If you’re a high schooler in North Carolina looking for programs to build your skills over the summer, we’ve got you covered! Participating in a summer program will allow you to explore subjects of interest, develop your skill set, and build professional connections.
Many popular universities and research centers in North Carolina offer programs that will allow you to gain insight into the latest trends in your chosen industry, improve your skills, and learn from experts. Such experiences can also help you build a strong academic profile by highlighting your ability to work with advanced material and your passion for your chosen field. These programs can also help you explore potential career paths and guide your academic endeavors.
Here are 15 of the best summer programs for high school students in North Carolina spanning various fields including business, STEM, art, design, marketing, business, leadership, and more!
Subject Areas: Environmental engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, civil construction, biomedical engineering, materials science, industrial engineering, textile engineering, aerospace engineering, chemical and biomolecular engineering, and agricultural engineering.
Location: NC State College of Engineering, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $1,500. Limited need-based financial aid may be available. To be considered, you must complete an online application for financial assistance.
Application Deadline: March 29, 2024; TBA for 2025
Dates: Multiple sessions were available in 2024; TBA for 2025
- Residential Camp I: June 23–June 28, 2024
- Residential Camp II: July 7–July 12, 2024
- Residential Camp III: July 14–July 19, 2024
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors can apply.
The College of Engineering at NC State University offers high school students the opportunity to experience engineering and glimpse college life while staying on the NC State campus. The residential program will allow you to explore a particular field of engineering in more depth. During the program, you’ll attend an orientation program and a camp-wide welcome dinner on your first day. You will participate in individual workshops from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday–Thursday, with camp-wide activities in the afternoons and evenings. On your last day, your parents will be invited to attend a showcase of your work.
You will spend your entire week at camp immersed in a particular engineering workshop. You may choose from a wide variety of topics including biological and agricultural engineering, civil and construction engineering, materials science, mechanical and aerospace engineering, computer science, textiles engineering, biomedical engineering, chemical and biomolecular engineering, and more.
Subject Areas: Environmental health and engineering, behavioral economics, psychology, international relations, neuroscience, data science, machine learning, network science, biophysics, biotechnology, chemistry, physics, history, philosophy, political theory, sociology, and more!
Location: Virtual
Cost: There is a fee. You can get the exact cost by raising an interest form here.
Application Deadline: May 21, 2024, for the summer cohort and September 25, 2024, for the fall cohort.
Dates:
- Summer seminar: June 24–September 2, 2024
- Fall seminar: October 23, 2024–February 19, 2025
- The dates are flexible for Horizon Labs, 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.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biomedical engineering, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more! It is one of the 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 and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects and college applications. You can apply here!
Subject Areas: Food, agricultural, and environmental sciences, research, and college preparation.
Location: North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC
Cost/Stipend: This program is fully funded except for the $25 non-refundable application fee. Participants will receive a stipend upon completing the program.
Application Deadline: February 29, 2024; TBA for 2025
Dates: June 16–June 28, 2024; TBA for 2025
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors can apply.
The North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University offers a hands-on, two-week residential program in the food, agricultural, and environmental sciences for rising juniors and seniors in high school. During the program, you will stay on the campus of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, work under the direction of expert research scientists, and conduct independent research projects. Previous research topics include disciplines such as food and nutritional science, animal science, hemp research, small-farm innovation, human health, specialty crops, and climate-resilient agricultural practices.
In addition to the benefits of these scholarly activities, you will receive a stipend upon completion and enrollment within one of the majors in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.
Subject Areas: Architecture, graphic and experience design, industrial design and media arts, design and technology.
Location: NC State University College of Design, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $1500 (includes online prep modules, housing, meals, instruction, supplies, activities, and insurance). Need-based financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are closed for 2024 and will open on January 29, 2025, for Design Camp 2025.
Dates: June 18 and July 14–July 20, 2024; TBA for 2025
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply.
