If you are a high school student in Georgia, looking for a productive way to spend your school break, enrolling in a summer program is worth considering. The right program can help you explore your academic interests before committing to a college degree. Additionally, it can help you build on your knowledge and also get some practical experience in your field of choice.
Depending on the program you choose, you will be able to work on developing key skills like collaboration, communication, presentation, problem-solving, and research. What’s more? Many credible organizations and universities in Georgia invite high school students to participate in their summer programs for free! So whether you are looking for a pre-college opportunity, an internship, or a learning experience, you can find a summer program around you.
To help you get started, here is a list of 15 free summer programs for high school students in Georgia:
Subject areas: Public health, environmental health, emergency preparedness, laboratory technology, epidemiology, public health law, and other related fields
Location: David J. Sencer CDC Museum, CDC headquarters, Atlanta, GA
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors can apply.
Application deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Program dates: Multiple one-week sessions are typically held in the June–July period.
Organized by the CDC Museum, the Disease Detective Camp is a week-long opportunity for high schoolers to learn about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC’s work in the fields of public health and epidemiology. The camp mirrors the CDC’s work with a focus on activities that improve public health. You will get to participate in activities like re-created outbreaks, environmental and global health activities, mock press conferences, short lectures from leading CDC scientists, and laboratory sessions.
You will mainly focus on the collection and analysis of data and the use of that data to improve people’s health. Through these activities, you will get to develop key skills like laboratory techniques, disease surveillance, data analysis, and scientific communication. The camp also covers career options in the field of public health.
Subject areas: Multidisciplinary—neuroscience, fluid dynamics and physics, theoretical mathematics, and behavioral economics, among many other subjects
Location: Virtual
Cost: There is a fee. You can get the exact cost by raising an interest form here.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (at least 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.
Application deadline: May 21, 2024, for the summer cohort, and September 25, 2024, for the fall cohort
Program dates:
- Summer seminar: June 24, 2024–September 2, 2024
- Fall seminar: October 23, 2024–February 19, 2025
- Horizon lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Horizon Academic offers trimester-long research programs for high school students. If selected, you can choose from subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more! It is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research.
Once you select a particular subject track and type of research, you will be paired with a professor or PhD scholar (from a leading university) who will be your mentor throughout your research journey. You will work on a 20-page university-level research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication. This program is an opportunity to explore highly specialized fields in detail under the guidance of a scholar. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student, as well as detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects and college applications. You can find out more about the program and apply here!
Subject areas: Computer science, software engineering, product development and management,
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Stipend: $20 per hour
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who live in or around Atlanta, GA can apply. Check the detailed eligibility criteria here before applying.
Application deadline: TBA, but applications typically open in March
Program dates: The four-week program typically runs from July to August.
Microsoft’s High School Discovery Program is meant for high schoolers interested in exploring careers in computer science and technology. This is a paid internship. If selected, you will get to be a part of the design phase of the product development cycle. This experience can help you see the real-world application of software engineering, computer science, and UX design fundamentals. A key part of the program is hands-on work on a project, for which, you will be placed into a group. Along with your group members, you will try to understand potential customer issues/requirements and accordingly, assist with product development and design. This experience can help you work on key professional skills like communication, collaboration, and problem-solving as well as technical skills for a career in tech. You will also get to interact with and learn from Microsoft employees during the program, making this a networking opportunity.
Subject areas: Public service, civics, and business
Location: Multiple locations in the country, including many cities and counties in Georgia
Stipend: It is a paid internship, but no information is available on the exact amount.
Eligibility: All high school juniors and seniors can apply. Check the detailed eligibility criteria here.
Application deadline: Applications typically close in January.
Program dates: This is an eight-week summer internship, including an all-expenses-covered week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. Dates vary by location, but the internship usually begins shortly after the school year ends.
Bank of America is one of the Big Four banks in the country. Its Student Leaders program is meant for high school students interested in serving their community. The program offers you the chance to work at a local non-profit organization and develop social, civic, and business leadership skills. Here, you will also get to explore various aspects of running such an organization, engage in community service projects, and build a deeper understanding of social issues.
The eight-week internship includes a week-long Student Leadership Summit held in Washington, D.C. The travel, food and stay for this summit will be covered by Bank of America. This entire experience could equip you with the knowledge and skills to help your own community.
Subject areas: STEM, healthcare, sustainability, film, and media, among others. The precise subject area can vary as per the chosen program
Location: Multiple locations in Georgia
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors in Georgia can typically apply. Some programs may accept rising sophomores as well.
Application deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Program dates: One-week sessions held in the June–July period
21st Century Leaders is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping kids in Georgia explore career opportunities in various fields. Its Summer Leaderships Institutes offer week-long free programs to high school students in the area to live on a college campus and explore various career paths. There are three free summer institutes to choose from:
- EarthCare, which focuses on environmental, sustainability, and leadership challenges as well as stem careers.
