If you’re someone looking for early experience in a subject before college, consider applying to programs curated for high schoolers!
Selective and rigorous high school programs can provide solid opportunities for you to cultivate advanced skill sets that you otherwise may not have the opportunity to do.
These programs offer rigorous academic environments, specialized courses, and access to expert mentors that can come in handy while applying to advanced research projects/internships. As a participant, you’ll also engage in intensive learning experiences that foster critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving abilities beyond traditional high school curricula.
With that, here are 15 prestigious programs for high school students.
How did we identity prestigious programs for high scool students?
- Fully-funded nature and/or stipend offered to participants
- Acceptance rate
- Competitive nature of the application
- Rigor of program material
- Prestige of hosting organization(s)
- Opportunity for networking + further exposure to the field
1. Horizon’s Academic Research Program (HARP)
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more! It is one of the very 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’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar (from a top university) who will mentor you throughout your research journey. You’ll work to create a 20-page, university-level research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
This program is a solid opportunity for you to pursue a research program in highly specialized fields, under the guidance of a top 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 on college applications. Apply here!
Location: Virtual
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
- Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
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 Research Science Institute is a highly regarded program for high school students, recognized for its global reach, rigorous curriculum, and affiliation with MIT. It attracts a competitive applicant pool, with an acceptance rate as low as 5%. Participants engage in a comprehensive research experience, choosing projects under expert mentorship. After a week of classes, students spend five weeks conducting guided research and laboratory work, culminating in a final presentation of their findings. This hands-on experience enhances scientific understanding and demonstrates dedication, bolstering college admissions applications.
Subject Areas: STEM, Humanities
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free of cost, stipend provided
Application Deadline: January for US citizens and March for international students (tentative, based on previous years)
Program Dates: 2 months between June and August (tentative, based on previous years).
Eligibility: High school juniors, including international students, are eligible to apply. Recommended scores are 740+ for PSAT Math, 700+ for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, 33 for ACT Math, and 34 for ACT Verbal. If your scores are lower, you must provide other indicators of academic excellence.
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) provides a highly competitive opportunity for 50 high school students to partake in a six-week research endeavor within Stanford’s prestigious laboratories, collaborating closely with faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and researchers. The program focuses on diverse medically oriented research projects, spanning fields such as bioengineering, stem cell research, genetics, neurobiology, immunology, cardiovascular biology, bioinformatics, and cancer biology.
Participants undergo comprehensive training in laboratory safety protocols, research methodologies, and the essential principles of conducting rigorous scientific investigations. Guided by seasoned mentors in state-of-the-art labs, students engage in immersive learning experiences in medical research. The program culminates in a poster presentation where students adeptly communicate their scientific findings, underscoring their academic progression and contributions to their respective fields of study.
Subject Areas: Medicine, Biotechnology, Diseases, and Genomics.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to attend but all applicants must pay an application fee. Participants receive a minimum stipend of $500 for the program with students receiving a minimum of $1,500. Neither meals nor housing is provided.
Application Deadline: TBD for 2025.
Program Dates: 8 weeks, typically from June to August.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors aged at least 16 with U.S. citizenship or permanent residency are eligible to apply!
The highly selective research program at Texas Tech University accepts a mere 12 high school students annually, boasting an acceptance rate of less than 3% to uphold its rigorous standards. This program offers participants a rare opportunity to engage in extensive research under the guidance of esteemed faculty across diverse disciplines. From nutritional science and computer science to mechanical engineering and history, students immerse themselves in substantive research projects that enhance their knowledge and expertise.
This immersive experience not only facilitates hands-on learning but also enhances participants’ competitiveness for college admissions. By actively contributing to meaningful research pursuits, students gain profound insights into academic inquiry, shaping their academic and professional pathways significantly.
Subject Areas: STEM, Humanities, Social Sciences
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: No application cost, stipend of $750 provided.
Application deadline: TBD for 2025
Program Dates: 7 weeks, typically from mid-June to August.
Eligibility: Juniors and seniors who are at least 17 years of age.
Founded by PhDs from Harvard and Oxford, Lumiere offers a highly selective research program tailored specifically for high school students. As a research scholar, participants collaborate closely with a PhD mentor to develop an independent research paper. The program provides flexibility across various disciplines, including social sciences, STEM, and humanities.
Its personalized, one-on-one approach ensures students stay abreast of current research advancements and improve technical skills, irrespective of their initial proficiency level. For those interested in interdisciplinary exploration, Lumiere offers an ideal environment to immerse oneself deeply in research.
Subject Areas: STEM, Humanities, Social Sciences
Location: Virtual
Cost: Lumiere Individual Research Program — $2,800 | Lumiere Premium Research and Publication Program — $4,800 | Lumiere Research Fellowship — $8,400.
Application Deadline: Rolling, Cohort based. Applications for the summer fall are open till September 8, 2024. You can apply here!
Program Dates: The start date for the fall cohort is September 2024.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply!
