If you’re a high school student in Pennsylvania looking to explore a specific subject in more depth, pre-college summer programs in the state can offer a focused way to do that. These university-run programs give you hands-on experience with fields like engineering, medicine, business, science, or the arts.
You’ll take part in college-level classes, research projects, and lab work led by university faculty, while also getting a feel for campus life. These programs usually take place over one to four weeks during the summer and are meant to mirror the pace and structure of actual college courses. Many of them offer college credit, and some include access to dorms, dining halls, and group activities.
In this list, we cover 15 of the best pre-college summer programs for high school students in Pennsylvania!
15 Pre-College Summer Programs for High School Students in Pennsylvania
1. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
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 is a learning and research platform started by Harvard graduate students for high school students who want to explore artificial intelligence. If you are new to AI, the AI Scholars Program gives you a structured introduction to machine learning, data science, and real-world applications of AI through ten sessions that include both lessons and hands-on projects. If you already have some background, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase lets you work one-on-one with a mentor on a research project over several weeks. You also get editing support to prepare your project for publication and can submit it to Veritas AI’s showcase. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: The program is fully funded!
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Vary based on yearly cohort. Multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school or plan to enroll as a freshman in college in the fall. Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement. (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
Founded by Harvard and Oxford researchers, the Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a twelve-week research experience that pairs you with a PhD mentor for one-on-one guidance. You choose your subject—psychology, engineering, data science, international relations, chemistry, or another academic field—and work independently to produce a full-length research paper. You meet regularly with your mentor to study academic literature, develop a research question, and build writing and analysis skills. If you are seeking academic recognition, you can also apply for UC San Diego credit upon completion. Apply here.
3. Engineering Summer Academy at Penn (ESAP)
Location: University of Pennsylvania’s campus, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $9000 + $90 non-refundable application fee (limited financial aid may be available)
Program dates: July 6–25
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are at least 15 years old and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Strong math and science grades are preferred.
The Engineering Summer Academy at Penn offers high school students the chance to study one of six tracks, including Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Computer Graphics, Computer Science, Nanotechnology, or Robotics, through college-level courses taught by Penn faculty. You attend lectures, do lab work, and work on group projects based on research and tech applications. The program takes place on Penn’s campus in Philadelphia, where you earn college credit and get a feel for university life while working with other students in a focused academic setting.
4. MathILy at Bryn Mawr College
Location: Bryn Mawr College, PA
Cost: $5300 (financial aid is available)
Program dates: June 22–July 26
Application deadline: April 29 (rolling)
Eligibility: Preference is given to high school students ages 14–17
MathILy at Bryn Mawr College is a summer program where you study advanced math through active problem solving instead of lectures. You explore topics like discrete math, combinatorics, abstract algebra, and logic by making conjectures, testing ideas, and presenting proofs in class. The schedule includes daily classes and evening problem sessions, and instructors adjust the material based on your progress. You work closely with other motivated students and get support from college students and mathematicians throughout the program.
5. Biomedical Engineering STEM Summer Academy
Location: In-person, commuter, and residential options at Drexel University, Philadelphia
Cost: $1,500
Program dates: Session I: July 7–11 | Session II: July 14–1 | Session III: July 21–25 | Session IV: July 28–August 1
Application deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Open to rising juniors and seniors
The Biomedical STEM Summer Academy at Drexel University is a one-week program where you explore biomedical engineering through lab workshops and guided research. You learn techniques like tissue engineering, imaging, and biomaterials analysis, and visit biomedical companies and hospitals to see how the field works in practice. You also attend sessions led by Drexel faculty that show how engineering and medicine connect in solving health problems.
6. Temple Summer Pre-College Workshops
Location: Temple’s Main Campus, Philadelphia
Cost: $1,300 per session (financial aid is available)
Program dates: July 7–18 | July 21–August 1
Application deadline: April 14
Eligibility: Open to students entering grades 10, 11, or 12
Temple University Pre-College Workshops let you explore possible majors by taking two non-credit courses in areas like health, business, writing, politics, or the arts. You take part in hands-on projects led by Temple faculty and work in small groups on real-world topics. Each day also includes seminars on professional development or college readiness, where you build skills in communication, organization, and planning. You study alongside a diverse group of students and get mentorship from current Temple students throughout the program.
7. Villanova Pre-College Summer Academy
Location: Villanova University campus
Cost: Residential: $8,000 | Commuter: $6,000
Program dates: June 30–July 28
Application deadline: June 6
Eligibility: Open to exceptional high school juniors and seniors
Villanova Pre-College Summer Academy is a four-week program where you take one college-level three-credit course with undergraduate students and a one-credit seminar called College Pathways that helps you build academic and decision-making skills. Courses are taught by Villanova faculty in different subjects, giving you a chance to explore an area of interest. Outside class, you take part in campus life through group activities, sports, and trips around Philadelphia. By the end of the program, you will earn four college credits and get firsthand experience of studying at a university.
