8 Summer Programs for High School Students in Wisconsin
Are you a high school student in Wisconsin looking to make the most of your summer break?
If so, participating in a summer program can be a solid option, offering you the opportunity to dive deep into your interests, gain hands-on experience, and even get a taste of college life. Whether you're passionate about academics, the arts, or athletics, there's a program open for you to apply to!
These programs not only allow you to develop new skills but also help you connect with like-minded peers in the state and build a network that could benefit your future academic and career pursuits.
In this blog, we've highlighted 8 summer programs for high school students in Wisconsin.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a prestigious online research opportunity designed for high-achieving high school students interested in conducting original research. Founded by Harvard and Oxford researchers, 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 research while still in high school.
The program is rigorous and ideal for students eager to deepen their understanding in areas such as computer science, law, engineering, social sciences, 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 offers a comprehensive suite of programs designed to introduce high school students to the field of artificial intelligence. These programs, created by Harvard graduate students and alumni, range from collaborative learning in the AI Scholars program to the more intensive AI Fellowship, where students work on individual research projects with personalized mentorship from Ph.D. candidates at top institutions.
In the AI Fellowship program, participants have the opportunity to conduct research that intersects with fields such as finance, medicine, gaming, and more. Under the guidance of experienced mentors, students gain the creative freedom to develop and showcase projects that could be published or presented in academic or professional settings. Previous participants have worked on projects like AI applications in medicine, educational software, and innovative gaming algorithms.
This program is particularly appealing to students interested in computer science and its real-world applications. Veritas AI's focus on mentorship ensures that participants receive personalized guidance as they delve into complex topics and build their technical expertise.
Location: Remote
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. Upcoming Summer dates can be found here.
Cost:
$2,290 for the AI Scholars program (10-week bootcamp)
$5,400 for the AI Fellowship (12–15 weeks, 1;1 mentorship)
$6,900 for both AI Scholars + Fellowship.
Need-based financial aid is available.
Eligibility: High school students. Students applying to the AI Fellowship program must complete the AI Scholars program or provide evidence of previous experience in AI and Python.
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. September 8th for fall. December 1st for winter.
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. This 8-week virtual internship is structured around real-world projects tailored to each student’s selected field of interest. 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 $2,490. 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. Unlike many other programs, Horizon allows students to choose between quantitative or qualitative research tracks, depending on their interests and academic goals.
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. The program culminates in the development of a 20-page research paper, which students can submit to prestigious journals for potential publication. Horizon also provides detailed feedback on each project, along with a letter of recommendation, enhancing students' future academic and research opportunities.
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 college applications. Apply here!
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies
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 Founder’s Lab is a real-world start-up bootcamp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a real-world problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals 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. By the end of the four weeks, participants will have developed a startup that addresses a real-world problem and gained practical experience that can be highlighted in college applications.
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 space to explore multiple theoretical and practical frameworks that lead to a successful business. You can access the application link here.
Location: This program is 100% 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. There is need-based financial aid.
Eligibility: High school students.
Application Deadline: There are 3 application deadlines that you can choose between:
Early Decision Deadline: March 17th, 2024
Regular Admission Deadline 1: April 14, 2024
Regular Admission Deadline 2: May 12th, 2023
The University of Wisconsin's Engineering Summer Program (ESP) aims to give high schoolers a taste of first-year engineering college. During the residential program, you will take courses in mathematics, chemistry, physics, and engineering design (which will include hands-on work). Problem-solving skills are a central focus of the curriculum. Beyond the classroom, ESP emphasizes team-building activities, professional development workshops, and site visits to companies such as Alliant Energy and Rockwell Automation.
This program not only strengthens your academic foundation in STEM but also provides a valuable opportunity to experience college life and connect with peers who share your interests.
Location: University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Program Dates: July 13 – August 2, 2024
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0, who have completed at least a year of algebra, geometry, and chemistry.
Application Deadline: Not available for 2024; typically in March (last year’s deadline was March 13)
The University of Wisconsin’s Surgery Clinical Research Continuum offers a unique opportunity for high school students interested in pursuing a career in medicine, particularly in surgery and clinical research. This commuter program allows students to work on an independent research project under the mentorship of a professional surgeon. The experience is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of clinical research, with projects based either on existing data or new clinical trials.
Participants will also have the chance to tour research facilities, attend seminars, and shadow surgeons in the operating room. Additionally, the program includes surgical simulations, giving students a hands-on understanding of what it’s like to work in the field of surgery. This immersive experience is ideal for students looking to gain a head start in the medical field.
Location: University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Program Dates: 6 weeks during the summer (specific dates not provided)
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Rising seniors from underrepresented groups
Application Deadline: March 2024
Marquette University’s Urban Journalism Workshop is an intensive two-week program designed for high school students interested in exploring the world of journalism. This program offers a comprehensive introduction to multimedia news, focusing on practical experiences that cover the basics of reporting, photography, videography, and podcasting.
Participants will work with digital equipment to develop and report stories in various formats. Throughout the workshop, students will conduct interviews, produce multimedia content, and network with industry professionals. Upon completion, students may be eligible for a month-long internship at a local news organization, such as the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel or the Milwaukee Courier, providing a real-world application of the skills learned during the program.
Location: Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI
Program Dates: 2 weeks in the month of June (specific dates not provided)
Cost: $500 (scholarships available for students eligible for free or reduced-price school meals)
Eligibility: All high school students
Application Deadline: June 2024
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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