If you’re a high school student looking to apply to colleges in the United States as a non-resident, you might want to explore summer programs in the country first.
These programs cover a wide range of fields like data science, business, environmental science, and the arts. You’ll work on real-world projects, use advanced tools, and get a taste of college-level academics. Whether it’s coding, developing business strategies, or conducting scientific research, these programs help you develop skills that universities and employers value. You’ll also learn from professionals and university professors, getting a clearer idea of what you might want to pursue in the future.
Why should international students consider U.S. summer programs?
Participating in a U.S.-based summer program can help international students understand the academic expectations and campus culture of American universities. It’s also a chance to build connections with faculty and peers, improve academic English in an immersive setting, and demonstrate serious interest in studying in the U.S. These programs can strengthen college applications by showing initiative and adaptability, especially if you’re applying to competitive institutions.
Here’s a list of 15 summer programs in the USA for international high school students!
15 Summer Programs in the USA for International High School Students
1. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Stanford University’s Mathematics Camp (SUMaC) is a free summer program for high school students in grades 11 and 12 who are passionate about mathematics. This global program has been running since 1994 and offers a solid opportunity to explore advanced mathematical concepts not usually taught in school.
Throughout the program, you’ll explore areas like number theory, algebra, and combinatorics, focusing on theoretical concepts and proof-based learning. SUMaC also encourages collaborative work, where you can tackle complex problems and engage in discussions that help develop your mathematical reasoning skills.
Location: Residential at Stanford University, CA, or Online
Cost: $3580 (online); $8575 (residential)$3,58
Application Deadline: February 3
Program Dates: Online: June 16 — July 4, July 7–25 | Residential: June 22 — July 18
Eligibility: Students who are in 10th or 11th grade — including international students — at the time of application and who demonstrate genuine interest in mathematics are encouraged to apply.
2. Veritas AI
Founded by Harvard graduate students, Veritas AI helps you explore computer science and artificial intelligence through hands-on learning. You will start by learning Python programming and core AI concepts such as neural networks, image classification, natural language processing, and sentiment analysis.
If you join the 10-week AI Scholars program, you will work in a small team to build projects that apply these ideas. If you already have experience, you can apply to the AI Fellowship, where you’ll work one-on-one with a mentor from a top university on your research project. Your work might even be published or showcased. Here is the program brochure for more details!
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2290 for the scholars program.
Application Deadline: April 27 for the upcoming summer cohort!
Program Dates: 10 weeks from June to August for the summer cohort.
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible to apply!
3. Horizon Academic Research Program
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in fields like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, psychology, and more. What makes Horizon unique is the option to choose between quantitative or qualitative research, giving you the flexibility to explore different approaches.
Once you pick your subject and research focus, you’ll be paired with a mentor, usually a professor or PhD scholar from a top university, who will guide you through your project. By the end of the program, you’ll complete a 20-page research paper that you can submit to academic journals.
You’ll also receive feedback on your work and a letter of recommendation to help with your academic future. Apply here!
Location: Virtual
Cost: You can find the exact cost by submitting an interest form. Full financial aid is available.
Application Deadlines: Priority: March 23; Regular I: April 20; Regular II: May 18.
Program Dates: The summer cohort starts June 16. Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply at least four weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
4. Research Science Institute (RSI)
The Research Science Institute is a free summer research program hosted at MIT. The program begins with one week of classes focused on research methods, academic writing, and data analysis. After this, you spend five weeks working on a research project with a mentor. Mentors include university faculty, researchers, and graduate students.
You can choose a topic in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Your project may include lab work, coding, modeling, or literature review, depending on the field. At the end of the program, you present your work in a research symposium. This program helps you practice formal research, learn how to use academic tools, and work closely with a subject expert.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost: None, a stipend is provided.
Application Deadline: January
Program Dates: 2 months between June and August (tentative, based on previous years).
Eligibility: High school juniors, including international students, with recommended PSAT or ACT scores. For more details, click here.
5. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University is a seven-week summer research opportunity for high school juniors and seniors. You’ll work one-on-one with a professor on a research project in a subject you choose. Some of the fields offered include cancer biology, microbiology, chemistry, physics, computer science, engineering, and history.
