ivy league research opportunities for high school students

Xing (tamia) wentong.

Liaoning Province Experimental High School

Meet Ally's & Tamia's Mentor:

David rezvani research assistant professor at dartmouth college.

David Rezvani has previously taught at Harvard University, MIT, Oxford University, and Boston University. His research interests include political integration, Asian politics, and US foreign policy. Rezvani's work has appeared in the Political Science Quarterly , Journal of Contemporary Asia , Ethnopolitics , and the International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences .

"I'm attending UCLA for neuroscience and actually decided that I love this major and want to pursue it as my career after completing the Horizon research program."

Dhirubhai Ambani International School

Meet Prarthna's Mentor:

Elisa phd researcher at the university of chicago.

Elisa researches in a clinical addiction and a fMRI memory laboratory, where she hopes to uncover more about the similarities and differences between various types of addictions and how individuals experience substance use and dependence. Her interest lies in the neural basis of motivated behaviors leading to substance abuse, reuse, and maintenance of addiction.

"It’s an opportunity to showcase my work to the entire world. Horizon has invested a lot into helping me through the process."

James Logan High School

Meet Karthik’s Mentor:

Parsa a. research associate at the university of cambridge.

Parsa's work focuses on Statistical Genetics. He has both academic and commercial experience in the application of statistical analysis to generate commercial and scientific value. Parsa also co-founded an online technology platform allowing the open source online generation of content by users.

"It was a great learning experience, and I will carry what I learned throughout college and in my future career."

Canton High School

Meet Harshitha’s Mentor:

Patrick liu phd researcher at the university of oxford  .

Patrick studies Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics at the University of Oxford. His research takes a neurobiology approach to understanding the molecular processes underlying sleep homeostasis and how neural circuits are able to temporally integrate information to effect meaningful behavioral output.

"My time with Horizon helped me prepare extensively for research in similar fields at university!"

Jayashree Periwal International School

Meet Diya's Mentor:

Nadia nasreddin phd researcher at the university of oxford.

Nadia works at the Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics at the University of Oxford. Her research focuses on colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease, looking into the link between inflammation and tumorigenesis, with the ultimate goal of improving patient management and treatment.

Examples of Our Students' Work

Horizon Academic alumni may submit their final manuscript to be included in our pre-print server, enabling them to quickly share their work with others.

Students interested in pursuing publication opportunities may apply to external journals, or they may apply to have their papers published in the Horizon Academic Research Journal.

Our Purely Online Program, By the Numbers

By Jin Chow

Co-founder of Polygence, Forbes 30 Under 30 for Education

23 minute read

High school research projects offer a gateway for exploring passions, honing critical skills, and showcasing ambition for college admissions. Details from Harvard suggest that applicants who provide evidence of “substantial scholarship or academic creativity” have a much greater chance of gaining admission.

High school research projects offer a gateway for exploring passions, honing critical skills, and showcasing ambition for college admissions. Details from Harvard suggest that applicants who provide evidence of “substantial scholarship or academic creativity” have a much greater chance of gaining admission. In fact, 92% of students who completed the Polygence high school student research program were admitted to R1 universities in 2023. They significantly enhance a student's profile and academic creativity, boosting their chances of admission to top universities. These projects not only boost learning enthusiasm but also contribute positively to mental well-being .

Our curated list of over 50 research opportunities and programs for high school students covers various fields, emphasizing affordability, prestige, rigor, and social engagement. We encourage students to verify program details and review updates as they may change yearly.

For personalized, self-driven projects, consider Polygence Core Program research mentorship to achieve your unique goals.

A proven college admissions edge

Polygence alumni had a 92% admissions rate to R1 universities in 2023. Polygence provides high schoolers a personalized, flexible research experience proven to boost your admission odds. Get matched to a mentor now!"

7 Top Business, Economics, Finance, and Leadership Research Opportunities for High School Students

1 . beta camp .

Hosting institution: BETA Camp

Super Early Bird (Enroll by January 15, 2024): $3,000

Early Bird (Enroll by March 1, 2024): $3,500

Regular (Enjoll by June 15, 2024): $3,950

Format: Online

Application deadline: Mid-April

In this 6-week program, high school students aged 13-18 can learn from experts at world-class companies like Google, IKEA, Airbnb, and more. Participants create a real-world company, reach out to influencers, and partner with them to promote a real solution. Participants also practice their skills on real companies with feedback from their top executives. Finally, all learnings go toward building your own startup with weekly guidance. 

2 . Essentials of Finance 

Hosting institution: Wharton University

Cost: $7,299

Format: In-person (Philadelphia, PA)

Application deadline: Early April

This two-week intensive program gives high school students in grades 9 - 11 an opportunity to learn finance theory and methods at one of the most prestigious business schools in the world. Participants are exposed to the fundamentals of both personal and corporate finance. Other topics include the time value of money, the trade-off between risk and return, equities, and corporate accounting. You’ll learn fundamentals of finance with real-world applications and case studies.

3 . Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY)

Hosting Institution: Haas School of Business - University of California, Berkeley

Cost: $7,050

Format: In-person (Berkeley, CA)

Application deadline: Mid-March

With an intimate cohort of only 50 students, this immersive two-week college prep business program invites students to learn concepts of teamwork, communications, presentations, writing a business plan, and research skills. While immersed in on-campus life, participants also experience social activities, hear from guest speakers, and collaborate with a team to build a business plan which they then present at the end of the course. We think this is a great, immersive experience and B-BAY’s cost is the only reason it falls lower on the list of top business research opportunities for high school students.

4 . Entrepreneurship Academy

Hosting Institution: Georgetown University

Cost: Estimated tuition $5,775

Format: In-person (Washington, DC)

Application deadline:

Early Bird Deadline: January 31, 2024

Final Deadline: May 15, 2024

This high school student business program in Washington, DC, would have been higher on our list, but the Entrepreneurship Academy price tag relative to its short week-long length made it less cost-effective than our top options. That said, this program offers high school students the opportunity to hone practical business skills like public speaking, networking strategies, and team-building techniques. They also participate in the complete startup process: from doing market research to developing business plans to giving a pitch presentation to running their own enterprise. This high school student business program is a mix of classroom lectures, field trips, hands-on activities, and group discussions.

Lets get down to business

Interested in Business? We'll match you with an expert mentor who will help you explore your next project.

5 . Camp Business

Hosting Institution: Drexel University

Cost: $950-$2,000

Application deadline: Ongoing

Camp Business is a great option for business-minded high school students. This hands-on summer program is designed to teach rising high school sophomores and juniors skills, such as accounting, marketing, and stock market basics. Students also take part in a team business pitch competition and learn critical soft skills such as leadership, professional image, etiquette, and team building.

6 . Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS) 

Hosting institution: Penn State

Cost: $50 registration fee, only if accepted

Format: In–person (State College, PA)

Application deadline: Late March

BOSS is an excellent pick for business-minded high school students. This competitive two-week program gives students a taste of college life via college prep and business fundamentals courses taught by Penn State faculty. In addition to coursework in Hospitality Management, Risk Management, and Management and Organization, students are invited to participate in social activities. Typically, around 60 high school students are accepted to this business program.

7 . Summer High School Sessions and Pre-College Programs

Hosting institution: Adelphi University

Cost: $5,200

Format: In-person (Garden City, NY)

Application deadline: Late May

During this three-week course, high school students can delve into various aspects of starting a business as well as review the parameters for success in business. Students are introduced to the primary areas of business including accounting, finance, production, operations, marketing, human resources, and information/technology. Creating business plans and exploring communication skills are integral to the program. Adelphi University summer sessions and pre-college programs made it to the top of our business program list because participants are provided with a ton of valuable information in a very short timeframe.

Business, Economics, Finance, and Leadership Research Resources for High School Students

High school research opportunities:.

Business and Finance research opportunities for high school students

Leadership research opportunities for high school students

High school research and passion project ideas:

Economics and Business passion project ideas for high school students

Leadership passion project ideas for high school students

High school research mentor profiles:

Business research mentors

Economics research mentors

Finance research mentors

Organizational Leadership research mentors

13 Top Biology, Medical, and Neuroscience Research Opportunities for High School Students

1. embarc summer design academy.

Hosting institution: UC Berkeley

Cost: $9,675

Application deadline: Early May 

This summer program is perfect for high school students interested in both environmental studies and urban planning. Students at embARC study urban design, architecture, and sustainable city components. Throughout the program, you will have access to the Cal Architecture and Urban Design Studio. You’ll also have the chance to participate in a Sustainable City Planning and Digital Design workshops, and engage in an Environmental Design Conversations Series and a Community Build project.

2. CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp

Hosting institution: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Format: In-person (Atlanta, GA)

Application deadline: End of March

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) had a lot of media exposure during the pandemic and students interested in biology and medicine may recognize its value like never before. This week-long summer program gives high school students the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in subjects such as epidemiology, environmental health, public health law, global health, and public health communication. Newsworthy topics are woven into many of the camp’s activities. Students will even experience re-created outbreaks and mock press conferences. This is a short but academically rigorous program that we believe provides a unique and valuable student experience.

3. High School Research Immersion Program

Hosting institution: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Cost: Free; you get paid a $4,800 stipend

Format: In-person (Memphis - Shelby County, TN)

Application deadline: January 31, 2024

This 8-week summer program for incoming high school seniors based in the Memphis, TN area offers you a chance to work in partnership with a research mentor and showcase your research project in a community exhibition. Your research project will be conducted in St. Jude laboratories and could focus on oncology, epidemiology, clinical research, pharmaceutical science, or another topic. You will also work with a science educator; develop a personal statement for your college application; explore St. Jude career paths; and gain valuable experience in scientific research.

Student participants must attend in person 40-hours a week within a typical 9am-5pm weekday schedule; housing is not provided. The St. Jude High School Research Immersion Program launched in 2022 , so it’s still relatively new. We believe it has great potential and is an incredible opportunity that Memphis area students with a passion for science and medical research should definitely consider.

4. Texas Tech’s Anson L. Clark Scholars Program

Hosting institution: Texas Tech University

Format: In-person (Lubbock, TX)

Application deadline: February 15, 2024

This free and intensive seven-week program offers exceptional junior and senior high school students interested in biology the opportunity to work with outstanding professors at Texas Tech University's General Health Sciences Center . Although the program is research-based, it also includes weekly hand-on seminars, discussions, and field trips. We’re very impressed by this program’s academic rigor and its on-campus experience with zero cost to the student. The biggest drawback is that only twelve students are selected every year, so getting into this research program is extremely competitive.

Contribute to the cure

Interested in Medicine? We'll match you with an expert mentor who will help you explore your next project.

5. Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program (SMP)

Hosting institution: University of Pennsylvania

Application deadline: May

Though this college preparatory experience is only available to Philadelphia, PA high school students, its academic rigor, excellent facilities, and no-cost status earned it a spot on our top biology opportunities for high school students list. SMP is a 4-week immersion summer program that pairs participants with one of the five affiliate University of Pennsylvania Professional Schools. It is highly competitive and typically accepts between 40-50 high school students each year.

6. Brown Environmental Leadership Labs (BELL)

Hosting institution: Brown University

Cost: $2,707-$9,459

Format: In-person (Anchorage, AK; Mammoth, CA; or Providence, RI)

Application deadline: May 10, 2024

For high school students looking to literally expand their horizons, BELL is a great chance to visit a spectacular landscape, learn its native history, and do your own research. You will also investigate the causes and impacts of climate change, identify sustainability practices, and learn about socially responsible leadership. This program guides you to create your own environmental action plan and apply your learnings to issues in your hometown. This high school student research program can be a bit more of an investment than a paid internship, but it’s one of our top picks for future environmental leaders.

