If you're a high school student wanting to explore your academic interests and develop specialized skills, summer programs are a solid option for you. In Philadelphia, many universities, institutes, and organizations offer summer experiences that allow you to take advanced courses, launch a start-up, and even conduct independent research.
These summer programs provide access to innovative technologies and professional mentors, allowing you to acquire skills beyond the traditional classroom setting. They are an excellent way to start building expertise in your area of interest. Whether you want to write original poetry or learn how to navigate the research process, there’s a summer program that suits your interests.
Explore our list of 14 summer programs for high school students in Philadelphia in 2024-2025!
Subject Areas: STEM, Humanities, Data Science, and more
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts, including in the summer. Upcoming dates are:
- Winter seminar: December 2, 2024 onwards
- Spring seminar: March 3, 2025 onwards
- 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 few tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. November 10, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort, and February 9, 2025 for the spring cohort
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs in areas like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, and psychology. You can choose either quantitative or qualitative research methods. After selecting your track, you’ll collaborate one-on-one with a professor or PhD scholar from a leading university to develop a 20-page research paper suitable for journal submission. The program provides specialized field knowledge, expert guidance, a recommendation letter, and feedback to improve future projects and college applications. Apply now for this unique opportunity!
Subject Areas: STEM, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Location: Remote
Program Dates: June to August (summer). Fall, winter, and spring cohorts are also available
Cost: $2,990 (12 weeks) | $5,900 (16-20 weeks). Financial aid is available
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 out of 4 GPA
Application Deadline: Summer deadlines are usually in March, April, and May
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program, created by Harvard and Oxford researchers, allows high school students to work one-on-one with PhD mentors on an independent research project. You’ll get guidance to develop a college-level research paper, with additional support from writing coaches. You can choose subjects like mathematics, biology, data science, economics, psychology, business, gender studies, linguistics, environmental studies, philosophy, astrophysics, and more. The program ends with a symposium where you can present your research, with the potential for publication.
3. Veritas AI
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Finance, Medicine
Location: Remote
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including the summer
Cost:
- $2,290 for the AI Scholars program (10-week bootcamp)
- $5,400 for the AI Fellowship (12–15 weeks, 1:1 mentorship)
- $6,900 for both AI Scholars + Fellowship
- Need-based financial aid is available
Eligibility: High school students. Students applying to the AI Fellowship program must complete the AI Scholars program or provide evidence of previous experience in AI and Python
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. December 1, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
Veritas AI, founded by Harvard graduates, offers two programs for high school students interested in artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars program focuses on collaborative learning in AI applications, while the AI Fellowship provides personalized mentorship from PhD experts for independent research projects.
In the AI Fellowship, you’ll examine AI’s influence on fields such as finance, medicine, and gaming, with opportunities to publish or present your work. Previous projects have explored AI in medicine, educational tools, and gaming algorithms. The program emphasizes technical skill-building and applying AI concepts to real-world challenges.
Subject Areas: Business, Entrepreneurship
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including the summer
Cost: The total cost to attend the 3-week program is $2,900. There is need-based financial aid
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. November 24, 2024 for the upcoming Winter cohort. You can access the application form here!
The Young Founder's Lab is a start-up boot camp led by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you'll build a revenue-generating start-up that tackles a real-world problem with guidance from experienced entrepreneurs and professionals from companies like Google and Microsoft.
Alongside developing your start-up, you'll engage in interactive classes on business fundamentals, workshops, skill-building sessions, case studies, and panel discussions. This program is a great chance to explore the business world in high school, offering a space to learn both theoretical and practical approaches to creating a successful business. Check out the program’s brochure for more details.
Subject areas: Technology, Business, Finance, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Healthcare and Medicine, Software Engineering, and more
Location: Remote
Program Dates: 8-week programs with multiple cohorts throughout the year, including the summer
Cost: Starting at $2,490. Financial aid is available
Eligibility: Open to all high school students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. These internships are also open to undergraduates and gap-year students!
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year. Summer cohort: May 12, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Ladder Internships is a selective program for high school students to intern with high-growth startups across various industries, including health tech, AI, and marketing. These startups have raised over a million dollars, with some founders being YCombinator alumni or former employees of companies like Microsoft and Google. During the 8-week virtual internship, you'll work closely with managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects, presenting your work to the company. The program also includes one-on-one training in communication and time management, plus group sessions with other interns.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Eligibility: Applicants must have completed their freshman year (9th grade) and be at least 15 years old by the program's start and have a minimum 3.0 GPA
Application Deadlines: April 5, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Program Dates: July 6 – 26, 2025
Cost: $85 application fee + $8,500 program fee
Subject Area: Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Computer Science, Computer Graphics, Nanotechnology, Networks, and Robotics
The Engineering Summer Academy at Penn offers high school students a college-level engineering experience. Over three weeks, you will take rigorous courses and complete projects in one of six courses: Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Complex Networks, Computer Graphics, Nanotechnology, or Computer Science. In the Artificial Intelligence course, you’ll learn about generative AI and neural networks. Through ESAP, you will work closely with Penn’s faculty, live on campus, and earn college credit.
