If you're a high school student in Massachusetts looking for a productive way to spend your summer, consider enrolling in a summer program! Participating in a summer program will allow you to delve into a field of interest, explore new subjects, and build professional connections.
Several popular universities and institutes in Massachusetts offer programs designed to give you insight into current industry trends, improve your skills, and learn from experts. These experiences boost your academic profile by showcasing your engagement with advanced material and your passion for your field. Additionally, they provide opportunities to explore potential career paths and guide your educational goals.
Here are the 16 best summer programs for high school students in Massachusetts, covering fields such as business, STEM, architecture, design, marketing, philosophy, and more!
Subject Areas: Biophysics, psychology, history, political theory, data science, machine learning, environmental health and engineering, biotechnology, neuroscience, chemistry, network science, sociology, behavioral economics, international relations, medicine, philosophy, and more!
Location: Virtual
Cost: There is a participation fee. To learn the exact cost, submit an interest form here.
Application Deadlines are 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
- Horizon Labs offers flexible dates, but applications must be submitted at least four 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! You can check out the prerequisites for different tracks here.
Horizon provides trimester-long research programs for high school students. These programs cover political theory, biomedical engineering, data science, machine learning, chemistry, neuroscience, and psychology. Students can choose to focus on either quantitative or qualitative research methods.
Once you've selected a subject and research method, you will be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar from a leading university, who will mentor you throughout the research process. You’ll work on developing a 20-page university-level research paper, which can be submitted to reputable journals for potential publication.
This program offers the chance to conduct specialized research under expert guidance. You will also receive a letter of recommendation and detailed feedback on your project, which can benefit future research endeavors and college applications. You can apply here!
Subject Areas: Environmental science, psychology, business, biology, medicine, chemistry, economics, computer science, data science, engineering, international relations, physics, gender studies, entrepreneurship, and more!
Location: Virtual!
Cost: Starts at $2,990. Financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort. The primary summer deadlines are March 17, April 14, and May 12. The final deadline for the summer cohort is June.
Dates: The summer cohort typically runs from June to August, the fall cohort is held from September to December, the winter cohort is held from December to February, and the spring cohort is held from March to June. The programming length ranges from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in high school and have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4 can apply.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a research initiative designed for high school students. It provides personalized research opportunities across various subjects and connects students with Ph.D. mentors for one-on-one guidance in conducting independent research projects.
During the program, you will collaborate closely with your research mentor and a writing coach to select and develop your research topic. In addition to individual sessions, you will participate in workshops focusing on the research process. For 12 weeks, you will explore your chosen subject and ultimately produce an independent research paper. Available research topics include psychology, data science, economics, computer science, physics, engineering, international relations, and chemistry. Further details about the application process can be found here.
3. Veritas AI
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: There are several cohorts throughout the year.
Eligibility: High school students interested in AI who have either a basic understanding of Python or have completed the AI Scholars program are eligible to apply for the AI Fellowship program.
Veritas AI, founded and managed by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who want to develop computer science skills. The curriculum includes a variety of topics in data science and artificial intelligence, such as neural networks, image classification, natural language processing, sentiment analysis, and Python programming.
Veritas AI provides up to 100% financial aid for its 10-week AI Scholars program. In this program, you will work in groups of 3-5 on practical projects, enabling you to apply your skills and interests. Additionally, you can apply for the AI Fellowship, which allows you to collaborate one-on-one with mentors from leading universities to develop unique machine-learning projects over 12-15 weeks. Both programs are aimed at beginners seeking hands-on experience.
Subject Areas: Research, bioengineering, and human health.
Location: Science and Engineering Complex (SEC), Harvard University, Allston, MA
Cost: Participation is free for all accepted applicants; however, Harvard University does not provide housing or transportation to and from the SEC.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in April; TBA for 2025
Dates: July 8–July 12, 2024; TBA for 2025
Eligibility: Local high school students at least 16 years old can apply.
Harvard University’s BioSTAR summer program provides high school students with opportunities in bioengineering, where participants will learn bioengineering principles and techniques at the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences in Allston. During the program, you will have the chance to design and conduct research experiments in a state-of-the-art research lab and collaborate with Harvard researchers to gain a comprehensive understanding of how bioengineering influences human health.
The program covers 3D culturing of mammalian cancer cells, drug delivery techniques, drug nanoparticle synthesis, cell staining and visualization using fluorescence microscopy, cell viability assays, and data collection and analysis. It is important to note that this program is highly competitive, so it is advisable to apply as early as possible to secure a place.
5. MITES Summer
Subject Areas: STEM fields, including math, science, architecture, machine learning, genomics, and more.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: The program is free for all accepted participants, but students are responsible for covering their transportation to and from MIT.
