If you’re a high school student in Virginia looking to learn more about college life or dive deeper into a subject you’re passionate about, local summer college programs are a great way to get started. Summer college programs for high school students in Virginia offer you the chance to develop advanced academic and professional skills, work on hands-on projects, explore real-world careers, and get a feel for campus life.
Virginia is home to a wide range of universities and institutions that host summer programs each year, many of which are open to local high school students. Whether you’re interested in medicine, engineering, history, or forensic science, there’s a summer college program in Virginia for you. Participating in a local or virtual program can also be a financially smart choice, helping you cut down on travel and housing costs while still getting access to college-level resources. From pre-college courses and research mentorships to volunteering programs and academic immersions, these summer experiences can help you build confidence, expand your network, boost your college applications, and gain a clearer idea of what you want to study in the future.
Here are 15 summer college programs for high school students in Virginia to help you take that first step.
15 Summer College Programs for High School Students in Virginia
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate: approx 12.5%
Program Dates: 12-16 weeks starting from June 2 (Summer Cohort I) and July 14 (Summer Cohort II)
Application Deadline: May 11 (Summer Cohort I) and June 23 (Summer Cohort II)
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school; Must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
In this 12- to 16-week program, you’ll work 1-on-1 with a PhD mentor from a top university to explore a topic of your choice and produce an original research paper. Subject areas can range from molecular biology, machine learning, and astrophysics to behavioral economics, gender studies, and international policy. You’ll learn how to form research questions, analyze academic sources, write formal research papers, and present your findings at the Lumiere Research Symposium. The program also includes sessions with a writing coach and optional support for publication. Apply here!
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Program Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including in the summer
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary according to cohorts; The final summer application deadline is July 20
Eligibility: High school students
Veritas AI is a virtual program founded by Harvard graduates that offers high school students the chance to explore advanced topics in AI, machine learning, and data science. In the AI Scholars program, you’ll learn core AI concepts while building a group project over 10 weeks, under the guidance of AI experts. AI Fellowship is a 12-15 week intensive program where you’ll work 1-on-1 with an AI researcher to develop an independent AI model in a field of your choice. Along the way, you’ll sharpen your skills in Python, data science, model tuning, and image classification using AI. Instructors come from top universities and labs, and students also have the option to explore Deep Dive tracks like AI + Medicine and AI + Finance. Apply here!
3. UVA Health Prince William Auxiliary’s Summer Teen Volunteer Program
Location: UVA Health Prince William Medical Center, Manassas, VA
Cost: Free except for the $20 for the uniform shirt
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 48 slots + 12 wait list slots
Program Dates: June 16 – 27 | July 7 – 18 | July 21 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 11
Eligibility: High school students who have finished 10th grade by the summer of the year they are applying
This teen volunteer program offers you the opportunity to gain first-hand experience working in a hospital environment. As part of the program, you may get to volunteer in different departments, including the emergency department, physical therapy, guest services, surgical department, or even the gift shop. Your responsibilities may range from assisting with administrative duties and delivering equipment and supplies throughout the hospital to interacting with and offering comfort to patients. You will also occasionally be expected to help with any special projects where more hands are required.
4. William & Mary Jefferson Lab/VIMS Summer Residential Governor’s School
Location: Engineering program at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, Newport News, VA | Marine Science program at Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), Gloucester Point, VA
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: Engineering program: 12 participants; Marine Science program: 6 participants
Program Dates: July 6 – 26
Application Deadline: Typically in December (deadlines may vary by school divisions; check with your school guidance office or with your school division’s Gifted Education Coordinator)
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors (16+)
The William & Mary Jefferson Lab/VIMS Summer Residential Governor’s School is a four-week mentorship-based program during which you’ll be paired with a research mentor at either Jefferson Lab or VIMS. You’ll assist with real-world research projects in fields like accelerator operations, physics, materials science, marine ecology, or oceanography. At Jefferson Lab, expect to dive into engineering challenges involving electrical systems, mechanical design, or computer science; at VIMS, you might work on data collection, vessel-based fieldwork, and lab-based analysis. You’ll sharpen your scientific inquiry skills, apply complex theoretical concepts to ongoing research, and present your findings through formal presentations or research reports.