7. Summer Child Health Research Internship

Hosting institution: University of Colorado Boulder

Cost: None; you get paid a $3,500 stipend

Format: In-person (Boulder, CO)

Application deadline: Early February

The University of Colorado Boulder’s Department of Pediatrics offers summer research opportunities for rising high school seniors, college students, and first-year medical students. At the completion of the research program, the summer research interns hand in a 2 to 3-page written summary of their research experience. They are encouraged to submit these abstracts to local, regional, and national meetings. The Child Health Research Internship also provides funding for travel and registration if a student’s paper is accepted at a medical conference. We feel this is a uniquely robust program and really love that it gives you the opportunity to walk away with professional presentation experience.

8. Center for Talented Youth (CTY) Honors Biology

Hosting institution: Johns Hopkins University

Cost: $1,455

Although the CTY Honors Biology program doesn’t have that same exciting campus feel as some of our other top picks for high school students, we’re impressed by its academic rigor, cost-effectiveness, relative affordability, flexible scheduling, and geographic accessibility. This grade 7+ course allows academically advanced students to dig into challenging biological concepts with expert instructors and a dynamic online environment. Courses are offered in various formats to fit your schedule. If biology isn’t your primary study interest, take note that CTY offers online courses in a variety of other disciplines as well.

9. Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program

Hosting institution: MD Anderson Cancer Center

Format: In-person (Houston, TX)

Application deadline: January 17, 2024

This is an incredible opportunity for aspiring doctors. The Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program offers a rare chance for high school students to participate in a research project in one of the biomedical courses under the guidance of a full-time MD Anderson faculty member. Program participants will learn the importance of basic principles that form the basis of scientific research. Selected students will work in the MD Anderson labs during the week, participating in hands-on research. Students walk away from the experience with a clear understanding of what it means and what it’s like to be a researcher in the biomedical sciences . Although this program is only open to current Texas high school seniors, it made our top 10 list of biology opportunities for teens because its no-cost aspect makes it accessible to underrepresented communities.

10 . Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC)

Hosting institution: Columbia University

Format: In-person (New York, NY)

Application deadline: Fall

BRAINYAC is a bit of a niche neuroscience program based solely in New York City, but it provides exceptional mentorship at no cost to the student. Zuckerman Institute Brain Research Apprenticeships offer New York City high school students a hands-on summer research experience in a Columbia laboratory. Each student is matched with a Columbia neuroscientist who guides the student through a research project. In the process, participants learn key skills required to work in a research environment, and the experience looks great on a college application.

11 . Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)

Hosting institution: Carnegie Mellon

Format: In-person (Pittsburgh, PA), with an online “pre-course”

Application deadline: March 1, 2024

This is a great program for high school students interested in taking a deep dive into engineering (it’s a five-week course) and it’s free. SAMS concludes with an exciting symposium. Students explore math, science, seminars, writing workshops, small group mentoring, collaborative learning, as well as have a chance to learn about financial aid, FAFSA, and college admissions. We love this program because it is a fully funded, merit-based program for participants, making it accessible to traditionally underrepresented communities.

12. Summer Student Program

Hosting institution: The Jackson Laboratory

Cost: None; you get paid a $6,250 stipend

Format: In-person (Bar Harbor, ME)

Application deadline: January 29, 2024 (by 12:00 pm EST)

If you’re going to be a graduating high school senior and you love genetics, this highly competitive 10-week program is an amazing opportunity. Approximately 40 students are chosen to work alongside an experienced mentor on a genetics or genome-centered research project. Each student develops an independent project in state-of-the-art facilities, implements their plans, analyzes data, and reports results. Outside the lab, students are encouraged to visit Acadia National Park . You’ll receive a great stipend, room and board is provided, as well as roundtrip travel costs.

13. Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X)

Hosting institution: Stanford University 

Cost: $1,295

Format: In-person (Stanford, CA); online options area also available

If you’re interested in medicine, this immersion experience for high schoolers is a great pick for you. This shorter 10-day program provides you with basic exposure to the study of neuroscience, psychiatry, and brain science in addition to a potential chance to finish a cooperative capstone project. High school students get the chance to work with Stanford professors and researchers and engage in exciting and cutting-edge research in the standards of neuroscience, clinical neuropsychiatry, and other areas within neuroscience research. In addition to participating in interactive lectures, you would also work in small teams to design solutions to pressing issues related to psychiatry, psychology, and neuroscience.

Biology, Medical, and Neuroscience Research Resources for High School Students

Biology research opportunities for high school students

Medical research opportunities for high school students

Neuroscience research opportunities for high school students

Biology passion project ideas for high school students

Environmental Studies passion project ideas for high school students

Medical passion project ideas for high school students

Neuroscience passion project ideas for high school students

Biology research mentors

Cancer research mentors

Chemistry research mentors

Cognitive research mentors

Environmental Science research mentors

Healthcare research mentors

Medicine research mentors

Psychiatry research mentors

Public Health research mentors

Neuroscience research mentors

Surgery research mentors

Check out the unique journey Polygence cancer research mentor Selena Lorrey took to discover her passions and become a cancer researcher and PhD candidate at Duke University.

14 Top STEM Research Opportunities for High School Students

1. california state summer school for mathematics and science (cosmos).

Hosting institution: University of California (students apply to one of four campuses: Davis; Irvine; San Diego; and Santa Cruz)

Cost: $5,008 (for California residents)

Format: In-person (California)

Application deadline: February 9, 2024

This four-week study program for future scientists, engineers, and mathematicians lets high school students work alongside university researchers and faculty. You can explore topics that extend far beyond the common high school curriculum. Past topics have included Biodiesel from Renewable Sources, Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, and Introduction to Autonomous Vehicles.

2. Engineering Academy

Hosting institution: Oxford University

Cost: £6,495 GBP

Format: In-person (Oxford, UK)

This program allows high school students to experience Oxford-style teaching with practical challenges and debates. Small class sizes help students explore the concepts of hydraulics, pneumatics and the math behind engineering. The curriculum also helps students develop skills in public speaking, critical thinking and teamwork. If you’ve always wanted to immerse yourself in Oxford life , love engineering, and can afford its price tag, Engineering Academy is an amazing teen study program to pursue.

3. Academy for Robotics

Hosting institution: University of Texas at Austin

Cost: $2,100

Format: In-person (Austin, TX)

Application deadline: Closes after first 60 accepted registrants

ChatGPT and Bing are all the rage, and the robotics market is expected to grow 400% by 2026. Our list, therefore, would not be complete without a high school research opportunity focused on robotics. This program focuses on the study of AI robotics and teaching participants how to think critically to solve complex problems. Students will delve into Linux and C++ programming, sensor thresholding, skid steering, utilize tools used in robotics research, and compete in a robot race.

4. High School Research Academy (HSRA)

Cost: $3,500 per student

Application deadline: Late March 

This great (albeit costly) on-campus experience offers STEM research opportunities for high school students. This 5-week program provides participants with immersive and hands-on research experiences in the fields of biochemistry, biology, environmental science, genetics, neuroscience, genome engineering, data analytics, ecology, and more. Students participate in research projects and active laboratories in the College of Natural Sciences (CNS) and get a real taste of life as a researcher.   

5. Adler Planetarium Summer High School Internship

Hosting institution: Adler Planetarium

Cost: None; you get paid a $350 stipend

Format: In-person (Chicago, IL)

Application deadline: Early March

If you live in Chicagoland and want a more diverse yet still immersive experience, this is an amazing option. This 6-week hands-on internship allows Chicago area high schoolers to engage with STEAM fields while preparing for a variety of careers. Participants are given space for personal growth and scientific experimentation while connecting with peers from around the city. You may also get the opportunity to present your research at the end of the internship.

6. Stockholm Junior Water Prize

Hosting institution: The Water Environment Federation

Format: In-person (location varies year to year)

This is a bit of a niche opportunity, and more of a competition rather than a research program. However, for those high schoolers who can participate, it is an excellent opportunity to expand on your existing research (especially if you have participated in science fairs such as Regeneron ISEF ) and reach a worldwide audience. If you’re a high school student who has conducted a water-related science project, you can present it to this panel of expert judges. They will rate it on relevance, methodology, subject knowledge, practical skills, creativity, and paper/presentation. A national winner is chosen to compete in an international competition in late August, with all-expenses-paid travel to Stockholm.

7. Genes in Space

Hosting institution: Boeing and miniPCR bio, along with ISS U.S. National Laboratory and New England Biolabs

Application deadline: April 15, 2024

If you love space exploration , this program for high school students is a wonderful option. To apply to the program, you must first design DNA experiments that address a challenge in space exploration using tools such as the fluorescence viewer, PCR thermal cycler, or the BioBits cell free system (or a combination of them). The grand prize is an opportunity to participate in Space Biology Camp and travel to the Kennedy Space Center to see the launch of your DNA experiment to space! Initially, you must be self-driven enough to drive your own research and the social aspect is rather limited at first, but there is the potential for networking on a grand scale. At least one student from each finalist team must be available to present at the ISS Research & Development Conference (late July to early August).

8. CURIE Academy

Hosting institution: Cornell University

Cost: $1,850 (tuition subject to change)

Format: In-person (Ithaca, NY)

We appreciate that this one-week residential engineering program is designed specifically for rising junior and senior high school girls. Because, let’s face it: engineering is still a male-dominated field. This wonderful program helps female students feel more confident about engineering as a viable career choice and shows them graduate school pathways into engineering. High school students work collaboratively with professors, graduate students, and undergraduate students. Additionally, they participate in nine field sessions across the school’s engineering majors, as well as a field session focused on the admissions process.

9. Yale Summer Session

Hosting institution: Yale University

Cost: $4,650 (+$85 technology fee)

Format: In-person (New Haven, CT) and online

If engineering is your passion, this might be a top program for you. At these Yale Summer Sessions, high school students can pick from five-week courses such as Multivariable Calculus for Engineers, Engineering Improv: An Introduction to Engineering Analysis, and Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics. You will get an on-campus feel for the rigors of an Ivy League college experience, but this experience does come with a heftier price tag than other high school STEM research opportunities on our list.

10. Simons Summer Research Program

Hosting institution: Stony Brook University

Cost: None; this is a paid fellowship

Format: In-person (Stony Brook, NY)

Application deadline: February 7, 2024

This prestigious and highly selective program matches about 30 high school students each year with a Stony Brook faculty mentor in the fields of science, math, computer science, and more. Simons Fellows are selected based on their academic achievements, research potential, and personal qualities such as creativity, curiosity, and dedication. This program gives you a great opportunity to join research groups, produce a research abstract, work with a supportive community of peers and mentors, plus receive a stipend award. This high school student fellowship program is supported by the Simons Foundation .

11. Internship and Fellowships

Hosting institution: Library of Congress

Cost: Free, with some paid internships

Format: In-person (various locations)

Application deadline: Various 

This hidden gem of a program offers around fifty different internship and research opportunities for all sorts of under-represented areas of interests and is open to high school students. Research opportunities range in focus from the Digital Data and Geographic Information Systems to the Young Readers Center to the Manuscript Division . We love that you can get paid for your time and that the program offers scheduling flexibility. This is definitely an opportunity that’s worth looking into, especially if you’re an ambitious high school student interested in history, architecture, art, or literature.