Application Deadline: February 1, 2024; TBA for 2025
Dates: Six weeks from late June to early August; TBA for 2025
Eligibility: Current U.S. high school juniors can apply.
MITES Summer is a pre-college program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) that offers high school students the opportunity to take up to five rigorous, college-level math, science, and humanities courses over six weeks. The program is designed to help students strengthen their academic, research, critical thinking, and personal skills.
Throughout the program, you will participate in sessions and discussions and receive 1:1 guidance from top STEM mentors. You’ll also have the chance to tour MIT labs and visit local companies that employ MITES alums. The program includes seminars with STEM professionals and provides college admissions counseling. You will explore how STEM can address real-world challenges and apply your knowledge to create solutions for a better future. At the end of the program, you will receive a detailed report from your instructor, highlighting your strengths, areas for growth, skills, and contributions—valuable feedback that can help you build a robust college application and academic profile.
Subject Areas: Arts, journalism, literature, STEM fields, psychology, speech, philosophy, medicine, public health, history, law, sociology, media, politics, writing, business and leadership, and ethics.
Location: Harvard University campus in Cambridge, MA
Cost: $5,550 + $75 application fee. Need-based financial aid is available.
Application Deadline:
- Early Application Deadline: January 8, 2025
- Regular Application Deadline: February 12, 2025
- Late Application Deadline: April 9, 2025
Dates:
- Session I: June 22–July 3, 2025
- Session II: July 6–18, 2025
- Session III: July 20–August 1, 2025
Eligibility: Students aged 16–19 who will graduate high school in 2026 or 2027 can apply.
Harvard’s Pre-College Program is a two-week summer experience designed to give high school students a preview of college life. During the program, you will live on Harvard’s campus and take a college-level course alongside other students. Each session offers more than 30 non-credit courses taught by Harvard-affiliated instructors, covering a wide range of subjects such as STEAM, business, humanities, economics, sociology, and more. You can enroll in additional sessions if you are interested in multiple courses. Courses typically consist of 12 to 18 students, with 3 hours of class per day focused on discussions and research presentations.
Beyond class time, you will have 2 to 4 hours of homework, while the remaining hours can be spent participating in activities like field trips, arts and crafts, dance lessons, and talent shows. Additionally, you will have access to college readiness workshops covering topics such as writing college admissions essays, understanding financial aid, and selecting the right college. At the end of the program, you’ll receive a Harvard transcript. You can request a written evaluation from your course instructor, which can be valuable for your college applications.
Subject Areas: Scientific reasoning, biochemistry, biomedical engineering, and materials chemistry.
Location: Olin/Wellesley, MA (Session 1) | Boston, MA (Session 2)
Cost: $4,297
- Three-Week Tuition: $2,200
- Three-Week Residential Fee: $2,097
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Dates:
- Session 1: June 24–July 12, 2024
- Session 2: July 15–August 2, 2024
- Dates TBA for 2025
Eligibility: High school students in 10th grade and above who reside in the Longwood Medical Area are eligible to apply.
The Boston Leadership Institute’s Biomedical Engineering Program provides essential biological knowledge to develop medical technologies and devices. You will study biochemistry, materials chemistry, and scientific reasoning throughout the program. You will also engage with DNA through extraction and transformation into bacteria and practice 3D design and 3D printing. The program includes an exploration of recent advancements in biophysics, biotechnology, and biomedical engineering, along with their ethical and societal implications.
In a concluding group project, you will research a medical or human need and propose a technology to address that need. You will design an experiment to demonstrate how your proposed technology functions, culminating in a presentation to the class. Group research activities may involve designing and 3D printing prosthetic devices, studying treatments for glaucoma, suggesting a roadside test for THC intoxication, designing a discreet insulin delivery device for people with type-I diabetes (similar to an Apple Watch), and exploring methods to create bioplastics for patients who require straws in locations where they are not allowed.
Subject Areas: STEM fields, humanities, and research.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Students receive a stipend, but the exact amount is not specified.
Application Deadline: Applications for the 2024 program are closed; TBA for 2025
Dates: Six weeks between June and August; TBA for 2025
Eligibility: High school juniors who fulfill the program's academic criteria can apply.
The Research Science Institute (RSI) is a selective program that enables high school students to conduct scientific research at MIT. The program, organized by the Center for Excellence in Education, offers hands-on research projects led by MIT professors and scientists and college-level courses.
During the first week, you will engage in rigorous STEM coursework led by distinguished faculty before starting a five-week research internship. You will be paired with an MIT mentor while taking biology, chemistry, engineering, and math courses. Under the supervision of experienced researchers, you’ll conduct independent research across various scientific disciplines. The program ends with you delivering conference-style oral and written presentations on your research findings. You will gain essential research skills, such as data collection, analysis, presentation, and literature review in chemistry. The program also offers lectures and field trips, making it a comprehensive educational experience. RSI admits approximately 70 to 100 students yearly from around 3,000 applicants, resulting in an acceptance rate of about 3%.