You’ll spend your days doing lab work, writing reports, reviewing academic papers, and presenting your research. You also attend weekly seminars, group events, and local field trips. This program can help you build research skills, explore a subject in depth, and prepare for future studies in science, engineering, or other academic fields.
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: February 24
Dates: June 22 to August 7
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 17 years of age by the program start date and should graduate in this or next year (U.S. and International)
6. Biotech Summer Experience at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory runs a two-week summer program for high school students interested in molecular biology and bioinformatics. You’ll focus on studying the DNA of duckweed, a freshwater plant called Landoltia punctata. You’ll use lab techniques like DNA extraction, PCR, restriction enzyme digestion, and gel electrophoresis.
You’ll also work with bioinformatics tools to study gene sequences and compare them to other known data. At the end, your results get submitted to GenBank, which is a global database of DNA sequences.
Location: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) Discovery Center, Livermore, CA
Cost: None
Application deadline: March 14
Program dates: July 14–25
Eligibility: Students must be at least 16 by the program start, have a GPA of 3.3 or higher, and be entering grades 10–12 in the Fall. Must meet NDAA access rules. Applicants from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea need U.S. citizenship or legal residency.
7. Telluride Association Summer Seminar
The Telluride Association Summer Seminar in Critical Black Studies (TASS-CBS) is a six-week program for high school students interested in the histories, cultures, and social experiences of people of African descent. You’ll study topics through university-style seminars led by college faculty.
You’ll explore fields like history, politics, literature, and the arts. The program focuses on how the African diaspora has influenced society and how historical narratives shape current culture. You’ll spend time on reading, writing, and discussion. The selection process is competitive, and the number of students admitted each year is small.
Location: Cornell University and the University of Maryland
Cost: Fully funded
Application deadline: December 3
Program dates: Jun 22 — Jul 26
Eligibility: Open to 10th and 11th graders, typically students from underrepresented backgrounds.
8. Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists (PROMYS)
PROMYS is a six-week summer program for high school students who are passionate about mathematics. Each day, you attend lectures focused on number theory and build a strong foundation in advanced math.
You also join an advanced seminar where you explore topics like Discrete Dynamical Systems, Galois Theory, and Graph Theory. You’ll work in small groups on research projects that involve solving real mathematical problems using the ideas you learn.
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost: Up to $7,000 for the residential program. The program is fully funded for applicants whose families make an annual income of $80,000 or less.
Application Deadline: March 3
Program Dates: June 29 – August 9
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 14 years old, have completed 9th grade (or its international equivalent), and are not yet enrolled as a full-time college or university student.
9. Stanford Summer Humanities Institute
Stanford is widely regarded for its exceptional academic standards and cutting-edge research. The Stanford Summer Humanities Institute offers high school students the chance to experience the kind of rigorous academic environment that Stanford is known for, allowing them to explore humanities subjects in depth.
Through this program, you’ll get to work closely with Stanford professors to design and carry out original research projects. For example, in the course “Racial Identity in the American Imagination,” you’ll analyze historical, literary, and legal texts, as well as films, to understand how racial identity has shaped U.S. society. You’ll feel the academic intensity as you engage with complex materials, push your thinking, and refine your research abilities.
Location: Stanford Campus, CA
Cost: $8,575 (Financial aid is available).
Application Deadline: February 3
Program Dates: 3 weeks, typically between June and August!
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 10 and 11 at the time of application submission. Participants who will be 18 years or older during the program are not eligible.
10. U.C. Santa Barbara Research Mentorship Program
The UC Santa Barbara Research Mentorship Program gives you the chance to dive into real research during the summer. You can pick from a range of STEM fields like Biology, Economics, Physics, Computer Science, and Sociology, and work closely with mentors who are experts in their field.
Before heading to campus, you’ll complete an online training session to get you ready for the hands-on experience. Once the program starts, you’ll spend about 35–50 hours each week on your research. You’ll learn how to use library resources, collect data, and share your findings through reports and presentations.
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: $5,175 (commuter) | $12,474 (residential). Limited scholarships available, priority given to California residents.