12 . Laboratory Learning Program

Hosting institution: Princeton University

Format: In-person (Princeton, NJ)

Application deadline: March 15, 2024

This is an intensive, academically rigorous 5 to 6-week summer internship program with prestigious Princeton faculty and research staff, who will mentor you in ongoing research projects. The fields of study are engineering and natural science. High school students submit a 2-page research summary of their summer project at the end of the Laboratory Learning Program internship. These research papers can be used to great effect on college applications and/or serve as a jumping-off point for independent research.

13. Internship Programs

Hosting institution: NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM)

Cost: None; these are paid internships

Format: In-person (Greenbelt, MD; Wallops Island, VA; New York, NY; or Fairmont, WV)

Application deadline: Varies according to program 

It doesn’t get much better than NASA when it comes to name recognition. These internships are designed to provide you with the exciting opportunity of performing research under the guidance of a NASA mentor at an actual NASA facility. NASA offers many internship opportunities for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors over 16 years of age. In addition to being able to put this research experience on your resume and college applications, you will be paid for your efforts. Students can find available intern positions via NASA STEM Gateway .

14. Research Science Institute (RSI)

Hosting institution: Center for Excellence in Education (CEE)

Application deadline: December 13, 2023

Our top cost-effective, prestigious, academically rigorous, socially enriching pick is the Research Science Institute (RSI) program. The biggest caveat is that RSI is highly selective and only admits about 80 high school students each year from a pool of thousands of applicants. The program is hosted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Students are selected based on their academic achievements, research potential, and personal qualities such as creativity, leadership, and motivation. RSI is free, with all expenses paid (including travel, room and board, and research supplies).

STEM Research Resources for High School Students

Computer Science research opportunities for high school students

Data Science research opportunities for high school students

Engineering research opportunities for high school students

Participating in a high school science fair or competition is another opportunity for teens to utilize STEM research - and maybe win awards!

Computer Science passion project ideas for high school students

Data science passion project ideas for high school students

Engineering passion project ideas for high school students

AI and Machine Learning (AI/ML) research mentors

Animation research mentors

Biotech research mentors

Computer Science research mentors

Engineering research mentors

Game Design research mentors

Math research mentors

Polygence computer science mentor Ross Greer wrote a High School Computer Science Research Guide that details everything from how to scope, create, and showcase your own high school research project . It’s a great resource to refer to when deciding on a passion project to pursue, especially if you’re considering taking on a STEM-related study topic.

Dig deep into that code

Interested in Computer Science? We'll match you with an expert mentor who will help you explore your next project.

13 Top Humanities Research Opportunities for High School Students

1. medill cherubs.

Hosting institution: Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute

Cost: $5,000

Format: In-person (Evanston, IL)

Application deadline: Mid-March 

Notable alumni of the Medill School of Journalism include NPR host Peter Sagal , CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Sanjay Guupta and Vox co-founder Ezra Klein , which gives you some indication of its reputation and proven track record. This Northwestern University summer program for high school students gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in all aspects of media for five weeks at this esteemed school. Areas of study include: writing, reporting, and editing for print, digital and broadcast; photography; videography; and website and podcast creation. Collaborative learning occurs both inside the classroom and on field trips. The Medill Cherubs program includes private mentoring sessions.

2. Sotheby’s Summer Institute

Hosting institution: Sotheby’s

Cost: $5,560 for day students; $6,845 for residential students

Format: In person (New York, NY)

Monday, February 6 (Early Decision)

Monday, March 13 (Priority + Financial Aid)

Monday, April 24 (Regular)

Curious and passionate about the arts? This two-week program will immerse you in one of the most vibrant art capitals in the world: New York City. High school students are invited to learn the intricacies of running galleries and museums as well as to explore painting and drawing techniques throughout history. Each course draws on the caché of Sotheby's Institute of Art , taking students behind the scenes of world class museums, galleries, auction houses, artists’ studios, and more. 

3 . RISD Pre-College

Hosting institution: Rhode Island School of Design

Cost: $8,715 - $11,350

Format: In-person (Providence, RI)

Application deadline: February 8, 2024 

This visual arts summer program offers an intensive six-week-long pre-college experience for young artists at, arguably, one of the top design schools in the world. High school students experience a college-style curriculum with day-long studio classes and can avail themselves of resources such as the RISD Nature Lab and the RISD Museum . Participants experiment with new materials, tools and techniques, learn from mentors, and create final projects that can be used for college application. Its hefty cost kept this opportunity for high school students from being higher on our list. However, need-based financial aid can cover up to 50% of the RISD Pre-College program tuition and fees .

4. SCAD Rising Star

Hosting institution: Savannah College of Art and Design

Cost: $6,334

Format: In-person (Atlanta, GA; Savannah, GA; or Hong Kong) and online

Application deadline: May 31, 2024

Creative high school students should definitely consider SCAD Rising Star at one of the top US design schools. This intensive five-week program lets you take two college-level art classes while helping you build your personal portfolios. The program includes courses in a variety of disciplines, and students have the option of participating online, or in-person in Savannah, Atlanta, or even Hong Kong. If the SCAD Rising Star pre-college program cost is prohibitive, you might be eligible for financial aid.

5. Summer Drama Program

Hosting institution: Yale

Cost: $9,475 (plus meals and housing)

Format: In-person (New Haven, CT)

Application deadline: Mid-April 

This is our top pick for high school students interested in theater. The Yale School of Drama is considered to be one of the most prestigious and selective drama programs in the world, and Summer Drama Program at Yale is no exception. Applicants can choose between the 5-week-long Conservatory for Actors and the 10-Day Director’s Workshop . With small groups of 10-12 students, participants will benefit from focused collaboration and attention. Rehearsing and clowning are part of the “out of classroom” experience of living on-campus.

6. Parsons Summer Intensive Studies

Hosting institution: Parsons New School

Cost: $4,675

Format: In-person (New York, NY or Paris, France)

Application deadline: Mid-May to Mid-June

Parsons School of Design is a highly esteemed art school and this three-week summer program can provide a life-changing experience for arts-minded high school students. Offered in two cultural centers of the art world, this program enables students to focus on their own projects, present their work, explore the city during art and design field trips, network with guest speakers, and earn up to 3 college credits.

7. Met High School Internships

Hosting institution: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Cost: None; this is a paid internship

If you’re interested in art history, writing, marketing, social media, education, or conservation, this is a top pick for you. The program accepts rising juniors and seniors from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut high schools and connects them with professionals at one of the world’s finest museums: The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Over the course of this program, students will develop professional skills, build a network, gain work experience amidst masterpieces, and get paid.

8. Summer Immersion: New York City

Cost: $2,825-$12,449

This is our top pick for future journalists, but we also recognize the cost might be prohibitive for some. High school students can choose either a one-week or three-week program and will learn reporting and interviewing skills through writing assignments such as profiles, op-eds, features, and audio pieces. Summer Immersion: New York City is an exciting pre-college program since you will work with Columbia writing professors and acclaimed journalists in the field.

9. Pre-College Scholars: Summer Residential-Track

Hosting institution: University of California, Berkeley

Cost: $15,800 (8-week session); $14,500 (6-week session)

Application deadline: March 11, 2024

Although this program’s social, prestigious, intensive, and academic advantages put it in our top ten picks of humanities research opportunities for high school students, we took points off for its expense. Still, it offers students from all over the world a chance to experience college campus life at UC Berkeley and take college-level courses taught by Berkeley professors. Here, you can earn college credit while experiencing university campus life with a cohort of students. Like us, you may believe that earning college credit can later justify the program’s expense. High school students can enroll in 2 different courses offered through Berkeley’s Summer Sessions program and participate in a series of extracurricular activities and excursions.

10. Camp ARCH

Hosting institution: Texas A&M University

Cost: $1,500

Format: In-person (College Station, TX)

This week-long program sponsored by the Texas A&M School of Architecture is for high-achieving high school students. Camp ARCH combines academic courses with social activities to create an in-depth research-focused pre-college experience. Participants work with faculty and choose an area of focus from architecture, construction science, or landscape architecture and urban planning.

11. Summer Arts Camp

Hosting institution: Interlochen Center for the Arts

Cost: $1,830-$10,880

Format: In-person (Interlochen, MI)

Application deadline: January 15, 2024

Art students, this is a fantastic option for you. High schoolers can choose to spend 1 week, 3 weeks, or 6 weeks at Interlochen Center for the Arts pursuing visual arts, dance, creative writing, music, theatre, or film and new media. Arts Merge, a 3-week interdisciplinary arts program , is open to students in grades 6 through 9. All of Interlochen’s programs encourage the creation of original work as final projects. The social opportunities and beautiful natural surroundings it provides also really round out the teen participants’ experience.

12. Film and Television Summer Institute - Digital Filmmaking

Hosting institution: UCLA

Cost: $4,225

Format: In-person (Los Angeles, CA)

Application deadline: June 1, 2024

Future filmmakers, this is the research opportunity for you. This two-week, intensive production workshop gives high school students a chance to get hands on-experience at one of the most prestigious film schools in the world. Along with filming collaboratively on projects, students will attend film screenings, hear guest speakers, and visit a Hollywood studio. If cost is a barrier, UCLA Summer Sessions Summer Scholars Support is a financial aid option for California high school students that is worth looking into.

13. Art as Experience: Drawing and New Media Program

Cost: $5,040

Art is woefully under-represented on this list, but this immersive Cornell University pre-college studies course can expand high school students’ understanding of the ideas and practices of art today. Studio projects include a range of media from drawing and collage to digital photography and video installation. Participants attend online seminars; synchronous and asynchronous lectures; labs; and discussions, supplemented by readings and critiques. You may earn up to 3 college credits and an official Cornell transcript as a high school student , which helps justify the cost. Despite its virtual nature, many participants have made long-lasting friendships with other artistically gifted students all over the globe.

Humanities Research Resources for High School Students

Architecture research opportunities for high school students

Arts research opportunities for high school students

Arts and Humanities research opportunities for high school students

Literature research opportunities for high school students

Architecture passion project ideas for high school students

Arts and humanities passion project ideas for high school students

Creative Writing passion project ideas for high school students

Design passion project ideas for high school students

Literature passion project ideas for high school students

High school research project mentors:

Arts research mentors

Creative Writing research mentors

Dance research mentors

Fashion research mentors

Illustration research mentors

Languages research mentors

Linguistics research mentors

Literature research mentors

Music research mentors

Photography research mentors

3 Top Social Science Research Opportunities for High School Students

1 . explo psychology + neuroscience.

Hosting institution: Wellesley College

Cost: Residential: $7,895; Commuter: $3,995

Format: In-person (Norwood, MA)

This EXPLO Pre-College Career Concentrations program gives high school students interested in psychology the chance to deep dive into highly specific topics. For the neuroscience concentration, participants will dissect a brain, diagnose mental illness in patients, and analyze neurochemical reactions to connect how brain structures and biology deeply impact the way that humans think and behave. Key benefits for participants include the chances to learn from industry experts, such as Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett – one of the most-cited scientists in the world for her psychology and neuroscience research – who was a guest instructor in 2023; and earn credits at Sarah Lawrence College, Hampshire College, or Wheaton College .