5. George Mason University (GMU)’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA (hybrid and virtual options are also available)
Cost: $25 application fee (can request fee waivers if needed)
Acceptance Rate: Approximately 10%
Program Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students; Remote interns and participants of in-person or hybrid internships in computer labs must be 15+; In-person or hybrid “wet-lab” interns must be 17+
ASSIP is an 8-week, full-time research experience where you’ll work one-on-one with a GMU faculty mentor on original STEM research. You’ll dive into fields like molecular medicine, neuroscience, machine learning, environmental science, renewable energy, cybersecurity, or biomechanics, depending on the mentor you are matched with. Along the way, you’ll gain hands-on experience with advanced lab technologies, build scientific writing and communication skills, and explore various research methodologies and data analysis techniques. You will also attend discussion forums, meet leading STEM professionals, and possibly contribute to academic conferences or scientific publications.
6. Hollins University Summer Scholars Program: Knowledge for Freedom (KFF) Program
Location: Hollins University, Roanoke, VA
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: 20 students
Program Dates: July 13 – 26
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Young women who are rising high school juniors and seniors
Hosted by Hollins University and funded by The Teagle Foundation, this two-week residential program is designed for rising junior and senior high school women interested in liberal arts and exploring college life. You’ll live on campus, attend college-level seminars, connect with faculty and peers, and build academic skills while engaging in discussions about civic leadership and social responsibility. The program also provides extended college prep support, including mentorship on the college selection and application process, FAFSA workshops, and a letter of recommendation from Hollins faculty. The KFF program is fully funded, covering tuition, housing, and meals.
7. Pharmacy Summer Scholars: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
Location: MCV Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: 30 students
Program Dates: July 7 – 11
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: High school students
The VCU Pharmacy Summer Scholars program is a one-week, on-campus program that introduces you to the academic and professional world of pharmacy. You’ll attend engaging lectures, explore pharmaceutical sciences, and interact with current pharmacy students. Through field trips to pharmaceutical organizations and labs, you’ll observe how pharmacy intersects with hospital and patient care. You’ll also build practical skills in areas like non-sterile compounding and gain insight into different pharmacy career pathways.
8. Virginia Tech’s Pathways for Future Engineers Program
Location: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Program Dates: June 15 – June 28 (for rising seniors); June 23 – 28 (for rising sophomores and juniors)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors; Virginia residents who did not have either parent graduate from a four-year degree or equivalent degree in any country
Virginia Tech’s Pathways for Future Engineers is a pre-college program that supports first-generation high school students interested in pursuing engineering. As a participant, you’ll take part in one- or two-week summer programs focused on team-based design challenges and lab activities that build core engineering skills. You’ll also get college prep support, including help with how to navigate financial aid, SAT/ACT testing, math readiness, and admissions essays. The program also includes campus visits, giving you a chance to explore Virginia Tech’s engineering resources, connect with faculty and students, and engage in hands-on design projects. If admitted into Virginia Tech, you will continue to receive academic and community support even as an engineering undergraduate.
9. Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA)’s Bridge Programs
Location: Northern Virginia Community College
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Program Dates: June 20 – June 29 and July 17 – July 28 (tentative based on previous years)
Application Deadline: Late January – March 31 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors
NOVA’s Bridge Program is a free summer experience for high school juniors and seniors interested in engineering technology, data center operations, IT, or computer science. You’ll participate in hands-on technical activities like building computers, exploring cybersecurity labs, and experimenting with pneumatic simulators. The program also includes site visits to companies and partner institutions such as AWS, Micron, and George Mason University, where you’ll see how your skills can translate into real-world careers. The program also introduces you to NOVA’s campuses, student services, and academic pathways, including opportunities to earn college credit or industry certifications.