- Film & Entertainment Institute (FEI), which focuses on the film and entertainment industry
- Healthcare/IT Institute (HII), which focuses on careers in healthcare and technology
Irrespective of the program you choose, you will participate in workshops, corporate tours, round tables with business leaders and alumni, a group project, and team-building exercises to explore various fields and career opportunities. During the program, you will also get networking opportunities to build lasting connections with peers and industry leaders. You can check out the 2024 program flyer before applying.
Subject areas: Oncology, medicine, healthcare
Location: Emory Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA
Stipend: A stipend of $2,400 is awarded to those who complete the program.
Eligibility: Rising or graduating high school seniors who are at least 17 years old can apply.
Application deadline: TBA, but applications for the summer program typically open in the fall of the previous year.
Program dates: The program typically runs for six weeks from June to July.
The Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University offers 10–12 students each year the chance to work one-on-one with a physician or researcher and conduct cancer research in a lab or clinic setting. During the six-week program, you will work on a research project and attend lectures on cancer research conducted by Winship oncologists and research faculty. By working on the research project under the guidance of a mentor, you will be able to develop your laboratory, data collection, analysis, and presentation skills. Also part of the program are field trips to places like the CDC David J. Sencer Museum and the Georgia Institute of Technology. You will also explore oncology-related careers through the program. This experience ends with a final symposium, where you will present your project to Winship doctors, researchers, and graduate students.
Subject areas: Political science, English, and other liberal arts fields
Location: Emory University’s Oxford College campus, Oxford, GA
Eligibility: Rising Newton County School System and Putnam County Charter School System sophomores and juniors can apply.
Application deadline: TBA
Program dates: This five-day program is typically held in June.
Emory University’s Oxford College offers high schoolers a chance to explore life on campus and feel better equipped for a university education through its Summer Experience Program. Free for accepted students, this program covers college application concepts like the admission process, financial aid, scholarships, and other opportunities open to applicants. Also part of the program are lectures taught by Oxford College’s political science, chemistry, and English faculty. Field trips and competitions are also key program activities.
You will also participate in college preparation workshops and develop study, teamwork, and essay-writing skills. By the end of the program, you might have a better understanding of career opportunities in various fields and the college application process.
Subject areas: Engineering
Location: Applicants can choose from two sites—4C Academy, Albany, GA and Georgia Tech main campus, Atlanta, GA
Eligibility: Georgia residents who are at least 16 years old can apply.
Application deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Program dates: The two-week program is typically held between June and July.
Organized by the Georgia Tech Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, STEP is a hands-on engineering program for high school students. Here, you will work in teams under the guidance of a faculty mentor on a challenge or problem inspired by ongoing Georgia Tech research. At the end of the program, you will share your results with parents, faculty, and industry representatives at a poster session. You will contribute to real research problems and come up with your own solution to an engineering problem, so the experience will help you hone your problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Previously, students have worked on designing an autonomous rover that can navigate a course, modifying a baseline model rover with tech that would aid future missions to Mars, and creating an ultra-light rover that can complete a course in the least amount of time.
Subject areas: Multidisciplinary—agricultural research, biotechnology, communicative arts, computer science, dance, engineering, programming, mathematics, music, biology/environmental science, chemistry, physics, social studies, theatre, visual arts, and world languages
Location: Typically a college campus in Georgia
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors in Georgia can apply. Check the detailed eligibility criteria here before applying.
Application deadline: Schools are supposed to submit nominations on November 15, 2025, and online applications for candidates close on January 10, 2025.
Program dates: June 15, 2025–July 12, 2025
The Georgia Governor’s Honors Program (GHP) is a residential summer program for talented high school sophomores and juniors. You must receive a teacher nomination in one of the areas to apply. If accepted into the program after multiple rounds of selections, you will choose your electives and then attend classes in the mornings and afternoons in specific areas of study, such as environmental science, engineering, music, and visual arts. You will stay on a college or university campus. Also part of the program are seminars on diverse topics, typically conducted outside the usual periods of instruction. You also get to attend concerts and performances performed by other students in the program, giving you a chance to see what other program participants have learned in four weeks. This experience can help you find like-minded peers and explore academic, co-curricular, or extra-curricular subjects in detail.
Subject areas: Medicine, nutrition, and healthcare
Location: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM)’s Suwanee, GA and Moultrie, GA campuses
Eligibility: Applicants must be high school students who:
- Live in Southwest Georgia or Gwinnett County
- Identify as African American, Hispanic, or Latino
- Belong to backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in medicine
Application deadline: Applications are typically due in April.
Program dates: The program is typically held in June.