Subject Areas: STEM fields, including robotics, AI, aerospace engineering, machine learning, data science, biotechnology, communications, and more.
Location: MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory, Lexington, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Interns receive a stipend.
Application Deadline: March 22, 2024; TBA for 2025
Dates: July 10–August 15, 2024; TBA for 2025
Eligibility: Local high school rising seniors who are U.S. citizens and are at least 16 years old before the program’s start date can apply.
The Summer High School Internship Program at MIT Lincoln Laboratory offers rising seniors living and attending high school in the New England area an opportunity to explore STEM careers before deciding on a field of study in college.
Throughout the summer, you will be paired with Laboratory staff mentors to work on projects, tackle challenges, and develop technical and interpersonal skills in a hands-on, professional setting. For instance, if you are interested in AI or aerospace engineering, you can engage in projects focused on radar development, electronic warfare, and integrated air and missile defense systems technologies. Alternatively, you could work on improving air transportation by developing sensors, weather tracking and forecasting systems, and decision support automation. Another option is to contribute to creating advanced satellite systems for monitoring objects in space and conducting remote sensing of Earth.
Subject Areas: Experimental protocols, biomedical engineering, and research techniques.
Location: Tufts University, Medford, MA
Cost: Free for all accepted participants.
Application Deadline: Applications for the 2024 program are closed; TBA for 2025
Dates: July 1–August 16, 2024; TBA for 2025
Eligibility: High school students at least 16 years old by the program's start are eligible to apply.
The Tufts University Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars (TUBERS) Program offers research opportunities for academically talented high school students. Participants will engage in current biomedical research, exploring biomedical questions and developing new methods to study cells, tissues, and organs.
Throughout the program, you will spend approximately six weeks during the summer working in the biomedical engineering labs at Tufts, where you will learn about research techniques within a specific field of study. You will also study experimental protocols, formulate predictions, and test hypotheses. You will have the chance to observe the work of professional researchers and present your findings to other program participants, parents, and teachers. Additionally, you will be encouraged to use your projects to enter local and national science competitions, such as the Massachusetts State and Engineering Fair, the Siemens Competition in Math, Science, and Technology, and the Intel Science Talent Search. You will also receive academic guidance from undergraduate and graduate students involved in the program and from your research mentors.
Subject Areas: Engineering, science, research, health sciences, and career counseling.
Location: Northeastern University campus, Boston, MA
Cost: Free for all accepted participants
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025
Dates: June 23–July 31, 2025
Eligibility: Residents of Massachusetts who live within commuting distance of Northeastern University and have completed their junior year of high school (rising seniors) are eligible to apply.
The Young Scholars Program (YSP) at Northeastern University provides Massachusetts residents who have completed their junior year of high school with valuable hands-on research experience in partnership with faculty from Northeastern University’s Colleges of Engineering, Science, and Health Sciences.
Throughout the program, you will participate in laboratory research, examining agent-based modeling, model compression algorithms, battery chemistries, and cancer therapies. Additionally, you will attend various engineering seminars covering subjects including radar, environmental issues, superconductivity, lasers, microwave materials, biotechnology, chemical analysis, and robotics. The program offers access to education and career counseling and opportunities to visit corporate and government sites to observe engineers at work. This experience will familiarize you with college life and provide relevant industry exposure, utilizing Northeastern University's advanced facilities and dedicated staff. You can view the research topics for 2024 here.
Subject Areas: Psychiatric disorders, chemical biology, cancer biology, infectious diseases, computational biology, genetics, genomics, and other related fields.
Location: Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free; participants receive a $3,600 stipend along with partial reimbursement for transportation expenses.
Dates: June 30–August 8, 2025
Application Deadline: January 22, 2025
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors attending a Massachusetts high school within commuting distance of the Broad Institute who have earned a B or better in science and math classes are eligible to apply. They must also be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or non-U.S. citizens with employment authorization, such as DACA.
The Broad Summer Scholars Program (BSSP) offers highly motivated high school students with a keen interest in science the opportunity to spend six weeks at the Broad Institute. During this program, you will be paired with Broad scientists to engage in original research projects in various fields, including cancer biology, psychiatric disease, chemical biology, computational biology, infectious disease, genetics, genomics, and others.
For instance, students interested in genetics may research topics such as Genome Regulation, Cellular Circuitry, Epigenomics, Medical and Population Genetics Research, and Genetic Perturbation Platforms. In addition to conducting original research, you will explore scientific career paths, attend engaging scientific presentations, present your findings in a scientific poster session to the Broad community, attend a college fair, participate in social events, and connect with fellow students who share similar interests.
