If you’re a high school student in San Diego looking to explore advanced subjects, develop specialized skills, and gain hands-on experience, summer programs are a good option to consider. The programs in this list range from research mentorships to engineering immersions and community service opportunities. The knowledge and skills you will gain from these programs can be valuable when applying for future academic or professional opportunities.
Here’s a lineup of 16 summer programs for San Diego high school students in 2024-2025.
Subject Areas: STEM, Humanities, Data Science, and more
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts, including in the summer. Upcoming dates are:
- Winter seminar: December 2, 2024 onwards
- Spring seminar: March 3, 2025 onwards
- 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 few tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. November 10, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort, and February 9, 2025 for the spring cohort
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs in areas like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, and psychology. You can choose either quantitative or qualitative research methods. After selecting your track, you’ll collaborate one-on-one with a professor or PhD scholar from a leading university to develop a 20-page research paper suitable for journal submission. The program provides specialized field knowledge, expert guidance, a recommendation letter, and feedback to improve future projects and college applications. Apply now for this unique opportunity!
Subject Areas: STEM, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Location: Remote
Program Dates: June to August (summer). Fall, winter, and spring cohorts are also available
Cost: $2,990 (12 weeks) | $5,900 (16-20 weeks). Financial aid is available
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 out of 4 GPA
Application Deadline: Summer deadlines are usually in March, April, and May
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program, created by Harvard and Oxford researchers, allows high school students to work one-on-one with PhD mentors on an independent research project. You’ll get guidance to develop a college-level research paper, with additional support from writing coaches. You can choose subjects like mathematics, biology, data science, economics, psychology, business, gender studies, linguistics, environmental studies, philosophy, astrophysics, and more. The program ends with a symposium where you can present your research, with the potential for publication.
3. Veritas AI
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Finance, Medicine
Location: Remote
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including the summer
Cost:
- $2,290 for the AI Scholars program (10-week bootcamp)
- $5,400 for the AI Fellowship (12–15 weeks, 1:1 mentorship)
- $6,900 for both AI Scholars + Fellowship
- Need-based financial aid is available
Eligibility: High school students. Students applying to the AI Fellowship program must complete the AI Scholars program or provide evidence of previous experience in AI and Python
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. December 1, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
Veritas AI, founded by Harvard graduates, offers two programs for high school students interested in artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars program focuses on collaborative learning in AI applications, while the AI Fellowship provides personalized mentorship from PhD experts for independent research projects.
In the AI Fellowship, you’ll examine AI’s influence on fields such as finance, medicine, and gaming, with opportunities to publish or present your work. Previous projects have explored AI in medicine, educational tools, and gaming algorithms. The program emphasizes technical skill-building and applying AI concepts to real-world challenges
Subject Areas: Business, Entrepreneurship
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including the summer
Cost: The total cost to attend the 3-week program is $2,900. There is need-based financial aid
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. November 24, 2024 for the upcoming Winter cohort. You can access the application form here!
The Young Founder's Lab is a start-up boot camp led by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you'll build a revenue-generating start-up that tackles a real-world problem with guidance from experienced entrepreneurs and professionals from companies like Google and Microsoft.
Alongside developing your start-up, you'll engage in interactive classes on business fundamentals, workshops, skill-building sessions, case studies, and panel discussions. This program is a great chance to explore the business world in high school, offering a space to learn both theoretical and practical approaches to creating a successful business. Check out the program’s brochure for more details.
Subject areas: Technology, Business, Finance, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Healthcare and Medicine, Software Engineering, and more
Location: Remote
Program Dates: 8-week programs with multiple cohorts throughout the year, including the summer
Cost: Starting at $2,490. Financial aid is available
Eligibility: Open to all high school students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. These internships are also open to undergraduates and gap-year students!
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year. Summer cohort: May 12, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Ladder Internships is a selective program for high school students to intern with high-growth startups across various industries, including health tech, AI, and marketing. These startups have raised over a million dollars, with some founders being YCombinator alumni or former employees of companies like Microsoft and Google. During the 8-week virtual internship, you'll work closely with managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects, presenting your work to the company. The program also includes one-on-one training in communication and time management, plus group sessions with other interns.
