8 University of Texas, Austin Summer Programs for High School Students You Should Check Out
If you’re a high school student planning for college, summer programs are a fantastic way to prepare for the future. They offer learning experiences that can enhance your knowledge and display your commitment to pursuing higher education. With many options available, choosing the right program can feel overwhelming.
Besides helping you expand your knowledge, summer programs can be useful when you’re applying to college. Showing admissions officers that you were accepted into a selective program helps you stand out from other applicants and signals your commitment to your academic interests.
One great way to find summer programs is to check out the offerings of any universities you live near. For high school students in Austin, the University of Texas at Austin offers a range of pre-college summer programs you might be interested in. In this blog, we’ll take a look at UT Austin’s summer programs, including their deadlines, cost, eligibility, and dates.
What are UT Austin’s Summer Programs?
The University of Texas at Austin offers several academic programs to give high school students a taste of college life. These programs provide opportunities to take college-level courses and explore diverse fields. Whether your interests lie in engineering, business, or the arts, UT Austin’s programs can help you gain insights into your chosen field. Here are the programs available:
McCombs offers several options, such as Discover Yourself in Accounting Majors and Careers and Future Executive Academy, focusing on key business principles, leadership development, and hands-on activities. You’ll discover fields like finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship while networking with industry professionals and current UT students. You’ll also engage in hands-on activities like case studies, group projects, and presentations to simulate real-world business challenges.
The program also includes mentorship sessions with successful UT Austin alumni, giving you insight into various career paths in business. In addition to the academic and professional exposure, you will have the chance to connect with like-minded peers.
Program Dates:
Future Executive Academy: June 1 – 6, 2025
Discover Yourself in Accounting Majors and Careers: June 22 – 27, 2025
Deadlines: March 1, 2025
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors
Cost: Free
If you’re passionate about scientific research, this program is for you. Over five weeks, you’ll conduct research with UT Austin faculty, gaining hands-on experience in biology, chemistry, physics, and other STEM fields. You will learn critical lab techniques, data analysis, and how to present research findings in a professional format.
Aside from gaining direct research experience, the program also encourages collaboration among students. You’ll work in small groups to tackle complex scientific problems, developing teamwork and communication skills that are essential in any research career. This program can provide a strong foundation for future research opportunities in college and beyond.
Program Dates: June 10 – July 17, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Deadlines: Applications will open in early 2025
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are Texas residents and will be at least 15 years old by June 1, 2025
Cost: $3,500 (financial aid available)
This program focuses on introducing students to the field of machine learning and Python programming. You will engage in practical learning, writing code to train a machine learning model. You will understand the societal impact of machine learning and the careers and internships available in this field. In addition to programming skills, you’ll get an introduction to project management. The program includes a useful introduction to UT Austin, as you’ll have the opportunity to interact with professors and current students to learn what makes for a strong application to the school.
Program Dates: TBA for 2025. Two sessions were offered in 2024:
Session 1: July 21 – 26, 2024
Session 2: July 28 – August 2, 2024
Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students entering 9th-12th grade
Cost: $2,100. Scholarships available
This week-long camp is designed to encourage young women to explore computer science through hands-on programming activities and lectures. It provides an inclusive environment for female high school students to learn about coding, computer science fundamentals, and career paths in the tech industry. The camp also features guest speakers from industry leaders, giving you insight into the opportunities available in the tech world. Activities include producing a lights show by coding an Arduino microcontroller and trying new technologies with UT professors.
Program Dates: June 2 – 8, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Deadline: TBA for 2025
Eligibility: Female high school students entering grades 10-12
Cost: Free
The My Introduction to Engineering (MITE) Camp, hosted by UT Austin’s Cockrell School of Engineering, offers current high school juniors an immersive five-day experience. You will engage in team-based engineering projects and hands-on activities. You will be mentored by UT Austin faculty, staff, and alumni. This program is especially encouraged for those with limited exposure to engineering or who have faced socio-economic challenges. The program also includes information sessions on applying to college and for financial aid.
Program Dates: TBA for 2025. Two sessions were offered in 2024:
Session 1: June 23 – 27, 2024
Session 2: July 7 – 11, 2024
Application Deadline: March 25, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)Eligibility: Current high school juniors residing in the U.S.Cost: $100 (due upon acceptance)
The UT Austin Film and Media Camps offer various specialized workshops for high school students interested in filmmaking and media production. The program includes hands-on training in areas such as filmmaking, 2D animation, screenwriting, and cinematography. Each course is led by UT faculty, graduate students, or industry professionals, providing you with practical skills and collaborative experiences.
In the virtual DIY Filmmaking camp, you’ll write, direct, and edit your own short films using resources at home. The Post-Production Techniques camp will teach you digital color grading using DaVinci Resolve. The films you produce can make a good creative portfolio for college admissions.
Program Dates: TBA for 2025, one to two weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: TBA for 2025
Eligibility: Varies by camp, check specifics here
Cost: No information available
The University of Texas at Austin's Theatre and Dance Department offers a variety of summer camps designed for young artists interested in theater and dance. The Summer Theatre Workshop invites high school students to refine their stage performance and technical skills through a series of workshops, seminars, and masterclasses. You will learn about topics like voice and diction, physical acting, audition preparation, lighting fundamentals, sound design, and stage management. The workshop culminates in performances of fully staged productions.
Program Dates: June 10 – 23, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application Deadline: TBA for 2025
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12
Cost: $1,500, scholarships available
This program is ideal for students considering careers in medicine or healthcare. You will engage in clinical simulations, lab work, and hospital tours, gaining valuable insights into the medical field. The program covers a wide range of topics, from medical ethics to patient care, giving you a well-rounded understanding of healthcare professions.
In addition to the hands-on experiences, you will also have the chance to interact with healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and medical researchers. These mentorship opportunities can provide valuable guidance in the competitive field of healthcare, from college applications to medical school.
Program Dates: TBA for 2025. Two sessions were offered in 2024:
June 10 – 14, 2024
June 24 – 28, 2024
Deadlines: May 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: High school students in 9th through 11th grade. If your school is in a partner district, you may need school nomination
Cost: $500 (scholarships available)
Is It Prestigious?
UT Austin is a highly-regarded university, especially in fields like business, engineering, and the arts. Their summer programs are well-structured and can give you valuable experience. The prestige of these programs varies depending on cost and selectivity. Programs that are free, such as the McCombs offerings, are more prestigious than costly programs like the Summer Theatre Workshop.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
College experience: You’ll get a taste of college life and take part in activities similar to those experienced by actual UT students.
Transferable skills: These programs offer valuable skills like leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving that will benefit you in college and any career field.
Scholarships available: Many programs offer scholarships or financial aid, making them accessible to a wider range of students.
Cons:
Cost: Some programs are expensive, and while scholarships are available, the cost can still be prohibitive for some students.
Limited course options: Some programs, like Health Sciences Summer Institute, are limited to specific fields, so your interests may not always align with UT Austin’s available options.
Final Thoughts
UT Austin’s summer programs offer a range of academic, artistic, and leadership experiences that can help you explore your interests while preparing for college. While some programs come with a higher price tag, the value of the experience, especially if aligned with your academic goals, can be worth it. If you live near UT Austin’s campus and are looking for an enriching summer opportunity, these programs may be worth considering.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. 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.