Subject Areas: Architecture, design, and 3D modeling.
Location: Local architecture firms in Boston, MA.
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate, and interns are paid.
Application Deadline: Dates for the 2025 opportunities are yet to be announced.
Dates: July 8–August 16, 2024; TBA for 2025
Eligibility: Boston public high school students in grades 9–12 can apply.
The Architecture/Design High School Internship, presented by the BSA and BSA Foundation in partnership with the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC), is a six-week immersive program offering Boston public school students hands-on architectural experience through placements at local firms.
This internship provides varied perspectives on architecture, focusing on career exploration and professional growth. In collaboration with the Mayor’s Summer Jobs Program, it offers paid opportunities and meaningful experiences in the architectural field. Partnering with eight local firms, the program allows students to engage in practical projects and site visits. Throughout the program, you will enhance your drawing, presentation, and 3D modeling skills while gaining a deeper understanding of architecture and developing essential soft skills like time management, teamwork, and personal development.
Subject Areas: Architecture, landscape architecture, interior architecture, and design.
Location: In-person at Boston Architectural College, Boston, MA, or virtual via Zoom.
Cost:
- Base Price (3 college credits): $2,000
- Base Price (without credit): $1,800
Application Deadline: June 21, 2024; TBA for 2025
Dates: July 1–August 2, 2024; TBA for 2025
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 can apply.
Boston Architectural College’s (BAC) Pre-College Program offers high school students an introduction to careers in architecture, interior design, and landscape design. The program helps you develop essential design skills through individual and group work, including creativity, sketching, digital design, model making, and presentation techniques. There are three areas of focus to choose from: interior architecture, and landscape architecture. You can select the Not For Credit (NFC) or Credit Bearing Option (CBO), earning you three college credit hours.
On-campus, students will work in a studio setting, engaging in real-world projects supported by lectures, workshops, feedback sessions, and site visits. The program concludes with a final presentation and creating a digital portfolio with all materials provided. Online students follow a similar structure via Zoom, with material and tool kits sent to them and opportunities for virtual workshops, site visits, and digital fabrication.
Subject Areas: Creative writing, experimental psychology, business, and medicine.
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost:
- Residential: $6,985
- Commuter: $5,522.50
Please refer to the Tuition & Payment page for a detailed breakdown of the costs. Note that financial aid is not offered.
Application Deadline: Applications for the 2025 program will open on December 15, 2024.
Dates: Vary depending on the course and session selected:
- Introduction to Experimental Psychology & Business: June 29–July 18, 2025 (Residential) | June 30–July 18, 2025 (Commuter)
- Introduction to Medicine & Creative Writing: July 20–August 8, 2025 (Residential) | July 21–August 8, 2025 (Commuter)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors can apply.
Boston University’s Academic Immersion (AIM) is a three-week program designed for high school students to explore their interests through intensive courses. Available topics include Introduction to Experimental Psychology, Business, Introduction to Medicine, and Creative Writing. Each AIM track combines classroom-based learning with hands-on experiences, such as field trips, guest speakers, and group projects, to offer practical insights into potential career paths. This structure helps deepen your understanding of the subject and future professional opportunities.
During the program, you’ll attend morning classes and participate in experiential activities in the afternoons. Weeknights will be available for homework, socializing, or engaging in optional activities like playing sports, practicing music, or exploring Boston with fellow pre-college students. You will have time to bond with peers and participate in spontaneous events, all within a structured environment with curfew hours. You can view the complete list of available social activities by visiting this page.
Subject Areas: Molecular chemistry, robotics, game design, computer graphics, genetics, AI, computer science, biodiversity, health, and more.
Location: Smith College, Northampton, MA
The cost is $5,745 (2-week session) or $9,748 (4-week session), including a deposit and an application fee. Financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in mid-May; TBA for 2025
Dates:
- July 6–July 19, 2024
- July 21–August 3, 2024
- Dates TBA for 2025
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12 in the fall can apply.
The Smith Summer Science and Engineering Program (SSEP) is designed for high school students interested in science and engineering. During the program, you will select from two-week research courses, working in small groups of up to 17 students alongside Smith faculty, with support from undergraduate interns. Additionally, you will attend informal lab lectures and gain hands-on experience by conducting natural experiments.
The program offers two- and four-week sessions. You will participate in one course per session, and if you enroll in both sessions, you will complete two courses during your stay. Classes run Monday through Friday. For instance, if you're interested in robotics or game design, you can explore courses such as Designing Intelligent Robots, Introduction to Python Programming, or Computer Graphics and Game Development with AI Integration. By the end of the course, you will complete a final project incorporating the knowledge and skills you gain throughout the program. Detailed course descriptions can be found on the SSEP website.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.