Subject Areas: Bioengineering, Business, Life Sciences, Marine Science, Design Thinking
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA (hybrid/online options available)
Eligibility: High school students
Application Deadline: Varies by program, with some on a rolling basis; check program availability
Program Dates: Seasonal programs throughout the year (summer, fall, winter)
Cost: $1,500 – $3,000 depending on the program and format
The UC San Diego Research Scholars Program offers high school students a research experience in fields like bioengineering, marine science, and business research. You will engage in projects that develop technical skills through lab activities and data analysis, building scientific skills that will help you conduct future research. In the bioengineering program, for example, you will grow mammalian cells and tissues in a solution. Program sessions vary, with options for hybrid or online participation.
Subject Areas: STEM—Physics, Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Robotics, Game Theory, and more
Location: University of California campuses (Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, San Diego, Santa Cruz), CA
Eligibility: California high school students (grades 8-11) with a GPA of 3.5 or above
Application Deadline: February 7, 2025
Program Dates: July 6 – August 1, 2025
Cost: $5,256 + $44 nonrefundable application fee, financial aid available
The COSMOS program offers a four-week residential experience across UC campuses, including UCSD and UCLA, where high school students study advanced STEM topics in fields like biomedical sciences, robotics, and environmental science. Each campus focuses on distinct clusters, aligning with its faculty’s expertise, enabling you to explore specialized projects and research. UCSD has previously offered courses in engineering design, tissue engineering, video game programming, and photonics.
Subject Areas: Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine, Cell Biology
Location: Sanford Burnham Prebys, San Diego, CA
Eligibility: California high school students who are 16 years or older, preference is given to students from San Diego or Imperial County
Application Deadline: April 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Program Dates: 6 weeks mid-June onwards
Cost: Free (includes a stipend)
This SPARK internship allows California high school students to engage in stem cell research at leading institutions, including the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute. SPARK provides exposure to lab work focused on regenerative medicine and cell biology. This program, offered by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, prioritizes students from diverse backgrounds and includes a stipend.
Subject Areas: Anthropology, Structural Engineering, Writing, History, Digital Media, Animation, and more
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Eligibility: High school students
Application Deadline: May 9, 2025
Program Dates: July 6 – 26, 2025
Cost: $5,950 (+$200 for an SAT Prep Course)
Academic Connections offers a pre-college program for high school students to take courses taught by UCSD scholars, spanning topics like digital media literacy, the influence of art in technology, and structural engineering. In the ‘Analyzing Adaptations: Books and Beyond’ course, you’ll study the difference between books and their film adaptations. The course on emotions will help you understand how emotions are used in media and political messaging. In ‘Introduction to Structural Engineering,’ you’ll have the chance to construct your own mini-buildings that have to survive a simulated earthquake.
Subject Areas: Computational Science, Engineering, Supercomputing, Computer Science
Location: San Diego Supercomputer Center, University of California, San Diego, CA
Eligibility: San Diego County high school students in grades 10-12
Application Deadline: March 15, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Program Dates: June 17 – August 9, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Cost: $1,500 (financial assistance available)
This eight-week REHS program connects students with mentors in computational science, where they work on structured research projects at the San Diego Supercomputer Center. As an intern, you’ll develop skills in hypothesis formulation, data analysis, and computational modeling, engaging in regular lab meetings and project discussions. The program concludes with a poster presentation, where you’ll showcase your findings and research experience.
Subject Areas: STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics)
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Eligibility: Students entering grades 3-12 (different workshops for each age group)
Application Deadline: TBA for 2025
Program Dates: July 7 – 25, 2025
Cost: Not mentioned
The Sally Ride Science Academy offers STEAM workshops for students of different age groups, allowing students to explore roles like space explorer, marine biologist, and computer programmer. With a strong focus on interactive projects, the program introduces you to real scientific and artistic challenges. The academy also highlights diverse role models in STEAM fields, aiming to make these careers more accessible to young students.
