If you’re a high school student passionate about numbers, logic, and problem-solving, a university math summer program can offer a valuable opportunity to explore advanced mathematical concepts in a rigorous academic setting. These programs cover topics like number theory, combinatorics, fractals, and calculus, and may even introduce you to mathematical research and real-world applications.
Beyond academics, you’ll get a feel for college life, engage directly with university faculty, and collaborate with peers who share your interests. Additionally, these programs involve projects and assignments that will also sharpen your analytical, critical thinking, and collaborative skills.
To make these experiences more accessible, we’ve highlighted 15 free university math summer programs for high school students that offer academic depth without the financial burden.
1. MIT’s Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 22 – August 2
Application deadline: December 11
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who meet the required test scores. International students can apply as well
MIT’s Research Science Institute is a renowned summer program that provides high school students with the opportunity to work on an independent research project. As one of the 80 accepted students, you will attend one week of STEM lessons and four weeks of lab work. In the process, you will learn all the elements of the research process, including formulating a plan, analysing current literature, modelling complex systems, and presenting your findings. Math is one of the available subjects, and previous students have worked on projects like “Concatenations of Two Incidence Matrices, Spanning Trees in Planar Graphs: Two Related Problems” and “Orbit Classes of the Representations of Fundamental Groups of Punctured Surfaces”. You can go through them here.
2. Carnegie Mellon’s Summer Academy for Math and Science
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Free
Program dates: Virtual sessions: June 16 – 17; Residential program: June 21 – August 2
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents and are at least 16 years old
Carnegie Mellon’s Summer Academy for Math and Science is a prestigious pre-college program that combines advanced learning in math and science, a STEM research project, and activities that prepare you for college. The program begins with a two-day virtual skill-building session, followed by a 6-week in-person program. You can expect plenty of hands-on work while working on the research project. You will also attend quantitative and computational skill seminars, writing workshops, mentoring sessions, and a concluding symposium where you will get to present your research.
3. Mathroots @ MIT
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free. You will only have to pay transportation costs to and from MIT
Program dates: June 28 – July 12
Application deadline: March 3
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 14 and 18 who are US citizens. Prior knowledge of precalculus is highly recommended.
MIT’s Mathroots is a 14-day summer program that is part of the MIT-PRIMES program. The program uses a combination of classes, group activities, and guest lectures to dive into mathematical topics and problem-solving. You will have the opportunity to learn from a team of MIT instructors and explore advanced mathematical techniques and concepts, including mathematical proofs. The program’s curriculum emphasizes the use of collaboration to solve problems in a creative manner. Additionally, you will also get the chance to network with your peers and engage with mentors.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: 100% financial aid is available
Program dates: The summer cohort runs from June to August, the Fall cohort from September to December, the Winter cohort from December to February, Spring from March to June
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The upcoming Summer Cohort I application deadline is June 23
Eligibility:
- You must be currently enrolled in high school
- Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement. (Note: students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
- No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program that allows high school students to develop an independent research paper or project. As a participant, you will be matched with a PhD mentor from a top university who will offer 1-on-1 guidance as you conduct research in the field of your choice. The program offers hands-on research experience in several available areas, including biology, engineering, chemistry, business, and psychology. Although it isn’t a formal university program, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with mentors from leading universities while exploring mathematics topics such as data science, computer science, or economics. You can apply for the program here.
5. IMA-MathCEP Math Modeling Camp
Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 23 – 27
Application deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Current high school students who have completed a year-long course in single variable calculus
The University of Minnesota’s IMA-MathCEP Math Modeling Camp is a free university math program for high school students. Through this summer program, you will learn about mathematical models and explore how they can be used to solve real-world problems. In the process, you will use mathematical models to analyze population trends, diseases, potential train routes, the effects of traffic on a bridge, and the impact of climate change on natural resources. This is a commuter program, but it also offers a virtual track for a few students.
6. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: Free; however, if you choose the residential track, you will need to pay $2,360.25 as residential fees
Program dates: June 30 – August 8
Application deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors who are US citizens/permanent residents and at least 16 years of age
Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program is a free summer program that enables high school students to join a professional research group and participate in hands-on research work. You will be matched with a mentor and work on an assigned project, culminating in a research abstract and poster. There are several available research areas, and students interested in math can opt for the applied mathematics and statistics field. You can expect to learn about algorithms in computing, machine learning, and modelling for simulations of biological and medical processes. By the end of the program, you will become familiar with various research methodologies, get hands-on research experience, and present your findings at a poster symposium.
7. MIT’s Online Math Classes
Location: Online
Cost: Free; $50 – 100 for verified certificate
Program dates: The course length varies between 8-15 weeks, depending on which one you choose.
Application deadline: Varies with each course
Eligibility: Anyone can apply, but some courses have prerequisites
MIT’s Department of Mathematics offers several online math courses through the edX platform. You can choose from several options such as Mathematical Methods for Quantitative Finance, Introduction to Probability, and Fundamentals of Statistics. You will also find interdisciplinary courses such as Machine Learning with Python, Flight Vehicle Aerodynamics, and Introduction to Computational Science and Engineering. This is a suitable option for students who cannot attend a program in person but are still looking for high-quality learning from MIT professors. These courses are free of cost, although you need to pay to earn a verified certificate at the end of the course.
8. MIT PRIMES
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Program dates: This is a year-long program which begins in January and ends in the following December/January
Application deadline: November 18
Eligibility: High school students living in the Greater Boston area
MIT’s PRIMES-USA is a year-long program that offers high school students an in-depth research experience in mathematics. The program generally explores topics like algebraic number theory, computational knot theory, extremal combinatorics, geometry, applied mathematics, and more. The reading track introduces you to the research process through readings of mathematical literature, which you will dissect through assignments and mentored discussions. The research track begins with an advanced reading period, followed by a research period that involves weekly sessions with your mentor. Towards the end of the program, you will present your work at a conference as well as submit a written report. If you live outside the Greater Boston area, you can consider applying to the PRIMES-USA program.
9. MITES Summer Program
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 15 – July 26
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors who are US citizens or permanent residents
The MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science program is a highly reputable STEM summer program offered by MIT. The program compresses a semester of college learning into six weeks through a combination of five advanced courses in math, life sciences, humanities, physics, and one elective. Previous electives have included fields like architecture, electronics, and genomics. The program schedule includes classes, workshops, projects, exams, and lab tours. While math is not the focus here, MITES is a competitive and prestigious program that is worth having on your resume.
10. Mathematics Courses by Harvard University
Location: Online
Cost: Free; extra fee for a verified certificate.
Program dates: Varies with each course
Application deadline: Varies with each course
Eligibility: Anyone can apply
Harvard University’s Professional and Lifelong Learning initiative offers educational courses for people of all ages to access advanced learning. The platform offers several free mathematics courses that delve into advanced topics, taught by professors from renowned universities. For example, this calculus course will teach you the fundamentals of single-variable calculus and how it can be used to create and analyze mathematical models. Another option is this probability and statistics course that will improve your quantitative reasoning skills. Other interdisciplinary courses are also available, exploring the intersection of mathematics with fields such as data science and genomics.
11. PhET Interactive Simulations
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Program dates: Self-paced
Application deadline: Open enrollment
Eligibility: Anyone can download the simulations
Founded by the University of Colorado, Boulder, PhET is a non-profit platform that offers educational resources. The platform provides interactive simulations to help students visualise and learn topics within the fields of science and math. The math and statistics category includes simulations on topics like number pairs, mean, Kepler’s Law, calculus, ratio and proportion, area model algebra, and fractions. The simulations utilize graphics, intuitive controls, and measurement instruments to enhance the experience.
12. UCLA’s Mathematics Achievement Program
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Program dates: This is a four-year program that runs from October to May each year, with sessions held on three Saturdays of each month.
