If you’re a non-US citizen looking to build advanced academic or technical skills, summer programs for international high school students can be a strong next step. Most of the programs below offer direct mentorship, collaborative projects, or lab-style work that extends beyond what schools typically provide. You’ll also gain experience in academic writing, data analysis, and field-specific methods that show up in real university research.
In this list, we’ve compiled 14 focused summer programs for international high school students that help you grow in specific areas of interest, while honing your ability to work independently and as part of a team.
14 Summer Programs for International High School Students
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies as per program
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Dates: June–August, September–December, December–February, March–June
Eligibility: High school students with a strong academic record (GPA ≥ 3.3 recommended); no prior experience needed
In the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, you’ll work 1-on-1 with a PhD mentor to design and develop your own research project over 12 weeks. You’ll dive into areas like psychology, economics, computer science, and more, applying university-level research methods and tools. Expect to learn data analysis, academic writing, and critical thinking as you explore literature, collect data, and synthesize findings. Along the way, you’ll gain hands-on experience with research software, academic databases, and the art of building a comprehensive research paper. You can find more details about the application here.
2. Veritas AI Scholars Program
Location: Remote
Cost: $2,290 (AI Scholars); $5,400 (AI Fellowship); $6,900 (combined). Financial aid available for AI Scholars
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Dates: 10–15 week cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students. Fellowship applicants should have completed the AI Scholars program or have prior experience with Python or AI concepts
Veritas AI is built for high school students who are curious about artificial intelligence and want to learn how it works. The AI Scholars program walks through core concepts like classification, regression, and neural networks over ten sessions, mixing in hands-on projects along the way. If you already have some experience with coding or AI basics, the Fellowship adds a research focus, where students work one-on-one with mentors and develop an independent project. It’s a solid way to get practical with AI and see how real applications come together. You can get more information here.
3. MIT – Research Science Institute
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free of cost
Application Deadline: January 15 (U.S.) and March 15 (international)
Dates: June–August
Eligibility: High school juniors only
Each summer, 100 high-achieving high school students from around the world are selected to attend RSI at MIT. The summer programs for international high school students begin with a week of intensive coursework in STEM subjects taught by university faculty, followed by a five-week research internship. During the research phase, you will work under the guidance of experienced mentors to carry out independent projects, covering the full research process, from reviewing current literature to building a research plan, conducting the work, and presenting results.
4. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free (no tuition); some students may receive a stipend
Application Deadline: February 22
Dates: June 9 – July 31 (8 weeks)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
In the Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program, you’ll work alongside faculty and graduate students in active biomedical research labs. Focus areas include immunology, neurobiology, and cancer biology, where you’ll gain firsthand lab experience, develop your understanding of experimental design, and contribute to ongoing research. Throughout the program, you’ll refine skills like scientific communication, data collection and analysis, and problem-solving using advanced lab techniques. The program emphasizes hands-on learning with real-world applications in the life sciences.
5. Harvard Pre-College Summer School Program
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $5,800 per session + $75 application fee
Application Deadline: February 12; Late: April 9
Dates: Session I: June 22–July 3 | Session II: July 6–18 | Session III: July 20–August 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
At Harvard’s Pre-College Program, you’ll immerse yourself in an intensive, college-level course. Whether you choose law, psychology, or engineering, the program challenges you to engage with complex material, develop your research skills, and refine your ability to analyze and synthesize information. You’ll learn to present your findings effectively and engage in group discussions, while also improving key academic skills like writing, time management, and independent learning. This is an opportunity to experience university-style academics and prepare for future academic challenges.
6. Columbia University Online Summer Pre-College Program
Location: Remote
Cost: $3,965 (2-week session); $2,815 (1-week session)
Application Deadline: March 24
Dates: Three sessions running from July 7– August 15
Eligibility: High school students; open to international students
Columbia’s Online summer programs for international high school students offer the chance to explore college-level topics from anywhere in the world. Courses span over 40 subject areas and are available in 1-week and 2-week formats. You’ll engage in live sessions featuring lectures, debates, group projects, and simulations. Instructors are experts in their fields, and students receive a Certificate of Participation and a performance evaluation upon completion. Daily schedules vary, allowing flexibility across time zones.
7. PROMYS (Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists)
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost: Up to $7,000. Free for U.S. students with family income under $80,000.
Application Deadline: March 3
Dates: June 29 – August 9
Eligibility: High school students who have completed 9th grade
PROMYS is an intensive summer math program for high school students with a serious interest in exploring mathematics in depth. You’ll spend six weeks immersed in advanced mathematics, with a special focus on number theory. You’ll work through challenging problem sets, attend advanced lectures, and collaborate with faculty and undergraduate counselors to explore mathematical concepts in-depth. The summer programs for international high school encourage you to think independently and creatively, pushing you to develop original solutions to complex problems. To get in, you’ll need to submit a multi-part application, including a proof-based problem set.
8. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Location: Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies, Academy Hall, Redwood City, CA, and Online
Cost: $3,580 (Online); $8,575 (Residential).