8. Community College of Philadelphia’s Advanced College Experience (ACE)
Location: Community College of Philadelphia main campus
Cost: $250 per course
Program dates: July 8–August 6
Application deadline: Unspecified
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 9–12
Advance College Experience at the Community College of Philadelphia is a five-week program where you take one college-level course and earn credit before finishing high school. The course options include psychology, music technology, computer programming, Japanese, public health, and criminal justice. You complete a full semester’s work in a short time and can choose to study in person, online, or in a hybrid format.
9. Wharton Global Youth Program: Data Science Academy
Location: The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
Cost: $9,799 + non-refundable $100 application fee
Program dates: July 13–August 2
Application deadline: April 2
Eligibility: Open to rising juniors and seniors with a minimum 3.3 unweighted GPA
Wharton Data Science Academy is a summer program where you learn how to use data to study real-world problems through statistical thinking, data visualization, and machine learning. You build fluency in R, a programming language widely used in data science, and apply it in a team-based project where you collect, clean, and model data before presenting your results. Lectures are taught by Wharton faculty, and you also get support from undergraduate and graduate teaching assistants who share their academic experiences. Guest speakers from different industries talk about how data is used in fields like business, healthcare, and technology.
10. Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI)’s High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh
Cost: Free
Program dates: 8 weeks starting June 16
Application deadline: December 2–February 7
Eligibility: Open to students currently in their sophomore or junior year of high school and who are over 16 years old by the program start date. All applicants must have permanent/primary residence in the local southwest Pennsylvania region.
MWRI High School Summer Internship Program is a selective research opportunity where you spend the summer working on biomedical projects related to women’s health, reproductive biology, and infant health. Fewer than 8 percent of applicants are accepted. If selected, you join a research team at Magee-Womens Research Institute and work under the guidance of investigators on projects such as fertility preservation, ovarian cancer, maternal health disparities, or pregnancy-related molecular biology. You also attend Lunch and Learn sessions where scientists talk about their work and career paths. At the end, you present your research at a symposium. The program includes a stipend of 1,800 and requires a full-time commitment of 240 hours.
11. Penn State University Park’s Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS)
Location: Penn State’s University Park campus, State College, PA
Cost: $250
Program dates: June 15–27
Application deadline: mid-March (tentative)
Eligibility: Open to students entering 12th grade with a strong interest in pursuing a business education at the college level
Penn State Business Opportunities Summer Session is a two-week program where you study business fundamentals, economics, and entrepreneurship through college-level classes taught by Penn State faculty. You live on the University Park campus and take part in workshops, company visits, and college admissions discussions. The program includes students from across the U.S. and Puerto Rico and gives you a chance to see what studying business in college looks like through real classroom work and practical activities. You must be entering your senior year to apply.
12. Lehigh University Summer Engineering Institute (SEI)
Location: Lehigh University campus, Bethlehem
Cost: Free
Program dates: Session 1: June 29–July 12 | Session 2: July 13–26
Application deadline: Unspecified
Eligibility: Open to rising juniors and seniors in high school
Lehigh University SEI is a summer program for rising juniors and seniors where you explore STEM through hands-on projects and lab work across fields like robotics, nanoscience, 3D printing, and bioengineering. You work in teams to solve real-world problems, such as reducing earthquake damage or designing new technologies, with guidance from Lehigh faculty and students. The program combines classroom learning with collaborative research and includes virtual field trips to research centers and tech companies to show how STEM is used in professional settings.
13. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Location: Remote
Cost: $3,580
Program dates: Session One: June 16–July 4 | Session Two: July 7–25
Application deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors and seniors from around the world
Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC) is a virtual summer program for high school juniors and seniors where you study advanced math topics such as abstract algebra, number theory, or algebraic topology. You take part in lectures, group problem-solving, and research projects focused on mathematical theory and structure rather than direct applications. The program does not offer grades or credit, but the pace and depth match college-level coursework. You work with students from around the world who are also interested in exploring math beyond the standard school curriculum.
14. UPenn Summer Academy: Experimental Physics Research Academy
Location: University of Pennsylvania campus, Philadelphia
Cost: $9,949 (scholarships are available for select Philadelphia students)
Program dates: July 5–26
Application deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Open to current 9th- 11th grade students
Experimental Physics Research Academy at UPenn is a three-week residential program where you study physics through lectures, labs, and faculty-led sessions on topics like mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum dynamics, and astrophysics. The program focuses on conceptual understanding and experimental design rather than memorization. You take part in lab projects and attend research talks by Penn faculty to learn about current topics in physics. Graduate and undergraduate teaching assistants support your work, and the program follows the pace and structure of college-level study.
15. Johns Hopkins University – Neuroscience and Human Behavior (AS.080.140)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,950 + $85 application fee (financial aid is available)
Program dates: Session One: June 23–July 4 | Session Two: July 7–18 | Session Three: July 21–August 1
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Neuroscience and Human Behavior at Johns Hopkins University is an online course where you study how brain function connects to behavior through real-world cases and research-based activities. You learn about neuroplasticity, neurotransmission, and how the brain affects emotion, memory, learning, and social behavior. The course is mostly asynchronous, so you work at your own pace but follow a set schedule with weekly and daily assignments. Optional live sessions are available for group discussions or office hours.
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 – University of Pennsylvania