NC State University’s Design Camp is a pre-college summer program designed for high school students to inform them about the study of design and raise awareness of the impact of design on all aspects of our everyday lives. The design thinking skills and creative experience gained can help you become innovative problem solvers and prepare you to tackle future challenges.
The Design Immersions Residential Program will introduce you to the fundamentals of design through the creation of a portfolio-quality project in a studio environment. Before camp, you will attend an online summer orientation to gain access to online design fundamentals videos and activities and have the chance to rank your choice of studio projects to complete. During the residential week, you will complete a studio project in portfolio quality and participate in critical and creative thinking activities to prepare you for college-level study in design.
This camp is a solid opportunity for students interested in completing a portfolio-quality project, and experiencing what residential life is like for College of Design students.
Subject Areas: Forestry, agriculture, research, natural resources, and career preparation.
Location: NC State College of Natural Resources, Raleigh, NC
Cost/Stipend: Participants may receive a stipend of up to $1,000 based on their participation in and completion of the program.
Application Deadline: Applications are closed for 2024; TBA for 2025
Dates: July 8–August 2, 2024; TBA for 2025
Eligibility: All high school students can apply.
NC State University’s High School Summer Research Program, supported by the Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund, aims to provide high school students with opportunities to learn about forestry and natural resources. During the program, you’ll learn about career tracks and development directly from undergraduate and graduate students in the field as well as professionals.
You will get to connect with mentors from the forestry and natural resources community who can offer you advice and assistance to help you navigate college and careers beyond this summer program. You’ll participate in seminars hosted by NC State’s Office of Undergraduate Research and the annual Research and Creativity Symposium. You will also have an opportunity to interact with other students interested in similar careers.
Subject Areas: Textiles, fashion, engineering, chemistry, polymer science, and business marketing.
Location: NC State Wilson College of Textiles, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $450. Need-based partial and full scholarships are available for eligible participants.
Application Deadline: April 15, 2024; Applications for STEP 2025 sessions will open on January 1, 2025.
Dates: Multiple sessions were available in 2024; TBA for 2025
- STEP Week 1: June 9–June 14, 2024
- STEP Week 2: June 16–June 21, 2024
- STEP Week 3: June 23–June 28, 2024
- STEP Week 4: July 7–July 12, 2024
- Textile Pioneer Week: July 14–July 19, 2024
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors can apply.
The Wilson College of Textiles’ Summer Textile Exploration Program (STEP) offers five one-week sessions for rising high school seniors interested in exploring the textile industry and learning about fashion, engineering, polymer science, and business marketing. Up to 35 students per week are chosen based on their academic success, extracurricular activities, and interest in NC State’s Wilson College of Textiles.
During this week-long residential camp, you’ll explore marketing, engineering, design, or chemistry with hands-on projects in state-of-the-art labs and studios. You will spend part of each day completing a hands-on project in your selected field of study that includes apparel design, textile engineering, business management, textile design, polymer chemistry, and more. The residential program will also help you get a glimpse of college life, tour industry-leading manufacturers and brands, and connect with current students, alumni, faculty, and staff. You’ll also get to learn more about admissions, degree programs, and scholarships.
Subject Areas: Horticulture, agriculture, sustainable production, and design practices.
Location: NC State University, Raleigh, NC
Cost: The cost for the week is $650 and includes on-campus lodging in the dorms, nearly all the meals, field trips, workshop materials, and entertainment. Need-based scholarships and payment plans may be available.
Application Deadline: April 1, 2024; TBA for 2025
Dates: July 7–July 12, 2024; TBA for 2025
Eligibility: All high school students interested in the fields of horticulture or agriculture can apply.
The Horticultural Science Summer Institute is a residential, hands-on, pre-college program designed to engage students in the many career opportunities within horticulture. During the program, you will attend workshops conducted by faculty, staff, and students on topics such as breeding better vegetables, lengthening the life of cut flowers, learning sustainable production and design practices, propagating ornamental shrubs, and studying the practical tools that will help enhance your understanding of plant processes.