2. Pre-College Program in American History

Hosting institution: William & Mary and National Institute of American History & Democracy (NIAHD)

Cost: $5,600

Format: Online and in-person (Williamsburg, VA)

15 May 2024: Deadline for domestic students applying to Session 1

1 June 2024: Deadline for domestic students applying to Session 2

History buffs will love this program, both for its historic campus and its curriculum. This three-week program gives high schoolers a good preview of college-level history, while helping you earn college credit. Students will participate in class discussions, read 30-60 pages of college-level articles and primary source documents each night, and submit written work each week. Course work includes Artifacts of American History (a new course), The Road to the American Revolution, and The Road to the United States Civil War.  

3. Student Volunteer Program

Hosting institution: United States Secret Service (USSS)

Format: In-person (various)

Application deadline: Various

If you’re interested in sociology, criminal justice, history, government, homeland security, and other related fields, the Secret Service Student Volunteer Program is a unique, hands-on, and fast-paced opportunity. It gives high school students insight into the nature and structure of the USSS while teaching important “soft skills”, such as excellent communication, analytical observation, and problem solving. Student volunteers must be at least 16 years old and devote at least 12 hours per week. While the positions are unpaid, you may receive academic credit for your time.

History and Social Science Research Resources for High School Students

History research programs for high school students

Psychology research programs for high school students

History passion project ideas for high school students

Psychology passion project ideas for high school students

History research mentors

Psychology research mentors

Social Science research mentors

Psychology research guides

How to do psychology research

Data collection in psychology

The IRB approval process

Additional Ways to Conduct Research as a High School Student

Of course, our lists don’t include every program, internship, and research opportunity available to high schoolers; there are lots of other amazing options out there, likely in your city or state. If you don’t come across a perfect match for you and your interests, create your own research opportunity!

Find high school research programs close to home

Our High School Student Research Opportunities Database is an excellent resource you can use to find research programs for teens based on location .

Work directly with a professor

If you have a clear idea of your passions, you can reach out to professors in your field to see if they are open to collaborating with you. Refer to our Guide to Cold-Emailing Professors (written by Polygence literature research mentor Daniel Hazard , a PhD candidate at Princeton University).

Engage in your own research project

Students with initiative and focus can opt to tackle research on their own. Carly Taylor , a Stanford University senior who has completed several research projects this way, outlined a guide about how to write a self-guided research paper . By reading it, you’ll get a better understanding of what to expect when taking on this type of project.

Need some inspiration to prepare yourself to develop your own high school research opportunity? Here are some resources to help you:

Types of research ideas for high school students

Passion project ideas for high school students

Research projects completed by Polygence students

Choosing the perfect project idea using ikigai

5 exciting ways to discover your passions

How to brainstorm your way to perfect research topic ideas

The essential elements of research

Connect with a research project mentor

Polygence has helped over 2,000 students work with leading research mentors in their field to conduct high-quality research projects. High school students have been able to achieve amazing outcomes, ranging from award-winning short films to conversations with local politicians about policy improvement . We provide research project support , from pairing students with mentors, to offering showcasing opportunities , to guiding students in their passion identification and discovery process.

Learn more about what sets Polygence apart from other middle and high school student research opportunities.

Want to start a project of your own?

Click below to get matched with one of our expert mentors who can help take your project off the ground!

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

30 Most Prestigious Summer Programs for High Schoolers in 2024

What’s covered:.

• What Makes a Summer Program Prestigious?
• 30 Most Prestigious Summer Programs for High Schoolers

For many high schoolers, summer vacation means sleeping in, lazy days on the couch catching up on Netflix, and hanging out with friends. While these activities sound good, they, unfortunately, don’t do much to improve a student’s chances of getting into a top school.  

Luckily, summer programs allow talented young students to explore their fields of interest, get a taste of college life, and make new friends while enriching their minds and improving their application profile. Lasting anywhere from a week to a month (or longer), the majority of these programs still leave time for those traditional summer vacation activities, too. 

What Makes a Summer Program Prestigious? 

Just as summer programs encompass a wide variety of subjects, run for varying lengths, and cost different amounts, the prestige of summer programs also differs. The most prestigious summer programs are selective and free, like the Anson L. Clark Scholars Program which accepts just 12 students annually and rewards participants with a stipend. 

Less impressive summer programs accept most students and often require paying a hefty fee. Some of these summer programs are held at selective colleges and universities, which has led to the misconception that attending one can bolster your odds of admission at the school. Attending a summer program at a selective college will not really help your chances of admission to the school, though it will help you to get a feel for what the campus and the surrounding area are like. 

The Four Tiers of Extracurricular Activities are useful for understanding the prestige differences between summer programs. The highest tiers—Tiers 1 and 2—are reserved for uncommon and attention-grabbing summer programs (highly selective and usually free), while the lower tiers—Tiers 3 and 4—are for more common and less impressive summer programs (less selective and typically pricey).

CollegeVine’s free chancing engine is another great tool for gauging the prestige of summer programs. It can help you assess the strength of your extracurricular profile and organize your activities outside the classroom, like summer programs, into Tiers. 

Most Prestigious Summer Programs for High Schoolers 

1. telluride association summer seminar (tass).

Dates: June 23 – August 3

Location: Cornell University, University of Maryland, and University of Michigan

Application Deadline : January 3 

Cost: Free 

The Telluride Association Summer Seminar is a six-week program that allows rising high school juniors and seniors with diverse backgrounds from around the world to study how power and privilege shape social structures through courses in humanities and social sciences. Attendees are intellectually curious and motivated learners who commonly go on to attend some of the country’s finest colleges and universities. 

TASS is completely free, including the cost of tuition, books, room and board, and even travel if necessary—eliminating any financial barriers that may prevent the brightest minds from attending. 

2. Research Science Institute (RSI)

Dates: June 23 – August 3 

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Application Deadline : N/A

The Research Science Institute gathers 100 of the world’s most outstanding high school students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for a free, five-week program where they can experience the research cycle in its entirety. Combining on-campus coursework in scientific theory with off-campus work in science and technology research, RSI students produce individual projects guided by experienced scientists and researchers, culminating in written and oral presentations of their projects.

3. Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science (MITES)

Dates: Late June – Early August

Application Deadline : February 15 

MITES is a residential program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) aimed at students interested in pursuing a degree—and subsequently a career—in the STEM fields. Program participants are academically talented and come from diverse, underrepresented, or underserved backgrounds. 

Throughout this six-week residential program, high school juniors develop the skills necessary for success in STEM fields while learning about the value and reward of acquiring advanced technical degrees. 

4. Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists (PROMYS)

Dates: June 30 – August 10

Location: Boston University 

Application Deadline : March 1

Cost: $6,100

Founded in 1989, PROMYS is a six-week residential program enrolling approximately 80 carefully chosen, mathematically gifted high school students who are at least 14 years old and have completed ninth grade. 

Attendees of PROMYS are not treated as students; rather, PROMYS participants are thought of as mathematicians. Throughout the program, these young mathematicians explore the field supported by their peers, counselors, research mathematicians, and research scientists.

PROMYS does have a higher price tag, however, the program is free for domestic students whose families make under $80,000 per year. Financial aid is also provided based on demonstrated need. 

5. Research in Science & Engineering (RISE)  

• Residential: June 30 – August 9 
• Commuter: July 1 – August 9

Application Deadline : February 14

• Tuition: $5,350
• Room and board: $3,120 – $3,426

RISE is a six-week summer program at Boston University (BU) for the nation’s best and brightest scientifically minded high school juniors. Participants in the RISE program are afforded two tracks: internship and practicum. 

Students opting for the internship track will gain hands-on experience with research projects and work under the mentorship of distinguished faculty, post-doctoral fellows, and graduate students with opportunities in fields such as astronomy, biology, biomedical engineering, chemistry, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, medical laboratory research, neuroscience, physics, psychology, and public health.  

The practicum track is focused on computational biology and follows a set syllabus, making it an ideal choice for students who prefer more structured study.

6. The Summer Science Program (SSP)

Dates: Varies 

Location: New Mexico State University, University of Colorado-Boulder, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Purdue University,  and Indiana University 

Application Deadline : February 16 

Cost: Up to $8,800 (the program fee is scaled to what a student can afford) 

The SSP is a 60+-year-old program designed to help future scientists, doctors, engineers, and entrepreneurs realize their full potential. By providing the role models, intellectually-equivalent peers, challenges, and inspiration that SSP participants often find lacking in their schools, the program immerses talented rising seniors from across the globe in experimental science. 

Throughout the intensive 39-day program, students conduct a research project from beginning to end, take field trips, listen to guest speakers, and, most importantly, partake in a life-changing experience. 

The SSP practices need-blind admissions—an applicant’s ability to pay for the program isn’t factored into admission decisions. The cost of the program is scaled based on family income, with students from more affluent families paying more and those from lower-income families paying less, if anything at all.

7. Boys State / Girls State

Dates: Varies

Location: Varies 

Application Deadline : Varies 

Cost: Generally free 

Boys State was founded in 1935 by two Illinois Legionnaires and the first Girls State was held three years later in 1938—these two summer programs teach high school juniors about the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of U.S. citizens, along with the structure of city, county, and state governments. 

This intensive one-week program divides students into parties, elects officials, and works to carry out basic functions such as writing, proposing, and passing bills. Other Boys/Girls State activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, choruses, and recreational programs.

8. Boys Nation / Girls Nation

• Boys Nation: July 19 – 26
• Girls Nation: July 20 – 27 

Location: Washington D.C. 

Since 1946, Boys Nation has convened each summer to form a Senate in Washington, D.C., made up of representatives from the 49 Boys States (every U.S. state is represented except Hawaii). The first Girls Nation gathered the following year in 1947. 

Each state sends two students (who have completed their junior year and have at least one semester of high school remaining) to act as Senators representing their state. Throughout the week-long program, students gain first-hand experience of the inner workings of government, listen to lectures, participate in forums, and visit notable D.C. sites. The highlight of the program for many Boys/Girls Nation senators is the opportunity to meet with elected officials from their home states.

9. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)

• Session1: June 17 – July 5
• Session 2: July 8 – 26 

Location: Stanford University 

Application Deadline : February 1 

• Online: $3,550
• Residential: $8,250

SUMaC is offered as both a residential program at Stanford University and online. The program is for high-achieving high school juniors and seniors seeking to be challenged in mathematics and with a desire to learn about the latest in mathematical research and the application of mathematics across scientific fields.

Throughout the program, participants learn about advanced mathematics through lectures, guided research, and group problem-solving. SUMaC also provides students with a sample of a college-level workload—delivering rigorous coursework along with challenging assignments to complete outside of meeting times.

10. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)

Dates: June 10 – August 1 

Application Deadline : February 24 

Students are invited to perform basic research on a medically focused project through the eight-week-long SIMR. The program aims to help students gain a deeper understanding of how scientific research is conducted, introduce them to careers in the biological sciences and medicine, and increase diversity in the field. 

There are eight areas of research available for students to participate in: immunology, neurobiology, cancer biology, bioengineering, stem cell and regenerative medicine, cardiovascular biology, bioinformatics, and genetics and genomics. 

The program is open to all domestic high school juniors and seniors, however, priority is given to Bay Area students. Students from groups underrepresented in biomedical research are encouraged to apply. Not only is SIMR free, but students receive a stipend for their participation.

11. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program

Dates: June 4 – July 26

Location: Stanford University

Application Deadline : March 15

This selective five-week program—only about 24 students are selected—is open to high school juniors in Northern California from low-income and first-generation families. The program aims to help students develop academically and empower them to begin their college and medical careers. Throughout the program, participants engage in lectures, take part in professional development workshops, attend networking events, and conduct research projects while being mentored by Stanford faculty and health professionals.