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program offers an exceptional opportunity for aspiring journalists to delve deeply into the craft through a blend of online workshops, lectures, and an immersive residential institute. Throughout July, participants engage in virtual sessions led by experienced journalists, exploring the nuances of the field and analyzing current issues shaping media landscapes.
On-campus activities include visits to prominent news organizations, hands-on reporting on local news stories, digital content creation, and investigative journalism exercises, culminating in the production of The Princeton Summer Journal. Emphasizing a liberal arts approach, the program extends beyond technical skills to encompass discussions on humanities, arts, culture, social events, and history.
Subject Areas: Journalism
Location: Online and in-person on campus (Princeton, NJ)
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: The application deadline for 2024 was February 15. Dates TBD for 2025.
Program Dates: A multi-week, hybrid summer intensive beginning with online workshops in July and culminating in a 10-day residential experience on Princeton’s campus from July 26 to August 5, 2024.
Eligibility: Applicants must be a junior in high school at the time of application, live in the U.S. and intend to attend college here, have a minimum unweighted GPA of at least 3.5 out of 4.0, have an interest in journalism, and meet at least one of the socioeconomic conditions listed here!
The Telluride Association Summer Seminars (TASS) is a highly competitive summer program tailored for high school students, with an acceptance rate ranging from 3% to 5%. Spanning a rigorous 6-week period, TASS immerses participants in intensive academic exploration, focusing on creative problem-solving, community engagement, and intellectual enrichment.
TASS offers two distinct study tracks:
- TASS-CBS (Critical Black Studies) delves into the history, politics, literature, art, and cultural contributions of individuals of African descent.
- TASS-AOS (Anti-Oppressive Studies) examines systems of power and oppression, including white supremacy, patriarchy, and classism. It explores strategies for societal transformation through critical analysis and scholarly discourse in humanities and social sciences.
As a TASS participant, students attend daily college-level classes totaling 3 hours, supplemented by lectures, discussion sessions, and collaborative group projects with peers. The program also incorporates experiential learning activities, including organizing community service initiatives and managing a fixed budget for program-related projects.
Subject Areas: History, Politics, Literature, Art
Location: University of Maryland, Cornell University, and University of Michigan
Cost: Free of cost
Application Deadline: January 3, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Program Dates: June 23 — August 3, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Eligibility: Open to all high school sophomores and juniors. TASS also encourages applications from students of color and underrepresented ethnic groups to help promote diversity and support underrepresented communities in each year’s cohort.
The Jackson Laboratory’s Summer Student Program is a competitive opportunity designed to provide fellowships to talented high school students keen on pursuing independent, mentored research projects in genetics and genomics. Annually, forty students, both from high school and undergraduate levels, are selected to develop and execute projects, perform experiments, analyze data, and present their findings. Research areas include bioinformatics, cancer biology, genomics, immunology, metabolic diseases, and other specialized fields.
The program, tailored to attract bright minds from both high school and undergraduate levels, offers a challenging academic environment and adheres to a rigorous application process. Participants benefit from a substantial stipend and the program’s esteemed reputation, providing a valuable opportunity that can significantly enhance college applications.
Subject Areas: Genetics, Genomics, Bioinformatics, Cancer, Immunology, Metabolic Diseases
Location: The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine
Cost/Stipend: No cost, a $6,500 stipend is provided
Application Deadline: TBD for 2025
Program Dates: 9 weeks, typically from June to August
Eligibility: Seniors who have completed 12th grade and are at least 18 years old can apply!
ARISE at NYU offers a compelling opportunity tailored for 10th and 11th graders from New York City. This seven-week summer program is entirely tuition-free. Participants delve into hands-on research alongside NYU’s esteemed faculty, delving into dynamic fields like computer science, machine learning, and robotics.
The program unfolds in two distinct phases: the initial two weeks feature intensive workshops, followed by five weeks of close collaboration with mentors in lab settings. ARISE provides a unique platform for engaging in college-level research, fostering professional growth, participating in colloquiums, and making meaningful contributions to cutting-edge laboratories.
Subject Areas: Computer science, Machine learning, Robotics. You can view all subject areas over here!
Location: New York University Campus, NY (Specific Area depends on subject area/ lab choice.
Cost/Stipend: No cost, stipend provided
Application Deadline: TBD for 2025, typically in March.
Program Dates: 7 weeks from June to August, tentatively based on the previous year’s schedule.
Eligibility: Rising juniors and rising seniors based in New York City are eligible to apply.
Carnegie Mellon University’s Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS) is a rigorous pre-college program centered on STEM disciplines and related fields. Led by the university’s esteemed faculty, the curriculum features comprehensive classroom instruction, lectures, workshops, and hands-on projects, complemented by regular engagement with faculty and staff mentors.
SAMS unfolds in two distinct phases: a preliminary virtual session focusing on skill development and program orientation, followed by a six-week intensive in-person program comprising courses and collaborative sessions. During this period, students embark on project work under the guidance of faculty or graduate student supervisors. The program culminates in a symposium where students showcase their projects, highlighting their academic achievements and research contributions.