You will get to visit innovative North Carolina farms, markets, greenhouses, and gardens. You will also learn about college-making decisions and leadership development, participate in evening entertainment and team-building activities, and improve your interest and knowledge about horticulture. Sample activities include climbing trees, grafting tomatoes, snacking on raspberries, discovering new genes, and more.
Subject Areas: Agriculture, career opportunities, emerging technology, and leadership development.
Location: NC State University, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free for all accepted participants.
Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted by your county Farm Bureau office until the end of March; The exact dates are TBA for 2025.
Dates: June 16–June 21, 2024; TBA for 2025
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors aged 16–17 years can apply.
NC State University’s Institute for Future Agricultural Leaders (IFAL) is a week-long leadership development program for rising high school seniors interested in careers in agriculture. During the program, you will meet with departmental representatives to learn more about potential majors while also participating in leadership development workshops and service opportunities. You will be supervised by conference counselors, university faculty, and Farm Bureau staff.
You will participate in field trips to visit NC State’s research and teaching farms, meet with agricultural leaders, and explore agricultural industries that are leading the way in the utilization of emerging technology and innovations. You will also get to visit agribusinesses, tour the General Assembly, and see the offices of the North Carolina Farm Bureau.
Subject Areas: Biology, engineering, epidemiology, psychology, mathematics, chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, nursing, physics, computer science, bioinformatics, and other health-related fields.
Location: NIH campuses located in Bethesda, Baltimore, and Frederick, MD; Research Triangle Park, NC; Hamilton, MT; Framingham, MA; and Phoenix, AZ.
Stipend: $2,300–2,530 (if you are currently in high school) or $2,570–2,840 (if you have graduated high school). No housing is provided, but free parking is available on campuses. Some campuses may also offer a Transhare program.
Application Deadline: February 23, 2024; TBA for 2025
Dates:
- The program typically runs for 8 weeks between May/June and August.
- Students can choose from the multiple start dates available between May and June according to their preference.
- Dates TBA for 2025.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors at least 17 years old, who live within 40 miles of their respective NIH campus can apply. You must check the additional eligibility requirements for the two cohort programs—HiSTEP and HiSTEP 2.0 before applying.
The National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) High School Summer Internship Program (HS-SIP) offers opportunities for high school students to conduct clinical, basic, and translational research in one of the NIH Institutes and Centres (IC). HS-SIP offers research opportunities spanning fields such as mathematics, chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, nursing, biology, engineering, epidemiology, psychology, physics, computer science, bioinformatics, and other health-related fields. During the program, you will also have access to professional development programs that focus on the skills needed for pursuing science careers, educational and career advising, and a comprehensive well-being and resilience program.
If selected, you will be placed in a research group and will be required to perform your research under the supervision of a Principal Investigator (PI). At the end of the internship, you will present your research on the Summer Poster Day. You will also have access to professional development programs and educational and career advising. The HS-SIP is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of approximately 7%.
Subject Areas: Agriculture and livestock production, science, technology, biotechnology, animal production, and food safety.
Location: NC State University, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $900, which includes a five-night stay on campus, meals, field trips, supervision, and program materials.
Application Deadline: March 31, 2024; TBA for 2025
Dates: June 16–June 21, 2024; TBA for 2025
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18 years can apply.
NC State University’s Livestock Science Camp is designed for high school students to help them learn about the fields of agriculture and livestock production. During the camp, you will engage with NC State students, faculty, and staff to explore animal science and learn more about the livestock and agricultural industries and related careers.
You will get to participate in many hands-on activities, including visits to the beef and dairy cattle, swine, sheep, goat, and horse educational units. You will run laboratory experiments; attend farm and industry tours; participate in leadership activities, and hear from industry guests. You will also have the opportunity to explore the science, technology, and biotechnology of livestock industries, as well as the interaction of animal production and food safety. Up to 40 participants are accepted into the camp.
Subject Areas: Humanities, math, science, social sciences, and technology.