Location: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who have completed at least one year of biology
Application Deadline: Rolling basis, applications open on January 1, 2025
Program Dates:
- Session I: July 7 – 11, 2025
- Session II: July 14 – 18, 2025
- Session III: July 21 – 25, 2025
- Session IV: July 28 – August 1, 2025
Cost: $1,200; need-based scholarships available.
Subject Area: Biomedical Engineering, STEM
The BIOMED Summer Academy at Drexel University offers a one-week STEM program for high school students interested in biomedical engineering. In this program, you will engage in interactive, hands-on activities that introduce essential laboratory and research skills, such as creating nanoparticles and measuring brain waves. The program features seminars, site visits, and presentations from industry experts, providing insights into both the academic and professional facets of the field.
Location: Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-17
Application Deadline: April 30, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program); late applications may be considered if spots are available
Program Dates: June 30 – August 3, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Cost: $5,300; financial aid options are available
Subject Area: Mathematics
MathILy is an intensive 5-week residential summer program designed for mathematically talented high school students. It emphasizes advanced discrete mathematics through interactive classes, personalized instruction, and collaborative problem-solving. The program also features a “Week of Chaos,” a variety of short classes on diverse mathematical topics. This experience fosters mathematical learning in a supportive, inquiry-based environment. Through this program, you can try your hand at undergraduate and graduate-level problems while still in high school.
Location: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students from the greater Philadelphia area, including Camden, NJ who are eligible to work in the U.S.
Application Deadline: Application for 2025 will open on November 10, 2024
Program Dates: June 18 – August 16, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Cost: Paid internship
Subject Area: Biomedical Science, Medicine
The Monell Science Apprenticeship Program aims to increase student interest in biomedical science and medicine careers, particularly within groups typically underrepresented in science. You will work 35 hours a week doing structured research under the guidance of Monell scientists. The program culminates in a conference where you will present your research to the scientific community, family, and friends. The program also includes an enrichment component through which you will attend lectures on topics ranging from the ethics of scientific research to effective communication.
Location: Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA and online
Eligibility: High school students who will be in grade 11-12
Application Deadline: May 15, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Program Dates: July 1 – 26, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Cost: No information available
Subject Area: Nursing
Nursing STEP-UP offers rising high school juniors and seniors an introduction to the nursing profession and its various disciplines. It offers a hybrid format that combines in-person experiences at Jefferson College of Nursing and field trips with online activities. In this program, you will receive college application preparation, including personal statement writing, resume writing, and SAT workshops. The program also features classroom learning and simulations, training in time management and study skills, and student mentoring.
Location: The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years of age and have successfully completed one high school science course
Application Deadline: Information regarding applications for the 2025 program will be available in January 2025
Program Dates: July – August 2025, specific dates TBA
Cost: Students will receive a stipend of $1,000
Subject Area: Medicine, Biology, Biomedicine
The Wistar Institute’s High School Program in Biomedical Research offers students the opportunity to learn best practices in biomedical research, explore various career paths, and contribute to scientific projects. Spanning four weeks, the program teaches you how to read scientific literature. At the end of the summer, you’ll present your research findings, refining your scientific communication skills. No previous research experience is required, and students from underrepresented backgrounds are specifically encouraged to apply.
Location: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Program Duration: Multiple programs offered during the summer
Cost: $450 – $3,475, based on the format
Eligibility: Varies by program; some are open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors, while others accept only rising juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old
Application Deadline: Varies; some programs have early April deadlines, while others accept applications on a rolling basis
Subject Areas: Arts and Science, Biomedical Engineering, Medicine, Engineering, Design, Business, Public Health, and more
Drexel University offers an array of summer programs in Philadelphia, ranging from one to two weeks across seven fields, including Arts and Sciences, Business, Design, Engineering, Medicine, and Public Health. Options include Camp Business, which teaches high school students the basics of accounting, marketing, finance, and management while enhancing leadership skills—ideal for future business majors.
Location: Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Program Dates: Various dates in July – August
Cost: Varies according to program
Eligibility: Most programs are open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors; the Summer Academy is limited to rising juniors and seniors
Application Deadline: Deadlines differ according to programs
Subject Area: Ecology, Biodiversity, Law, Arts and more
Temple University offers high school students the chance to explore their interests through a variety of summer programs. The Pre-College Workshops have nearly thirty options—from Ecology and Biodiversity to Creative Writing. For those who want a more focused experience, the Summer Academy offers four week intensive studies in subjects like Sports Reporting and Robotics. The academy allows you to earn credit by selecting a course along with two workshops.
Location: Various locations in Philadelphia, PA
Program Duration: June 19 – August 16, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Cost: Interns receive a stipend
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors in Philadelphia
Application Deadline: March 30, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Subject Area: Arts, Nonprofit
Bloomberg Philanthropies has partnered with the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance to offer a paid internship program focused on the arts. This initiative places rising high school seniors in various arts and culture organizations throughout the Greater Philadelphia area, including museums, historical sites, performing arts organizations, and more. In addition to building skills in arts administration, you will attend professional development sessions and participate in cultural activities.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.