10. VCU’s Dental Careers Exploration
Location: VCU School of Dentistry, Richmond, VA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Program Dates: July 14 – 18
Application Deadline: November 18 – May 2
Eligibility: Rising 10th grade to graduating high school students in the Greater Richmond area; U.S. citizenship or permanent residents; GPA of 3.0 or above
This five-day commuter program introduces you to the field of dentistry through a mix of lectures, workshops, and hands-on activities. You’ll explore core areas of dental science, including tooth carving, dental impressions, suturing, digital dentistry, and more. You will also gain insight into patient care and the day-to-day responsibilities of dental hygienists, general dentists, and dental specialists. The program is free to attend, but you’ll need to arrange your own transportation.
11. VCOM Virginia Summer Enrichment Experience for Youth
Location: V-COM Virginia, Blacksburg, VA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Program Dates: June 22 – 28; July 6 – 12
Application Deadline: Based on availability
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors in Virginia; Minimum GPA of 3.5
In this one-week summer program, you’ll explore science and healthcare through immersive sessions led by VCOM medical school faculty and students. Hosted on a medical school campus, the program includes hands-on experiences in a cadaver lab and simulation center, where you’ll practice suturing, knot-tying, and clinical decision-making. You’ll conduct basic biomedical experiments, study introductory epidemiology, and engage in healthcare simulations. Working in small groups, you’ll also complete a research project and present your findings to faculty and family.
12. INSPIRE Forensic Science Summer Program – University of Virginia
Location: UVA, Northern Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Cost: $2,700 (need-based financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Program Dates: June 23 – July 3
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The University of Virginia offers a pre-college program in forensic science for high school students interested in the intersection between medicine, science, and criminal investigation. Through lessons in DNA analysis, fingerprinting, and crime scene procedures, you’ll learn how to collect and evaluate evidence using scientific methods. The course also includes an exploration of the legal aspects of forensic work and how medical knowledge supports investigative processes. You’ll participate in hands-on activities, engage in field-based learning, and work through real-world scenarios to strengthen your critical thinking and analytical skills.
13. National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) on Veterinary Medicine
Location: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
Cost: $4,295 (flexible payment plans and scholarships are available)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Program Dates: June 13 – 21 | June 25 – July 3 | July 7 – 15
Application Deadline: Rolling applications
Eligibility: High school students
NSLC on Veterinary Medicine is a 9-day summer experience for high school students hosted in partnership with the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. You’ll explore veterinary science through hands-on labs, simulations, and clinical exercises in areas such as animal care, surgical prep, diagnostics, and toxicology. The program introduces you to veterinary specialties and basic treatment protocols while providing exposure to real-world settings through field trips to zoos, shelters, and adoption centers. You will also participate in group activities designed to strengthen your communication, teamwork, and leadership skills.
14. UVA Advance
Location: University of Virginia
Cost: $6,995 for Virginia residents and $14,651 for non-residents (financial aid available)
Cohort Size: 60-65 students each year
Program Dates: July 12 – August 8
Application Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 15-18; Minimum unweighted GPA of 3.5 in a college prep curriculum
UVA Advance is a four-week, residential summer program where you’ll experience undergraduate life while earning up to six transferable college credits. You’ll choose a specially designed core course—such as Empowered Women in Africa, Business Communication, Introduction to Oceanography, or Genocide—alongside a standard undergraduate elective from UVA’s regular course catalog. You’ll also participate in social activities across the university and the surrounding area to build community with peers and get a feel for college life. The program is designed to help you transition confidently from high school to higher education through college-level classes and structured support.
15. William & Mary’s Pre-College Program in American History
Location: The College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA
Cost: $6,200 (financial assistance available)
Cohort Size: Around 100 students; Seminar groups will be capped at 12 students per Instructor
Program Dates: June 22 – July 12 (session 1); July 13 – August 2 (session 2)
Application Deadline: November 15 – May 15 (session 1) and June 6 (session 2)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, seniors, and rising college freshmen
William & Mary’s Pre-College Program in American History is a three-week, residential course where you’ll study pivotal moments in U.S. history like the American Revolution or the Civil War through a mix of seminar-style classes and field-based learning. You will enroll in a four-credit course taught by university faculty and explore historic sites such as Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown. You’ll analyze primary sources, engage in critical discussion, and build research and communication skills central to studying history at the college level. The program emphasizes both social and public history, combining archival work with visits to courthouses, battlefields, and archaeological digs.
Image source – The College of William & Mary