Pre-college programs in biology are solid opportunities for you to explore the world of biological sciences as a high school student. These programs are tailored to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of various aspects of biology, from cellular processes and genetics to ecology and environmental science. You’ll get to explore specialized areas like molecular biology, helping you gain practical knowledge and skills.
By joining these programs, you will develop skills like experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication. Whether you’re interested in biotechnology, environmental science, or biomedical research, these programs help build a solid foundation for future opportunities.
Note: When we say pre-college programs, we mean programs hosted by universities as part of their pre-college roster!
Here are 10 great pre-college programs for students interested in biology!
10 Great Biology Pre-College Programs for High School Students
1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research (SIMR) program allows you to work on biomedical research, with a main focus on areas like immunology and bioengineering. You’ll work in research labs on Stanford’s campus, learning essential lab techniques like PCR, gel electrophoresis, and cell culture.
If you’re interested in bioengineering, you can join the program’s dedicated boot camp. Here, you’ll participate in interactive design projects and hands-on activities, building problem-solving skills and gaining a deeper understanding of engineering principles in biology.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free, stipend provided
Application Deadline: February 22
Program Dates: June 9 — July 31
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors aged 16 or older with U.S. citizenship or a green card.
2. Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT
The Research Science Institute (RSI) provides intensive research training in molecular biology and computational genetics. You’ll start with a week of classes taught by STEM professors, building a solid foundation in advanced scientific concepts. Then, you’ll spend five weeks conducting hands-on research, mastering lab techniques like DNA sequencing and CRISPR, as well as computational methods for genetic analysis.
Working closely with a mentor, you’ll design and execute your independent research project, honing your skills in experimental design, data interpretation, and scientific writing. By the end of the program, you’ll present your findings in both oral and written reports.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Fully funded
Application Deadline: December 11
Program Dates: June 22 — August 2
Eligibility: For high school juniors, certain standardized test scores are recommended.
3. Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program
At Jackson Lab, you’ll be part of a top-tier research environment focused on genetics and biomedical science. You’ll work on real projects involving genome sequencing, gene expression, and genetic modeling, gaining hands-on experience with lab techniques like PCR, RNA analysis, and bioinformatics.
Throughout the program, you’ll work with experienced researchers, sharpening your skills in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication. You’ll also develop an independent research project and present your findings to the scientific community.
Location: Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME
Cost: Free with a stipend of $6,500 inclusive of boarding and travel
Application Deadline: January 27
Program Dates: May 31 — August 8
Eligibility: High school seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and at least 16 years old by the program start date.
4. Johns Hopkins University Introduction to Experimental Design in Biology
The Introduction to Experimental Design in Biology course at Johns Hopkins University gives you a hands-on introduction to the scientific research process in biology. You’ll learn how to design experiments, test hypotheses, and interpret results, focusing on real-world applications of experimental design. Throughout the course, you’ll conduct your experiments and work with techniques like gel electrophoresis, PCR, and gene expression analysis.
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (residential) with commuter and online options.
Cost: $6,140 (residential) | $4,660 (commuter) | $1,950 (online)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Multiple 2-week sessions. June 23 — July 2 | July 7 — 17 | July 21 — 31
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible to apply.
5. Harvard Pre-college Summer Program Biology Courses
Harvard offers a variety of pre-college summer biology courses, including the Molecular Oncology course. This course introduces molecular pathways in oncology and helps you explore molecular pathways in oncology and master key research techniques. You’ll explore cell cycle progression, DNA replication, oncogenesis, and metastasis, gaining a deeper understanding of how cancer develops and spreads.
In the lab, you’ll work with molecular biology techniques commonly used in cancer research, like PCR and Western blotting. You’ll also take part in a problem-based learning case, applying research methods to real-world cancer medicine scenarios.
Location: Harvard University Campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $5,800 + $75 application fee
Application Deadline: April 9
Program Dates: 2 weeks in June or July with multiple session options. June 22–July 3 | July 6–18 | July 20–August 1
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
6. Yale Young Global Scholars: Innovations in Science & Technology
The Innovations in Science & Technology (IST) course is designed for students who want to explore multiple STEM fields through an interdisciplinary approach. You’ll study subjects like physics, molecular biology, chemistry, and neuroscience while connecting these areas to real-world applications and innovations.
Throughout the program, you’ll strengthen your critical thinking and collaboration skills by working on team-based projects and problem-solving exercises. You’ll also attend seminars on topics like “Design Thinking for Innovation” and “Can I Edit My Genes?”, gaining insight into emerging scientific advancements and their practical impact.