Location: Duke University campus, Durham, NC
Cost:
- One-week residential program: Tuition - $1,400 | Room and meals - $750
- One-week commuter program: Tuition - $1,400 | Room and meals - $125
- Two-week residential program: Tuition - $2,800 | Room and meals - $1,900
- Two-week commuter program: Tuition - $2,800 | Room and meals - $250
Application Deadline: April 1, 2024; TBA for 2025
Dates: Multiple sessions were available in 2024; TBA for 2025
- Session 1: June 16–June 28, 2024
- Session 2: June 30–July 5, 2024
- Session 3: July 7–July 19, 2024
- Session 4: July 21–July 26, 2024
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 6–11 can apply.
Duke University’s Pre-College Programs provide advanced academic opportunities and an introduction to the college experience to students currently in grades 6-11. Many courses are available to give you access to recent curriculum and technology beyond the classroom while connecting you with like-minded peers and influential professionals in your field of interest. Some of the available courses include academic writing, art history, bioethics of eating, applied econometrics, graphic design, entrepreneurship, chemical toxicology, population genomics, healthcare professions and modern medicine, criminal law, environmental innovation, digital music production, and more.
During the program, you will have access to university facilities and labs, interact with undergraduate students, and learn from renowned faculty and researchers. You will also attend College Connections afternoon sessions that will help you prepare for your college curriculum and career. You will have an option to participate in nightly activities such as movie screenings, sports activities, gaming, and clubs.
Subject Areas: Business management, finance, strategy and innovation, marketing, operations, business analytics & technology, networking, and teamwork.
Location: Wake Forest University Campus, Winston-Salem, NC
Cost: $2,800
Application Deadline: Applications are closed for 2024; TBA for 2025
Dates: Multiple sessions were available in 2024; TBA for 2025
- Week of June 9–June 14, 2024
- Week of June 16–June 21, 2024
Eligibility: Current 9th–12th-grade students can apply.
The Business Institute at Wake Forest University is a summer experience designed for high school students to develop practical skills and the ability to think critically while gaining exposure to important business topics and methods of analysis. During the program, you will be exposed to the essential aspects of business needed to launch and run a company, including finance, human resources, management, marketing, technology, and operations.
You will get to work with WFU business professors and experts, engage in interactive discussions of a business case study, and improve your team-building and project management skills. You will also visit and tour local businesses and organizations and network with business leaders. In addition to working alongside experienced faculty and collaborating in teams, this institute ends with a team presentation, in which you will get to pitch ideas showcasing the knowledge you’ve gained throughout the week.
Subject Areas: Neuroscience, research, and college preparation.
Location: Duke University, Durham, NC
Cost/Stipend: No cost; A stipend (amount not specified) is provided along with a daily lunch. This is a commuter program and housing is not provided to the participants..
Application Deadline: March 1, 2024; TBA for 2025
Dates: June 10–August 2, 2024 (8 weeks), TBA for 2025
Eligibility: Current North Carolina high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors who are at least 15 years old can apply. Participants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or legal residents.
The Duke University Neuroscience Experience (DUNE) offers opportunities for local high school students to participate in full-time research while working at one of the university’s cutting-edge neuroscience laboratories. During the program, you will get paired with a lab and professional mentor to perform research for a project of your choice which will help you improve your technical and lab research skills.
The program will allow you to attend professional development sessions and workshops to improve your understanding of neuroscience, help you draft college applications, and explore career opportunities. You will also get to participate in a poster session at the end of the program, where you will get to present your project and research findings to your family, peers, and DUNE faculty. You can check out the past interns' and scholars’ experiences here.
Subject Areas: Environmental conservation and stewardship, trail maintenance, and habitat restoration.
Location: Various sites across North Carolina.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Stipend is provided to the participants (The starting salary is $15 per hour).
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.
Dates: Typically 3–5 weeks in June, July, and August depending on the crew.
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18 years who are North Carolina residents can apply.
The Conservation Corps North Carolina (CCNC) Youth Conservation Crews is an initiative that offers young individuals a chance to engage actively in environmental conservation efforts. These crews include high school students who work together on several different conservation projects across North Carolina's natural landscapes. During the program, you’ll gain hands-on experience in trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and various environmental stewardship activities.
