If you’re a high school student interested in STEM and want to explore college-level academics without the costs of a residential program, consider an online pre-college program! These online programs let you work on actual projects like building machine learning models, researching biological systems, or tackling engineering challenges. You should note that online pre-college programs will not involve a very strong aspect of living on campus or interacting with peers and professors in-person.
Online pre-college programs, however, allow you to learn by doing in a structured format, whether it’s coding, working on tech projects, or solving real-world problems. You’ll build skills that will help you in future internships, college applications, or even your first job in STEM right after you graduate!
To help you find the right fit, we’ve put together this list of 15 online STEM pre-college programs for high school students!
15 Online STEM Pre-College Programs for High School Students
1. Stanford AIMI’s Summer Research Internship
Cost: $850. Need-based financial aid is available.
Program Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 14 years of age
The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging has a summer research internship for students interested in AI and healthcare. You’ll attend lectures that dive into the technical side of things, work on group projects, and hear from experts in the field.
You’ll get hands-on experience with real-world AI applications, like using machine learning to analyze X-rays. At the end, you can also apply for an extended internship if you want to keep going. You’ll pick up skills in machine learning, data analysis, and healthcare tech along the way.
2. Stanford AI4All
Cost: $4,000. Financial aid is available!
Program Dates: June 18 – July 2
Application Deadline: January 24
Eligibility: Current 9th graders/rising 10th graders who are at least 14 years of age. Basic math/computer skills are preferred. International students can apply as well!
Stanford AI4All is an online STEM program for high school students focused on artificial intelligence. As a participant, you’ll explore areas like robotics, computer vision, medical AI, natural language processing, and more. Research plays a big role in the program, and you’ll work on projects like programming autonomous cars, analyzing tweets, and detecting diseases in X-rays. You’ll also have the chance to attend career workshops and connect with professionals in the field.
3. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Cost: There is a $25 application fee, but waivers are available for those who need them.
Program Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students who are at least 15 years old
George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program is a free research opportunity for high school students to work closely with a faculty researcher. You can choose from various STEM fields, including earth sciences, bioengineering, computer science, cybersecurity, forensic science, mathematics, physics, and chemistry. During the program, you’ll learn different research methods, gain hands-on experience with research tools, and improve your scientific writing and communication skills.
4. Johns Hopkins University’s ASPIRE
Cost: Free
Program Dates: The program generally begins the last week of June and goes on for 6-9 weeks. (tentative)
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High-school juniors and seniors residing in one of the given Maryland counties, who have a minimum GPA of 2.8 and are at least 15 years of age
Johns Hopkins University’s ASPIRE is a STEM pre-college program where high school students can explore STEM fields at an advanced level in a professional setting. As a participant, you’ll be paired with a mentor and work on a project that ends with creating a digital poster. At the program’s capstone event, you’ll present your findings.
You can choose from STEM areas like aerospace engineering, artificial intelligence, IT, physical sciences, programming, and data analysis. Plus, you can pick a specific project type, such as coding, design, lab work, research, social impact, or technology.
5. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC) Online
Cost: $3,580. Need-based financial aid is available
Program Dates: Session 1 from June 16 – July 4, Session 2 from July 7 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors with certain academic prerequisites (depending on the chosen track)
SUMaC is an online STEM program for high school students who are into advanced mathematics. During the program, you’ll take part in live discussions and problem-solving sessions and hear from guest mathematicians. There are two tracks to choose from: Program I – Abstract Algebra and Number Theory and Program II – Algebraic Topology.
Program I focuses on abstract algebra and number theory. You’ll explore topics like cryptography and error-correcting codes. Program II looks at algebraic topology, where you study shapes and their properties that stay the same even when you stretch or bend them, for example, how a sphere can turn into a cube without ripping or gluing.
6. The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program (JHIBS)
Cost: None.
Program Dates: Generally begins towards the end of June and goes on for 8 weeks
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors with a strong academic record in STEM who live in the U.S. or Canada
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science program offers high school students a mentored research experience in neurological sciences. The virtual track is a 5-week program where you’ll learn basic lab techniques, attend professional development workshops, and network with peers and professionals. You will learn basic lab techniques such as electrophysiology, microscopy, and neuroimaging.
The program also includes college prep classes and mentorship training. Unlike the in-person program, you won’t work on a research project in this track, but you will receive a certificate of completion.
7. UC San Diego’s Research Scholars Program
Cost: Ranges from $1,300 – $3,675 depending on the course you choose. A few scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: Varies with each course
Program Dates: Varies with each course
Eligibility: All high school students (individual courses may have prerequisites, and international students are welcome to apply)
UC San Diego’s Research Scholars program allows high school students to improve their knowledge and skills by taking advanced courses. As a participant, you will take on the role of a researcher and explore your chosen field through real-world applications. You can choose from areas like environmental science, bioengineering, medicine, marine science, life sciences, and business. The program also helps you improve your skills in academic writing and scientific enquiry.
8. Upenn’s Pre-College Online Program
Cost: Ranges from $8,462 – $13,858 depending on the number of credits. Philadelphia residents who attend a School District of Philadelphia public or charter high school are eligible for a scholarship.
