 12-18. You’ll join one of four large ensembles—two concert bands, a full symphony orchestra, or a string orchestra—based on your audition and interest, rehearsing twice daily with experienced conductors and peers.
In addition to ensemble rehearsals, the camp features diverse courses such as basic musicianship, conducting, and yoga for musicians. Optional private lessons are available to fine-tune your skills, including tone production and technique. The camp’s schedule also includes a Friday concert where you’ll showcase your progress.
Location: Presbyterian College, South Broad Street Clinton, SC
Cost: $400 for the week; Commuter Option: $200
Application Deadline: Applications for the program are open. No deadline is specified
Dates: June 23 – 29, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Rising sophomores in high school to rising freshmen in college
The School of Pharmacy Summer Camp is designed for high school students interested in pharmacy and biomedical sciences. You’ll engage in hands-on experiments and learn about various pharmacy fields and their impact on health and society. Residential students will stay in campus dorms.
Each day features a new topic, with experiments and activities that allow you to explore pharmacy through practical experiences. You’ll record results using graphs and calculations to analyze your findings. The camp is led by experienced pharmacists, biomedical scientists, and medicinal chemists, providing a comprehensive look into the profession and related fields.
Location: Clemson University, SC
Cost: $1,400 for the residential program (including airport shuttle each way); $575 for the 3-day commuter program; $700 for the 5-day commuter program. There is also a non-refundable deposit of $200
Application Deadline: Applications for the Summer 2025 cohort will open in December
Dates: Program dates are yet to be announced
Eligibility: Students in grades 7-12 (up to the age of 17 at the time of the camp)
In Clemson University’s Summer Scholars Program, you'll take hands-on courses taught by Clemson instructors, engaging in laboratory tours, field trips, and dynamic projects. You get to participate in campus exploration tours and interact with Admissions or the Honors College representatives. Your evenings will feature recreational activities like a planetarium show, games on Bowman Field, and an end-of-camp celebration. Staying in a residence hall and dining in the campus dining hall will give you a glimpse into college life.
Location: NIWC Atlantic Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic, Charleston, SC
Stipend: $4,000 for new entrants; $4,500 for returning participants
Application Deadline: November 1, 2024
Dates: The program typically runs in the Summer for 8 weeks (with the possibility of extending up to 10 weeks)
Eligibility: Applicants must be solely U.S. citizens, currently enrolled in high school, have completed grade 9 by the time of application, and at least 16 years of age on or before the internship start date
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) offers an opportunity for high school students to dive into real Naval research over an eight-week summer internship. Designed for academically talented sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a passion for STEM, SEAP places you in Department of Navy laboratories, where you’ll work alongside top scientists and engineers.
This competitive program allows you to gain hands-on experience, deepen your understanding of cutting-edge technology, and receive personalized mentorship. You’ll start by researching and selecting your preferred labs and then submit your application. If accepted, you’ll spend eight weeks conducting meaningful STEM research, with the possibility of extending your internship by up to two weeks. To learn more about this internship, you can check out our guide here.
Location: Hutton works to place participating students within a 45-minute commute from their homes
Stipend: $3,000
Application Deadline: January 19, 2025
Dates: This is an 8-week program with flexible start and end dates that are determined by the student and their mentor
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, seniors, or incoming college freshmen who are at least 16 years old by the application deadline
The Hutton Program offers high school students an immersive experience in fisheries science through hands-on learning and mentorship. There is a strong focus on fostering diversity in the field, and the program provides an excellent opportunity for students to engage with aquatic sciences and learn from industry professionals. You gain unique insights into the conservation of aquatic ecosystems by working on real-world projects that involve habitat restoration and management.
Through 32-40 hours of weekly involvement, you’ll collaborate with fisheries experts and develop your practical skills in fieldwork and research. This program will help you explore a wide range of career opportunities in fisheries science and conservation, making it a valuable learning experience.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, you could also 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 4000 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.