Application deadline: April 26
Eligibility: Students currently in the 8th grade who will complete Algebra 1 by June and have a minimum GPA of 3.0
UCLA’s Center for Excellence in Engineering and Diversity offers the Mathematics Achievement Program to improve high school students’ understanding of math and science, particularly students from under-resourced backgrounds. Over the course of the program, you will dive into algebra, geometry, and calculus through lessons, workshops, lab tours, guest speakers, and field trips. You will also work on hands-on projects that focus on mathematical modeling. This is a comprehensive program that spans all four years of high school and addresses potential gaps in mathematics education.
13. The Hampshire College Summer Studies in Mathematics
Location: Hampshire College, Amherst, MA
Cost: $6,511. However, the program is free for domestic students whose family household income is less than $85,000, and financial aid is also available for others. Read more here.
Program dates: June 29 – August 9
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: All high school students
The Hampshire College Summer Studies in Mathematics is a six-week residential program that allows high school students to learn college-level mathematics. The program includes workshop lessons, problem sessions, guest lectures, field trips, and other recreational activities. The workshops will begin by covering the basics of the field and then proceed to in-depth studies of topics such as combinatorics, number theory, fractals, topology, probability, cellular automata, and four-dimensional geometry. The syllabus is usually flexible, with topics chosen according to the participants’ interests and skills.
14. MathILy
Location: Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA
Cost: $5,300. However, need-based financial aid is available through which the entire fee may be waived
Program dates: June 22 – July 26
Application deadline: April 26
Eligibility: All high school students
Organized by Bryn Mawr College, MathILy (Mathematics Infused with Levity) is a residential summer program for high school students interested in learning advanced mathematics. This is a five-week program during which classes run for 7 hours each day, covering undergraduate and graduate-level mathematics. Topics include graph theory, affine geometry, probability, cardinality, theoretical linear algebra, number theory, and more. The program also explores niche topics such as alternative geometries, cryptography, and Markov chain modeling. You can learn more about the program’s structure here. Additionally, the program also offers sessions on college preparation and career pathways.
15. Johns Hopkins’ Center for Talented Youth
Location: Online and on-campus tracks available
Cost: Ranges from $191 – $2,127 for the online track and from $3,149 – $7,501 for the on-campus track, depending on the course. Need-based financial aid is available!
Program dates: Spring and summer cohorts are available; individually paced courses run through the whole year
Application deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Varies with each course
The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth has several mathematics courses for high school students. There is a range of topics available, from fun courses that enrich your understanding of the subject to intensives that explore the field’s more complex topics. You can learn the fundamentals through courses on geometry, algebra, and logic. Alternatively, you can opt for cross-disciplinary classes that examine math through the lens of fields such as game design, economics, statistics, cryptography, and even philosophy. Both online and in-person options are available. Expert instructors will guide you, and you can expect a combination of lessons, assignments, and hands-on work. This program isn’t free, but you can apply for financial aid, which can help cover tuition as well as other costs.
Here are two bonus programs!
1. Veritas AI’s Programs
Location: Online
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November). The next upcoming deadline is June 22 for Summer Cohort II.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI offers academic programs for high school students interested in topics like artificial intelligence, data science, and machine learning. You can choose between the AI Scholars program, a 10-session bootcamp that introduces you to the basics of AI, and the AI Fellowship, an intensive program that dives into advanced lessons and hands-on AI projects. While this program isn’t focused on math, you will get to explore the role of math in programming, data analysis, algorithms, machine learning, and more. You will also receive mentorship from top university faculty members.
2. Horizon’s Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Online
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September)
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts. The next upcoming deadline is June 22 for Summer Cohort II.
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.
The Horizon Academic Research Program is an intensive research program that allows high school students to work on an independent research project. This is a trimester-long program that allows you to work one-on-one with a professor or PhD mentor. You can even choose between quantitative and qualitative research. Students interested in math can opt for the Theoretical Mathematics and Knot Theory track, during which you will study knot theory and focus on understanding causality and relationships between events in our universe. By the end of the program, you will have completed a 20-page, university-level research paper. You can apply for the program here!
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