Location: Yale Campus, New Haven, CT
Cost: $6,500
Application Deadline: January 10
Program Dates: Multiple sessions from June-August
Eligibility: Must be 16–18, fluent in English, a current high school sophomore or junior, and a first-time YYGS participant.
7. Summer@Brown’s Biology Courses
Brown University’s Summer@Brown program lets you study advanced biology topics on campus for 1, 2, 3, or 5 weeks. You can choose from courses like Psychopathology: Investigating the Biology and Psychology of Mental Illness, Antibiotic Drug Discovery: Identifying Novel Soil Microbes to Combat Resistance, and Cancer Biology: Discovering Molecular Mechanisms & Novel Therapeutic Strategies. Each course focuses on specialized areas of biology, combining lectures, discussions, and hands-on research.
Through this program, you’ll build skills like experimental design, data analysis, and scientific writing. You’ll also learn lab techniques like microbial culturing, DNA sequencing, and gene expression analysis, depending on the course you choose.
Location: Brown University, Providence, RI
Cost: Varying costs based on the duration of the program selected. More information here.
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Multiple 1,2,3, or 5-week sessions from June to August. More information here.
Eligibility: All high school students can apply for this program!
8. Columbia Pre College Program Biology Courses
Columbia University’s pre-college programs offer high school students the chance to study biology in an immersive college environment on the Morningside Campus. One of the biology courses, Modern Biology & Its Real World Applications, covers molecular biology, genetics, and evolution, with a focus on how these topics influence modern medicine, agriculture, and ecology.
You’ll learn about DNA, RNA, protein synthesis, genetic engineering, immunology, and more, using group activities, online labs, and videos. While there is no wet lab component, this course offers a strong foundation in contemporary biology, making it an excellent pre-college program for students looking to deepen their scientific knowledge.
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY (residential) with commuter and online options.
Cost: $12,454 per session (for the residential program)
Application Deadline: March 2
Program Dates: June 30 — July 18 | July 22 — August 08
Eligibility: High school students can apply.
9. Research in the Biological Sciences (RIBS) at the University of Chicago
The University of Chicago’s RIBS program is a 4-week intensive course that gives high school students hands-on experience in molecular, microbiological, and cell biology techniques used in research labs. You’ll start by learning basic lab skills before exploring applications in cell biology, genetics, developmental biology, and cancer biology.
In the final two weeks, you’ll focus on your research project, spending time in labs, attending lectures, and conducting experiments. The program concludes with a research forum where you present your findings, offering valuable experience for students looking to pursue research in the sciences.
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. This is a residential program.
Cost: $14,490. Partial need-based scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: April 9
Program Dates: June 14 — July 12
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors are eligible. Students must have completed one year of high school biology by the program’s start.
10. Georgetown Pre-College Online Program in Biology
Georgetown’s pre-college program gives you a chance to explore biology through the study of cell organization, scientific theories, and the chemistry and physics behind cell structure. You’ll learn how to analyze and compare scientific ideas, use microscopy to observe cellular components and examine recent discoveries related to cell function and diseases.
Throughout the program, you’ll build skills in data interpretation, scientific analysis, and critical thinking. The program wraps up with a capstone project where you’ll apply your knowledge to a real-world biological question, strengthening your research and presentation abilities.
Location: Online
Cost: $1,795 (without credits) & $3,995 (with credits)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: 1, 2, 4, and 6-week sessions throughout the year.
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and above can apply.
Bonus —
Horizon Academic Research Program — Biology track
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in fields like data science, biology, psychology, and more. You can choose between quantitative and qualitative research, working closely with a professor or Ph.D. mentor from a top university.
You will explore topics like molecular biology, genetics, ecology, bioinformatics, and biotechnology. Throughout the program, you’ll develop a 20-page research paper, which can be submitted for publication. This program provides an ideal opportunity to gain research experience in specialized fields and receive valuable feedback and a letter of recommendation for college applications. Apply here!
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Spring: February 16; Summer: February 16 (early), March 23 (priority), April 20 (regular-I), May 18 (regular-II)!
Program Dates: Spring: March 3; Summer: June 16! Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Lumiere Research Scholar Program— Biology Track
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 psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here!
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The Summer Cohort I priority application deadline is March 9. Apply here!
Program Dates: Summer: June – August, fall: September – December, winter: December – February, spring: March – June.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply!
Image source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