Not only is the Stanford Medical Youth Science Program free, but participants receive a $1,250 clinical research stipend.

12. Science Internship Program (SIP)

Dates: June 10 – August 10 

Location: University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC)

Application Deadline : March 31 

Cost: $4,000

The SIP at the University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC) gives high-achieving and driven students the rare chance to work and learn at a premier research institution. Projects are available in fields such as science, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and art.  

For more than a decade, this nine-week program has allowed students to spend their summer working on authentic open-ended science research projects while being mentored by UCSC faculty, graduate students, and post-doctoral researchers. The program is open to high schoolers in grades 9 through 12 and presents a fantastic opportunity for students interested in pursuing a career in a STEM field to see scientific research “in action.”

13. Economics for Leaders (EFL)

Application Deadline : Rolling 

Cost: $2,300 

This week-long program occurring at colleges and universities across the country (as well as virtually) gives future leaders hands-on experience using economics in the decision-making process. EFL seeks to make budding leaders more effective by showing them how to use economic analysis when considering public policy choices while also creating a deeper understanding of leadership and building leadership skills.

EFL is open to high school sophomores and juniors and is competitive—just 25 to 40 students are accepted at each site. 

14. Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)

Dates: June 22 – August 3 

Location: Carnegie Mellon University 

SAMS is a six-week residential program at Carnegie Mellon University for current high school juniors age 16 or older interested in pursuing an undergraduate STEM degree. Participants in SAMS develop a deeper knowledge and a better understanding of a variety of STEM fields through classroom instruction, hands-on learning, and consistent engagement with faculty and staff mentors. 

SAMS strongly encourages students from backgrounds underrepresented in STEM to apply.  

15. The Hampshire College Summer Studies in Mathematics (HCSSiM)

Dates: June 30 – August 10 

Location: Hampshire College 

Cost: $5,882  

Entering its 52nd year, HCSSiM is a residential six-week advanced mathematics program held at Hampshire College in which talented students from around the world spend a large portion of their days engaged in mathematics—not just the results of math problems. 

HCSSiM’s mission is to prepare and motivate high school students to pursue degrees, and ultimately careers, in mathematics. HCSSiM offers participants unparalleled access to faculty in classrooms, at mealtimes, and in the dorms. HCSSiM attracts a diverse group of students—typically the number of girls and non-binary students equals the number of boys. 

The cost of the program is $5,882, although the program is free for domestic students from families with household incomes less than $68,000.

Dates: August 3 – 9 

Location: Austin, Texas 

Application Deadline : March 2 

Founded in 2001 to address the lack of diversity in the media, JCamp brings high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors from a wide variety of cultural, racial, religious, and political backgrounds (to name a few) together for six days of intense journalism training. 

Participating in sessions and workshops led by journalists employed by top media companies, students get hands-on training in broadcasting, print journalism, photojournalism, and online media—and produce media packages for the program’s news site. 

JCamp is free if selected to attend; the program covers the cost of everything from airfare to housing to meals.

17. MathILy

Dates: June 30 – August 3

Location: Bryn Mawr College

Application Deadline : April 30 

Cost: $5,300

Serious mathematics infused with levity, MathILy is a marvelous five-week residential program at Bryn Mawr College. Led by mathematicians possessing PhDs and supported by graduate and undergraduate students, MathILy participants learn to improve their problem-solving ability, hone their critical thinking skills, meet other incredibly talented young mathematicians, and work on lots of advanced math problems. 

When not tackling topics such as combinatorial optimization, generating functions, information theory, knot theory, and Markov chain modeling, students will participate in program-wide discussions about college choices and career possibilities inside and outside of mathematics. 

Only about 30 students are selected to participate in MathILy annually.

18. High School Honors Science, Math and Engineering Program (HSHSP)

Dates: June 16 – August 3

Location: Michigan State University 

Application Deadline : March 1 

Since 1988, HSHSP has given students entering their senior year of high school the opportunity to gain first-hand research experience in a university environment. Drawing talented and driven students from across the United States and its territories to Michigan State University, this seven-week residential program allows students to make connections with like-minded students from diverse backgrounds, build friendships, and increase their knowledge of science and mathematics while fostering a passion for the field.

19. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program  

Dates: June 16 – August 1

Location: Texas Tech University

Application Deadline : February 15

The distinguishing characteristic of the Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is that it’s open to students in a wide range of fields—from biology to computer science to history. This extremely competitive program attracts applicants from across the globe to Texas Tech University and acceptance to the program is a feather in the cap of any college-bound student.

Participants are afforded the unique opportunity to gain hands-on research experience in their field while working one-on-one with faculty over the program’s seven intense weeks. Many Clark Scholars use the experience to shape their future college and career goals. The Clark Scholar Program is free for chosen applicants—the only cost students are responsible for is their transportation to and from the program. In fact, a stipend is awarded upon the student’s completion of a research project report.

This program is open to rising and graduating high school juniors; only 12 students are chosen each summer.

20. Notre Dame Summer Scholars

• Session 1: June 8 – 22
• Session 2: June 29 – July 13

Location: University of Notre Dame 

Application Deadline : February 20 

Cost: $4,725

During an intense two weeks, rising juniors and seniors enrolled in the Summer Scholars program are given a taste of life on a college campus. Participating in one of 31 fields of study ranging from accounting to world politics and power, Summer Scholars get a preview of college academics while earning one college credit for completing the program. 

Of course, there is much more to college than just the classroom—summer scholars are encouraged to work together on coursework outside of class and ample time is provided to sample the social side of college life.

21. Hk Maker Lab

Dates: July 8 – August 13 

Location: Columbia University 

Application Deadline : February 2

This free four-week summer program at the Columbia University School of Engineering allows students to tackle a hands-on design project under the guidance of the university’s renowned faculty and present it to the community. The program is for New York City high school juniors and seniors from economically or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. 

22. Tufts University Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars (TUBERS) Program

Dates: July 1 – August 16 

Location: Tufts University 

This six-week program for academically talented students teaches research techniques, experimental protocols, making predictions, and testing hypotheses. Participants will leave the program with a completed research project that they can enter in local and national science competitions. 

The program is open to students age 16 and older and is free, however, participants must arrange their own transportation to and from the Tufts campus in Medford, Massachusetts, and housing is unavailable to out-of-state students. 

23. Pomona College Academy for Youth Success (PAYS)

Dates: June 23 – July 19

Location: Pomona College

Application Deadline : February 26

Cost: Free  

PAYS helps prepare talented local high schoolers—rising sophomores through rising seniors—for admission to some of the country’s best colleges and universities. Over 90 students (roughly 30 sophomores, 30 juniors, and 30 seniors) are selected annually to participate in the four-week residential program, where they engage in a variety of activities, including classwork, cultural events, workshops, projects, and field trips. 

PAYS is free and aimed at students traditionally underrepresented in higher education, such as students who are the first in their family to attend college, from low-income families, and from racial/ethnic groups like African American, Latino, Native American, and Pacific Islander. 

24. Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement  

Dates: June 17 – July 19

Location: University of Southern California (USC) 

Application Deadline : March 22 

Just 26 students from the communities surrounding the USC University Park and Health Science Campuses are selected to participate in this prestigious summer program. The program exposes participants to college-level work while helping them develop a better understanding of the role that media communications and journalism play in fashioning civic-minded thought leaders and innovators. 

Program participants also build valuable skills like writing, critical thought, public speech and debate, multimedia production, interviewing, and ethnography while exploring career paths in media and journalism.

25. Broad Summer Scholars Program

Dates: June 3 – August 2 

Location: Broad Institute 

Application Deadline : January 10 

This six-week program is perfect for rising Massachusetts high school seniors with an interest in science. Participants are paired with scientists to conduct original cutting-edge research projects in fields like cancer biology, psychiatric disease, chemical biology, computational biology, and infectious disease. 

In addition to performing research, participants will present their findings at a scientific poster session, attend a college fair, meet like-minded students, and have fun! Not only is the Broad Summer Scholars Program free, but participants receive a $3,600 stipend at its conclusion.

26. Ross Mathematics Program

• Otterbein University: June 9 – July 19
• Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology: June 16 – July 26

Location: Otterbein University and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Cost: $7,000

The Ross Mathematics program traces its roots to the launch of the Sputnik satellite in the 1950s and the surge of interest it spurred in science education. Today, this six-week residential program encourages students to explore mathematics—such as careers where math plays a vital role, like research, science, and finance—and discover how it’s used for critical thinking and informed citizenship.

Admission to the Ross Mathematics Program is competitive. Only about 60 students are accepted at each location and in 2023 just ≈15% of applicants were accepted.

27. Simons Summer Research Program

Dates: July 1 – August 9

Location: Stony Brook University

Application Deadline : February 7

Established four decades ago as an outreach program for local students, today the Simons Summer Research Program attracts high-achieving students from across the country. The program is aimed at rising juniors and provides them with the opportunity to gain hands-on research experience in science, math, or engineering.

Participants are matched with faculty mentors, join a research team, and are responsible for the project. They’ll also attend workshops, listen to lectures, take tours, and attend special events. The program concludes with participants producing a written research abstract and research poster.

Not only is this program free, but students are awarded a stipend for their participation in the program.

28. The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program

Dates: June 1 – August 10

Location: Bar Harbor, Maine, and Farmington, Connecticut

Application Deadline : January 29

High school and college students from across the nation compete for a spot in this competitive summer program—just 40 students are selected. Participants immerse themselves in genetics and genomics research while gaining a deeper understanding of laboratory work, building communication skills, and experiencing personal growth.

Participants develop an independent research project, implement their plan, analyze the data, and report the results. The program concludes with students presenting their findings to their parents, peers, and researchers.

Students are awarded a $6,500 stipend for participating in the program.

29. Princeton Summer Journalism Program

Dates: July 26 – August 5

Location: Princeton University and online

This free program for aspiring journalists is open to high school juniors. This hybrid program begins with online workshops and lectures and concludes with a 10-day residential institute at Princeton—giving participants a taste of college life at a world-renowned university. The program culminates with the publication of a newspaper, The Princeton Summer Journal.

In addition to journalism-focused activities, students will also prepare for college—learning about the college application process, crafting essays, discovering how to find best-fit schools, gaining an understanding of how applications are evaluated, and meeting with college admissions representatives.

30. Iowa Young Writers’ Studio

• Session 1: June 16 – 29
• Session 2: July 14 – 27

Location: University of Iowa

Application Deadline : February 4

Cost: $2,500

The Iowa Young Writers’ Studio is a two-week summer residential program that gives promising high school writers the chance to study and live at the home of one of the country’s oldest and most renowned writing programs. Students can select from one of five core courses, each with a seminar and workshop component to them. The five core courses are:

• Creative Writing
• TV Writing/Writer’s Room
• Playwriting

Participants in the program will meet other aspiring young writers, get to share their writing, receive constructive criticism, and ultimately hone their craft.

As you can see, there are prestigious summer programs for high schoolers across the country in a wide array of fields and subjects. Make sure you thoroughly research the options available to you and look into the details of each program you are considering. Also, remember that while it’s fantastic to participate in one of these highly selective and impressive programs, it’s not the end of the world if you don’t get in. There are plenty of enriching ways you can spend your summer that can still look just as impressive on a college application.