Application Deadline: February 3
Dates: Session One (Online): June 16 – July 4 | Session One (Residential): June 22 – July 18| Session Two (Online): July 7 – July 25
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (grades 10–11)
SUMaC is an advanced mathematics program for students with a deep interest in theoretical math. You’ll study topics that go well beyond the high school curriculum like number theory, abstract algebra, or algebraic topology, through lectures, problem sets, and guided group work. The program also includes exposure to the historical development of major mathematical ideas and their applications in science. If you’re a residential students, you’ll engage in field trips and community eventsand if you’re an online student, you’ll participate in a full academic schedule virtually. The program is non-credit, but highly selective and academically rigorous.
9. Notre Dame Summer Scholars
Location: University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Cost: $4,950; limited need-based scholarships available
Application Deadline: February 19
Dates: Session I: June 7–21 | Session II: June 28–July 12
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Summer Scholars is a two-week, credit-bearing academic program held on Notre Dame’s campus. You’ll choose one college-level course taught by Notre Dame faculty, from subjects like neuroscience, international relations, business, environmental science, and philosophy. Coursework is intensive, and you’re expected to collaborate outside class hours, similar to a real college environment. Once you complete the program, you will earn one transferable college credit. The experience combines academic rigor with exposure to campus life, including social events and community engagement unique to Notre Dame.
10. Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP)
Location: Hybrid, Emma Bloomberg Center for Access and Opportunity, Princeton, NJ
Cost: Free of cost
Application Deadline: February 23
Dates: Virtual July 1, Residential: July 26 – August 4
Eligibility: High school juniors interested in journalism
PSJP is a free, year-long college prep and journalism program anchored by a multi-week summer intensive. July begins with virtual seminars and writing assignments led by professional journalists. The program then transitions into a 10-day residential experience at Princeton, where you’ll produce original reporting, visit major media outlets, and work on a full issue of The Princeton Summer Journal. The curriculum includes lectures, field reporting, and college admissions workshops, with each student matched to a college advisor for one-on-one support.
11. Hampshire College Summer Studies in Mathematics (HCSSiM)
Location: Hampshire College, Amherst, MA
Cost: $6,511; full aid available for U.S. students with household income under $85,000
Application Deadline: April 25
Dates: June 29 – August 9
Eligibility: High school students (age 14+)
HCSSiM is an intense, six-week math program designed for students who are passionate about diving into advanced math. You’ll focus on creative problem-solving and theory rather than traditional textbooks. Each day, you’ll have hands-on math sessions, including “Prime Time Theorem” group activities in the mornings and collaborative problem-solving in the evenings. Your afternoons are spent reading, relaxing, or engaging in informal academic discussions with peers and faculty. Living on campus, you’ll be part of a close-knit community where access to mentors and faculty is available throughout the day. The program’s highly selective admission process includes a challenging written application.
12. Camp Connect
Location: Harris Engineering Center 101 on the UCF Main Campus, Orlando, FL
Cost/Stipend: Camp Connect I & II: $200 | Camp Connect Advanced: $300
Dates: Camp Connect I: June 23–27 | Camp Connect Advanced: June 9–13
Application Deadline: May 9
Eligibility: Rising 8th–11th graders, for Camp Connect II, must have completed the Camp Connect I program
Camp Connect at UCF is a dynamic STEM program that gives high school students a hands-on introduction to the world of engineering. The camp is offered in three levels, each one diving deeper into fields like mechanical, aerospace, electrical, civil, and computer engineering. Through labs, team-based projects, faculty-led workshops, and interactive presentations, you build problem-solving and collaboration skills while exploring real-world engineering challenges.
13. BU RISE Internship/Practicum
Location: Boston University, MA
Cost: $5,700; need-based financial aid available
Application Deadline: February 14
Dates: June 29 – August 8
Eligibility: US High school juniors with a strong interest in STEM
If you’re looking for hands-on experience in fields like neuroscience, computer science, public health, or biomedical engineering, this is one of the most immersive summer options out there. RISE is a 6-week, research-heavy STEM program that brings high school juniors into real labs at Boston University. You’ll get paired with researchers, professors, postdocs, and grad students who’ll mentor you through a serious research project. It’s academically intense but super rewarding, especially if you’re aiming for a future in research or science.
14. Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)
Location: Cornell University, NY, or University of Maryland, MD
Cost: Free of cost
Application Deadline: December 3
Dates: June 22 – July 26
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors (ages 15–18), U.S. and international students
TASS is an all-expenses-paid, academically rigorous, and socially transformative five-week experience focused on exploring power, justice, and identity through the humanities and social sciences. There are two tracks: Critical Black Studies (CBS) and Anti-Oppressive Studies (AOS), taught by university faculty in small, discussion-driven seminars. You’ll collaborate with fellow students to govern your shared space, plan events, and practice restorative justice. You’ll also build deep, lasting bonds with peers and mentors who share your passion for social impact and intellectual exploration. If you’re curious, self-motivated, and care about equity, justice, and big ideas, TASS is a good pre-college experience out there.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – Cornell University