Subject Areas: Math and science
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Free; this is a fully-funded program.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Program Dates: June 22, 2024 — August 3, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 years old and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
With an acceptance rate below 5%, this competitive program offers high school students a unique opportunity to engage in a year-long astrophysics project alongside scientists from Harvard or the Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). Each year, a cohort of 10–16 students is divided into 5–8 teams, receiving mentorship from CfA astrophysicists as they delve deep into their research endeavors.
This astrophysics research mentorship program features both virtual and in-person components, including workshops, lectures, and a culminating research symposium. At the symposium, participants present their research projects through poster presentations — a valuable addition to resumes and college applications.
Subject Areas: Astrophysics
Location: Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA. Can be virtual as well.
Cost/Stipend: No cost. A stipend is provided courtesy of the City of Cambridge.
Application Deadline: Applications for the 2024 SRMP Cohort are closed but expected to open in May 2024 for the 2025 SRMP Cohort.
Program Dates: September — May
Eligibility: Must be a Cambridge Rindge and Latin School student, but they are looking to broaden the scope of their program.
The Simons Summer Research Program is a competitive opportunity that offers high school students an opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research across science, math, and engineering fields. Participants are paired with mentors, integrated into research groups, and undertake specific projects culminating in abstracts or posters. Research areas span biochemistry, computer science, geoscience, pharmacological sciences, astronomy, and more, providing a broad spectrum of choices.
The program immerses students in laboratory equipment and methodologies, providing a comprehensive experience of life at a research university. With a highly selective admission process (5%–12% acceptance rate), applicants need a school nomination and two recommendation letters. Nevertheless, this rigorous application underscores the program’s esteemed reputation in fostering scholarly pursuits.
Subject Areas: STEM
Location: Stony Brook University, featuring commuter and residential options.
Cost: Free, although students are responsible for their own transportation and residential costs. At the program’s closing symposium, students receive a stipend award
Application Deadline: February 1, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Program Dates: July 1, 2024 — August 9, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are at least 16 years of age
PAYS offers an intensive 4-week residential program followed by three consecutive academic years of engagement upon acceptance. During the summer session, participants immerse themselves in a rigorous liberal arts curriculum designed to expand academic horizons and build community among students and college mentors. Students enroll in demanding Critical Inquiry seminars led by Pomona College professors, emphasizing active class participation and the completion of at least three analytical papers.
Each week includes hands-on exercises involving data collection and Excel modeling, supported by trained college teaching assistants who facilitate learning and seminar leadership. Throughout the summer, the program integrates classroom training to enhance quantitative, analytical, and writing skills within a residential group setting. Close mentoring and ongoing networking opportunities further enrich the educational experience.
Subject Areas: Liberal arts, Critical inquiry
Location: Pomona College, Claremont, CA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Dates TBD for 2025. Applications typically close in February.
Program Dates: Typically 4 weeks from June to July. The 2024 program will run from June 23 to July 19.
Eligibility: Applicants must be:
- Currently a 9th-grade student.
- A resident of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, or Ventura Counties.
14. Veritas AI — AI Fellowship
Veritas AI provides a specialized platform tailored for high school students passionate about artificial intelligence. Their programs emphasize collaborative learning, hands-on project development, and personalized 1-on-1 mentorship guided by Harvard graduate students and alumni. Central to Veritas AI’s offerings is the AI Fellowship program, offering a 12–15-week journey for students to delve into independent AI research projects.
Proficiency in Python is preferred, although an alternative path is available through the AI Scholars program. This fellowship encourages interdisciplinary exploration, allowing students to integrate AI with various fields of study. Participants have historically undertaken innovative AI research spanning domains such as medicine, finance, environmental science, and education. You can explore examples of past projects here.
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Computer Science
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,790 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $4,900 for the 12–15-week AI Fellowship | $4,700 for both. Need-based financial aid is available. You can apply here.
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis.
Program Dates: Various according to the cohort
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit prior experience with AI concepts or Python.
The Laboratory Learning Program offers New Jersey high school students a full-time immersion in sciences or engineering, where they actively contribute to ongoing research projects. Under the guidance of Princeton faculty and research staff, students participate in customized research opportunities aligned with their mentors’ schedules. It’s worth noting that this program does not provide housing, and accepted students are responsible for arranging their transportation and accommodations.
In the Engineering track for 2024, topics included “Large Language Model Applications in Environmental Sustainability,” employing advanced computational models to tackle environmental challenges. The Natural Sciences track featured “Fossil Size Database: Analyzing the Animal Size Response to Past and Ongoing Climate Variability,” providing insights into historical and contemporary climate impacts on animal sizes.
Subject areas: Engineering & Natural Sciences
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ (commuter program for statewide residents).
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: The deadline for the 2024 program was March 15, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Program dates: 5–6 weeks over the summer. TBD for 2025.
Eligibility: Applicants must be high school students between the ages of 16–18 and be New Jersey residents.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.