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

13 Most Prestigious College Summer Programs for High School Students

Last time, we recommended 25 online courses that offer college credit and shared why 99.9% of on-campus college summer programs are not worth the time, money, and effort to join. In this post, we’ll share 10 of the most prestigious college summer courses and 2 of the most prestigious summer programs. Later, we’ll analyze their similarities so you will be able to make the right judgment on whether any summer program is prestigious or not!

What online summer programs are prestigious and can help students with college admissions?

There are many online summer courses that students can attend to get college credits. These courses are not easy (after all, they are college courses offered to college students, and you are a high school student), but these courses can enrich a student’s knowledge, hence they can help with college admissions. If you miss our previous post, please click on the following link to see the 25 college summer online courses that we highly recommend:

不擔心疫情影響暑假不能出國進修！25堂含金量超高的大學網路暑期課在這！

Why are 99.9% of college on-campus summer programs not worth it to attend?

Learning can make you a better person, so learning any kind of knowledge is a good thing. Attending an on-campus summer program may help you learn, so if your motivation and goal is to learn something in this on-campus summer program, then this program will help you. However, learning can be in different forms: reading a business-related magazine, attending a dance class, watching a “How to Build a Website” video on YouTube, and even reading articles in our blog to enhance your knowledge on college admissions all count as learning!

However, there are four major problems with those on-campus college summer programs, which will cause a big difference in your “expected outcome” and “reality.” After attending those on-campus college summer programs, high school students will realize that these programs are a waste of time and money without getting the expected outcome.

Here are the four issues with most on-campus college summer programs:

1. Most on-campus college summer programs are for high school students

Every summer, Asian students flock to on-campus college summer programs like Summer School Program at Columbia University or Center for Talented Youth (CTY) at Johns Hopkins. However, even though these programs take place in college classrooms and are taught by college professors or lecturers, these courses are designed for high school students . As the name implies, these courses are designed for “talented youth,” and high school students who take honors, AP, or IB classes are talented youth. Therefore, even though you will score points on your college application if you do well in these “college” courses, you will certainly not “wow” admissions officers by doing well in a program designed for smart high school students like you, and the value of the program is certainly much lower than what you expect for “going abroad to a prestigious college for a summer course.”

2. You cannot see the real campus or college life during the summer

Hosting college summer programs for high school students is a great way for colleges to generate extra income during the summer while real college students are on vacation. Therefore, professors for these “college” summer courses will not be strict with the students. Instead of calling this “attending a college summer course,” these courses are more like summer programs where there’s minimal academic pressure and limited advanced knowledge to learn. You will certainly make high school friends from around the world, but you will not be able to experience the real college life that college students experience, which includes academic stress, responsibilities, and changes in weather.

3. You will get a general recommendation that doesn’t help with your admissions

There are thousands of students attending summer courses every year, and professors only have limited interaction with students over a few weeks of the program. Since professors are unable to get to know the students well, they are unable to write good recommendations. We are not saying that there is absolutely no chance that you will be the top performer for the entire summer, quickly get to know the professor, and have the professor be interested in you that he’s willing to sacrifice his research time or free time to get to know you, have him like you a lot, and have him write a stellar, insightful recommendation for you. Nonetheless, the chance of this happening is slim to none.

So that you are hearing this from other students’ first-person experience, A student who attended Columbia Summer School said all students’ recommendations are almost identical :

…and the “evaluation” you get at the end of the course that everyone says is “great to send to colleges” consists of 4-5 sentences and is the same letter for the majority of the students.

4. These expensive courses will not help students get into colleges

Colleges see two positive aspects from students who attend these courses: 1) students are willing to spend time to learn something (though there are other ways to learn too), 2) students come from families with a good financial background, which means they can potentially contribute to colleges in the future.

However, colleges cannot see the student’s potential from attending these programs, and colleges love to admit excellent people or those with high potential. Therefore, we do not recommend students to spend a lot of money on summer programs like these.

This concept was covered in the following YouTube video from Alex: (Video is in Chinese)

Prestigious College Summer Programs

99.9% college summer programs are not worthy to attend; what is the 0.1%? Below, we recommend 10 of the most prestigious college summer programs that will help with college admissions the most.

1. Canada/USA Math Camp

Cost： $0-4,500 Location： Champlain College Website： http://mathcamp.org Duration： 5 weeks

Are good summer programs all run by “prestigious universities”? Perhaps you haven’t heard of Vermont’s Champlain College and think its Canada/USA Math Camp is bad. Obviously, this is a misconception on college admissions. Students who are able to attend Canada/USA Math Camp are math geniuses of the world. They “live and breathe” math every day as they indulge in solving college and grad school level math problems.

Canada/USA Math Camp admits only 13-15% of the applicants every year. If you are not sure how difficult the course is, all you need to do is to take a look at the program’s qualifications. When applying, students need to submit an untimed, independently done math exam. The 2020 quiz has just 6 questions; take a look at question 1 and see if you know how to do it:

2. Foundation for Teaching Economics – Economics for Leaders (EFL)

Cost： $1,800 Location： Brown, Emory, Cornell, Rice, U Chicago, U Michigan, etc. (17 campuses) Website： https://www.fte.org/students/economics-for-leaders-program/ Duration： 1 week

EFL is an economics-related summer program. In just one week, students will learn concepts in economics from economics professors and lecturers, discuss and participate with a total of 30 students, and have hands-on experience on integrating concepts in economics into students’ daily lives and decision-making processes.

Compared to other activities on this list, EFL is worth the least in terms of its return compared to its cost. The program costs $1700 for just 1 week, and the acceptance rate for EFL is not as low as other research programs like Summer Science Program or HS-HIP. However, this does not mean the quality of EFL is worse than that of other programs: it only accepts 30 students per campus, which is much lower than the college summer programs that aim at making money for colleges.

3. Lincoln Laboratory Radar Introduction for Student Engineers (LLRISE)

Cost： $0 Location： MIT Website： http://ll.mit.edu/outreach/llrise Duration： 2 weeks

This 2-week program at MIT for rising seniors to experience MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory not only is free but also pays for the student’s food and housing. LLRISE is a STEM research residential program; under the guidance of instructors from MIT, students can learn and design a Doppler and range radar by using creative problem-solving strategies.

In order to apply, students need to submit their transcript, standardized test scores, interest and ability in STEM, recommendations, and an essay, but most students will be rejected: in 2019, there were about 300 applicants, and only 18 students (6%) were accepted. Last year, one student who scored 1590 on the SAT and had a 3.9 GPA was rejected from the program, showing that interest in STEM and teacher’s recommendations are as if not more important as good scores. Unfortunately for international students, this program is only available for American citizens.

4. Math Olympiad Summer Program (MOSP)

Cost： $0 Location： Carnegie Mellon University Website： https://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php/Mathematical_Olympiad_Summer_Program Duration： 3 weeks

MOSP is the pinnacle of math summer camps and is even better than PROMYS and ROSS. MOSP’s main purpose is to train American students for the International Math Olympiad (IMO). As a result, MOSP doesn’t take applications; instead, students are invited by MOSP to attend. Only the top 12 or so members from the USA Math Olympiad (USAMO), known as Black MOPer, and the top 13-100 math geniuses in America will have the privilege to attend MOSP. US members from the China Girls Math Olympiad are also invited to attend to prepare for the Math Olympiad in China.

5. Minority Introduction to Engineering Entrepreneurship and Science (MITES)

Cost： FREE Location： MIT Website： http://oeop.mit.edu/programs/mites Duration： 6 weeks

This is a science and technology summer program for minorities. Students must have extraordinary high school profiles in order to attend. This program is special in that it does not just focus on one STEM course: during the 6 weeks, students will take 1 math class, 1 biology and science class, 1 physics class, 1 humanities class, and 1 elective class, all at a very advanced level. Other than taking classes, MITES also arranges college counseling classes, laboratory visits, and other social events for students to attend.

6. Program in Mathematics for Young Student (PROMYS)

Cost： $0-5,150 USD (Students from families making less than 60k can attend for free) Location： Boston University Website： https://www.promys.org/ Duration： 6 weeks

PROMYS at Boston University gathers top high school math talents from around the world. Those who are capable of attending PROMYS are students who can easily score a perfect 150 on the AMC12, who have the ability to represent their country in international math competitions. This program doesn’t treat high school students as high school students but instead as mathematicians.

Although PROMYS charges an expensive $5,150 for its 6-week program, its official website states that the actual cost of the program is more than $7,000, but it is able to lower the cost for the students because of donations every year. In addition, students who do not come from affluent families can apply for financial aids and may receive a full scholarship.

7. Research Science Institute (RSI)

Cost： FREE Location： MIT Website： https://www.cee.org/research-science-institute Duration： 6 weeks

This is yet another program at MIT, but RSI is probably the most prestigious of all. Every year, over 6000 students apply, but only 80 students are accepted–this is a 1.3% acceptance rate! Among those accepted, about 1/3 are international students.

The 6-week program includes two parts: in the first week, students will learn intensive STEM classes from top professors, and in the last five weeks, students will complete a research project from scratch under the guidance of a mentor. Students must read countless papers, design and implement a research plan, create a hand-written research paper, and prepare written and oral presentations on their research projects.

Students who attend RSI will often bring their project to participate in top science research competitions like  Intel Science Talent Search  (Intel STS), Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology , or Intel International Science and Engineering Fair  (Intel ISEF), and students usually have excellent performances in these competitions.

8. Research in Science & Engineering (RISE)

Cost： $7,519-7,779 (offers scholarship) Location： Boston University Website： https://www.bu.edu/summer/high-school-programs/rise-internship-practicum Duration： 6 weeks

There are two types of RISE programs: Internship and Practicum. Students who attend RISE under the Internship track will work on an experiment in astrology, biology, bioengineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, neurosciences, psychology, or public health under the guidance of a mentor. On the other hand, students who attend RISE under the Practicum track will learn neurosciences, scientific methods, or design computational neurobiology models, taking classes in the morning and doing experiments in the afternoon over the 6-week research project.

RISE is the most expensive and has a higher acceptance rate than other science research programs like Summer Science Program and HS-HIP. However, this does not mean the quality of RISE is any worse than that of other programs.

9. Ross Number Theory (Ross Mathematics Program)

Cost： $5000 USD Location： Ohio Dominican University Website： https://rossprogram.org/ Duration： 5-6 weeks

Being accepted by Ross Program is a proof of the student’s math talent. In this 5 to 6-week program, students have 8 hours of class every day (5 lectures and 3 problem solving sessions) and a very heavy workload. Students applying for Ross need to submit school transcript, application essay, and teacher’s recommendation.

Do you think multivariable calculus is difficult, or being on the school’s math team means your math is good? At Ross, students learn about concepts like Euclid’s Algorithm (Diophantine equation ax + by = c, proof of unique factorization in Z …), modular arithmetic (Fermat’s Theorem, Chinese Remainder Theorem…), and polynomials (Gauss’s Lemma, Cyclotomic polynomials…)–these are topics that graduate school math students consider to be very challenging! Therefore, Ross only accepts top math geniuses from around the world, and students who are accepted by Ross typically will become classmates again at MIT, Harvard, or CalTech.

Although Ross’s $5000 tuition isn’t cheap, it provides financial aid for students who need it, hoping that all students accepted will have the financial ability to attend. Ross’s official website says its acceptance rate is less than 33%, but this is less than 33% from the top math geniuses in the world!