This summer program is part of the PCOM Opportunities Academy’s effort to offer local high schoolers a chance to explore careers in medicine and healthcare, such as that of physician, pharmacist, physical therapist, researcher, and physician’s assistant. If selected, you will be paired with a medical student or graduate student mentor who will guide you throughout the program. Then, you will participate in clinical skills simulations, work in heart and brain anatomy labs, and learn CPR. Additionally, you will learn about the college application process and interact with physicians, researchers, and other healthcare professionals. Also part of the program are lessons in nutrition, heart anatomy, brain anatomy, and trauma simulation. You will also get to go on field trips to healthcare centers. You will also get to shadow physicians during the program.
11. VOX Media Café
Subject areas: Journalism, videography, podcasting, and photography
Location: VOX ATL’s downtown Atlanta office, GA
Eligibility: Students between the ages of 13 and 19 in Atlanta can apply.
Application deadline: Applications typically close in May.
Program dates: Two weeks of programming are typically scheduled in June.
Note: The program is free, however, you have to pay a refundable deposit of $100 to reserve your spot.
VOX ATL is a nonprofit independent media outlet. Its Media Café is a two-week opportunity for teens interested in honing their media skills. The focus is on developing participants’ journalism, interviewing, podcasting, videography, photography, art, and public speaking know-how and skills. The program typically accepts only 12 participants each year. If selected, you will get to work in a group and choose a topic you like for a multimedia project that will be published on VOXATL.org. For instance, you can create videos, podcasts, articles, or photo essays. You will also spend a lot of time writing, interviewing, video editing, podcasting, shooting photography, and graphic designing during the program. Through this experience, you will have a better understanding of careers in media and arts and the skills required to pursue such opportunities.
Subject areas: Agricultural, food, and environmental sciences
Location: University of Georgia’s Athens, Griffin, or Tifton campus, GA
Stipend: This is a paid internship, but the stipend amount is not specified.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old can apply. Check the detailed eligibility criteria here before applying.
Application deadline: Applications are typically due at the end of January.
Program dates: The five-week program typically runs from the end of May to July.
University of Georgia’s Young Scholars Program (YSP) is a paid five-week summer internship for high school students interested in agricultural, food, and environmental sciences. If selected, you spend 30 hours per week engaging in research under the guidance of a UGA faculty mentor. Also part of the program are workshops and visits to agricultural centers to learn about fields of study and careers in agriculture. At the end of the program, you will present your research at the three-day Young Scholars Pre-Collegiate Research Conference held at the UGA Athens campus. Through this experience, you will learn more about agricultural, food, and environmental sciences and develop scientific communication, and research skills.
Subject areas: Medicine, biomedical sciences, healthcare
Location: Virtual
Stipend: A stipend of $483 is offered per month (June and July) to those who get at least a B grade in all program courses.
Eligibility: High school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates can apply.
Application deadline: March 1, 2025
Program dates: TBA, but the program typically runs for six weeks from the end of May to mid-July.
SEEP, a program offered by Augusta University’s Medical College of Georgia, is a six-week virtual internship opportunity for high schoolers interested in pursuing a career in medicine or healthcare-related fields. It is an academic program that offers noncredit courses. For instance, your coursework would include an introduction to biological principles, clinical chemistry principles, pre-professional development for enhancing college readiness, library health sciences for preparing college-level reports and research papers, and health disparities. Through this experience, you will explore biomedical sciences in detail, equip yourself for medical school or other healthcare professional programs, and hone study and time management skills. You can look at the SEEP brochure for detailed program information.
Subject areas: STEM fields
Location: Georgia (exact location varies as per the host company)
Stipend: $1,500
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old can apply.
Application deadline: Applications are typically due in March.
Program dates: The five-week program typically runs between June and July.
Created by the Technology Association of Georgia, TAG-Ed, a non-profit, offers high schoolers internship opportunities in STEM fields each year. Once selected, you will be paired with one or more participants to work on a project and meet the objectives set by the company hosting interns. As an intern, you will also get to work closely with a professional who has experience or expertise in a STEM field. The program offers you some hands-on experience and the chance to explore the real-world application of theoretical STEM concepts. In the process, you may acquire professional skills. You can also expect regular feedback on your work to help you check your progress.
Subject areas: Engineering
Location: UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel, Athens, GA
Eligibility: Students in the age group 15–17 who belong to underrepresented and underserved backgrounds can apply.
Application deadline: TBAProgram dates: The one-week program is typically held in June.
UGA Summer Academy Camps’ B.L.A.C.K. (Building Leaders through Analysis, Conceptualization, and Knowledge) program provides participants exposure to engineering through the lens of innovation. During the program, you will work on a hands-on project, through which you will learn about the engineering design process. You will also come up with a creative, ethical solution for a given engineering problem. Through this experience, you will be able to work on your analytical and critical thinking skills as well as oral and written communication skills. The week-long residential camp also covers enhancing existing math, physics, and science knowledge and connecting it to the field of engineering.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.