Application Deadline: March 17
Program Dates: June 16 — August 1
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 and 11 (9th graders may be accepted on a case-by-case basis) with a minimum 3.80 weighted GPA. International applicants are welcome.
11. Yale Young Global Scholars: Politics, Law, and Economics
The Yale Young Global Scholars Politics, Law, & Economics session is a summer program for high school students interested in how legal, political, and economic systems interact. You’ll explore topics like public policy, international law, human rights, and market regulation.
The program takes an interdisciplinary approach that helps you develop critical thinking, legal analysis, and policy evaluation skills. You’ll use these tools to examine current global issues such as economic inequality, political reform, and legal frameworks shaping international relations..
Location: Yale Campus, New Haven, CT
Cost: $6500
Application Deadline: January 10
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout June to August.
Eligibility: Must be at least 16 years old, a current sophomore or junior (or any international equivalent), and a first-time participant. International participants are welcome.
12. Biological Research: Synthetic Biology at the Boston Leadership Institute
This three-week program introduces you to biological research with a focus on lab-based work in synthetic biology, gene therapy, and genetic engineering. These areas are key to understanding how genetic diseases are studied and potentially treated.
Guided by Dr. Maria Lazebnik, an adjunct assistant professor at Bentley University, you’ll take part in lab experiments that help build your research and lab skills. The Boston Leadership Institute also runs other biology-focused programs like Biomedical and Surgical Research, Biotech Research, Marine Biology, and Neuroscience Research.
Location: Olin College, Greater Wellesley, MA and Gann Academy/Bentley University, Waltham, MA. The institute offers a few online program options as well.
Cost: $2,500
Application Deadline: Rolling, but the institute recommends that students submit their applications early.
Program Dates: June 23 – July 11; July 14 – August 1
Eligibility: International high school students are eligible to apply.
13. Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology Summer Institute
The Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology Summer Institute (M&Tsi) at the University of Pennsylvania is a three-week program for high school seniors and select juniors. It’s a chance to explore how management and technology come together, helping you build both business and technical skills. At the end, you’ll earn college credit from Penn Engineering.
During the program, you’ll take courses from Penn faculty and hear from industry professionals. You’ll work on real-world projects, where you’ll develop a prototype and create a market strategy for a high-tech company. By the end, you’ll present your project to Penn faculty, entrepreneurs, and industry experts.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, PA.
Cost: $9,000 On-Campus Program Fee + $100 application fee.
Application Deadline: January 29 (priority deadline) | April 2 (final deadline)
Program Dates: July 6–26
Eligibility: High school seniors and rising high school juniors. International students are strongly encouraged to apply by the priority deadline.
14. Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY)
This two-week course at UC Berkeley offers high school students a hands-on introduction to essential business skills, such as teamwork, communication, presentations, business plan development, and research methods. With a small group of only 50 students, you’ll get more personalized instruction and a focused learning experience.
During the program, you’ll attend guest lectures from UC Berkeley faculty and industry professionals, gaining insights into real-world business practices. You’ll also work in teams to create and present a comprehensive business plan, covering everything from market research to financial projections. The course includes activities that help you develop leadership and problem-solving skills.
Location: University of California (Berkeley) campus, CA.
Cost: California Resident $6,292 | Out of State Resident $7,332.
Application Deadline: March 1
Program Dates: July 5–19 | July 19 — August 2
Eligibility: US and international high school students can apply.
15. Yale Summer Program in Astrophysics
The Yale Science & Engineering Program for High School Students (YSPA) lets you explore research and college-level subjects like astronomy and telescope optics. You’ll use telescopes at the Leitner Observatory and work in a computer lab to analyze data.
In small teams, you’ll work on a research project and present your findings in a scientific paper. Some projects from the program have been published in journals. It’s a great way to experience college-level research and gain hands-on skills.
Location: Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium, Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $8,000. Limited, need-based financial aid is available, usually up to a 75% tuition remission.
Application deadline: March 8
Program dates: 2-week directed self-study online from June 23 — July 4, followed by a four-week residential program from July 6 — August 3
Eligibility: Open only to rising seniors who are 15.5 years or older by the start of the program. International students are welcome to apply, but must be proficient in English.
Image source – University of Pennsylvania