10. Summer Science Program

Cost： Up to $3950, as low as $0 after scholarship Locations： New Mexico Tech, University of Colorado Boulder, Purdue University, Indiana University Website： https://summerscience.org/ Duration： 39 days

SSP is a non-profit organization that specializes in running research summer programs for high school students. Half of the students will be placed for conducting astrophysics experiments, while the other half will be placed for conducting biochemistry experiments. At SSP, students have classes and experiments for 6 days a week, attend guest lectures or outdoor classes, and create an experiment from scratch, from collecting data, analyzing data, and presenting the research outcome.

The original cost for SSP is originally $6950 (SSP says its actual expense is higher), but because of donations, the cost will be lowered by $3000. In addition, students can apply for financial aid and receive up to a full ride.

Students who are interested in applying will need to submit an application form, high school transcript, any standardized test score, teacher’s recommendation, and short answers. In 2020, 1402 students applied, and only 144 students were accepted (10.3% acceptance rate), showing that the program is extremely selective.

11. Telluride Association Summer Program (TASP)

Cost： $0 Location： Cornell University, University of Michigan Website： https://www.tellurideassociation.org/our-programs/high-school-students/summer-program-juniors-tasp/ Duration： 6 weeks

TASP is an eminent writing summer program in the US, and it’s safe to call it the most prestigious humanities and debate-related summer program. The 6-week program will cover different topics, including literature, debate, writing, ethics, modern history, and public speaking.

Every day, there will be 3 hours of classes run by 2 instructors. The classes are discussion-based classes instead of the traditional lecture-based classes. In addition, there are a lot of homework to do after class, as students need to spend hours on reading and writing to prepare for the next class.

Although TASP does not grant college credit, and instructors only give feedback comments and not a number or letter grade, this doesn’t mean TASP is easy. In fact, the difficulty of the classes at TASP is comparable to those at top-tier colleges, and the class will cover many topics that are covered in actual college writing classes. In addition, TASP has just a 3% acceptance rate (Ivy League colleges often have a 5-6% acceptance rate), and 20-30% of TASP students get accepted by Ivy League colleges, showing that TASP is extremely selective, and its students’ levels are also extraordinary.

Prestigious summer programs not in a college

The following two programs are not run by colleges, but they are as prestigious as the college summer programs above!

12. Bank of America Student Leaders

Cost： Paid internship, at least $17/hr Locations： Different states in the US Website： https://about.bankofamerica.com/en-us/what-guides-us/student-leaders.html Duration： 8 weeks

The 300 students accepted by Bank of America Student Leaders will first spend 7 weeks working in a local non-profit organization, then these student leaders will meet at Washington D.C. for a 1-week conference. Bank of American will not only pay students $17/hr (or the minimum wage in the state) but also pay for all expenses for the 8th week at Washington D.C., including the round-trip flight ticket!

13. Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research for High School Students (HS-SIP)

Cost： Paid internship $2,000-$2,300/month Location： National Institute of Health Website： https://www.training.nih.gov/programs/hs-sip Duration： At least 8 weeks

The Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research for High School Students (HS-SIP) run by the National Health Institute is probably the most prestigious summer research internship program in the US. It not only is free but also pays students a very generous $2,000-2,300 stipend! Students will work full-time in a biomedical-related laboratory with researchers. During this time, students are being treated as researchers from a research institution or a post-doc researcher, and students are expected to commit to the program in terms of time and effort as much as those researchers.

Because this program takes place in a national institute, students must be American citizens or have permanent residency in order to apply. To apply, students have to submit a resume, course taken in high school, transcript, self recommendation, and two recommender’s contact information (they do not need to submit a recommendation yet). In addition, students need to pass a background check before they can be admitted. In 2019, 1436 students applied for HS-HIP, and only 213 students were accepted (14.8% acceptance rate). HS-HIP is not only a program that is difficult to apply, it is also extremely prestigious.

What is common to all these prestigious summer programs?

If you pay attention, you’ll realize two common factors for these prestigious programs:

1. The program has an extremely low acceptance rate

If everyone can get accepted to a program, then it is not valuable. I’m sure you’ve heard of people who attend Johns Hopkins CTY, Columbia SPS, Yale Young Global Scholars, or Harvard Pre-College programs. Although CTY does not accept 100% of the applicants, its acceptance rate is drastically higher than the acceptance rate for Johns Hopkins University. Therefore, although these universities are famous, every college admissions officers know that most students can get into these “pay-for-play” programs (pay and you can get in). These programs exist to generate income for the university and have a negligible effect on helping you get into any colleges, so you should avoid them if your goal of attending them is to get into a top college! On the other hand, MIT’s RSI has a 1.3% acceptance rate, and even the most selective universities have an acceptance rate that is 3 times as high. Programs like RSI are in a completely different league from JHU’s CTY.

2. The cost of the program is low or even free

In the eyes of admissions officers, good things cannot be bought with money (unless we are talking about millions or billions of dollars). The 13 programs we have in this list have a common goal of finding the best students; as a result, all of these programs do their best to recruit the best students by lowering the financial barrier through financial aid or scholarships so all students have the opportunity to attend. Many of these programs in this list are free, and some are even willing to pay the students.

When a program’s fee is high, the barrier of entry is no longer the student’s ability but just the parent’s financial status, and these programs are therefore less valuable. In other words, there’s usually an inverse correlation between the cost of the program and the prestige of the program: the more expensive the program, the more money the school can make, but the lower the prestige of the program for students!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

What Summer Activities Do Ivy League Colleges Look For?

Reviewed by:

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 4/26/24

‍ Learn about the types of summer activities and programs you can take as a high school student to boost your chances of acceptance to an Ivy League school.

Want to spend your summer vacation doing something exciting and rewarding that would look good on your college applications? Colleges, specifically the Ivy Leagues, want to see an applicant who uses their free time to make themselves a stronger candidate. But you may not know exactly what type of activities schools are looking for.

Participating in Ivy League approved summer activities not only makes you an optimal candidate for college admissions officers, but it also speaks to your work ethic, dedication, and ambition for success. In this guide, we discuss the different summer activities and programs the Ivy League colleges look for. 

How Summer Activities Can Impact Ivy League Acceptance

Summer activities, also called “extracurricular activities,” can boost your chances of acceptance into the Ivy League schools. It is one of the multiple factors Ivy schools consider when making admissions decisions.

Participating in summer programs before college not only shows Ivy League schools that you are productive with your vacation time, but it also can help develop your academic skills. For example, if you decide to do a summer program at a science camp, you can learn more about biology, the environment, nature, and more.

When finding activities that suit you, you should ask yourself some questions: 

• Is it a selective course or program? 
• Would I need a transcript or any academic recommendations to be eligible? 

These questions will help you consider whether the program is right for you, and if you qualify for them. You do not want to waste your summer in a program that you are not having fun in nor excelling in; it has to be something recreational and rewarding of your time.

Make sure the program is interesting to you and maybe even related to your intended college major. You should also check the requirements to see if you have everything you need to participate in the activity.

Types of Summer Activities Ivy League Colleges Look For

When looking for appropriate summer activities, most of them are categorized into three types: volunteer, work, and travel. Below are a few examples for each.

Volunteering is an excellent choice when it comes to boosting your application with extracurriculars. Volunteering for a cause you care about shows authentic commitment and interest, which is favored by Ivy League admissions. Here are three examples of national volunteer programs.

ArtsBridge Summer is a national summer volunteer program that offers high school students an in-depth look at a career in the arts. It offers intensive training in many art forms with specialized application guidance for students applying for an arts program. They specialize in acting, singing, vocals, fashion designing, and more. 

VISIONS Service Adventures

VISIONS Service Adventures is a summer program where students can volunteer by doing agricultural work. VISIONS offers another unique benefit: students can travel for this program, too. Students work with communities, accomplish VISIONS projects, and create incredible lifelong connections. Locations range from Montana to the U.S. British Virgin Islands.

The American Red Cross

The American Red Cross offers seasonal youth volunteer opportunities that teach valuable lessons about handling emergencies. It teaches students how to work with people from diverse backgrounds, create a positive change, and make their communities progressive. 

Students will learn to enhance their leadership skills , create new connections, explore new interests, and thrive in a friendly and welcoming environment with impressive results. Volunteering at the Red Cross can create a lifetime of generous, honest work for a good cause.

Working and Internships

Working during your summer vacation is also impressive to Ivy League schools. It is not just for financial support; it also shows that you are willing to spend your free time working on skills in your areas of interest. Check out these three work opportunities and internships.

NASA offers work internships and fellowships for students looking for a unique opportunity. It has programs that deal with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and aims to increase the diversity and capability of applicants. Students have the opportunity to participate in research projects or other learning experiments under the guidance of a NASA mentor.

Bank of America

Bank of America has a Student Leaders program that prepares high school students for workforce success through leadership training. It is an eight-week paid internship that accepts more than 300 diverse, community-minded high school juniors and seniors from across 100 communities to gain first-hand experience working in nonprofit organizations. 

The Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program

The Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program is a New York City-based program that prepares high school students for a career in a legal profession and offers skills and development training. It has an intense selection process, with robust interviews and recommendation letter requirements. 

Its internships are paid and last  six to eight weeks, with all internships taking place between March and late August. The TMSLIP has a network of law firms, corporations, nonprofits, and government organizations that assist in teaching students about office etiquette, mock interviews, resume building, and more.

Summer programs that include travel are  interesting  to Ivy League admissions teams. Traveling shows that you are responsible, and not afraid to adapt to a different culture and put your skills to work on an international level. Here are a few of the top travel programs.

Where There Be Dragons

Where There Be Dragons is an organization that offers high school students two, four, and six week abroad programs to learn about different cultures and beautiful realities of the countries where they travel. 

Students are allowed to explore these communities and create meaningful connections, whether learning the languages, participating in events, or through a homestay. Students can filter the program they want by age and start date. Trips take place in Asian, African, and Latin American countries. 

Travel For Teens

Travel For Teens is a North American adventure program in which high school students tour the Great North; from the Pacific Northwest to the American Southwest and the Grand Canyon. Part of the program also involves trekking to the top National Parks of North America, where students can take in the beautiful landscapes and have fun adventures such as water rafting, zip-lining, and more. 

Lead Adventures

Lead Adventures is an Amazon Animal Rescue & Welfare program based in Ecuador. Volunteers can impact Amazonian animal welfare by rescuing and rehabilitating animals that have been illegally trapped, abused, or injured. 

Students nurture the rescued and rehabbed animals in safe enclosures to ensure a full recovery. This animal-loving program fights to save the Amazon Rainforest and its inhabitants; the victims of deforestation, habitat destruction, and illegal hunting and trapping of animals.  

Best Summer Programs at Ivy League Schools

You can also take part in summer programs offered by the Ivy League schools. It will give you a preview of what being a student at an Ivy League is like, and by the end, it can help inform your decision to apply to an Ivy League school. Below are some notable courses offered.

Harvard offers two programs for high school students: a Secondary School Program and a Pre-College Program . 

The Secondary School Program is a seven week program where high school students can take college courses taught by world scholars. With over 200 courses to choose from, students learn about interesting subjects and participate in academic activities, which they will earn college credit for. 

The Pre-College Program is two weeks and students can choose from over 100 non-credit programs. The purpose of the program is to get a feel of college life and take part in academic activities without the pressure of receiving a grade. 

Cornell University

Cornell University offers multiple summer programs for high school students through its Pre-College section. Its programs run from three to six weeks and offer diverse subjects such as architecture, business, debate, engineering , law, science, medicine , and social change. You get to explore different career choices and receive college credit for the classes you take.