Subject Areas: Translational Science, Genomics, Computational Biology, Mobile Health (mHealth), Computer Science, Statistics, Health Sciences
Location: Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, CA
Eligibility: High school students who will be at least 16 years old by the internship start date
Application Deadline: March 30, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Program Dates: TBA for 2025. Two sessions were offered in 2024:
- June 3 – August 9, 2024
- June 17 – August 23, 2024
Cost: Unpaid internship
The Scripps Student Research Internship Program places students in a research environment focused on genomics, proteomics, and mobile health technologies. You will gain hands-on experience with data analysis, computational methods, and emerging tools in biomedical research. You will collaborate with researchers on translational science projects, enhancing both your technical skills and understanding of personalized health care. The internship teaches you how to present scientific information, a useful skill if you’re considering research for college or for your career.
Subject Areas: Neuroscience, Cancer Research, Immunobiology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Computational Biology, Plant Biology, Bioinformatics, and more
Location: Salk Institute, La Jolla, CA
Eligibility: San Diego County high school students, age 16+ with coursework in biology and chemistry and a minimum GPA of 2.75
Application Deadline: March 5, 2025
Program Dates: June 16 – August 8, 2025
Cost: Free (stipend provided)
The Heithoff-Brody High School Scholars Program offers San Diego high schoolers the chance to contribute to research in various subfields of biology. Over eight weeks, you will work alongside researchers at the Salk Institute on projects in fields like computational biology, biochemistry, and neuroscience. You will learn essential wet lab techniques and explore real-world applications of biotechnology. Through workshops, mentorship, and a final presentation, you will build skills for future careers in scientific research and biology.
Subject Areas: Community Service, Leadership, Nonprofit Operations, Civic Engagement
Location: Nationwide, including San Diego, CA; local nonprofit placements, and a Washington, D.C. summit
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors and seniors who are in good academic standing and permanently reside in one of the eligible locations
Application Deadline: January 15, 2025
Program Dates: Eight-week summer internship; exact dates depend on the location
Cost: Free (stipends provided)
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program offers high school students internships at local nonprofits and a leadership summit in Washington, D.C. You will learn about the challenges nonprofits face, participate in community impact projects, and gain insight into how the public, private, and nonprofit sectors collaborate to address social issues. The program fosters leadership and civic engagement, preparing you for future roles in social impact and advocacy. The program selects only 300 students each year, and the trip to the leadership summit in Washington, D.C., is fully funded by the Bank of America.
Subject Areas: Genomics, Environmental Science, Synthetic Biology, Technology
Location: J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA and Rockville, MD
Eligibility: High school students (16+) who reside in the U.S. and have a minimum 3.0 GPA
Application Deadline: Rolling once applications are open
Program Dates: TBA for 2025 (10-15 weeks in summer)
Compensation: Free (paid $17/hour)
The J. Craig Venter Institute’s internship program allows interns to work in genomics and environmental research with mentorship from JCVI scientists. You will contribute to lab experiments in fields that interest you using modern technology and tools. You’ll enhance your scientific communication skills through seminars and a concluding poster presentation, giving you insight into professional research. The program also offers career development workshops and journal clubs.
Subject Areas: Engineering, Physical Science, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Social Science, Geometry, and more
Location: Department of Navy (DoN) labs nationwide, including Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA
Eligibility: Students in grades 10-12 aged 16+ who are solely U.S. citizens. Specific labs may have additional eligibility requirements
Application Deadline: November 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Program Dates: Eight weeks in the summer
Cost: Free (stipend of $4,000 for new participants, $4,500 for returning participants)
SEAP places students in Navy labs to work on current research in science and engineering under the mentorship of Navy researchers. You will engage in meaningful projects that deepen your understanding of STEM using advanced research tools and software. Through hands-on learning, you will gain practical experience in a government research environment, preparing you for future careers in defense and technology fields. The program aims to encourage students to pursue Department of Navy science and engineering careers.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.