The available crew options include - Raleigh Youth Day Crew, Durham Youth Day Crew, Old Fort Day Crew, and Uwharrie Youth Camping Crew. The camping crews spend the entire session working and camping together in the Uwharrie National Forest while day crews get picked up from the worksite each day and spend the night at home. All crews consist of 4-6 members and 2 crew leaders. You will be required to work Monday-Friday, 40 hours a week. You can check out all the available opportunities here.
Note: As day crews spend each night at home, applicants are only accepted from the local area to form these crews. However, applicants for the camping crew are accepted from all over the state
Subject Areas: Music technique, repertoire, music theory, and composition.
Location: University of North Carolina, Greensboro, NC
Cost: The cost is as follows:
- Overnight Package- $585 (includes instruction, AC dorm, meals, healthcare, and recreation).
- Day Camp Package for Local Residents- $495 (includes instruction, meals, healthcare, and recreation).
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the seats are filled.
Dates: There were two week-long sessions: July 7–July 12, 2024 | July 14–July 19, 2024; TBA for 2025
Eligibility: Students enrolled in grades 5-12 are eligible to apply and will be divided into bands accordingly.
The UNCG Summer Music Camp offers opportunities for students interested in refining their creativity and skills in the field of music. During the camp, you will be mentored by the top UNCG faculty while engaging in a variety of instructional offerings including private lessons, ensemble rehearsals, master classes, and workshops. The instructional classes will differ from one student to another. Whether you’re interested in working on your technique, repertoire, music theory, or composition, the camp will expose you to plenty of resources and materials that will help you become a more skilled and confident musician.
Recreational time is a huge part of the camp for you to refocus and have fun. The camp will allow you to experience a combination of inspiration, training, and artistic growth. You will also get to interact with a diverse community of students who have similar interests and goals, allowing you to build connections and develop skills such as teamwork and leadership from participating in group rehearsals and performances!
BONUS!
Subject Areas: Multidisciplinary—biology, psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, gender studies, engineering, chemistry, business, entrepreneurship, international relations, environmental science, and more!
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Starts at $2,900. Financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The main summer deadlines are March 17, April 14, and May 12. The final deadline for the summer cohort is typically in June.
Dates: The summer cohort runs from June to August, the Fall cohort from September to December, the Winter cohort from December to February, and the Spring cohort from March to June. (The program options range from 12 weeks to 1 year).
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)
- Previous knowledge of your field of interest is optional!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a research initiative designed for high school students. It provides personalized research opportunities in a wide range of subjects, pairing students with Ph.D. mentors for one-on-one work on independent research projects.
You will engage in individual sessions with your research mentor and a writing coach to help select and develop a research topic. Throughout the program, you will explore your topic and attend workshops on the research process. By the end of the 12 weeks, you will produce an independent research paper. Available research topics include psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. Further details about the application process can be found here.
Subject Areas: Data science, AI, machine learning, and programming.
Location: Virtual
Cost: AI Scholars: $2,290 | AI Fellowship: $5,400 | Combination (AI Scholars + AI Fellowship): $6,900. Financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort. You can apply here!
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Eligibility: High school students passionate about AI; Basic understanding of Python or completion of AI scholars is required for the AI Fellowship program.
Veritas AI, established and managed by Harvard graduate students, provides programs for high school students aiming to develop their skills in computer science. The program covers various topics in data science and artificial intelligence, including neural networks, image classification, natural language processing, sentiment analysis, and Python coding.
Veritas AI offers up to 100% financial aid for its 10-week AI Scholars program. You will work in groups of 3-5 students on practical projects to demonstrate your interests and skills. Additionally, you can apply for the AI Fellowship, which involves working one-on-one with mentors from top universities to develop unique machine-learning projects over 12-15 weeks. These programs are designed for beginners who are interested in hands-on learning.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.