Cornell also offers English immersion programs to attract international students and offer social activities such as dances, sports events, and residence hall events.

Yale University

Yale has an incredible array of summer programs that prepare high school students for college while they work on their academic skills. Students can take courses through Yale’s Schafer Scholars Program, work on their musical talent at Yale’s Morse Summer Music Academy, or work in laboratories alongside renowned scientists at Yale’s Pathways summer school program, to name a few of their many programs. 

Some programs offer credit while others do not, and the duration of each program varies as well. You can search for programs that match your interests in their summer programs section.

Stanford University

Stanford University’s Stanford Summer Session provides students a chance at obtaining transformative education and a world-class university experience alongside college credit and an official Stanford transcript. They combine academics with extracurricular activities and share Stanford’s culture of academic excellence, global responsibility, and success. 

Students enroll in a three or four-week program that focuses on a specific field of study. Stanford students act as teaching assistants, plan field trips, and other recreational activities.

FAQs: What Summer Activities Do Ivy League Colleges Look For

Have some more questions about Ivy League summer programs? It is always beneficial to be informed. Here are some FAQs that answer some general inquiries about summer programs.

1. How Do I Find Which Ivy League Summer Program Is Right for Me?

Start by researching each of your choice schools and making a list of activities that interest you. Decide if you would rather take an Ivy League summer course or volunteer or take a paid internship for an organization or institution instead. Try using order of elimination to narrow down your search and facilitate your decision.  

Start by deciding whether you want a paid, unpaid, or college credit course. Then list which programs pique your interest, then finally find out which program requirements line up with your interests and credentials.

2. Can I Apply for Employment at an Ivy League Summer Program?

Ivy League schools do not offer employment opportunities to students, but some offer paid work internships and projects for high school students to participate in. You can research the school of your choice and see if they have any opportunities. 

3. Where Can I Find the Application Process of Such Programs?

Each program has a ‘how to apply’ guide for those interested. If you need help figuring out how to organize your application or even how to apply, contact your high school guidance counselor or the appropriate Ivy League school for assistance.

4. Can I Use My Summer Program Coordinators for Letters of Recommendation?

Absolutely. Letters of recommendation can be from academic, professional, or volunteering staff that supervised you through the program unless otherwise noted by the Ivy League requirements. 

5. How Do I Know an Ivy League Summer Course Is Right for Me?

This depends on your academic skills. You will have to ask yourself if you think you can adjust to college life with the help of a summer program. Some have application costs. Ask yourself the following questions: 

• Do you think it is worth the money? 
• Are you planning on going to the Ivy League school offering the program? 
• Do the programs and college courses interest you? 
• Do you plan to major in those subjects offered through summer courses? 

These questions will help you decide not only how to spend your summer program, but also how to properly pave your academic future; whether you see yourself as a college student on these campuses or if you want to continue with your major of choice after participating in these summer courses.

6. When Would Be a Good Time to Apply for Summer Programs?

Each program has specific application deadlines, but they usually close around March. It would be best to start doing research and prepare what you can around wintertime so there will not be much hassle getting everything in order when you get closer to the deadline date. 

7. Can I Continue My Summer Activities After Getting Into Ivy League?

If you took a high school summer course at an Ivy League, you cannot continue after getting accepted. Conversely, if you wish to continue the volunteer or recreational summer programs you’ve participated in, that is usually acceptable. This shows them that you stay loyal to your interests and invest your time not just for academic or financial gain; you do it simply because it is engaging and charitable. 

Final Thoughts

Summer vacation is an opportunity to learn, grow, and develop your skills. By attending summer programs, you are giving yourself a chance at enhancing your academia, as well as getting a unique first-hand experience of college life and rewarding research. Now is the time to make connections, get experience, and jumpstart your future.

Get A Free Consultation

You may also like.

How To Get Into Dartmouth: Admission Requirements + Tips

SAT Sections: A Full Breakdown of Each

5 Last-Minute Summer Plans That Will Impress Ivy League Admissions Officers

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

As summer approaches, high school students may find themselves scrambling to find ways to make the most of their time off of school. Whether they were not accepted into their top choice programs, their internships fell through, or they simply haven’t yet made a plan, it’s imperative that students find enriching ways to spend their summers. Colleges look to students’ summer activities as a means of better understanding their passions and interests, and determining the kind of community members they will be outside of the classroom.

For those with Ivy League dreams, the pressure to maximize summers to stand out in the college admissions process can feel particularly daunting. While the deadlines for prestigious academic summer programs have passed, it’s not too late to engage in meaningful summer activities that will impress Ivy League admissions officers. While many students assume that admissions committees at top schools only care about intellectual pursuits, students can convey important elements of their candidacy through a plethora of summer plans, whether academic or non-academic.

If you are still unsure of how you’ll be spending the summer months, here are five last-minute summer plans that can help you demonstrate your passion, initiative, and commitment to personal and academic growth:

1. Secure an internship.

While securing a summer internship can be challenging, it can pave the way for the rest of a student’s professional and academic journey. If you have connections with local professionals, leveraging your network to find an internship opportunity can enhance your resume, help to build your professional network, and demonstrate initiative to colleges on your list. If you choose to intern during the summer months, you can maximize your time by demonstrating your willingness to go above and beyond; take the initiative to expand your skill set and explore areas outside of your designated responsibilities. You may find a new passion or outlet for your interests in the process.

2. Get a summer job.

While many students assume colleges are uninterested in their summer jobs, with the proper strategy, thoughtfulness, and hard work, students can leverage their summer jobs to stand out to Ivy League admissions officers. Whether you’re working as a lifeguard, camp counselor, dog walker, or administrative assistant at a law office, every job offers the opportunity to demonstrate self-motivation and leadership. Stepping up in the workplace not only allows students to develop critical life skills that will carry them into their college careers, but it can also highlight students’ willingness to contribute to their communities.

Hundreds of Russian Troops Gathered Out In The Open. They Didn’t Know The Ukrainians Had Aimed Four ATACMS Rockets At Them.

Your best look yet at the new iphone 16, the richest person in every state 2024.

For students seeking a job or internship, sites such as LinkedIn , AngelList , and Idealist are fantastic online resources for sourcing opportunities in their interest area, location, and schedule constraints.

3. Take an online course.

Enrolling in an online course or certification program allows students to enrich their knowledge, skills, and expertise in a specific area of interest—whether it's computer science, finance, environmental science, or creative writing, among others. Platforms such as Coursera , edX , and Udemy offer a wide range of courses taught by leading experts and institutions from around the world. Select courses that align with your academic interests, intended major, or core passion, and dedicate yourself to mastering the material. Completing an online course or earning a certification demonstrates self-motivation, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to lifelong learning—qualities highly valued by Ivy League admissions officers.

4. Volunteer in your community.

Ivy League admissions committees seek to identify students who are plugged in to issues in their community and willing to mobilize their passions to make positive change. One of the best ways to demonstrate this quality is to use your free time during the summer to volunteer. For example, you could consider volunteering at a local soup kitchen, homeless shelter, or food bank to help address food insecurity and support vulnerable populations in your community. While any type of volunteering will be beneficial for both your growth and those in need around you, it is best to identify a volunteering opportunity that aligns with your skills and interests and that you can engage with long-term throughout your high school career. By volunteering your time and energy to support those in need, you can make a tangible impact on your community while developing empathy, compassion, and a sense of social responsibility.

5. Develop your passion project.

Perhaps the most beneficial use of the summer months is brainstorming and building a dynamic passion project, a student-led initiative that puts passion into practice. Whether environmental conservation, mental health awareness, animal welfare, or technological literacy, students should be intentional about identifying their guiding interest and developing an independent project to more deeply engage with their subject or cause of choice. This could involve organizing a fundraising event, creating educational materials, or launching a social media campaign to raise awareness and mobilize support. By channeling your interests and talents into a passion project, you can make a meaningful contribution to your community while gaining greater insight into your core passions and interests.

Whatever students choose to do with their summer, they should keep in mind that all of their activities should work in tandem to tell a cohesive story through their college applications. Whether completing an internship, working a summer job, or taking a summer course, put your best foot forward and approach the process with self-reflection, motivation, and intentionality.

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

Dailymotion

Employers Are Souring On Ivy League Grads While These 20 “New Ivies” Ascend

Posted: May 3, 2024 | Last updated: May 3, 2024

Hiring managers have long used the reputation of a new college graduate’s alma mater as an indicator of an applicant’s ability and expected job performance. Elite national consulting, banking and investment firms focused their recruiting on the Ivy League and a handful of the other most selective schools. Big companies looked more widely, but still often favored a limited number of highly ranked universities. Regional firms would tap graduates of schools with the best reputations in their geographic area. 0:00 Introduction 0:23 What's Going On With The Ivy League? 2:23 Where Are Recruiters Looking Now? 5:51 How Did Forbes Report This Story? 7:03 What Should Rising College Students Take From This Reporting? 8:30 Other Take Aways Read the full story on Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/emmawhitford/2024/04/29/the-new-ivies-as-employers-sour-on-the-super-elite-these-20-colleges-shine/?sh=771084b8438f Subscribe to FORBES: https://www.youtube.com/user/Forbes?sub_confirmation=1 Fuel your success with Forbes. Gain unlimited access to premium journalism, including breaking news, groundbreaking in-depth reported stories, daily digests and more. Plus, members get a front-row seat at members-only events with leading thinkers and doers, access to premium video that can help you get ahead, an ad-light experience, early access to select products including NFT drops and more: https://account.forbes.com/membership/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=growth_non-sub_paid_subscribe_ytdescript Stay Connected Forbes newsletters: https://newsletters.editorial.forbes.com Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbes Forbes Video on Instagram: http://instagram.com/forbes More From Forbes: http://forbes.com Forbes covers the intersection of entrepreneurship, wealth, technology, business and lifestyle with a focus on people and success.

More for You

Here are all the top contenders to be Trump's vice-presidential nominee in 2024

‘The dream of Paris is over’: US track and field star Emma Coburn to miss Olympics after breaking ankle

Average US annual salary by age revealed – see how you compare

17 People Shared Their Favorite "Poor Man's Meal," And I'm Definitely Gonna Try Some Of These

Full List of Republicans Condemning Marjorie Taylor Greene

Do I have to pay off my spouse's debts when they die? Here's what you're responsible for and what you aren't after a loved one's death

The Choco Taco Is Coming Back For A Limited Time

I was fired from a new job in less than a week after I started. It taught me not every opportunity is a good opportunity.

I’m in my 50s, earn over $200,000, own a $1.75 million home and have $4 million in savings. Should I pay off my 2.75% mortgage?

18 ‘Normal’ Things From the ’80s and ’90s That Are Considered Luxuries Now

11 Facts You Should Know About Hard-Boiled Eggs

Here's how much it costs to rent a 1-bedroom apartment across 10 major cities in Asia

Jif Is Releasing a New Flavor for the First Time in Nearly 10 Years

20 Historical Things We Imagined Totally Wrong

Kevin O’Leary says Americans should ‘get used to the idea’ that the Fed won’t offer reprieve to rates in 2024 — plus why he says you’d be ‘mistaken’ for thinking otherwise

I drove the Tesla Cybertruck. These 7 design flaws surprised me.

Donald Trump Stung by Double Polling Blow

The most expensive state to live in isn't California or New York, based on data. Here are the top 10.

Kristen Stewart makes vampire movie return opposite Oscar Isaac

Employers Are Avoiding Hiring Gen Z Workers- Here's Why