University-run programs provide you with an opportunity to work on your understanding of specialized subjects and develop advanced skills in a college setting.
You’ll engage with advanced methodologies, tackle collaborative projects, and gain a solid foundation in your field of passion — all while understanding how college-level academics work and experiencing campus life while still in high school!
These 8 university programs for high school students are a great place to start!
1. Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College Programs
Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College Programs offer rising high school juniors and seniors an immersive introduction to university-level learning. You can delve into specialized subject areas like artificial intelligence, computer science, mathematics, and science under the guidance of Carnegie Mellon’s faculty. These programs emphasize both academic and personal growth, challenging students to master advanced concepts and skills. Beyond academics, students experience life on campus, gaining exposure to university resources and the rigor of collegiate study.
Cost: Costs vary according to program.
Program Dates: June 21 – August 2
Application Deadline: March 1
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Mathematics, Natural Sciences.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; participants must be 16 years old by June 21.
2. Harvard Pre-College Summer School Program
Harvard’s Pre-College Program offers high school students an immersive, two-week residential experience on campus. Participants select one non-credit course from nearly 30 options, spanning subjects such as molecular biology, philosophy, data science, and creative writing. Under the guidance of Harvard-affiliated instructors, students engage in intensive coursework designed to develop critical thinking, analytical, and research skills. The program emphasizes intellectual exploration without the pressure of letter grades, fostering a collaborative and rigorous academic environment.
Cost: $5,800 + $75 application fee
Program Dates:
- Session I: June 22 – July 3
- Session II: July 6 – July 18
- Session III: July 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 12
Subject Areas: Molecular Biology, Data Science, Creative Writing, Philosophy, and more (up to 30 course options per session).
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who will graduate in 2026 or 2027. Students must be at least 16 years old by June 21, and younger than 19 by July 31.
3. Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP)
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) is a free, year-long college preparation initiative for high school juniors from limited-income backgrounds with a strong interest in journalism. The program begins with a multi-week hybrid summer intensive, featuring online workshops in July and culminating in a 10-day residential experience on Princeton University’s campus in early August. Participants engage in workshops and lectures led by renowned journalists and educators, covering topics such as investigative reporting, media ethics, and news writing.
Students also gain hands-on experience by producing digital content and authoring articles for The Princeton Summer Journal. Throughout their senior year, participants receive personalized college admissions counseling to support their higher education aspirations.
During the residential segment, students stay in university dorms, visit major news organizations like The New York Times and Bloomberg, and produce articles for The Princeton Summer Journal.
Cost: Fully funded (transportation, housing, meals, and equipment provided)
Program Dates:
- Virtual Portion: Mid-July
- In-Person Portion: Late July – Early August
Application Deadline: February 24
Subject Areas: Investigative Journalism, Media Ethics, Writing and Reporting, College Admissions.
Eligibility: High school juniors with a GPA above 3.5 who are interested in pursuing journalism.
4. NYU Cyber Security for Computer Science (CS4CS)
NYU Tandon School of Engineering’s Computer Science for Cyber Security (CS4CS) program is a free, three-week summer course that introduces you to cybersecurity and computer science fundamentals. You’ll explore topics like white-hat hacking, cryptography, steganography, and digital forensics, gaining hands-on experience with industry-standard tools used to detect and investigate cyber threats. Along the way, you’ll also develop coding techniques and learn behavioral strategies to protect against phishing and identity theft.
A unique part of the program is the Irondale program, where you’ll participate in improv exercises designed to strengthen your public speaking and communication skills.
Cost: Free; Participants are responsible for their own lunch and transportation expenses.
Program Dates: July 14 – August 8
Application Deadline: April 15
Subject Areas: Cybersecurity, Cryptography, Digital Forensics, Privacy, Behavioral Science, and Public Speaking.
Eligibility: High school students in 10th or 11th grade residing in NYC.
5. Stanford AI4ALL
Stanford AI4ALL is a 2-week online program designed to increase diversity in artificial intelligence by immersing high school students in AI through lectures, hands-on research projects, and mentoring activities. Participants engage with professionals and explore cutting-edge topics such as robotics, computer vision, medical AI, and natural language processing while gaining exposure to the potential of AI to improve society.
