High school students today have access to various summer programs, providing opportunities to build skills and gain experience across fields like STEM, law, entrepreneurship, medicine, and the arts. These programs are designed to deepen your understanding of complex topics, offering a platform for intellectual growth and skill development. Hands-on projects and close mentorship encourage you to explore your interests in a focused environment.
By working with industry professionals, university faculty, and mentors, you build valuable expertise and gain insights into potential career paths. For high schoolers who want to explore future careers in their chosen field, here is a curated list of 7 summer programs in El Paso, Texas!
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: Vary according to cohort:
- Winter: December 16, 2024 onwards
- Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance
Application Deadline: December 1, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
Subject Areas: Data Science, Biology, Chemistry, Political Theory, Psychology, and more
Eligibility: High school students, typically in 10th or 11th grade, with a 3.67+ GPA. 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, public health and safety, social psychology, and medicine. It is one of the very 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 PhD 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. The program includes a letter of recommendation for every student, plus comprehensive feedback on projects that can assist with future work and college applications. Apply here!
The CyberPatriot Cyber Camp, hosted by the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), introduces high school students to cybersecurity fundamentals. This intensive, two-week camp is designed to develop your skills in cyber defense and prepare you for the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition. Led by UTEP cybersecurity students and the Air Force Association (AFA) CyberPatriot Team, the camp offers a hands-on curriculum that covers beginner to advanced cybersecurity concepts.
During the first week, you learn essential skills in cybersecurity, including cyber ethics and virtual machines. Successful participants advance to the second week, where you explore advanced topics such as ethical hacking. The camp culminates in a competition where you apply what you’ve learned in a real-world simulation, preparing you for the national competition in the fall.
Eligibility: High school students
Program Dates: TBA for 2025. The 2024 dates were:
- June Camp: June 10 – 14 and June 17 – 21, 2024
- July Camp: July 8 – 12 and July 15 – 19, 2024
Location: University of Texas at El Paso, TX
Subject Areas: Cybersecurity, STEM
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: TBA for 2025; visit the website for more detailed information
Subject areas: Technology, Business, Finance, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Healthcare and Medicine, Software Engineering, and more
Cost: $2,490 (financial aid available)
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including in the summer
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships, founded by Harvard alumni, connects high school students with startups and nonprofits worldwide for virtual internships. Participants engage in data collection, analysis, and interpretation and also receive personalized training in communication, time management, and other essential skills. Each intern is paired with a research manager and a Ladder coach for mentorship throughout the program.
Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. Past founders have included YCombinator alums, founders raising over 30 million dollars, or founders who previously worked at Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company.
The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso (TTUHSC El Paso) Summer Medical Camp provides high school students with an introduction to careers in healthcare. Hosted by the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, this two-week camp includes hands-on activities, field trips, and interactive sessions led by healthcare professionals.
The program also features college preparation workshops, giving you insights into different healthcare professions and the academic journey ahead. Highlights include a mock crime scene investigation and financial planning workshops, giving you a comprehensive view of the challenges and rewards of pursuing a medical career. Each camp is limited to 30 students, ensuring a focused learning environment with mentorship.
Eligibility: Current and rising high school students in the Paso del Norte region
Program Dates: TBA for 2025. The 2024 dates were:
- June Camp: June 17 – 28, 2024
- July Camp: July 8 – 19, 2024
Location: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX
Subject Areas: Medicine, Healthcare, Medical Technology
Cost: No cost
Application Deadline: Applications open on April 15, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program); limited seats are available (maximum of 30 students per camp)
The UTEP High School Law Camp is a two-week program designed for high school students interested in exploring careers in law. This camp provides a comprehensive introduction to the legal field, giving you foundational knowledge and essential skills for academic and professional success in law.
During the program, you will analyze case law, learn legal principles, and participate in professional skill-building workshops. Field trips to legal organizations and hands-on experience like a mock trial allow you to apply your knowledge. With daily sessions from Monday through Friday, the program provides a structured environment to network with peers and mentors.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors, as well as recent graduates
Program Dates: June 3 – 14, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application Deadline: TBA for 2025; please visit the website for more information
Location: University of Texas at El Paso, TX
Subject Areas: Law, Legal Studies, Analytical Skills, Professional Development
Cost: Free; lunch and snacks provided
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program gives 300 high school juniors and seniors paid summer internships at local nonprofit organizations across the U.S., including in El Paso. The program combines work experience with leadership training and ends in a week-long leadership summit in Washington, D.C. The summit allows you to network with nonprofit leaders and learn more about social impact. This eight-week program emphasizes community service leadership, aiming to help you drive change in your community.
Location: Various U.S. cities, including El Paso, TX; see the full list here
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors who are in good academic standing, authorized to work in the U.S., and permanently live in an eligible location
Dates/Duration: Varies according to internship, but typically 8 weeks in May – June, including one week of leadership training in Washington, D.C.
Application Deadline: January 15, 2025
Cost: Free, includes travel and lodging
Subject Areas: Nonprofit, Leadership, Business
The Rice University Pre-college Law Program is an online course that introduces high school students to the legal field and its impact on society. This self-paced course explores the legal system, focusing on how laws can promote justice, civil rights, and equality. Through engaging video lectures by Rice University faculty, assignments, and case studies, you will develop a nuanced understanding of legal principles and their role in shaping societal norms.
You will study property rights, employment law, and educational rights, learning to analyze legal frameworks and civil rights intersections. The course is structured to allow flexibility, with 20-30 hours of total instruction and coursework. Upon completion, you will earn a Certificate of Completion from Rice University, enhancing your academic profile and preparing you for further studies in law.
Eligibility: High school students
Location: Online, self-paced
Subject Areas: Law, Civil Rights, Property Law, Employment Law, Educational Rights
Cost: $1,495; need-based financial aid available
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.