If you’re a high school student in Amherst, local summer programs are a great opportunity to explore your interests while building advanced skills. From research immersions to pre-college courses, these experiences help you grow intellectually. You can collaborate with experts, create innovative projects, and build a foundation for future academic and career success.
Whether you're interested in STEM, the arts, social sciences, or interdisciplinary studies, Amherst offers a range of programs for high schoolers. You can sharpen your problem-solving, develop research skills, and enhance critical thinking through these experiences. In this list, we’ve included programs offered by local universities like Amherst College and a few virtual options worth checking out.
Here is a curated list of 7 Amherst summer programs for high school students in 2024-2025!
UMass Amherst’s six-week Research Intensives program is designed for high school students eager to gain experience in professional research settings. You will work alongside faculty and graduate and undergraduate students in state-of-the-art labs. Available research areas include biology, psychology, food science, environmental conservation, and biochemistry. Hosted on the UMass Amherst campus, the program introduces you to college life, including residence hall living and dining.
Subject Areas: Electrical and Computer Engineering, Biochemistry, Food Science, Environmental Conservation, Biology, Psychology, and Microbiology
Location: University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
Program Dates: June 30 – August 10, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Cost: Residential $11,350 | Commuter $6,767
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Application Deadline: To be announced for the Summer 2025 program
The Summer iD Tech Camp at Amherst College allows high school students to explore STEM fields. The program combines hands-on tech learning with fun traditions, balancing skill-building and recreation. Guided by STEM professionals, you will work on app development, game design, AI bot creation, and video production projects. You will also connect with peers and improve your creativity, collaboration, and innovation skills.
Subject Areas: STEM, Coding, Robotics, Game Development
Location: Amherst College, Amherst, MA
Program Dates: Typically runs for a week in the summer
Cost: Starts at $899
Eligibility: High school students
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
This UMass Amherst course introduces artistic techniques, combining hands-on exploration with theory for a well-rounded artistic foundation. You will work with media like pencil, charcoal, ink, and digital tools to discover your creative style. This credit-bearing program emphasizes skill development and encourages individual expression through projects. You will also receive guidance in preparing professional portfolios for college admissions, with sessions for self-reflection and improvement.
Subject Areas: Drawing, Portfolio Preparation, Design Principles, Art
Location: University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
Program Dates: June 30 – July 13, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Cost: In-Person: $3,636 | Commuter: $2,167
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Application Deadline: To be announced for the Summer 2025 program
The Writer's Workshop at Amherst College offers a program for novice and experienced high school writers. Under the guidance of professional authors and university instructors, you will refine your writing skills and build a portfolio. Through creative writing prompts and exercises, the workshop aims to make exploring new techniques enjoyable. Additionally, the program draws inspiration from Amherst’s rich literary heritage, inviting you to explore the spaces frequented by Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost.
Subject Areas: Creative Writing
Location: Amherst College, Amherst, MA
Program Dates: July 13 – 19, 2025
Cost: The cost ranges from $1,595 to $2,970, depending on residential or commuter
Eligibility: Rising 9-12 graders
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Apply here!
UMass Amherst’s Summer Pre-College Programs offer college-level academics and the opportunity to live in a college dorm. You can choose from various subjects, including art, business, and STEM. Courses include business ethics, applications of Python, anthropology, engineering, entrepreneurship, design, and veterinary medicine, all taught by university faculty. Most courses are worth 2 college credits. Evenings and weekends involve activities and events to help you connect with fellow students.
Subject Areas: STEM, Biology, Sustainability, Energy and Climate, Entrepreneurship, Hospitality & Tourism Management, Python, Sport Management, Business, Astronomy, Medicine, Social Media, and more
Location: University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
Program Dates: Dates vary according to program chosen; typically two weeks in June, July, and August
Cost: The cost ranges from $1,425 to $11,350, depending on the program chosen and residential or commuter options. See the full cost breakdown here
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Application Deadline: To be announced for the Summer 2025 program
HCSSiM is an intensive six-week program for high school students focused on college-level mathematics. You will solve mathematical problems, attend four hours of classes daily, and participate in evening problem-solving sessions. The program provides access to professors, graduate students, and guest lecturers, such as recent winners of the Siemens Competition and Intel Science Talent Search. You’ll explore topics like combinatorics, number theory, fractals, and topology, with a focus on mathematical inquiry and patterns. A weekly program of math films will further stimulate learning.
Subject Areas: Mathematics
Location: Hampshire College, Amherst, MA
Program Dates: June 30 – August 10, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Cost: $5,882; some need-based financial aid is available
Eligibility: High school students
Application Deadline: April 17, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
The Common Young Writers Program is a two-week virtual intensive focused on fiction. Through a blend of live and self-paced sessions, you will explore the fundamentals of fiction—scene, character, plot, and imagery—while drafting and revising your short stories. Analyzing works published in The Common through peer discussions will teach you to read critically and refine your writing craft.
The program, taught by editors and editorial assistants from Amherst College’s literary magazine, offers two levels. Level I, ideal for beginners, introduces the process of crafting a short story through daily assignments, interactive workshops, and one-on-one feedback sessions. You'll also gain insight into the role of literary magazines, access additional writing prompts, and receive a subscription to The Common.
Subject Areas: Creative Writing
Location: Virtual program organized by Amherst College
Program Dates: July 21 – August 1, 2025
Cost: $849; some need-based financial aid is available
Eligibility: High school students
Application Deadline: Applications for the Summer 2025 program will open on March 10, 2025
Bonus option -
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States