The program emphasizes real-world applications and ethical considerations of AI in areas such as medicine, disaster response, and poverty alleviation. Students work in small groups on research projects guided by Stanford graduate and postdoctoral researchers, developing both technical and collaborative skills.
The online format allows students from around the globe to participate, provided they have access to a reliable computer, high-speed internet, a webcam, and a USB headset for live, interactive sessions.
Cost: $4,000 (financial aid available).
Program Dates: June 18 – July 2
Application Deadline: January 24
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Computer Vision, Medical AI, and Research Methodology.
Eligibility: Rising 10th graders over the age of 14 by program start.
6. Georgetown University Pre-College Online Courses
Georgetown University offers online pre-college courses designed for high school students aged 13 and older. Courses are available year-round, allowing students to choose between college credit or enrichment (non-credit) options. The program covers a wide range of subjects, including cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, international law, and more, allowing students to delve into areas of interest at their own pace. Enrichment courses typically span 1, 2, or 4 weeks, while college credit courses extend over 6, 8, or 12 weeks, providing flexibility to accommodate different schedules.
Upon completion, students receive a Certificate of Completion for enrichment courses or earn college credits for credit-bearing courses, enhancing their academic profiles.
Cost:
- Enrichment Courses: $1,795
- College Credit Courses: $3,995
Program Dates: Courses are available year-round with varying lengths (1, 2, 4, 6, 8, or 12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Subject Areas: Cybersecurity, Entrepreneurship, International Law, International Relations, Medicine, Creative Writing, Psychology, and more.
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and older who are currently enrolled in high school or equivalent programs
7. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an eight-week, immersive research experience for high school juniors and seniors. Participants work alongside Stanford faculty, postdocs, and researchers on cutting-edge medical projects, gaining firsthand experience in scientific methodologies and research.
Participants select from eight research areas, including Immunology, Cancer Biology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Neuroscience, Cardiovascular Biology, Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Bioengineering. Throughout the program, students gain hands-on experience in laboratory techniques, attend specialized lectures, and participate in seminars focused on scientific careers and pathways to graduate or medical school. The program culminates in a poster session where students present their research findings to the Stanford community.
Cost: Free
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Dates: June 9 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 22
Subject Areas: Immunology, Cancer Biology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Neuroscience, Cardiovascular Biology, Genetics, Bioinformatics, Bioengineering.
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors (class of 2025 or 2026), U.S. citizens or permanent residents, aged 16 or older by June 9, attending high school in the U.S.
8. MITES Summer Program
The MITES (Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science) Summer Program is a six-week, highly selective residential experience at MIT, aimed at high school juniors passionate about STEM. Participants enroll in five advanced courses covering math, science, and humanities, with electives such as Machine Learning, Architecture, and Genomics.
The program emphasizes hands-on learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving, preparing students for the academic challenges of top-tier universities. Beyond academics, MITES fosters a supportive community through lab tours, seminars with STEM professionals, and social events, offering a comprehensive introduction to college life and STEM careers.
Cost: Free (all expenses covered)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Dates: Late June – Early August (specific dates to be announced).
Application Deadline: February 1
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Engineering, Technology, Programming.
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors interested in STEM. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Bonus programs!
If you’re looking for a rigorous program open to high school students in addition to a university-led program, check out these bonus options!
1. Horizon’s Academic Research Program (HARP)
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as environment, machine learning and social media, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more!
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. Apply here!
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Spring 2025: February 16; Summer 2025: February 16 (early), March 23 (priority), April 20 (regular-I), May 18 (regular-II)!
Program Dates: Spring 2025: March 3; Summer 2025: June 16! 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 couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research opportunity for high school students. Through this program, you’ll be paired with a PhD mentor and work closely with them on a research project tailored to your interests.
Throughout the program, you’ll receive personalized guidance through nine individual sessions with your mentor and two with a writing coach. The program culminates in the completion of a research paper, which you’ll present at the Lumiere Research Symposium.
Location: Remote.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school, and have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher. No prior knowledge of your field of interest is required.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The Winter Cohort II application deadline is December 29!
Program Dates: Summer: June – August, Fall: September – December, Winter: December – February, Spring: March – June.
Cost: Full financial aid available
Image source – Carnegie Mellon University logo