Application Deadline: March 30 (Session 1) and April 27 (Session 2). Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and may fill early.
Program Dates: Session 1 from May 27 – July 2; Session 2 from July 3 – August 8
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors. International students can apply as well.
The University of Pennsylvania’s Pre-College Online Program lets high school students take credit-bearing university classes with undergraduates. It offers the chance to learn advanced topics, earn college credit, and get an Ivy League experience. STEM courses include Introduction to Data Science, Modern Biology and Social Implications, Oceanography, Introduction to Calculus, and Ideas in Mathematics. You’ll gain hands-on experience with data, improve your understanding of scientific concepts, and learn how to apply math and science to real-world situations.
9. Cornell University Online Pre-College Summer Programs
Cost: $1,840 per credit. Financial aid is available
Program Dates: Varies with each course
Application Deadline: May 5
Eligibility: Rising and current high school juniors and seniors between the ages of 15 and 18
Cornell University’s online pre-college program gives high school students the chance to take university courses early. You’ll study alongside undergraduate students and earn 3-12 college credits in the process. The program’s summer session offers a variety of STEM courses, including astronomy, biology, microbiology, cognitive science, computer science, engineering, and statistical science. These advanced courses are taught through lessons, discussion boards, video conferences, and chat rooms. You’ll also receive admissions counseling to help with your future college applications.
10. Burke Neurological Institute’s Introduction to Neuroscience Course
Cost: $500. Scholarships are available
Program Dates: Tuesdays and Thursdays from February 4 to March 27
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: All high school students who have completed the NYS Regents Living Environment or equivalent Biology class
Cornell University’s Burke Neurological Institute offers an introductory neuroscience course for high school students. The program covers a wide range of topics, including neuroanatomy, imaging in the nervous system, axon pathfinding and synapses, neurotransmitter systems, motor systems, neurotechnology and AI, and neurodegenerative diseases. By the end of the program, you’ll have a solid understanding of the mammalian nervous system and its key functions.
11. Berkeley Coding Academy
Cost: $2,699. However, you get a higher discount if you enrol earlier. Limited scholarships are available.
Program Dates: July 14 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students aged 12-18
The Berkeley Coding Academy is an immersive online STEM program designed for students passionate about data science and AI. The flagship course, ‘Data Science: The AI Journey, ’ takes place over three weeks in the summer. You will explore Python programming, learning how to write efficient code, create insightful data visualizations, and navigate complex neural networks.
The course also covers building machine learning models, giving you hands-on experience with popular techniques like regression, classification, and clustering. Throughout the program, you’ll apply your skills to a real-world dataset, working on a research project that mirrors challenges professionals face in the field. If you’re looking for a more advanced course, you can consider the ‘AI in Action’ program.
12. Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience at Stanford University
Cost: $1,595
Program Dates: June 16 – June 27
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis between December 15 and March 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Stanford University’s Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience is a two-week intensive program focused on neuroscience, psychiatry, and psychology. Through interactive seminars, you’ll explore topics such as behavioral neuroscience, sports psychiatry, eating disorders, forensic psychiatry, neuroimaging, trauma, and design thinking for clinical innovation. You and your team will also work on a capstone project, developing a solution to a social issue related to neuroscience or psychology.
13. Georgetown University’s Medical Research Program
Cost: Up to $1,795
Program Dates: The Program runs in cohorts throughout the year with options for 1-week, 2-week, or 4-week sessions
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines for each cohort
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and up
Georgetown University’s Medical Research Program is an online STEM program for high school students interested in medical research. The program covers the entire process of clinical research, including Evidence-Based Medicine, ethical considerations, and how to transform research into a scientific article.
You will apply what you learn in a capstone project, where you’ll develop a video presentation to showcase your research. The program includes 20-30 hours of video lectures, simulations, and curated assignments to help you gain practical experience and knowledge in medical research.
14. Center for Talented Youth’s Online Programs
Cost: Ranges from $191 to $2,127, depending on the course. Limited financial aid is available.
Program Dates: Spring and summer cohorts are available, individually paced courses run through the whole year
Application Deadline: May 20 to start in the week of June 16, June 17 to start the week of July 14, August 5 to start the week of September 8
Eligibility: Varies with each course
The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth offers online STEM pre-college programs for high school students. You can choose from topics like coding, disease modeling, engineering design, game theory, forensic science, cryptography, and neurological disorders. These courses go beyond high school content and are designed to challenge students. The program is flexible, offering synchronous, asynchronous, or individually paced formats. This allows you to choose a schedule that works best for your commitments and availability.
15. Carnegie Mellon’s Open Learning Initiative
Cost: A lot of the available courses are free. A few of them have fees ranging from $100 to $300
Program Dates: Varies with each course
Application Deadline: Varies with each course
Eligibility: All high school students
Carnegie Mellon’s Open Learning Initiative is a platform that provides self-paced, self-supported courses for independent learners worldwide. The courses cover areas like computer science, engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, data science, and technology. You can study on your own time using advanced course materials, but there are no instructors or assignments. While the free courses do not offer tests, you can choose paid courses to assess your learning through system-scored tests.
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 – Carnegie Mellon University