If you’re a high school student planning to study chemistry or a related STEM field in college, a pre-college summer program can help you get a head start. These programs introduce you to college-level coursework, lab techniques, and scientific concepts.
Hosted by top universities and research institutions, these programs often include hands-on lab work, lectures from faculty, and collaborative projects. They also show colleges that you’re serious about your field of interest, which can be a strong addition to your application.
To help you explore your options, we’ve curated 10 chemistry-focused pre-college summer programs for high school students designed to provide early, immersive exposure to the world of scientific research and learning.
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September)
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.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across various subject areas, including chemistry, organic chemistry, and chemistry in medicine, among others. Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
2. ASPIRE | Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics & Chemistry Laboratory
Location: Virtual and in-person options
Cost: No cost
Application Deadline: February 15
Program Dates: Summer session: June 25 – August 22 ｜ Academic year session: September 16 – May
Eligibility: Applicants must be
- High school junior or senior during program participation (applicants can be rising juniors or seniors)
- At least 15 years of age by June 1
- U.S. citizenship (green card holders are not eligible)
- Minimum 2.8 GPA
The ASPIRE Program at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) offers a virtual chemistry research internship for high school juniors and seniors to explore STEM careers through hands-on projects and mentorship. You will work with APL researchers to investigate chemical processes, laboratory techniques, and real-world applications of chemistry in fields like materials science, environmental chemistry, and biochemistry. Through guided experimentation, data analysis, and discussions with experts, you will gain a deeper understanding of chemistry and its role in advancing scientific and technological innovations.
3. Stanford Inspiring Future Scientists through Shadowing (IFSS)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: May 1
Program Dates: June 17 – 28
Eligibility: Students must be 16 or older by the start of the program and must reside in and around Stanford.
The Inspiring Future Scientists Through Shadowing (IFSS) program, held each summer, is designed for rising high school juniors and seniors. The two-week program provides participants with the opportunity to learn about cutting-edge chemical research by shadowing various graduate students in the chemistry department. This approach allows students to gain exposure to a broad range of scientific topics and techniques by observing multiple researchers. Unlike programs that focus on individual research projects, IFSS provides a diverse experience through shadowing several professionals, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the field. This program is geared towards gaining insight into various research endeavors rather than conducting an independent research project.
4. Investigations in Genetics – Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,080; financial aid is available
Application Deadline: March 20
Program Dates: July 7 – July 18
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 and 11 at the time of application
The Investigations in Genetics at Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes offers an in-depth exploration of chemical principles and their applications in various scientific fields. You will learn to analyze molecular structures, investigate reaction mechanisms, and apply laboratory techniques through virtual simulations and guided research. The program emphasizes experimental design, data interpretation, and the role of chemistry in medicine, energy, and environmental science. Engaging in hands-on projects and discussions will help you build critical thinking and problem-solving abilities that are crucial for future scientific research.
5. Research Science Institute – Center for Excellence in Education
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: No cost; stipend provided
Application Deadline: December 11
Program Dates: June 22 – August 2
Eligibility: Current high school juniors
The Research Science Institute (RSI), organized by the Center for Excellence in Education and hosted at MIT, offers 100 of the world’s top high school students a fully-funded, six-week immersion into advanced STEM education and research. This prestigious program begins with intensive seminars covering current topics in biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and mathematics, followed by a five-week research internship where participants work closely with MIT faculty and graduate mentors to design and execute individualized projects. You can acquire practical experience across the entire research process, from analyzing scientific literature to preparing presentations for conferences, both oral and written. Alongside academic rigor, RSI offers opportunities for mentorship, field trips to cultural and scientific landmarks in the Boston area, and interaction with distinguished scientists.
6. Chemistry in Context – Yale Summer Session
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $5,270
Application Deadline: May 5
Program Dates: June 30 – August 1
Eligibility: Pre-college students
The Chemistry in Context summer course (CHEM S101), offered by Yale University, introduces foundational concepts in chemistry through practical, real-world applications. You will learn how molecular structure determines function across various contexts, including pharmaceuticals, materials, art, and food science. Designed for those without a prior background in chemistry, the course emphasizes scientific literacy and critical thinking rather than fulfilling pre-med or chemistry major requirements. Through in-person instruction, lab-based demonstrations, and analytical assignments, you will develop a foundational understanding of atomic theory, molecular behavior, and the relevance of chemistry in everyday life. The program also includes opportunities to engage with Yale faculty and collaborate on problem-solving in a structured academic setting.
7. CHEM 2070 General Chemistry I – Cornell Precollege Studies
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Cost: $1,750 per credit.
Application Deadline: May 5
Program Dates: 5 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: High school students who have taken at least one chemistry course
CHEM 2070: General Chemistry I at Cornell offers a rigorous introduction to fundamental chemical principles, emphasizing quantitative reasoning and lab techniques crucial for advanced chemistry work. You will learn to analyze chemical equations, explore periodic trends, understand atomic electronic structure, and examine chemical bonding and molecular interactions. The course includes hands-on lab work that develops precision in measurement, safety practices, and data interpretation, along with exposure to standard lab equipment and protocols. Through guided experiments and analytical exercises, you will build foundational skills in scientific inquiry, work collaboratively on lab tasks, and gain experience presenting findings.
8. Acid/Base Chemistry: From Food to Everyday Phenomena – Brown University
Location: Online – Asynchronous
Cost: $3,218
Application Deadline: May 9
Program Dates: July 14 – July 25
Eligibility: High school students who have taken at least one chemistry course or one algebra course
Brown University’s Chemistry summer program on Acids and Bases explores fundamental chemical concepts through an in-depth focus on acid-base theory, blending historical insights with contemporary uses. You will learn to apply the Arrhenius, Brønsted-Lowry, and Lewis definitions of acids and bases, calculate pH and dissociation constants, and interpret visual representations such as titration curves and reaction schemes. The course emphasizes analytical thinking and prepares you for college-level chemistry by introducing the use of laboratory instruments like pH meters, UV-vis spectrophotometers, and volumetric pipettes. Assignments and discussions engage with real-world challenges, encouraging you to critically evaluate environmental and chemical systems.
9. Topics in Biochemistry – Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,080; financial aid is available
Application Deadline: March 20
Program Dates: July 7 – July 18
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 and 11 at the time of application
The Topics in Biochemistry virtual program, run by the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institute, offers a detailed exploration of fundamental molecular processes vital to life. You will learn about proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids, exploring how their function and dysfunction impact health and disease. Through live lectures, research-based assignments, and group projects, you will analyze topics like CRISPR-Cas9, antibiotic resistance, and mRNA vaccines. The program emphasizes critical thinking, scientific communication, and experimental analysis, preparing you for advanced studies in biochemistry and health sciences.
10. General Chemistry 1, Open Learning Initiative – Carnegie Mellon University
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Program Dates: Self-paced
Eligibility: Beginner-level course
General Chemistry 1, offered by Carnegie Mellon University, provides a comprehensive introduction to fundamental chemical concepts through interactive problem-solving, simulations, and structured learning modules. You will explore the classification of matter, atomic theory, stoichiometry, gas laws, thermochemistry, and chemical bonding while developing analytical skills necessary for understanding complex chemical reactions. The course integrates principles of electronic structure, periodic trends, and molecular geometry, enhancing your ability to predict chemical behavior. Through scaffolded exercises and practical applications, you’ll build a solid foundation in chemistry, which is crucial for advanced studies in physical sciences and engineering.
Bonus – Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as chemistry, biology, physics, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
Image source – Carnegie Mellon University